Sr Principal CAD Designer

CB&I Careers; Calgary; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CB&I is seeking a Senior Principal CAD Designer to lead 2D/3D CAD deliverables for storage solutions and related foundations. You will work under the Project Engineer, mentor junior designers, and drive design quality in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has 20+ years of CAD and steel detailing experience, strong leadership, and proficiency with Microstation and AutoCAD (Tekla preferred). You will collaborate with engineers and managers to ensure safe, code-compliant drawings and

Qualifications

• 20+ years of CAD and steel detailing experience.
• Experience with Microstation or AutoCAD.
• Proficiency in Tekla is preferred.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Produce and check 2D/3D CAD drawings for projects.
• Lead project set up, planning, and model creation.
• Mentor junior CAD designers and share knowledge.
• Maintain standards, templates, and knowledge transfer materials.
• Ensure designs are safe for erection and meet codes.
• Collaborate with engineers and project managers.

Skills

CAD leadership

2D/3D CAD

Project mentoring

Communication

Problem solving

Education

2-year technical diploma

Tools

Microstation

AutoCAD

Tekla

Job description

Company Overview

CB&I delivers integrated storage and asset‑management solutions that help customers operate safely, reliably, and efficiently across the lifecycle of their facilities. Through our two global business units - Storage Solutions, the world leader in tanks, terminals, and storage systems, and Asset Solutions, a leading provider of operations, management, wells and decommissioning services - we combine technical excellence with execution capability to extend asset life, optimize performance, and maximize value.

Overview

The Senior Principal CAD Designer is responsible for utilizing 2D and/or 3D CAD skills, CB&I engineering and drafting templates and tools to produce and/or check design deliverables; including drawings and bills of material for plate structures and associated foundations, structural, and piping associated with CB&I Storage Solutions’ products and services. The role includes working in a fast‑paced, production‑oriented environment where speed and accuracy is essential. The Senior Principal CAD Designer is expected to be a leader and mentor in the organization and work independently with no supervision. They may be asked to train or supervise the work of a less experienced designer on any relevant task. The Senior Principal CAD Designer is responsible for maintaining standards, manuals and knowledge transfer materials associated with the role's area of expertise. The role directly reports to the Project Engineer and routinely interacts with other CAD Designers, Engineers and Managers.

Responsibilities

• Accurately produce detail drawings for customer approval, fabrication, and/or construction per applicable design code, company standards and customer drawings and specifications.
• Ensure drawing details are safe for field erection and use, with constructability in mind.
• Reliably check and sign off detail drawings.
• Complete project set up, planning and layout or model on which detail drawings are based.
• Compare design drawings and bills of material to as‑sold estimate and advise project team of discrepancies and potential change notices.
• Troubleshoot and maintain programs and templates used to produce detail drawings
• Maintain and/or approve revisions to standard and form drawings associated with area of expertise.
• Produce or check advance bills and bills of material in designated software.
• Forecast how long it will take to do a task – commit to definitive deadlines.
• Provide mentoring and knowledge transfer to less experienced CAD designers.
• Create knowledge transfer materials and maintain expertise - may involve writing company procedures.
• Make decisions on project‑specific details and/or standard details and advise project team.
• Generate improvement ideas for tools and workflow.
• Implement improvement initiatives within the department and/or broader organization.
• Effectively use document management system.
• Effectively use project team or department collaboration and productivity apps and tools.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of relevant experience.
• 2-year technical diploma required
• Proficient in 2D and/or 3D CAD using platforms such as Microstation and/or AutoCAD.
• Proficiency in Tekla preferred
• Knowledgeable of steel detailing practices and applicable standard industry conventions.
• Possesses skills in geometry, trigonometry, unit conversions, quantity take‑offs and basic bills of material.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal

Skills and Behaviors

• Strong leadership skills
• Knowledge of oil and gas markets and products
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Mentally agile with ability to multi‑task and manage tight deadlines
• Proven negotiating ability with high emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills
• Adaptability and agility to learn and contribute in varying and complex environments
• A mature business and technical acumen coupled with a drive to achieve results
• Ability to work and build credibility across the business, up to and including senior management level