Lead Piping Engineer

Belcan; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Belcan seeks an experienced Piping & Pipelines Lead for a major Reading engineering project. The role focuses on piping and pipeline design, fabrication, and integrity across refining and process industries.

Core responsibilities include leading technical workstreams, setting standards, and guiding contractor activities. The position requires deep expertise in piping stress, fitness-for-service, and risk-based decision making, with collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams to deliver safe,

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in piping and pipeline engineering within refining, petrochemical, energy or process industries.
• Strong knowledge of piping design, standards, fabrication, materials selection and mechanical integrity.
• Understanding of steam cracking units, high‑pressure hydroprocessing, sulphur and amine services.
• Experience across Pre‑FEED, FEED and detailed design phases.
• Expertise in piping stress analysis and fitness‑for‑service assessments.
• Ability to evaluate deviations to standards using risk-based methods and provide practical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and provide technical expertise across piping and pipeline engineering for major projects.
• Develop and optimise piping standards, specs and pipe classes for safe, compliant designs.
• Review critical deliverables and calculations to meet regulatory and project standards.
• Provide technical oversight to contractor design, analysis, maintenance and engineering activities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to identify risks and resolve technical issues.
• Apply stress analysis and integrity principles to optimise designs and performance.
• Assess existing piping systems using fitness-for-service methodologies and risk-based decisions.
• Support surveillance, technology deployment and project optimisation.

Skills

Piping design

Pipeline engineering

Mechanical integrity

Piping stress analysis

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Hours: 40 hours per week (Core Hours: 09:00 - 15:30)

Working Pattern: 4 Days Onsite | 1 Day WFH

We are seeking an experienced Piping & Pipelines Lead to join a major engineering project in Reading. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled mechanical engineering professional with extensive expertise in piping and pipeline design, engineering, fabrication, quality, and mechanical integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and provide technical expertise across all aspects of piping and pipeline engineering, including large bore and high-alloy process and utility piping systems, pipelines, storage vessels, and tanks.
• Develop, own, and optimise project piping and pipeline standards, specifications, and pipe classes to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective designs.
• Review critical engineering deliverables and calculations, ensuring compliance with regulatory, industry, and project standards while identifying opportunities for value enhancement.
• Provide technical oversight to contractor-led design, analysis, maintenance, and engineering activities for piping and pipeline systems.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to proactively identify risks, resolve technical issues, and support project delivery.
• Apply expert knowledge of piping stress analysis and mechanical integrity principles to optimise designs and improve performance.
• Assess the suitability and continued operation of existing piping systems using fitness-for-service methodologies and risk-based decision‑making principles.
• Support engineering surveillance, technology deployment, equipment criticality assessments, and project optimisation initiatives.

Required Experience & Skills

• Extensive experience in piping and pipeline engineering within refining, petrochemical, energy, or process industries.
• Strong knowledge of piping design, engineering standards, fabrication, materials selection, and mechanical integrity assessment.
• Understanding of mechanical considerations associated with:
• Steam cracking units
• High‑pressure hydroprocessing
• Sulphur and amine services
• Refinery and process plant operations
• Proven experience during Pre‑FEED, FEED, and detailed design phases.
• Expertise in piping stress analysis and fitness-for-service assessments.
• Ability to evaluate deviations to standards using risk‑based methodologies and provide practical engineering guidance.

If you're an experienced Piping & Pipelines Lead looking for your next contract opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.