Mechanical Engineering Specialist - Senior Pipe Stress Engineer

Audubon Companies; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Audubon Companies is seeking a Senior Pipe Stress Engineer in Houston, Texas, to lead the analysis and design verification of complex piping systems. The role involves evaluating piping systems under various loads, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and providing technical leadership. Candidates should have a Professional Engineer (PE) license and experience in LNG projects and offshore facilities. This position requires working in the client office 5 days a week and offers an opportunity for mentorship and career development.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• LNG project experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with offshore or modularized facilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform advanced pipe stress analysis.
• Evaluate piping systems for various load conditions.
• Verify compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Develop and approve stress analysis models and calculations.
• Coordinate with design, structural, and mechanical teams.

Skills

Advanced pipe stress analysis

CAESAR II or equivalent software

Compliance verification with codes and standards

Thermal expansion and contraction evaluation

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) license

LNG project experience

Tools

CAESAR II

Dynamic analysis modules

Job description

The Senior Pipe Stress Engineer is responsible for leading the analysis, design verification, and optimization of complex piping systems to ensure structural integrity, code compliance, operability, and safe performance under all operating, thermal, transportation, and environmental conditions. This role provides technical leadership and coordination across piping, structural, mechanical, civil, process, and vendor disciplines throughout all phases of EPC project execution.

The Senior Pipe Stress Engineer serves as a subject matter expert for stress engineering activities, supports project execution strategy, mentors junior engineers, and ensures quality and consistency of stress analysis deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform advanced pipe stress analysis using software such as CAESAR II or equivalent
• Evaluate piping systems for:
  • Thermal expansion and contraction
  • Sustained, operating, occasional, and fatigue loads
  • Wind, seismic, wave, blast, transportation, and slug flow loads
  • Pressure, weight, vibration, and dynamic effects
• Verify compliance with applicable codes and standards including:
  • ASME B31.3, B31.1, B31.4, B31.8
  • ASCE 7
  • MSS-SP standards
  • API standards
  • Client and project-specific specifications
• Develop, review, and approve:
  • Stress analysis models
  • Stress isometrics
  • Pipe support and restraint designs
  • Load calculations
  • Flexibility studies
  • Nozzle load evaluations
  • Dynamic analysis reports
• Coordinate closely with:
  • Piping design teams to improve routing flexibility and support schemes
  • Structural and civil teams regarding pipe rack, sleeper, and foundation loading
  • Mechanical and equipment vendors to validate allowable nozzle loads and equipment interface requirements
  • Construction and fabrication teams to resolve field issues and optimize constructability
• Lead pipe stress reviews during:
  • Model reviews
  • 30/60/90% design reviews
  • HAZOP reviews
  • Constructability and operability reviews
• Request, review, and validate vendor allowable loads and ensure compliance with equipment limitations
• Prepare and issue:
  • Pipe stress calculation packages
  • Pipe support load summaries
  • Equipment nozzle load tables
  • Pipe rack and structural load reports
  • Support sketches and restraint details
• Review and approve third-party and vendor stress calculations when required
• Support project execution during:
  • FEED and Detailed engineering
  • IFC development
  • Fabrication
  • Construction
  • Pre-commissioning
  • Site modifications and reroutes
• Review and resolve:
  • RFIs
  • Field change requests
  • Non-conformance reports
  • Stress-related construction issues
• Perform re-analysis for:
  • Site changes
  • As-built conditions
  • Temporary conditions
  • Transportation and lifting scenarios
• Assist with project staffing forecasts, schedule development, and interdisciplinary coordination
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, engineering standards development, and lessons learned implementation
• Position requires candidate to be in client office 5 days a week

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
• LNG project experience strongly preferred
• Experience with offshore or modularized facilities preferred
• Familiarity with:
  • Caesar II dynamic analysis modules
  • Finite element analysis concepts
  • 3D model review platforms

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled