Freelance 3D Piping Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Piping Designer

Job Description

The Piping Designer produces complex piping layouts, plans, sections, and elevations to support engineering projects in a fast-paced, heavy industrial environment. This role uses AutoCAD and CADWorx Plant (or AutoCAD Plant 3D) to develop accurate 3D piping models and detailed drawings. The designer can independently execute small projects with general oversight and contributes to team standards and the development of junior designers.

Responsibilities

• Produce complex piping layouts, plans, sections, and elevations for engineering projects in heavy industrial settings such as oil and gas, mining, and water/wastewater.
• Develop and manage detailed 3D piping models using CADWorx Plant or AutoCAD Plant 3D, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and alignment with project requirements.
• Interpret and work from P&IDs, design specifications, and engineering inputs to create complete piping design packages.
• Prepare and update drawings and models in AutoCAD, applying drafting best practices, standards, and company procedures.
• Use Navisworks tools (Freedom, Manage, and Simulate) to review models, perform clash checks, and support internal design presentations.
• Coordinate with engineers and designers to clarify design intent, resolve technical issues, and incorporate feedback into drawings and models.
• Apply strong mechanical aptitude and CAD skills to solve design problems and optimize piping layouts for safety, maintenance, and operations.
• Support small projects independently with general to minimal supervision, managing personal workload and meeting project deadlines.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of group design standards, templates, and workflows.
• Assist in mentoring and supporting junior designers by sharing best practices and providing guidance on tools and processes.
• Maintain a high level of detail, organization, and accuracy in all technical drawings and documentation.
• Prioritize and multitask across multiple assignments while maintaining quality and meeting schedule commitments.
• Participate in internal design reviews and model walkthroughs, using Navisworks and other tools to communicate design concepts.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure alignment between 3D models, P&IDs, and other project deliverables.

Essential Skills

• 2+ years of piping design experience in heavy industrial environments such as oil and gas, mining, or water/wastewater.
• Proficiency with CADWorx Plant or AutoCAD Plant 3D at an equivalent level, including the ability to build and manage 3D piping models.
• Experience with piping design, P&IDs, 3D modeling, and 3D design workflows.
• Strong knowledge of Navisworks tools, including the ability to operate Freedom, Manage, and Simulate and perform internal presentations.
• Proficient AutoCAD skills, including use of LISP routines, tools, plotting settings, and CUI, as well as understanding of AutoCAD setup and layer properties.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated CAD proficiency.
• Ability to receive general to minimal supervision and still deliver high-quality work on schedule.
• Effective communication skills to work closely with engineers and other designers.
• High attention to detail, with consistent precision and organization in producing and handling technical drawings.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and multitask as an individual contributor in a project-driven environment.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, CADWorx P&ID, CADWorx Plant, and Bluebeam Revu.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with heavy industrial projects in oil and gas, mining, or water/wastewater facilities.
• Experience using CADWorx or Plant 3D, with openness to other 3D design software for candidates with strong 3D skills.
• A Mechanical Engineer who is interested in design and 3D CAD work is welcome.
• Completion of community college coursework or drafting/CAD classes is a plus.
• Interest in contributing to team standards and supporting the development of junior designers.
• Comfort working in a flexible, trust-based environment with autonomy and accountability.

Work Environment

The role typically follows a 40-hour work week, with occasional additional effort during major project deadlines. The position is primarily office-based, with flexibility available once trust is established and performance is demonstrated. The workplace emphasizes a strong work-life balance, focusing on getting work done, supporting projects, and providing autonomy to employees. The culture is highly social and team-oriented, with activities such as golf leagues, ski days, happy hours, holiday events, office competitions, and team outings. The organization maintains a stable, long-term focus, emphasizing employee retention, financial conservatism, and planning through market cycles. Employees experience a "work hard, have fun, take care of people" philosophy, and leadership invests in making the workplace enjoyable, collaborative, and engaging.

This is a Permanent position based out of Broomfield, CO.

The pay range for this position is $52000.00 - $72800.00/yr.

Medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company contribution. Employer-funded HSA contribution and company-paid life/disability coverage. Generous PTO, paid holidays, and floating holidays. Cell phone reimbursement and on-site fitness center.

This is a fully onsite position in Broomfield,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.