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Principal Pipeline Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

System One

Software Engineer Principal

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$131K - $175K/yr

Software Engineer Principal Location : Pittsburgh, PA or Cleveland OH or Birmingham AL or Dallas ... CI/CD Pipeline Engineering Team- Orange Rocket, rolling out GitHub enterprise. Industry Background:

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Principal Pipeline Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal pipeline engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal pipeline engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal pipeline engineer?

Principal Pipeline Engineers are senior professionals responsible for designing, overseeing, and managing the construction and maintenance of pipeline systems used to transport materials such as oil, gas, or water. They lead engineering teams, ensure compliance with industry standards, and solve complex technical challenges. Their role often involves project management, technical leadership, and liaising with clients and regulatory bodies to ensure safe and efficient pipeline operations.

What are some common challenges faced by principal pipeline engineers during large-scale infrastructure projects?

Principal Pipeline Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing project timelines, and ensuring compliance with evolving safety and environmental regulations. They must balance technical demands with budget constraints while overseeing design, construction, and commissioning phases. Effective communication and proactive problem-solving are essential, as they frequently collaborate with clients, contractors, and regulatory bodies to address unforeseen issues and maintain project momentum.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal pipeline engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Principal Pipeline Engineer, you need deep expertise in pipeline engineering principles, design codes, and industry standards, usually supported by a degree in engineering and significant field experience. Familiarity with specialized software such as AutoCAD, CAESAR II, and pipeline simulation tools, along with professional certifications like PE or equivalent, is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help manage multidisciplinary teams and complex projects. These skills and qualifications ensure the safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant delivery of critical pipeline infrastructure.

What is the difference between Principal Pipeline Engineer vs Pipeline Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Pipeline EngineerPipeline Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's in Engineering or related field, PE license beneficial
Work EnvironmentLead design, oversee projects, coordinate teams, strategic planningDesign, develop, and maintain pipeline systems, execute project tasks
Employer & Industry UsageOil & gas, energy, infrastructure companies, often in senior rolesOil & gas, utilities, construction firms, entry to mid-level roles

The Principal Pipeline Engineer typically holds a higher level of responsibility, focusing on project leadership and strategic oversight, while the Pipeline Engineer is more involved in technical design and execution. Both roles require relevant engineering credentials and industry experience, but the Principal role emphasizes leadership and planning.

More about Principal Pipeline Engineer jobs

What job categories do people searching Principal Pipeline Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Pipeline Engineer jobs are:

Principal Pipeline Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Pipeline Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

PRINCIPAL PIPELINE ENGINEER

Gulf Interstate Engineering Company

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Function as the Lead Pipeline Engineer on smaller to mid-size projects.

  • Oversee pipeline engineering work products, perform routing, ROW and workspace selection, and ensure compliance with regulations and codes.

  • Coordinate with field and third-party personnel, review discipline scope of work, and perform quality control checks on engineering documents.

Job description

Description

Position Title: Principal Pipeline Engineer

Location: Houston, TX


Gulf Companies has served the global energy industry since 1953 by supporting the complete project lifecycle and developing valued business partnerships to ensure the success of the project. Our worldwide experience and multi-disciplined capabilities encompass all aspects of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management, Field Inspection, GIS Integrity, Staffing Services and more.


Position Description

The Principal Pipeline Engineer handles medium, large and complex projects. He/she has wide latitude of technical authority with full work responsibilities, as well as limited administrative responsibilities, over a group of Pipeline Engineers and Designers. He/she may assign and review work of lower-level personnel. He/she may also function as the Lead Pipeline Engineer, responsible for all discipline technical and scheduling matters pertaining to the assigned project. Work is periodically reviewed by the Chief Pipeline Engineer for accomplishment of objectives.


Essential Functions

  • Function as the Lead Pipeline Engineer on smaller to mid-size projects.
  • Responsible for oversight of pipeline related engineering work products (calculations, design, specifications, etc.).
  • Good understanding of oil and gas pipeline design practices, project planning and cost control requirements and procurement procedures.
  • Experience with performing detailed design of Gas or Liquids pipelines; with both is preferred.
  • Provide technical leadership to lower-level engineers.
  • Prepare engineering training materials.
  • Function as interface between engineering teams, management and clients.
  • Ensure that all engineering work is done in accordance with applicable regulations and codes as well as Gulf procedures.
  • Independently prepares or reviews discipline projects specifications.
  • Reviews the discipline scope of work to be executed to ensure it matches project specification and/or the proposal documents as appropriate.
  • Provide quality control checks on pipeline engineering documents.
  • Independently perform Routing, ROW and Workspace selection; studies on construction techniques and economic feasibility studies. Coordinate with field and third party (Environmental or Geotechnical or Survey) personnel.
  • Familiar with permitting requirements for pipeline design and construction.


ADDENDUM: PIPELINE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONSPipeline Engineering is a highly specialized group whose function is to provide design-engineering service covering:
  • Pipeline Equipment and Piping System Design - Develop the optimum system based upon desired performance, space constraints, reliability, maintainability, flexibility and cost.
  • Calculations: Wall Thickness Calculations; API 1102 Calculations for Highway Crossing and Railroad Crossing; HDD design calculations; Roping Calculations or Minimum Bending Radius; Wheel Load Calculation; Hydrotest; Buoyancy Calculation; Reinforcement Calculation; Maximum Allowable Span Length; Field Bending
  • Studies/Plans: Hydrotest Plan; Class Location study; HCA study; Stress Analysis, HDD Design
  • Site Layouts and Plot Plans; Access Roads; Storage Yards - Determine location, size and arrangement of major Pipeline equipment - Launcher, Receivers, MLVs; access roads, storage yards
  • Typical Tasks - Routing; ROW Selection (Perm and Temp); Workspace Selection; FERC Filing Process; Class Location Study; MLV Spacing for Gas Pipelines; MLV Spacing for Liquid Pipelines; MLV Location for Gas/Liquid; MLV Design; Launcher/Receiver Design; Material Requisitions; Water Sources Selection; Alignment Sheets Review; HCA Study- Gas; Flood Maps; Crossings Design; Hazard Area Crossing Mitigations (Faults and Mining); Road Crossing Permits; Waterbody Crossing Permits; Plats
  • Standards Specifications - Responsible for technical content of standards and preparation of specification including:

- Line Specification

- Launcher/Receiver Barrel Specification

- 3R Ells Specification

- High Yield Fittings Specification

- Internal Coating Specification

- External Coating Specification


  • Construction Drawings -

- Launcher/Receiver Drawings

- Alignment Sheets

- Permit Drawings - Road, Railroad

- Permit Drawings - Wetland and Waterbody

- Plats

- Hydrotest plan drawings

- HDD design drawings


#LI-RG1

Requirements

Qualifications

Typically 8+ years' experience in pipeline engineering, pipeline operations, or pipeline construction.

Familiar with all relevant codes and regulations.

Knowledge of computer systems in an engineering environment.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


Education

BS in Engineering

PE Certification preferred


Competencies

Results oriented

Customer focused

Focused on accuracy and quality of work


Work Environment/Physical Demands

Working conditions are normal for an office environment.

Frequent sitting and operating a computer.

Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or office materials.

Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

Physical demands requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work.



Gulf is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.



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