Lead Designer

Kahuna USA LLC•Broomfield, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Designer role is a senior-level position responsible for leading piping design efforts on large-scale projects, including cryogenic gas processing, amine treating, refrigeration, condensate stabilization, and oil treating facilities. In this role, you will oversee the development and execution of complex 3D piping designs, ensuring alignment with project objectives and technical requirements. You will operate with a high level of autonomy while coordinating closely with multi-discipline engineering leads to manage design efforts across concurrent projects. This role carries responsibility for ensuring that all drawings and deliverables meet company standards, project schedules, and budget expectations. As a leader within the design team, you will mentor and develop designers at all levels, provide technical guidance, and perform quality checks and back-checks to ensure accuracy and consistency. You will play a critical role in driving successful project outcomes while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.

Requirements

6–15 years of progressive relevant design experience or equivalent; 8 years minimum in a lead role.
Expert-level CADWorx Plant® proficiency, including independent 3D model building, spec editing, ISOGEN setup, and clash review.
Advanced mastery and expert knowledge of available Navisworks® tools; able to perform a presentation with a client using Freedom, Manage, and Simulate without any guidance.
Advanced mastery and expert of AutoCAD®; understands, can edit and use LISP routines, tools, plotting settings, and CUI; creates new tools to be more efficient; can troubleshoot computer issues and provide technical assistance to others.
Proficiency in 3D modeling and software tools including Microsoft Office, AutoCAD®, CADWorx P&ID®, CADWorx Plant®, Bluebeam Revu®, Navisworks®, and other relevant company platforms.
Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and dependable; able to work independently while also contributing effectively within a collaborative team.
Capable of interpreting engineering specifications and applying relevant codes, standards, and material knowledge to practical design solutions.
Strong organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and lead the work of junior designers and drafters.
Working knowledge of ASME B31.3 piping codes.

Nice To Haves

Completion of community college coursework or drafting/CAD classes.
V-Lisp tool development.
Coursework in drafting/CAD, community college studies, or supervisory/managerial training.
Laser scanning and point cloud drafting capabilities.

Responsibilities

Implement redlines per Kahuna standards, identify errors, and generate walkdown-based P&IDs with minimal guidance, demonstrating strong P&ID and piping annotation skills.
Consistently produce accurate piping models and construction drawings using Basic 3D modeling with CADWorx Plant® (or AutoCAD Plant 3D®).
Route and detail piping at a meter station level with intermediate knowledge of piping rules of thumb and supporting piping.
Independently lead piping on small and mid-sized projects while coordinating with supervisors, designers, and engineers.
Coordinate with other design teams to ensure continuous flow of information concerning other engineering disciplines affecting the design execution of a project.
Assist in development of group standards and practices and proactively lead evolution of team designs and pre-developed tools/templates.
Prepare complex plans, sections, details, isometrics, and Bills of Materials with attention to design integrity, working closely with senior staff.
Effectively manage multiple small projects with conflicting deadlines, identifying potential delays and maintaining proactive task flow and drawing accuracy.
Commit to putting in the time required to complete assigned tasks to meet deadlines.
Utilize AutoCAD® and CADWorx Plant® to create and manage 3D models, strictly following company drafting standards and protocols.
Accurately interpret engineering specifications and apply them throughout the piping modeling and annotation process.
Review and assist with drawings from less experienced designers, marking up as needed to ensure a functional design.
Contribute to mentoring and development of junior staff.
Consistently communicate technical and administrative project/task details including correspondence via emails and general documentation.
Be proactive in communicating project status and workload.
Demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and a strong sense of ownership for assigned work.
Continuously seek to improve drafting efficiency, AutoCAD capabilities, and industry knowledge.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.