Job Title: Manager of Spool Drawing Drafting
Department: Engineering / Drafting Reports To: Director of Engineering or Director of Operations Location: [Insert Location, e.g., Gulf Coast Facility – Louisiana/Mississippi] Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Job Summary
The Manager of Spool Drawing Drafting is responsible for leading a team of drafters and designers in the creation, review, and revision of detailed spool fabrication drawings for industrial piping systems. This role ensures all drawings are accurate, compliant with industry codes and customer specifications, and support efficient manufacturing, quality control, and on-time project delivery in a high-volume pipe fabrication environment serving oil & gas, chemical, power, and related industries.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with strong expertise in piping detailing design software (including SpoolGen), spool detailing, and the ability to effectively collaborate with international high-value engineering centers (HVECs) for drafting production support. This role drives process improvements, maintains high quality standards, and collaborates across engineering, production, project management, and quality assurance teams.
Dept Function
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Transform a third-party engineering design into a consistent set of easily understood internal documents that support the efficient fabrication of pipe and structural components in accordance with internal procedures and project specifications.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead, mentor, and develop a team of spool drafters and detailers designers, including performance management, workload distribution, and professional growth.
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Oversee the production of detailed spool fabrication drawings, including isometric views, bill of materials (BOM), weld maps, material specifications, and assembly instructions.
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Manage and coordinate drafting activities with international high-value engineering centers (HVECs) to optimize production capacity, reduce costs, and ensure seamless integration of offshore drafting support.
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Ensure all drawings comply with applicable codes and standards (ASME B31.1, B31.3, API, ANSI, etc.), customer requirements, and internal quality procedures.
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Develop, issue and maintain the internal engineering control documents necessary to ensure compliance to project specifications
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Develop and control fabrication drawings conveying geometry; dimension; materials; welding, NDE, and coating requirements; and other project specific requirements.
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Develop and control Engineering data and documents to support the drafting and fabrication processes
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Coordinate closely with Engineering, Project Management, Procurement, Production, and Quality teams to resolve design issues, optimize fabrication sequences, and minimize field fit-up problems.
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Prepare departmental budgets
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Direct recruitment, placement, and evaluation of engineering project staff.
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Implement and continuously improve drafting workflows, templates, standards, and CAD libraries to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
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Perform quality reviews and approvals of spool drawings prior to release to production.
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Track drafting metrics (output, on-time delivery, error rates) and report on team performance to senior leadership.
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Support bid/proposal efforts by providing accurate estimates for drafting hours and identifying potential fabrication challenges.
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Ensure proper use and maintenance of CAD software, with advanced proficiency in SpoolGen (SmartPlant Spoolgen) alongside AutoCAD, AutoCAD Plant 3D, CADWorx, or equivalent tools.
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Champion safety, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives within the drafting department.
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Stay current with industry best practices, new software/tools, and advancements in pipe fabrication technology.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education:
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Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Drafting & Design, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related technical field (preferred). Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Experience:
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Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in piping/spool drafting within an industrial pipe fabrication, shipbuilding, or heavy industrial manufacturing environment.
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At least 3–5 years in a leadership or supervisory role managing drafting personnel.
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Strong background in spool detailing for flanged, welded, and modular piping assemblies.
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Proven experience working with international high-value engineering centers (HVECs) for drafting production support, including workflow coordination, quality oversight, and knowledge transfer.
Technical Skills:
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Advanced proficiency in SpoolGen (SmartPlant Spoolgen) for generating spool drawings, material take-offs, and fabrication documentation (required).
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Strong proficiency in AutoCAD (required) and preferably AutoCAD Plant 3D, CADWorx, or similar piping design software.
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Deep understanding of piping isometrics, orthographics, weld symbols, material take-offs, and fabrication tolerances.
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Working knowledge of ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, and ASTM material standards
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Exposure to pipe welding and related Non-Destructive Examination
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Familiar with coating systems used in industrial environments
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Experience with ERP/MRP systems for BOM integration and document control is a plus.
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Experience in preparing policies, procedures, and instructions for shop fabrication activities. (i.e. Job Instructions, Paint Instructions, Material Purchasing Instructions, Drafting Instructions).
Leadership & Soft Skills:
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Proven ability to lead and motivate technical teams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, including effective collaboration with distributed international teams.
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Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
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Strong attention to detail with a commitment to quality and accuracy.
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Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Other Requirements:
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Ability to read and interpret engineering specifications, P&IDs, and client drawings.
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Willingness to work occasional overtime or weekends to meet critical project deadlines.
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Must be authorized to work in the United States.
What We Offer
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Competitive salary based on experience
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Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, 401(k), etc.)
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Opportunities for professional development and advancement
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Stable, growing company in the vital industrial fabrication sector
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Collaborative team environment focused on quality and innovation
This position is critical to the success of our fabrication operations and plays a key role in delivering high-quality, code-compliant piping spools to our customers on schedule.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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