A piping engineer is someone who assists in the design of sewage and water piping systems. This type of worker must be imaginative and enjoy both working with his or her hands and with computers. To enter the industry, piping engineers must complete at least two years of college, but four to six additional years of education are required to advance in the field. To be successful, these engineers must master their drawing skills and gain real-world experience. A piping engineer must have excellent attention to detail and the ability to collaborate with others in a team setting.
An associate degree in a field such as industrial design technology with a focus on piping or in the field of process piping design is required to become a piping engineer. In order to enroll in this type of two-year program, you must submit a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent certification to the school you wish to attend. You must also complete an admissions application and submit a copy of your transcript as well as test scores from recent exams.
A training program in industrial design will expose you to a wide range of drafting courses. Prepare to take piping drafting, technical drafting, and computer-aided drafting classes, which will teach you how to create technical drawings of pipes both by hand and with a computer program. If you want to become a piping engineer, some training programs allow you to take these types of drafting classes as part of an online program. To do so, you’ll need a computer that can run computer-aided drafting software and has high-speed Internet access for online software.
Getting hands-on experience in the field is frequently a requirement of a program that prepares you to design piping systems. For someone interested in becoming a piping engineer, internships can be found at construction sites, chemical plants, and even oil companies. Use your internship to assist piping designers with project analysis and the development of newly drafted plans for piping systems that need to be installed.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in piping design will increase your marketability to employers in this field, allowing you to pursue more job opportunities. Engineering bachelor’s degree programs last four years and cover mathematical design methods as well as engineering management. Master’s degree programs in mechanical or civil engineering require an additional two years of study and prepare you for positions of leadership in the field. Topics such as water resources management and pipe system hydraulics are covered in graduate-level courses for those interested in becoming a piping engineer.