Job Description
Job Overview:
SENIOR 3D CAD DESIGNER
GMM Pfaudler Systems | Process Systems Technologies | Rochester, New York
Design the process systems that industry depends on.
This is not a typical CAD drafting position. You will transform process concepts into complete, construction-ready modular systems and see your designs progress from initial layout through fabrication and as-built documentation.
SUMMARY OF POSITION
GMM Pfaudler US Inc. is a leading supplier of highly engineered, critical equipment and process systems for energy, chemical, and industrial markets. The Process Systems Technologies (PST) group designs and fabricates complete modular process systems, including Reactor Systems, Wiped Film Evaporator (WFE) Systems, Distillation Systems, and other specialized process systems.
We are seeking an experienced 3D CAD Piping Designer to join the PST Group as a Senior 3D CAD Designer. The position is based in our Rochester, NY office, with remote or hybrid arrangements considered for highly qualified candidates based on experience and demonstrated capabilities.
Every system we design is custom engineered for a client's specific process and production needs. Our work serves a broad range of industries, including specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, petrochemicals, polymers, and others. Projects may involve scaling laboratory or pilot-test data into a commercial production system or evaluating and improving an existing process to increase capacity, product quality, operability, and maintainability.
The variety and scale of the work make this an unusually broad design role. Projects range from compact skid-mounted units to large, multi-level modules and combined modular systems. The Senior 3D CAD Designer brings the complete system together by modeling structural steel, process equipment, piping, valves, and instrumentation, then producing the fabrication drawings and bills of materials required to build it.
WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT
- Own meaningful design work rather than simply drafting someone else's completed concept.
- Work on custom projects across multiple process industries, with new layout and routing challenges on each assignment.
- Collaborate directly with Process Engineers, Project Engineers, equipment vendors, fabrication personnel, and customers.
- Balance equipment arrangement, piping design, instrumentation, structural support steel, access, constructability, and maintainability in one integrated model.
- Follow your work through the full project lifecycle, from P&IDs and early layouts through fabrication support, inspection, and final as-built documentation.
- See the systems you model become real operating process plants.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior 3D CAD Designer serves as the primary modeling and detailing resource for assigned PST process-system projects. PST systems are typically skid mounted or modular. Modules may range from approximately 3 ft W x 4 ft L x 5 ft H base-level skids to approximately 12 ft W x 14 ft L x 60 ft H structures with multiple operating levels, platforms, and access stairs. Large projects may consist of multiple interconnected modules. Working closely with Process and Project Engineers, the Designer develops fully integrated 3D models and construction documentation for systems that combine process equipment, piping, instrumentation, structural steel, access platforms, and utilities. Essential duties include the following; other duties may be assigned as necessary.
- Work with Process and Project Engineers (PEs) to create and maintain 2D Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs).
- Use equipment specification sheets and vendor information to model process equipment in 3D by creating custom parts, using GMM Pfaudler's existing library of user shapes, or incorporating suitable vendor stp file.
- Use instrument specification sheets and vendor information to model instruments in 3D by creating custom parts, using existing library shapes, or incorporating suitable vendor stp files.
- Develop (rough-in) preliminary 3D models of structural-steel support skids and equipment-support structures using Autodesk Plant 3D "piper's steel. This includes the steel needed to support equipment, piping, operating platforms, and access requirements.
- Develop and coordinate the complete 3D system model in Autodesk Plant 3D, including process equipment, instruments, valves, and all interconnecting process and utility piping.
- Arrange equipment and route piping to address process requirements, accessibility, operability, maintenance, fabrication, transportation, and installation constraints.
- Use Autodesk Advance Steel and the coordinated model to create 2D detailed structural-steel layout drawings required by the fabrication shops.
- Create 2D orthographic piping drawings, plans, and elevations showing module arrangements, overall dimensions, equipment locations, and field tie-point locations.
- Create 2D and 3D piping isometric and spool drawings for each pipeline, including the information required for fabrication and assembly.
- Export equipment, piping, valve, instrument, and structural-steel bills of materials to Excel for engineering review, procurement, and shop construction.
- Coordinate model interfaces and resolve clashes or inconsistencies among equipment, piping, instrumentation, structures, platforms, and access features.
- Participate in internal and customer design reviews, incorporate approved comments, and maintain accurate revisions throughout the project.
- During fabrication, work with the PE and shop personnel to troubleshoot construction issues and implement approved design changes.
- Review the fabricated system and update the final 3D model, drawings, and documentation to reflect as-built conditions.
- While not a requirement, preference will be given to candidates with the ability to perform selected CAD-administration activities, such as maintaining or improving project templates, modifying piping specifications, updating catalogs, and creating custom parts.
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
- Enjoys solving complex equipment-layout, access, constructability, and piping-routing challenges.
- Takes pride in accurate, well-organized, construction-ready models and drawings.
- Prefers varied custom-project work over repetitive production drafting.
- Communicates well with engineers, designers, vendors, customers, and fabrication personnel.
- Can work independently, manage design details, and collaborate as an active member of a project team.
- Is curious, practical, detail-oriented, and willing to follow a design through fabrication and completion.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience Requirements
- A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant piping-design and 3D-modeling experience, including a minimum of five (5) years using Autodesk Plant 3D.
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience with preliminary or "rough-in" design and 3D modeling of structural-steel equipment-support structures. Experience limited to pipe racks does not satisfy this requirement.
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience detailing steel is preferred.
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience using Autodesk Advance Steel is preferred.
- Piping-design and modeling experience in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry is required.
- Working familiarity with process equipment, valves, and instrumentation commonly used in chemical-process systems is required.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel for specification sheets, bills of materials, and related project documentation is required.
Note: Candidates whose primary experience is with 3D CAD platforms other than Autodesk Plant 3D may be considered if they have extensive, directly relevant piping and steel-design experience and can demonstrate strong general 3D CAD proficiency.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
A bachelor's or associate degree in CAD design is not required but is considered a plus. Directly relevant design experience, demonstrated capability, and the quality of prior work are the most important factors.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Required communication skills include:
- Speak and write English proficiently.
- Listen and communicate effectively with customers, engineers, designers, vendors, and fabrication personnel to understand and clarify project requirements.
- Communicate with vendors to obtain dimensions, technical details, drawings, and models for system components.
- Clearly document design decisions, open items, revisions, and fabrication-support changes.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to perform the dimensional calculations and basic applied mathematics required to design and coordinate process systems in CAD.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to interpret written, verbal, and diagrammatic instructions; recognize missing or conflicting information; apply sound practical judgment; and develop workable design solutions in coordination with the project team.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS
None required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle objects or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and communicate verbally. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The position is primarily performed in a typical office or remote-office environment. The employee may also be required to enter GMM Pfaudler or vendor fabrication-shop environments to review job progress, inspect equipment and system components, support fabrication, or accompany customers during inspections
LOCATION, RELOCATION, AND WORK ARRANGEMENT
GMM Pfaudler offers relocation assistance for qualified candidates interested in joining our Rochester, NY office. For highly qualified candidates with demonstrated Autodesk Plant 3D capability and strong process-industry design experience, remote or hybrid work arrangements are considered.
EMPLOYER STATEMENT
All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job posting in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed for this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.
GMM Pfaudler US Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
