Pipeline Engineer

NOC #21300, #21320

  • Environment Primarily indoor/office work
  • Education Post-secondary degree
  • Average salary $95,000 to $144,000

Career profile

Pipeline engineers design pipeline systems and facilities, develop inspection and protection programs and collect performance data to make sure all projects related to pipelines are completed on budget and schedule. They are responsible for the safety of pipeline systems for operations staff, the public and the environment by ensuring pipeline integrity and that pipeline projects meet regulatory and health and safety requirements.

Pipelines, Exploration and production, Oil and gas services, Oil sands, Offshore, Engineering, design and procurement, Construction, Start-up and commissioning

When you start in this occupation activities may include:

  • Preparing mechanical or civil drawings
  • Planning routes and preparing design drawings of pipeline and supportive facilities
  • Optimizing the design with due considerations to safety, quality, cost and long-term operability

As you advance you may take on additional tasks including:

  • Ensuring the safe and cost-effective design of all gathering pipelines, main transportation systems, pump or compressor stations and storage tank facilities
  • Providing Control Centre Operators with specialized training and guidance on the use of a variety of tools for pressure and leak detection purposes
  • Providing engineering design, leadership, guidance and troubleshooting services on complex matters relating to the centralized pipeline control and leak detections systems

Education

  • A post-secondary degree in mechanical, civil or geotechnical engineering (or related discipline) from an institution accredited by Engineers Canada is typically required.

Certifications

  • Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements

Licensing

  • To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
  • Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings
  • Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.

  • Minimal or no travel
  • Primarily indoor/office work
  • Work not physically demanding

You embrace challenge and problem-solving. Sometimes the challenges are technical, such as running a pipeline under a river, and require coordination with specialty engineers and surface land team members and consultation with First Nations and landowners. Other challenges are logistical or interpersonal.

  • Engineering and technology
  • Mechanics
  • Critical thinking
  • Analyzing operations
  • Evaluating systems
  • Design
  • Physics
  • Managing material resources
  • Judgment and decision making
  • Innovative