Sr. Pipe Leadman

Description

The Senior Pipefitter Leadman is a working supervisor responsible for managing a crew of journeymen, apprentices, and helpers in the fabrication, installation, maintenance, and testing of complex piping systems. Operating primarily in San Diego’s maritime and industrial sectors—including naval vessels, shipyards, and commercial facilities—the Leadman ensures that production schedules are met, safety protocols are strictly enforced, and work complies with NAVSEA, military specifications (MIL-SPEC), and ASME standards.

Requirements

The Senior Pipefitter Leadman is a working supervisor responsible for managing a crew of journeymen, apprentices, and helpers in the fabrication, installation, maintenance, and testing of complex piping systems. Operating primarily in San Diego’s maritime and industrial sectors—including naval vessels, shipyards, and commercial facilities—the Leadman ensures that production schedules are met, safety protocols are strictly enforced, and work complies with NAVSEA, military specifications (MIL-SPEC), and ASME standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Material Takeoffs & Procurement Requests

• Analyze blueprints, isometric drawings, and system schematics to perform precise material takeoffs, calculating the exact quantities of pipe, valves, flanges, fittings, and consumables needed for each project phase.
• Determine appropriate material specifications (e.g., Copper-Nickel, Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel schedules, and pressure ratings) required by the contract or MIL-SPECs.
• Generate and submit Purchase Order (PO) requests to the procurement department, ensuring accurate part numbers, quantities, and lead times to prevent project delays.

Crew Leadership & Supervision

• Direct daily operations for an assigned team of pipefitters, ensuring tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Assign daily work packages, manage labor hours, and track material usage for the crew.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate apprentices and junior journeymen on trade techniques, safety practices, and technical standards.

Technical Execution & Quality Control

• Interpret advanced blueprints, structural drawings, system schematics, isometric sketches, and MIL-SPECs to plan piping layouts.
• Oversee fabrication and installation of high-pressure fluid, gas, steam, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, including P-73 joint fit-up requirements, silver-brazing protocols, and alignment tolerances.
• Coordinate and witness testing procedures, such as hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure tests, to verify system integrity.

Safety & Coordination

• Enforce safety rules and PPE compliance, conducting tool-box talks.
• Verify workspace readiness, ensuring gas-free certifications, hot work permits, and proper ventilation are secured prior to work.
• Coordinate with other trades (welders, mechanics, electricians) and project management to minimize delays and optimize workflow.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

Job Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Experience: Minimum of 6–8 years of journey-level pipefitting experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership, foreman, or leadman role within a shipyard or industrial marine environment.

Technical Expertise: Exceptional knowledge of marine piping materials and specialized joining methods. Must demonstrate strong proficiency in blueprint reading, geometric layout, and advanced material takeoff calculations.

Certifications: Ability to pass shipyard-specific braze and/or weld qualification tests. Current or previous OSHA 10-Hour Maritime (Chapter 1915) certification preferred.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job are medium/heavy in nature. 

• Frequent standing, balancing, walking, climbing ladders or equipment, reaching above shoulder or out in front, manual dexterity, pushing, pulling, kneeling, bending, seeing, hearing and occasionally lowering self into confined spaces, crawling through small openings and working in reclined positions, as needed. 
• Physical ability to lift, push, pull and carry 50+ lbs., bend, stoop and climb scaffold and work on elevated work surfaces, beams, ladders, and confined spaces.   
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, talk or hear. 
• The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Works in all areas of the shipyard and on-board ships.
• Hearing warning signals and reading and comprehending safety instructions. 
• Must be able to maintain general safety awareness and avoid hazards commonly present in employee’s work area.