Flexible Pipe Engineer

Position Overview

The Flexible Pipe Engineer is responsible for the design, integrity management, and specification of unbonded flexible pipelines and risers for subsea field developments. This highly specialised role addresses one of the most technically demanding areas in subsea engineering, where failure consequences are severe. With the expansion of deep-water fields relying on flexible riser systems, and a limited global pool of qualified specialists, this discipline faces acute talent scarcity.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and specify unbonded flexible pipes and risers in accordance with API 17J, API 17K, and relevant ISO standards.
• Perform cross-sectional analysis of flexible pipe pressure and tensile armour layers using specialised software (e.g., UFLEX, ANSI).
• Develop flexible pipe system design basis, specifications, and data sheets for procurement.
• Review manufacturer design reports, qualification test results, and factory acceptance test (FAT) documentation.
• Perform global flexible riser analysis using OrcaFlex or similar, including extreme, fatigue, and interference assessments.
• Conduct integrity assessments of in-service flexible pipes using inspection and monitoring data.
• Evaluate failure investigation reports and recommend remedial actions for degraded flexible pipes.
• Liaise with flexible pipe manufacturers and testing laboratories on qualification programmes.
• Provide technical input to bid evaluations, purchase orders, and change orders related to flexible pipe systems.
• Support installation engineering and offshore campaigns as subject matter expert.

Qualifications

Required

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Ocean Engineering
• Certifications: Chartered Engineer preferred; BOSIET/FOET for offshore visits
• Experience: 8–15 years in flexible pipe engineering with operator, EPC, or manufacturer experience
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in API 17J/API 17K, OrcaFlex, UFLEX or equivalent; understanding of polymer mechanics and armour layer mechanics; fatigue analysis of flexible risers

Preferred

• Experience with bonded flexible pipes (API 17K) in addition to unbonded (API 17J)
• Involvement in flexible pipe qualification and relicensing programmes
• Working knowledge of integrity management systems (e.g., OrcaFlex Live, monitoring systems)
• Familiarity with riser guard design and interference analysis