Design Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION – DESIGN ENGINEER

Department: Design & Engineering

Industry: Heavy Fabrication – Tanks, Pressure Vessels, Containers and Structural Fabrication

Designation: Design Engineer

Reporting To: Senior Design Engineer / Design Manager / Technical Head

Working Location: CHHAPI(B.K)/VATVA GIDC ,(AHMEDABAD)

Employment Type: Full-Time

1. JOB PURPOSE

The Design Engineer shall be responsible for preparing accurate, practical, cost-effective and production-oriented engineering drawings, calculations, 2D/3D models, fabrication drawings, BOMs and technical documentation for tanks, pressure vessels, containers and other heavy fabrication products.

The candidate must possess strong knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks, drawing interpretation, basic engineering calculations, material allowances, fabrication processes and practical workshop requirements.

The employee shall ensure that all designs are technically correct, production-friendly, safe, economical and completed within the assigned timeline.

2. REQUIRED TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

The candidate must have the following knowledge and skills:

1. AutoCAD: Strong command of 2D drafting, detailing, dimensions, layouts, sections, elevations, revisions and fabrication drawings.
2. SolidWorks: Good command of 3D part modelling, assembly modelling, sheet metal development, weldments and engineering drawings.
3. Engineering Calculations: Ability to perform basic calculations relating to dimensions, weight, volume, surface area, plate thickness, material quantity, capacity and fabrication allowances.
4. Allowance Calculations: Knowledge of bending allowance, bend deduction, rolling allowance, cutting allowance, trimming allowance, machining allowance, weld preparation and material shrinkage or distortion considerations, as applicable.
5. Drawing Reading: Ability to read and interpret GA drawings, assembly drawings, fabrication drawings, customer drawings, P&IDs, sections, welding symbols, GD&T and technical specifications.
6. Material Knowledge: Knowledge of MS, SS, carbon steel, alloy steel and other project-specific materials, grades, thicknesses and material specifications.
7. Fabrication Knowledge: Practical understanding of cutting, shearing, plasma/laser cutting, rolling, bending, drilling, machining, fit-up, welding, assembly and inspection.
8. BOM Preparation: Ability to prepare accurate Bills of Materials, plate cutting lists, pipe and fitting lists, bought-out item lists and material requirement details.
9. Engineering Standards: Familiarity with applicable IS, ASME, ASTM, EN and customer-specific standards, as relevant to the assigned product.
10. Problem Solving: Ability to identify design errors, dimensional mismatches, fabrication difficulties and material wastage before production starts.

3. KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Design and Drawing Preparation

• Prepare 2D and 3D drawings for tanks, pressure vessels, ISO containers, dry bulk containers, trailers, structural components and other assigned products.
• Develop General Arrangement (GA), detailed fabrication, assembly, part and installation drawings.
• Prepare accurate dimensions, tolerances, sections, elevations, views and reference details.
• Convert customer drawings, sketches and approved concepts into manufacturing-ready drawings.
• Ensure drawing clarity so that production personnel can understand and execute the work without unnecessary confusion.
• Maintain drawing numbers, revision numbers, approval status and document history.

B. Engineering Calculations and Allowances

• Perform basic engineering calculations for weight, volume, capacity, surface area, plate utilisation and material requirements.
• Calculate plate development, rolling and bending allowances using the appropriate material thickness, bend radius, tooling and manufacturing process.
• Prepare cutting dimensions and nesting inputs to reduce material wastage.
• Calculate approximate product weight and prepare component-wise weight summaries.
• Check dimensions, clearances, fitment, centre lines, hole positions and assembly compatibility.
• Escalate complex structural, fatigue, pressure, thermal and other safety-critical calculations to the authorised design authority.

Important: Pressure vessel design calculations, minimum wall thickness, design pressure, temperature, corrosion allowance, joint efficiency, nozzle reinforcement and pressure-boundary details must be verified in accordance with the applicable design code by a competent and authorised design professional. Basic calculations alone are not sufficient for final pressure vessel approval.

C. Practical Workshop Coordination

• Understand the actual capabilities and limitations of cutting, bending, rolling, drilling, welding and assembly machines.
• Verify that designs can be manufactured using the available machinery, tools, jigs, fixtures and production facilities.
• Coordinate with Production, PPC, QA/QC, Purchase and Stores before finalising critical drawings.
• Attend workshop discussions to resolve drawing-related production difficulties.
• Provide approved clarifications for dimensional mismatches and fabrication issues.
• Visit the shop floor when necessary to verify actual measurements, fitment and assembly conditions.
• Ensure that drawing revisions are communicated to all affected departments and obsolete drawings are withdrawn from use.

D. Material Planning and Cost Optimisation

• Prepare accurate BOMs, cutting lists, material specifications and component details.
• Support Purchase and Stores in identifying correct material grades, sizes and quantities.
• Minimise plate, pipe, structural section and consumable wastage through proper design and nesting.
• Identify opportunities for weight reduction, standardisation and cost improvement without compromising safety, quality or customer specifications.
• Coordinate with Purchase regarding material availability and feasible alternatives, subject to authorised technical approval.
• Maintain records of design changes and their impact on material, cost and delivery.

E. Quality and Customer Requirements

• Study customer specifications, approved drawings, technical datasheets and applicable codes before starting design work.
• Ensure drawings comply with approved specifications, tolerances and applicable standards.
• Coordinate with QA/QC for inspection requirements, weld details, testing requirements and quality documentation.
• Support customer drawing reviews, TPI clarifications and technical queries.
• Incorporate comments only after the appropriate review and approval.
• Ensure that pressure-retaining components and other safety-critical details are not released without the required technical approvals.

F. Documentation and Data Management

• Maintain organised electronic and hard-copy records of drawings, calculations, BOMs and revisions.
• Use a controlled drawing register with issue dates, revision status, approval status and distribution records.
• Maintain project-wise folders, design checklists and calculation records.
• Follow company procedures for backup, access control, confidentiality and intellectual property protection.
• Submit daily work reports and project progress updates to the reporting manager.
• Ensure that only the latest approved drawings are available for production use.

G. Teamwork and Technical Support

• Coordinate with Design, Production, PPC, QA/QC, Purchase, Stores and Project teams.
• Train junior design staff and draftsmen in drawing standards, software practices and documentation, as assigned.
• Share technical knowledge and support continuous improvement.
• Attend design review meetings and project progress meetings.
• Report technical risks, delays, errors and resource requirements to the reporting manager without unnecessary delay.

4. DESIGN ENGINEER ACCOUNTABILITY

The Design Engineer shall be accountable for:

1. Accuracy and completeness of drawings released under their responsibility.
2. Correct dimensions, material specifications, component details and BOMs.
3. Proper calculation and application of manufacturing allowances.
4. Timely completion of assigned drawings and engineering tasks.
5. Identification and escalation of design errors before production release.
6. Proper control of drawing revisions and prevention of obsolete drawing usage.
7. Coordination with production to minimise rework caused by avoidable design errors.
8. Confidentiality and protection of company and customer drawings.
9. Maintaining design records and providing information during audits.
10. Timely reporting of technical issues and project delays.
11. Following applicable safety, quality and engineering requirements.
12. Taking ownership of assigned work until the required deliverables are completed and formally handed over.

Any error or nonconformity shall be investigated on the basis of documented facts, the approved review process and the employee's actual responsibilities. Corrective action and accountability shall follow company policy and applicable law.

5. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

Performance shall be evaluated using measurable targets agreed with the reporting manager.

KPI

Measurement

Drawing completion

Percentage of drawings completed within the agreed

schedule

Drawing accuracy

Number and severity of verified design errors

First-time approval

Percentage of drawings approved without major rework

BOM accuracy

Difference between approved BOM quantities and verified

requirements

Material optimisation

Measured material savings against an approved baseline

Production support

Response time for drawing-related technical queries

Revision control

Compliance with drawing issue and revision procedures

Documentation

Timely completion of registers, calculations and records

Cross-functional coordination

Feedback from Production, PPC and QA/QC

Continuous improvement

Verified cost, time or quality improvements implemented

Targets shall be reasonable, documented and adjusted according to project complexity, customer changes, available resources and the employee's level of authority.

6. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Practical experience in heavy fabrication, tank manufacturing, pressure vessel manufacturing, container manufacturing or a related engineering industry.
• Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
• Ability to prepare independent fabrication drawings and BOMs.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes and engineering calculations.
• Experience with pressure vessel codes, design calculations, FEA or specialised design software will be an advantage for relevant roles.
• Freshers may be considered for junior positions based on technical knowledge and practical aptitude.

Preferred experience: 3–7 years for an experienced Design Engineer, depending on product complexity and the level of independent responsibility.

7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

7.1 Probation Period

The initial probation period shall be as specified in the appointment letter. Performance, technical ability, discipline, drawing accuracy and work quality will be reviewed during this period.

7.2 Notice Period

The notice period shall be as stated in the appointment letter and applicable company policy, subject to applicable law. Handover and clearance procedures shall be completed before separation.

7.3 Performance Review

Performance shall be reviewed periodically against agreed KPIs, drawing accuracy, delivery commitments, technical competency and teamwork. Training or performance improvement measures may be implemented where required.

7.4 Work Commitment and Project Handover

The employee shall complete assigned deliverables within agreed timelines and maintain proper handover records for pending drawings, calculations, revisions and technical queries. Any resignation or separation shall be handled under the applicable employment terms and law; the company shall not impose an unlawful restriction on an employee's right to resign.

7.5 Working Hours and Shift Requirements

The employee shall follow the approved working schedule and may be required to coordinate with production shifts or attend the plant when technically necessary, subject to applicable working-hour and overtime rules.

7.6 Mobile Phone and IT Usage

Personal mobile phone use during working hours may be restricted in designated production or confidential areas. Company computers, email, software licences and internet access must be used responsibly and in accordance with the IT and information-security policies.

7.7 Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

All company and customer drawings, 3D models, calculations, specifications, costing details and technical records shall be treated as confidential. They shall not be copied, transferred, disclosed or used for unauthorised purposes. Ownership and use of work created during employment shall be governed by the appointment terms, applicable agreements and law.

7.8 Company Property and Software

The employee shall properly maintain company-provided computers, measuring instruments, software and other equipment. Any loss, damage or suspected data breach must be reported promptly. Recovery of losses, if any, shall be handled only in accordance with applicable law and documented procedures.

7.9 Attendance and Discipline

Regular attendance, punctuality, professional behaviour, adherence to safety requirements and cooperation with authorised supervisors are mandatory.

7.10 Technical Approval Authority

The employee shall not independently approve or release safety-critical designs beyond their qualifications, delegated authority or applicable statutory requirements. Required design checks, customer approvals and authorised sign-offs must be obtained before release.

7.11 Training and Skill Development

The employee shall participate in relevant training, software updates, design reviews, quality audits and technical improvement activities assigned by the company.

7.12 Other Duties

The employee shall perform other reasonable, job-related engineering duties assigned by the reporting manager, consistent with the role, competence and applicable law.

8. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Practical, production-oriented thinking.
• Attention to detail and dimensional accuracy.
• Ownership and accountability for assigned deliverables.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Clear communication with shop-floor personnel and management.
• Ability to work under project deadlines without compromising engineering safety or quality.
• Willingness to learn new design software, standards and manufacturing techniques.

9. DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED

• Design and drawing register.
• Project-wise drawing revision register.
• Engineering calculation sheets and verification records.
• BOM and cutting list records.
• Customer drawing approval records.
• Design review and change-control records.
• Production query and design correction register.
• Material optimisation and design improvement reports.
• Daily work and project progress reports.
• Drawing issue and handover records.

10. ACCEPTANCE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I confirm that I have read and understood the responsibilities, performance expectations, technical requirements and employment conditions described in this Job Description. I agree to perform my assigned duties professionally, maintain confidentiality, follow approved engineering procedures and take responsibility for work within my authorised scope.