Master Plumber

About the role

The Senior Facilities Master Plumber serves as the facility's lead plumbing authority, responsible for the safe, reliable, and regulatory-compliant operation of all process, utility, and sanitary plumbing systems. This includes high-pressure steam distribution, condensate return, boiler feedwater, chemical transfer lines, acid/caustic piping, process cooling water, fire protection, domestic water, compressed air, and industrial wastewater collection/treatment systems.

Responsibilities

• Act as the facility's Master Plumber of record, approving, overseeing, and signing off on all plumbing installations, modifications, and repairs (internal and contractor-performed).
• Lead, mentor, train, and supervise journeyman and apprentice plumbers/pipefitters; provide technical direction and perform quality control on work execution.
• Plan, schedule, and execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on:
• High-pressure steam and condensate systems (boilers, steam traps, pressure-reducing stations, heat exchangers)
• Boiler feedwater treatment and deaerator systems
• Process piping for chemicals, solvents, rubber compounding ingredients, acids, caustics
• Industrial wastewater collection, neutralization, pH adjustment, and treatment systems
• Cooling water, chilled water, and closed-loop utility systems
• Compressed air, natural gas, and fire protection water systems
• Sanitary and storm drainage systems
• Diagnose and repair complex leaks, blockages, pressure issues, corrosion/erosion failures, steam trap malfunctions, valve failures, pump cavitation, and backflow incidents under production-critical conditions to minimize downtime.
• Install, modify, test, and commission new piping systems, process equipment hook-ups, chemical dosing lines, wastewater treatment upgrades, and boiler-related components in accordance with design specifications, codes, and PSM requirements.
• Perform pressure testing (hydrostatic/pneumatic), leak detection, ultrasonic testing of steam traps, and corrosion monitoring on critical piping.
• Maintain accurate documentation: as-built drawings, P&IDs, isometric drawings, valve lists, steam trap databases, backflow prevention records, and wastewater discharge monitoring logs.
• Ensure full compliance with: International Plumbing Code (IPC)/Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), ASME B31.3 Process Piping, EPA wastewater regulations, OSHA, NFPA, and site PSM/RMP requirements.
• Specify and procure piping materials, valves, fittings, gaskets, steam traps, pumps, and specialty components suitable for corrosive, high-temperature, and hazardous service.
• Manage critical spare parts inventory for boilers, steam systems, wastewater pumps, and chemical piping.
• Conduct root cause failure analysis (RCA) for piping incidents, boiler trips, wastewater excursions, and PSM near-misses; develop and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, reliability, environmental, and boiler operators on capital projects, system upgrades, turnarounds, and regulatory inspections.
• Respond to off-shift and emergency plumbing/steam/boiler feedwater calls as part of the on-call rotation.

Requirements

• Education Requirements: High school diploma or GED required; technical diploma or associate degree in industrial pipefitting, plumbing technology, or mechanical systems preferred.
• Current Master Plumber license (state-issued) required.
• Valid Journeyman Plumber or Pipefitter license (state-issued) required.
• OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour General Industry certification (or obtain within 6 months).
• Preferred Certifications: ASME B31.3 Process Piping certification or equivalent training, Backflow Prevention Device Tester certification, Steam Trap Specialist or Boiler Operation training, Wastewater Operator certification (Grade 1 or higher) or willingness to obtain, Confined Space Entry, HAZWOPER awareness, or similar industrial safety training.
• Experience: Minimum 10–12 years of progressive plumbing/pipefitting experience, with at least 5 years in an industrial manufacturing or process facility required (chemical processing, petrochemical, rubber/plastics, pharmaceuticals, pulp & paper, power generation, or refinery strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated experience working on high-pressure steam systems, boilers (>100 psi), condensate return, and boiler feedwater treatment.
• Proven experience with corrosive and hazardous chemical piping (acids, caustics, solvents, flammable liquids) and associated materials (alloy, lined, double-contained piping).
• Experience leading small plumbing/pipefitting crews or serving in a senior/lead capacity in an industrial setting.
• Technical Skills & Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of process piping codes (ASME B31.3), power piping (B31.1), and plumbing codes as applied in chemical/industrial facilities; Strong understanding of steam system components (traps, PRVs, heat exchangers, deaerators) and boiler feedwater chemistry; Proficiency reading and interpreting P&IDs, isometric drawings, piping specifications, and equipment manuals; Familiarity with pipe fabrication, welding supports, flange assembly, gasket selection, and materials compatibility for corrosive/hazardous service; Experience with CMMS systems, predictive maintenance tools (ultrasonic steam trap testing, infrared, vibration), and basic troubleshooting of centrifugal pumps and control valves; Knowledge of rubber and chemical processing equipment (mixers, extruders, reactors, autoclaves, scrubbers, cooling towers, wastewater DAF or biological treatment) is a strong plus.

Qualifications

• Must be a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident.
• Ability to work at heights, in confined spaces, near high-temperature steam lines, and in varying conditions (hot, humid, chemical odors, noise, PPE required).
• Strong safety-first mindset with excellent attention to detail and commitment to zero-incident performance.
• Good communication and documentation skills; ability to train others and write clear work reports.
• Willingness to participate in rotating on-call, overtime, nights, weekends, and plant shutdown/turnaround schedules.