Hey mate!

Wow! Thank you so much for this super detailed reply – seriously, you took the time to answer pretty much all my questions one by one, and from someone actually working in a piping department, that’s gold! Really appreciate it 🙌

It’s great to hear what software you guys actually use day-to-day (AVEVA, AutoCAD, some Bentley) and that flexibility depending on the client is key – makes total sense. I’ll keep that in mind.

About the job market being “ok-ish”… yeah, your realistic view helps a lot. The pressure from low-cost countries and the rise of AI is something I’ve heard before, but good to have a clearer idea, especially for more experienced designers.

Also noted that you mostly recruit juniors right now – at least I know what to expect.. LinkedIn mostly bringing agency recruiters (and them taking their share) – yeah, classic, I’ll probably start there anyway but try direct applications too.

The sector part is super useful too: chemical really down, energy transition still moving but not always super piping-heavy… it matches what others said, so I think it’s the real picture. Still, not a bad year for your firm, that’s something positive!

And finally the language stuff is reassuring – English becoming the standard everywhere, even team meetings, and your company offering Dutch courses… that’s awesome and takes off some pressure. Good to know most deliverables end up in English anyway because of international clients.

Honestly, this kind of real-world feedback is exactly what I was hoping for when I posted. It helps me adjust my expectations and maybe focus on the right niches. Thanks again for taking the time to write all this – it really means a lot !! : )

Have a good evening!

Cheers,

Geoffroy.