At Millbank, we’re no strangers to the fascinating world of engineering projects. We work closely with talented professionals and forward-thinking clients across sectors like oil & gas, nuclear, chemicals, and renewable energy - and one area we find especially vital (and frankly, underrated) is the FEED and Detailed Design stage. It’s where a project really begins to take shape. It’s more than drawings and datasheets - it’s about defining what a project is, how much it will cost, and how safely and efficiently it can be delivered.
FEED sits between conceptual design and detailed design
"It is sometimes called basic engineering or Front-End Loading Stage 3 (FEL-3), and the aim is to produce an engineering system from the pre-FEED concept with enough detail to provide a ±10-20% total installed cost (TIC) estimate.” - and that’s a brilliant summary. In other words, FEED helps put strong foundations in place. It clarifies the project scope, prevents scope creep, and ensures long-lead items can be ordered early enough to avoid headaches later. These aren’t just buzzwords. This is the reality of engineering projects that need to land on time and on budget.
We love seeing how engineers from all disciplines come together at this stage - whether it’s piping engineers sketching out early line specs, process engineers developing flow diagrams and mass balances, or electrical and instrumentation teams shaping out the automation strategies. P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams) are a classic example of something that’s deceptively simple on the surface but absolutely core to FEED and detailed design work. They’re more than a drawing - they’re the heartbeat of any process facility.
And let’s talk about safety. The basis of safety, hazard identification, and HAZOP studies are all integral here. From a recruitment perspective, we’ve seen rising demand for engineers who are not just technically brilliant, but who can also lead or contribute to hazard studies and safety assessments. It's a skillset that's increasingly valued - and rightly so. Safe design saves lives, reduces operational risk, and ensures regulatory compliance from the get-go.
As the project moves from FEED to Detailed Design, the real graft begins. Now the broad brushstrokes get filled in with every last nut, bolt, and pipe support. It’s here where design engineers, CAD technicians, materials engineers, and procurement specialists really make their mark. Vendor data is reviewed, drawings are finalised, and any changes to design have to be managed carefully. We've seen first-hand the difference that great change control makes - and the chaos that poor communication can create.
At Millbank, we're proud to support clients and candidates throughout this entire journey. We’re actively recruiting for roles in FEED and detailed design across multiple sectors, including:
- Process Engineers with experience producing calculations, analyses, drawings, models, design base documentation and technical reports
- Mechanical Engineers for layout and equipment spec and design of mechanical handling and bespoke machinery
- EC&I Engineers with experience of the latest tools for EC&I design such as AMTECH, AutoCAD, Microsoft Office Packages.
- Planners and Project Controls professionals with detailed understanding of scheduling methodologies and technique as well as Primavera P6
- Project Engineers and Manager with experience in managing multi-disciplinary coordination
- Safety Case Engineers - Deterministic and Probabilistic Safety Assessments (PSA) and Nuclear Licensing and Authorisations.
We’re always fascinated by how the right engineering talent can shape projects at this level. Whether it’s a new green hydrogen facility or an upgrade to an existing refinery, every project benefits from a strong FEED and Detailed Design phase - and the skilled professionals who deliver it.
This is more than just recruitment for us. We genuinely enjoy following these projects, supporting the engineers behind them, and helping clients find the perfect fit for their teams.
If you're currently working in FEED or detailed design, or you're a hiring manager needing proven talent in this space, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s build something brilliant together.
Source: www.thechemicalengineer.com “Demystifying Engineering Projects Part 3: FEED and Detailed Design” Article by Steven King CEng MIChemE
