Pipe Restorer
PIPE RESTORER
Looking for a job? Look elsewhere.
Looking for a trade — where you take small, cherished pieces of history and, with hand tools and patient work, ready them for a new life in someone else’s hands? Read on.
Smokingpipes is the world's largest online retailer of pipes and pipe tobacco, and a respected leader in the resale of estate pipes. We purchase second-hand pipes from collectors across the globe — each one carefully inspected, evaluated, and restored to the best condition possible. Our Restoration team does that work every day — and we're looking for someone who wants to do it right.
We are part of the Laudisi family of companies, but the Restoration team has the feel of a workshop: small teams, visible impact, and a direct line between what you do at the bench and what a collector holds in their hands.
Your role? You're the person who breathes life back into well-loved pipes — diagnosing, cleaning, and refurbishing each one so it's ready to become someone's favorite again.
Every pipe you restore gets inspected, smoked, and talked about by collectors who know the difference between "cleaned up" and "this is special." If you want your day's work to live in someone's collection — not just on a spreadsheet — read on.
WHAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY DO:
Inspect and diagnose each pipe, then restore it with the kind of care and accuracy that keeps collectors trusting us with their next purchase — and the one after that.
That's the standard. Every pipe. Every day.
You'll also:
- Write detailed condition statements that tell collectors exactly what they’re getting — no surprises, no overselling
- Research historically similar pipes for accurate reference
- Clean and refurbish estate pipes for resale using proven techniques that respect the piece — not just the polish
- Operate power tools including buffing machines and wood lathes
- Collaborate with management and teammates to prioritize workloads and hit deadlines
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized workspace
YOU'LL THRIVE HERE IF:
You don’t look at a beat-up pipe and see “used.” You see what it could be again.
Over time, if you're curious and attentive, you don't just "clean pipes" — you start to understand the history behind each maker, the character of different materials, and how the right restoration decision shows up in the final product years later.
Our Restoration department is one of the few places where you can develop a hands-on craft that people care deeply about, without needing years of prior experience in the field. You'll see your work go out into the world, show up in collections, and get discussed by name.
This is a landing pad, not a parking lot. People who excel here don't stay stuck; they grow into more advanced restoration work, lead roles, and other parts of the business as they demonstrate judgment and initiative.
YOU CAN EXPECT:
Compensation and benefits: Competitive salary; health, dental, and vision insurance; six paid holidays; generous PTO; 401(k) with 1:1 match up to 4% and no vesting period.
Perks: Casual dress (jeans and t‑shirts), tuition reimbursement, referral bonuses, year‑end bonuses, fresh fruit daily, paid luncheons, and regular company events.
Growth: Real opportunities to take on more responsibility as you master the restoration process, improve operations, and show you can own outcomes — not just tasks.
Culture: A passionate group of "Laudisians" who like the products, like the customers, and like working with people who actually care.
Reality check: We work around tobacco and smoke; many of us are enthusiasts. You'll often be in smoking areas, so you'll need to be comfortable with that.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING:
Prior experience with pipes isn't required — that's developed through on-site training. What we're really looking for is:
- A real intolerance for sloppiness — when something's off, you notice and you fix it
- Experience with hand tools and light machinery, and comfort working with small, delicate components
- Strong written and verbal communication — you'll be writing condition reports, not just turning wrenches
- Reliability: on time, on site, focused every single day
- The ability to work autonomously while taking direction from teammates and management when needed
- Comfort being on your feet and lifting up to 30 lbs regularly
- A valid driver's license and the ability to pass a criminal background check
Bonus: Previous experience with pipes, pipe tobacco, pipe making, or restoration — personally or professionally — is a plus.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
This job isn't for everyone. It's for people who take pride in doing things right, who get frustrated when a beautiful piece of history gets treated carelessly, and who want to be part of a team that actually holds the line.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “finally, a place that gets it” — apply below.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Wow, they sound intense” — we probably are. And that’s fine. There are plenty of other jobs out there.
But if you want to be part of an institution where your effort matters, where quality isn’t negotiable, and where showing up means actually showing up?
We’re building something here. Come help us build it right.
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply via corporate.laudisi.com for the Pipe Restorer role and upload your resume and a cover letter explaining why you’d be a great fit at Laudisi.
Look, we’re super passionate about the things we do—for many of us that includes the things we buy, make, and sell chiefly pipes, pipe tobacco, and cigars. Lots of us smoke tobacco at Laudisi and there will be times when you must work in smoking areas. Please consider whether you are comfortable working around smoke and tobacco before applying for this position.
Applicants being considered must pass a criminal background check. Our hiring and employment practices are based solely on job related criteria, and we do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law.
Compensation: $17.75 Hourly