Yagub Maksim oglu Piriyev graduated from the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction Institute in 1975, majoring in "Automobile Roads". After graduating from the institute, he worked as the head of the project-research team of the Ministry of Highway Construction and Operation of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 1977-1980, he studied at the postgraduate school of the Institute. In 1983, he received the scientific degree of candidate of technical sciences. In 1981-1984, he worked as a junior researcher and teacher at that Institute. In 1984-1985, he worked as a group leader and senior specialist at the "Azeryollayiha" Institute of the Ministry of Highway Construction and Operation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In 1985-1992, he worked as a department head at Azerbaijan Civil Engineering Institute. In 1992-1995, Y.Piriyev worked as a teacher at Atatürk University of the Republic of Türkiye. In 1995-2013, he again worked as a department head and dean at Azerbaijan Civil Engineering Institute. 

In 2013-2014, Yagub Piriyev worked as the deputy head of the Science and Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Science and Education, since 2014 as the Deputy Head of the Office. Furthermore, he served as the head of the Science, Higher and Secondary Education Department.

He is the author of 1 invention, 4 normative documents, 4 textbooks, 5 teaching aids and more than 100 scientific articles in the field of transport construction and road engineering.

Since 2004 he has been a full member of the International Transport Academy.

By the Orders of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, he was awarded the honorary title of "Honored Teacher" in 2006, and was awarded the "Taraggi" medal in 2021.

Yagub Piriyev was appointed to the position of rector of Baku Engineering University by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated September 13, 2023.

He is married with two children.