Construction engineers are highly precise and creative building professionals. They are passionate about civil engineering construction where they can oversee the design and building of a range of structures. Given their engineering specialty, construction engineers are essential to ensuring that infrastructure around the world is built safely, strongly, and durably.
A construction engineer’s responsibilities span project management, engineering, and construction. Common tasks include overseeing building progress and ensuring people’s safety on construction sites. They also review the project's design to ensure its structurally correct and evaluate the project's structural, electrical, and mechanical condition before, during, and after building. In addition, construction project engineers are responsible for developing project budgets, gathering resources, operating machinery, inspecting equipment, and using computer software for planning and design.
In this career, construction engineers apply their passion for creating with specialized technical knowledge and expertise to procure materials to create an effective construction schedule, ensure the quality of all construction materials, and conduct regular tests to ensure compliance with civil engineering construction regulations. Construction engineers often work closely with civil engineers, structural engineers, building contractors, and other specialists, to guide the building work as specified.
Construction engineers are frequently in demand in the construction industry where building on any scale happens. They can help build homes, offices, bridges, skyscrapers, and other large buildings like tunnels, power plants, dams, and beyond. There is never a dull moment on a construction site, making this career perfect for those who like challenges.
Common construction engineer responsibilities
A construction engineer is responsible for performing a range of engineering and construction tasks. Responsibilities may include:
- Managing construction project planning and design;
- Contributing technical expertise to structural drawings and designs;
- Managing the construction of durable structures according to specifications and plans;
- Identifying appropriate materials for construction based on specifications;
- Identifying and resolving any issues arising during building;
- Managing an effective construction schedule with timing and milestones;
- Designing and maintaining technical catalogs and interpreting contracts;
- Preparing progress reports and appraisal reports;
- Collaborating with customers, engineers, specialists, contractors, and construction workers to construct the desired structures;
- Tracking progress and reporting on same;
- Delivering results in line with agreed construction project timelines and budgets;
- Delivering construction project engineering outputs in compliance with relevant requirements, codes, and certifications, and in line with customer needs and demands;
- Assuring the safety and security of team members;
- Training or mentoring team members who are keen to develop their construction engineering knowledge;
- Traveling to construction sites to guide and observe construction.
Qualifications for construction engineers
Construction engineers should have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a similar engineering discipline. A Master’s degree or extensive work experience is an advantage. In some countries, an engineering license may also be required.
Additional supporting skills and experience include:
- 2-5+ years of construction engineering experience;
- Solid understanding of construction methods;
- Knowledge of surveying equipment and construction materials;
- Excellent applied math and analytical skills;
- Experience with diverse computer software, including the latest design and modeling software like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar;
- Proven experience in project and team management;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to be able to work easily with customers, engineers, technicians, and other team members.