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Engineers have a specialised role in construction that involves technical expertise and management skills. This is known as a project engineer. They have a critical role in the delivery of construction projects and are almost always vital to the execution of the project. After working as a project engineer for many years, I want to share my knowledge about project engineers, their roles and duties.
Project engineers manage the technical side of the project. They breach the gap between structural engineers and project managers by bringing their expertise to ensure that projects are executed according to the designer’s intentions. In addition, project engineers also ensure that the project is executed within time and budget.
Project engineers are usually excellent communicators. They work with managers, stakeholders, other engineers and workers to execute the project. The job involves a mix of site and office work, and the main role is to fix ongoing construction problems by bringing ongoing solutions to ensure that the project is completed on time.
What does a project engineer do?
The role of the project manager is to carry out multiple tasks to ensure that the project does not fall behind schedule. Although delays happen, read: 10 Reasons Why Construction Take So Long To Complete? The project engineer act as problem-solving personnel during the construction phase.
1- Coordinate with different parties
Project engineers work with other types of engineers, such as structural engineers and project managers, to complete the project and communicate important project milestones.
2- Communicate the solution and design
A big portion of the project engineer’s job is communicating solutions and project-specific details to different people. This usually means handing instructions to different subcontractors and workers.
3- Solve ongoing problems
Construction is full of ongoing problems. The project engineer’s job is to find effective and quick solutions to ensure that the project does not fall behind schedule and that the solutions comply with the design standards.
4- Provide quality control
Provide ongoing inspections to ensure that the project has been executed according to the drawings by carrying out Inspection Test Plans (ITPs), and inspections hold points before starting the next phase in the construction process.
5- Carry out Safety inspections
Because safety is a big issue in the construction industry. One of the tasks of the project engineer is to ensure that the construction crew is working safely by carrying out safety inspections and communicating those safety concerns to project managers and safety managers.
What are the skills required for a project engineer?
- Effective communication skills
- Problems solving skills
- Engineering technical skills
- Coordination skills
- Organisation skills
- Attention to detail skills
- Financial literacy
How do you become a project engineer?
To become a project engineer, you need to finish an engineering degree such as Civil, Mechanical or Electrical. To become a successful project engineer, you need on-site experience and technical experience in the field, niche, or industry you manage.
To learn more about becoming successful in this field, read: Top 7 Personality Traits Of Project Managers and Engineers For Immediate Success.
How long does it take to become a project engineer?
Becoming a project engineer depends on the engineering field you want to enter. Engineers can become project engineers after finishing a bachelor’s degree in the following fields:
| Engineering Degree | Bachelors Degree | Masters Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Civil and Environmental Engineering | 4 Years | 2 Years |
| Electrical Engineering | 4 Years | 1-2 Years |
| Mechanical Engineering | 4 Years | 2-3 Years |
| Chemical Engineering | 4 Years | 1-2 Years |
Although a bachelor’s degree is usually sufficient to become a project engineer, Masters’s degree can offer more opportunities to take on more senior jobs. A PhD degree is usually excessive for this career option.
Project engineer salary
| Entry Level | Mid-Career | Professional Project Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| $65,000 | $95,000 | $140,000 |
FQA about project engineers
Project engineer VS project manager?
Project engineers look after the technical aspect of the project while project managers oversee the entire project. Project engineers can do the project manager job. However, a project manager can not do the project engineer job. Therefore, The Daily Tasks Of A Project Manager is similar to the tasks of a project engineer. In big projects, project managers have more seniority level to project engineers.
Is a project engineer a civil engineer?
The project engineer is an engineer with a technical background in engineering. Therefore, a project engineer can be a civil engineer. However, a civil engineer can design while a project engineer does not design but manage and complete projects.
Is project engineering a good career?
Project engineering can be a fulfilling career, especially in large projects requiring monitoring and implementing the engineering aspects.
Is a project engineer a real engineer?
Project engineers are qualified engineers with engineering degrees to run a project and ensure it is executed according to the design. Therefore, they are real engineers.
Is the project engineer a senior role?
The project engineer is a more senior role than an engineer and site engineer, but it is less senior than to project manager and construction manager.
What is another title for a project engineer?
Project engineers are also known as project managers, construction managers or construction engineers. However, project engineers must have an engineering degree, but project managers might not have a degree in engineering.
Can you be a project engineer without an engineering degree?
You can not be a project engineer without an engineering degree as the job require overseeing complex and technical aspect of the project, which require someone with an engineering degree and background in engineering.
