Work Conditions – Field and project engineers typically spend a lot of time on job sites and/or in the field. As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. While on construction or other job sites, field and project engineers must be aware of and comply with all relevant safety policy and procedures.
Contents
- 0.1 What is the role of project engineer in construction?
- 0.2 Is project engineer a real engineer?
- 0.3 What is the difference between project engineer and construction engineer?
- 1 What does a project engineer do day to day?
- 2 Is project engineer a good position?
- 3 Can you be a project engineer without an engineering degree?
- 4 What position is higher than project engineer?
- 5 Is a project engineer below a project manager?
- 6 Is a project engineer a construction manager?
- 7 Is project engineer same as site engineer?
- 8 What do entry level project engineers do?
- 9 Who does a project engineer report to?
- 10 What makes a successful project engineer?
- 11 What position is higher than project engineer?
What is the role of project engineer in construction?
A Project Engineer is a professional who is responsible for all technical and engineering aspects of their assigned projects. They plan, schedule, predict, and manage all the technical tasks of their assigned project to assure accuracy, proper resources, and quality from start to finish.
Is project engineer a real engineer?
The term project engineer refers to engineers who, in the position of a project manager, are responsible for a specific working group and project. Let’s take a look at their daily responsibilities, required skills, background, and more!
What is the difference between project engineer and construction engineer?
Not everyone is aware of the differences between construction engineering and project engineering, and while some of those differences are subtle, a few of them are what causes a person to choose to specialize in one over the other. Construction engineering includes the designing, planning, construction, and management of projects like roads, bridges, airports, tunnels, railroads, utilities, and more.
- On the other hand, project engineering focuses on the design, repairs, renovations, or construction on buildings.
- Both these engineering professions require a bachelor’s degree, although a construction engineer will have theirs in civil engineering, while a project engineer can obtain theirs in any engineering discipline.
A project engineer may be able to skip obtaining a degree if they have enough work experience within the construction industry and have had a managerial role for some time as well. The skills needed for both these jobs are basically the same. An engineer in either field needs to be organized, capable of solving problems quickly, detail oriented, capable of making decisions in seconds, and capable of communicating effectively with everyone that they work with.
Conduct surveys of potential future projects Engage in the research that is needed for any project Analyze the results of the surveys and research that has been completed Plan the construction of the current project Oversee the work that is being performed on the current project Communicate with everyone who is involved in the current project Inspect the work sites Determine the costs of each construction project Provide technical advice as needed or where required
Here are the roles and responsibilities of a project engineer:
Plan the project and determine the timeline that the work will be completed by Hire employees Acquire the equipment and materials needed for each project Keep the project on schedule and on budget Communicate with the employees, other contractors, suppliers, and anyone else who has an interest in the project Create reports on the progress of the project and share those reports with the necessary people Follow standard operating procedures of the company, as well as the regulations and guidelines of the local area, while completing the project Solve problems and concerns as soon as they arise
Both construction engineers and project engineers are not the only ones who work at the job sites. They may also find themselves working with site engineers, superintendents, planning engineers, and project managers. Everyone has their own jobs, yet they need to work well together to ensure that the entire project is completed properly and on time.
These two engineers will spend a good portion of their time on the job site, although there is plenty of office work that they need to complete as well. It is possible for these engineers to begin their days in the office early, as they complete the necessary paperwork for the day and get things ready to send out to the employees, so they know what they need to accomplish that day.
They may or may not finish all that work before they need to leave for the job site, where they will oversee the work that is being completed for the day. Some days may end earlier than others, depending on what was completed and what didn’t go according to plan.
The days that extend far into the evening hours are the ones that both construction engineers and project engineers try to avoid, as that time takes away from their other priorities. There are nights when construction engineers and project engineers need to return to the office, so that they can send out reports of the progress of the day and finalize schedules for the following morning.
These jobs can be stressful, especially for those who do not manage their time on the job sites accordingly. Anyone who works in either one of these fields will want to have a plan of when they will do certain items on their to-do list. While this plan will never really be followed, since no day is ever the same in the construction industry, it will at least be a guideline of what the engineers need to do next.
What does a project engineer do day to day?
A Day in the Life of a Project Engineer 2 min read Written by: Katie Gallalee 09.05.19 Hourigan’s Project Engineer Development Program provides a unique opportunity to recent graduates who are looking to begin a career in construction. I have had the chance to experience three potential career paths within our company before committing to one track.
As a rotational program, the Project Engineer role develops a foundation in construction by exposing you to different sides of the industry—project management, field supervision, and preconstruction services. A Project Engineer typically focuses on one project—either as part of the preconstruction, field, or project management teams.
Due to the unique nature of this program, I was able to split time between both, the field and project management, all within the same jobsite. I reviewed submittals and RFIs (Requests for Information), managed document control, tracked potential change items for added scope or deducts, maintained subcontractor compliance, and ensured materials were ordered on time to meet the project schedule.
Coordinating subcontractor schedules and durations Managing site logistics with tight site constraints Addressing incomplete or uncoordinated design documents Conveying project updates in weekly meetings Monitoring the project schedule and budget
Recently, I have transitioned to our preconstruction services team. My day-to-day responsibilities include responding to RFPs (Requests for Proposals), reviewing project documents, performing quantity takeoffs, organizing subcontractor bids, analyzing those bids or proposals to develop the final budget to present to the client, and writing contracts during the buyout phase.
As a Project Engineer, I have not only participated in different phases of a project, I have had the opportunity to be a part of different types of projects. As a leader in our industry, Hourigan has been awarded many unique projects throughout Virginia, which serve as great learning opportunities for “green” individuals.
I was part of the project team on an innovative new construction mixed-use project that included a grocer, apartments, retail space, a culinary school, and a future restaurant. In preconstruction, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a healthcare facility, a tenant-improvement project, a commercial office building, and more.
What I enjoy most about working in construction is the people—you work with multiple disciplines who have an array of expertise and backgrounds. From architects and engineers to subcontractors, who are incredible technical resources, to clients with distinctive needs, to our own superintendents and project managers—there is so much to learn from everyone involved.
I like the importance of creating relationships and maintaining those relationships throughout your career. In construction, each day is a little different and another opportunity to learn something new! This program has taught me how to navigate drawings, manage conflict, communicate with team members, take ownership of your responsibilities—I’ve gained confidence and skills (both technical and “soft”) that will benefit me throughout my career.
I never know what challenges or “opportunities” will arise, but it is a fantastic learning experience—especially knowing you have the greatest resources here at Hourigan to guide and support you. The Hourigan culture attracts a motivated, innovative group of leaders in our industry. I have been lucky enough to work alongside many team members who are passionate about construction management.
The Project Engineer Development Program has encouraged and empowered me to take my career wherever I want it to go. I look forward to continued growth and development within this amazing company! Katie Gallalee recently moved into a new role as Assistant PCS Manager after completing the Project Engineer Rotational Program with Hourigan.
Currently, Katie is completing the buyout phase for the first 8-story mass timber office building on the east coast, located in Charlottesville, VA. Through her rotations in the field and project management, she worked a mixed-use project in Church Hill consisting of a 50,000 SF grocer and 42 apartments, as well as a 50,000 SF culinary school, office, a future restaurant, and 12 apartments.
Katie received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia and has seven years of industry experience. She enjoys building relationships within construction and the Richmond community. She is an active volunteer at Sportable, where she currently sits on the Associate Board, and stays involved in her high school by being a member of the St.
Is project engineer a good position?
There isn’t one right way to create a construction career path. Like most things in life, a single goal can be reached multiple ways. Some workers may start out in a trade and get enough work experience to take on management roles, while others take a four-year bachelor’s degree and start directly on the executive track.
A project engineer (PE) is a great place to start on the construction ladder. While part of the construction management team, the project engineer is usually responsible for key deliverables within a project, rather than overseeing the entire thing. Still, a project engineer is a leadership position, and demonstrating the ability to create schedules, coordinate with subcontractors and prepare their contracts, and manage costs are great ways to take on greater responsibility and move up the career ladder.
Many project engineers use the position as a stepping stone to higher paying roles. A project engineer’s average salary is around $62,000 per year, while a project manager brings in an average of $97,000 a year and a senior superintendent can fetch an average annual salary of $144,000,
Is a project engineer difficult?
By Zippia Expert – Oct.22, 2021 No, it is not hard to become a project engineer. To become a project engineer, all that is strictly necessary is a bachelor’s degree in engineering or an appropriate substitute degree. If engineering is a field that you find challenging, though, earning this degree may be difficult or unenjoyable.
- Additionally, while it is not usually terribly difficult to secure an entry-level project engineer, the work of a project engineer may prove challenging.
- Project engineers have a lot of responsibilities and must be highly capable of juggling many tasks.
- However, it may be easy enough to become a project engineer and succeed as one takes plenty of work.
Many project engineering jobs will also require engineering certifications or licenses. These can be challenging to earn for an inexperienced engineer. Though, with a few years of experience, these become much easier to obtain.
Can you be a project engineer without an engineering degree?
By Zippia Expert – Oct.22, 2021 No, you cannot be a project engineer without an engineering degree or a degree in a similar field. While not technically impossible, it would be very difficult and improbable to secure a career as a project engineer without a relevant degree.
- Project engineers typically hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
- Additionally, for positions that earn higher salaries, there are a number of professional certifications that a candidate may hold.
- For positions that are above the entry-level, several years of experience may be required.
- For an individual to secure a position as a project engineer without the necessary bachelor’s degree, they would likely need to have an extensive history in the field.
However, this experience would be difficult to come by itself without first earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a relevant substitute.
How do you become a project engineer?
Position Title | Project Engineer |
---|---|
Alternate Title(s) | Construction Engineer, Project Development Engineer |
Education & Training Level | Advanced, Bachelors required |
Education & Training Level Description | Project engineers usually have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace or electrical engineering. They may also have a degree in other technical disciplines or construction management. Employers also value practical experience, so graduates of cooperative engineering programs, in which students earn academic credit for structured work experience, are valuable. |
Brief job description | Project engineers support Project Managers and Developers during the wind project development process by integrating wind assessment studies, layout designs, and manage bids/pricing for the construction process. They assist with managing technical third party contract work for the project. When the project wins a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and transitions into construction, the project engineer continues with the project, either assisting the Construction manager or becoming the Construction Manager for the project. |
Preferred Level of Education | Bachelor’s degree |
Preferred Level of Experience | See the Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information. |
Estimated/Expected Salary | See the Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information. |
Job Profile | A project engineer (PE) in the wind industry could be an engineer from a wide variety of disciplines. Most commonly they are Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, or Construction Management engineers. Project engineers support Project Managers and Developers during the wind project development process by integrating wind assessment studies, evaluating layout designs, and manage bids/pricing for the construction process. They assist with managing technical third party contract work for the project. When the project wins a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and transitions into construction, the project engineer continues with the project, either assisting the Construction manager or becoming the Construction Manager for the project. Project engineers understand the wind resource process and interface with wind resource engineers. They integrate the MET campaign strategy, preliminary wind resource assessments, and third party wind resource assessment reports to guide key project decisions and make recommendations to the Project Manager. Project engineers support the turbine selection, turbine price negotiation, and load assessment processes. This includes the evaluation of the interplay between technical performance characteristics of turbines and layout designs with the goal of maximizing energy and minimizing costs. They are also responsible for interfacing with other project disciplines such as construction, finance, quality or procurement. (determine financing ability, procurement lead time, how many get, construction road grades, width, timing, equipment type). Additionally, their role is to understand the installation costs of the project and be responsible for obtaining and evaluating bids for the three primary areas of the “balance of plant”: 1) electrical: collection system and the interconnect; 2) the civil work such as roads and foundations and; 3) the erection work. During construction the PE is responsible for preparing bid specifications and statement of work documents, reviewing design and bid responses, selecting contractors and managing contracts. |
Job Skills |
Problem-solving skills. Project engineers work at the highest level of design and plan large infrastructure projects which requires solving complex problems such as grid interconnection and transportation planning. Decision-making skills. Project engineers must determine the feasibility of plans, especially regarding financial costs, safety and quality concerns. Leadership skills. Project engineers are ultimately responsible for the infrastructure project’s design and implementation. Therefore, they must be able to lead surveyors, construction managers, engineers, technicians, and others to implement the plan. Math skills. Project engineers understand the principals of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work. Project management. Project engineers must be able to monitor and evaluate the work at the job site as a project progresses. Communication skills. Project engineers must be able to communicate well with other professionals, such as project developers, senior management, financial analysts, the construction team and subcontractors. They must be able to give instructions, write reports that people without an engineering background can understand as well as present plans, findings and recommendations clearly. A project engineer in the wind industry should also be familiar with the following: Wind energy fundamentalsWind resource assessment techniques and reportsConstruction and construction management processesTotal quality management. |
Resources | Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Civil Engineer Electrical Engineer Industrial Engineer Mechanical Engineer |
Back to Wind Career Map
What position is higher than project engineer?
Whereas a project engineer coordinates the hands-on work needed to achieve the project objectives in the field, a project manager oversees the overall spectrum of estimating, billing, purchasing and personnel for a particular job.
Is a project engineer below a project manager?
By Zippia Expert – Oct.22, 2021 The difference between a project manager and a project engineer is that a project manager has a supervisory role, while project engineers actually execute the necessary tasks of a project. While there is certainly significant overlap between the roles of a project engineer and a project manager, the main differences typically lie in the scope of their work.
Project engineers often perform management duties. However, unlike the typical job description for a project manager, these duties are usually focused on the execution of the project itself. For project managers, overseeing a project is usually more focused on the big picture items. For example, a project engineer may be more likely to oversee staffing, personnel, timelines, or budgetary management.
In contrast, a project engineer would be focused on working with the engineering team to plan and execute the project itself. The overlap between these two positions is often huge. The project engineer and project manager usually work very closely together in order to plan projects, set timelines and goals, and solve problems.
What is the next step after project engineer?
Multiple Options for Moving Up the Engineer Ladder – Many project engineers don’t stay project engineers throughout their careers, preferring instead to move into positions with greater responsibilities, and more pay, like construction project managers, according to PayScale.
More project engineers move on to project manager roles than any other role. The second most followed career path is becoming an assistant project manager. Moving up from project manager usually means becoming a senior project manager, or construction manager, overseeing multiple projects. A few project engineers move on to become directors of construction.
These jobs are usually with corporations that have their own construction programs where they build their own stores or other commercial structures. Some project engineers decide to specialize, going into a role like project manager of engineering. In this job, the engineer oversees a group of engineers who work on complex engineering projects like refineries and chemical plants.
Is a project engineer a construction manager?
What does a Project Engineer Do? – A project engineer is a project manager who has specific technical expertise. The role is very common in all aspects of the engineering industry, but can also be found in IT, construction and manufacturing. Project engineers are in charge of managing technical or engineering projects from start to finish.
- Not only do they have the typical project manager responsibilities like monitoring budget, delegating tasks and overseeing progress, but they will also need to advise on technical aspects of the project and mitigate any risks associated with the work being done.
- Many engineering and construction projects are site-specific, which means that a project engineer will spend a significant portion of their time at a project site monitoring the work that is being done and directing members of their team.
They will also spend some of their time speaking with project stakeholders and senior members of the business they work for, providing updates and discussing requirements and budget. The purpose of a project engineer is to allocate the responsibility of a project to someone who has the technical knowledge and experience to see it through to completion.
Is project engineer same as site engineer?
A project engineer has a more comprehensive role in a construction project than a site engineer. The site engineer provides the technical expertise for the specific engineering work, and the project engineer handles the overall operations of the project.
Which is better project manager or project engineer?
Conflicting or Complementary – How do the two roles work together? – Project engineers and project managers are both necessary for projects because of the differing perspectives they bring. For example, suppose a new plant is constructed in a unique location by a large construction firm.
- The facility is built on time, and budgetary requirements are satisfied, but afterward the target benefits from the new plant are not achieved due to cultural barriers and poor commercial planning that extend the ramp-up time for the new facility to start earning money for the business.
- In a case like this, the project engineering aspect was carried out successfully, but the project management was executed poorly because the benefit of the project was not realized in an acceptable time frame.
Based on this example, we can see that both roles are necessary. Project managers implement a project to achieve a business objective and are primarily concerned with the viability and success of a project from a business standpoint. Simultaneously, a project engineer is concerned about the project from an engineering perspective.
The project engineer wants to schedule, mobilize and motivate technical staff to deliver the best product in the shortest time possible within budgetary constraints, which is mainly an engineering task. The differences in focus between the two roles are critical. Without a project engineer, the project manager would have to be on site all the time, solving technical problems and directly managing staff while handling the business side of the project separately.
Instead, the project manager can able to focus on being a facilitator so that the project engineer can drive results from an engineering standpoint. A project manager is almost like an absentee business owner who hires an on-site manager to take care of daily operations but still watches from behind the scenes to make sure that the business stays profitable while the on-site manager is responsible for daily operations.
- The on-site manager makes sure that the business is functioning optimally, while the business owner is more focused on high-level facilitation and ensuring that business objectives are met.
- With a good project engineer and a poor project manager, work can be completed on time and within budget, but there is a significant risk that the result may not achieve the desired business results.
In the opposite situation, the project might succeed from a business standpoint, but it is very difficult to have excellent quality work done without an on-site project engineer providing oversight and technical problem-solving. Although these two roles are very different, they work in tandem to provide a high standard of results to clients in the construction industry.
- Project engineers ensure the quality and timeliness of construction deliverables while project managers oversee the entire project and ensure that it meets the business objectives that it was designed to satisfy.
- Project engineers and managers can benefit from working closely together, evaluating problems through diverse lenses and establishing best-fit solutions that consider both the engineering and business aspects of the project.
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What do entry level project engineers do?
Entry Level Construction Project Engineer: What Is It? and How to Become One? Entry-level construction project engineers assist senior project engineers with building projects. In this role, you may help plan the construction schedule, act as a liaison for contractors and subcontractors, provide status updates to clients, and answer any questions they may have about the progress.
- Many companies use this role as a type of extended training period for new engineers; you are supervised in most of your job duties and receive feedback designed to help you improve your skills and prepare for a regular, less-supervised engineering role.
- This job may require you to travel to different construction sites and work long shifts, including nights, weekends, or holidays, as needed.
The primary qualifications for becoming an entry-level construction project engineer are a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and some industry experience. Many aspiring project engineers gain experience by obtaining internships and other professional development opportunities while still in school.
- Because this is an entry-level role, employers are usually willing to accept similar experiences outside of project engineering as acceptable qualifications from candidates.
- Nowledge of specialized industry software or equipment is also useful for getting a job as a construction project engineer.
- Other criteria for this position include excellent organizational and communications skills and the ability to travel as necessary.
: Entry Level Construction Project Engineer: What Is It? and How to Become One?
Do project engineers work on site?
On-The-Site – They’re on-the-site to ensure that everything goes to plan, that the site is safe for the workers, and that any problems are resolved before something happens. In fact, a large portion of their job is ensuring the site meets safety standards and all legal requirements.
Which are the 4 most important responsibilities of construction engineers?
Construction Engineer Responsibilities: –
Managing the planning and design stages of construction projects.Contributing technical expertise to project drawings and designs.Performing cost calculations and preparing financial projections.Preparing work schedules in collaboration with the project manager.Liaising between contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.Overseeing construction engineering processes.Performing regular tests on materials and procedures to ensure compliance with industry regulations.Ensuring that the construction project is completed on time and within budget.Documenting processes and keeping detailed construction logs.Presenting construction project progress updates to clients and senior managers.
Who does a project engineer report to?
Project Engineers provide both technical and administrative assistance to the Project Manager and Superintendent; reporting directly to the Project Superintendent for field-related activities and the Project Manager for all other activities.
What makes a successful project engineer?
Q: How to Be a Good Project Engineer A good project engineer has the right combination of engineering knowledge, organizational skills, and project management abilities to succeed in this career. To be a good project engineer, you need to understand all aspects of your project so you are able to coordinate and maximize efficiency.
Work hard to foresee any risks that may compromise the timeline or budget. Every project faces issues that are beyond control; be sure that all potential and manageable factors are efficiently checked so as not to add challenges to your project. You also need strong interpersonal and leadership skills—you should be able to communicate clearly with your team and project stakeholders.
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What is the 3 major responsibility of a construction engineer?
Construction engineer job description example Duties include: Developing project plans. Monitoring construction progress. Reporting progress to stakeholders.
Is a project engineer a construction manager?
What does a Project Engineer Do? – A project engineer is a project manager who has specific technical expertise. The role is very common in all aspects of the engineering industry, but can also be found in IT, construction and manufacturing. Project engineers are in charge of managing technical or engineering projects from start to finish.
- Not only do they have the typical project manager responsibilities like monitoring budget, delegating tasks and overseeing progress, but they will also need to advise on technical aspects of the project and mitigate any risks associated with the work being done.
- Many engineering and construction projects are site-specific, which means that a project engineer will spend a significant portion of their time at a project site monitoring the work that is being done and directing members of their team.
They will also spend some of their time speaking with project stakeholders and senior members of the business they work for, providing updates and discussing requirements and budget. The purpose of a project engineer is to allocate the responsibility of a project to someone who has the technical knowledge and experience to see it through to completion.
What position is higher than project engineer?
Whereas a project engineer coordinates the hands-on work needed to achieve the project objectives in the field, a project manager oversees the overall spectrum of estimating, billing, purchasing and personnel for a particular job.