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Construction Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

While a construction engineer's day-to-day duties and responsibilities are determined by where they work, there are many core tasks associated with the role. Based on our analysis of job listings, these include:

Develop Construction Plans Construction engineers manage the planning and design stage of construction projects. They carefully evaluate the structural, electrical, and mechanical condition of each project. Engineers carefully inspect all drawings and designs before they are implemented. They plan personnel flows and decide how other contractors and subcontractors will support ongoing operations. The construction engineer also analyzes a job's financial projections to ensure they are accurate and practical.

Oversee Engineering Processes Overseeing all the different engineering processes in a construction project is the primary responsibility of a construction engineer. They are expected to be subject-matter experts and complete routine tests to make sure that all legal regulations are followed. They keep an up-to-date understanding of all legal obligations and contract terms to prevent project delays, support all construction workers, and actively drive projects to completion.

Manage Construction Projects Construction engineers bring specific knowledge to construction projects, such as cost control, cost accounting, and management of project schedules. They constantly refer to schedules to make sure quality work is done on time. When needed, they facilitate discussions and create solutions between construction contractors and construction managers. It is their responsibility to eliminate disagreements in the field and misunderstandings about expected work outcomes.

Draft Technical Support Documents Keeping up-to-date logs, estimates, change orders, vendor forms, and surveys with different software is a key role of construction engineers. With documentation, they identify and spot technical problems in the construction process. If necessary, they secure more materials to keep construction going.

Communicate with Team Leadership Weekly meetings with all parties involved in a construction project are common for construction engineers. Part of their job is to provide necessary status updates and respond to questions from contractors, clients, and their own company leadership. Furthermore, they regularly assess all projects to suggest different cost-saving techniques for a project. Many construction engineers are also required to send weekly project reports to their construction manager.

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Construction Engineer Skills and Qualifications

Construction engineers need strong analytical and leadership skills so they can solve technical engineering challenges while managing a large construction team. Employers typically seek candidates with a bachelor's degree, at least two years of experience, and the following skills:
  • Civil engineering - construction engineers using technical engineering skills based in math and physics to predict future problems and find solutions for them
  • Project management - construction engineers determine the critical path necessary for a project to get done, then design plans to make it happen. People at all levels look to them for guidance
  • Construction management - engineers perform various construction management duties, such as budget management, scheduling, material procurement, and labor planning
  • Leadership - interpersonal skills are essential for construction engineers to lead a large crew and successfully influence the outcomes of construction projects
  • Creativity - construction engineers need to use creativity to innovate and improve solutions
  • Planning skills - planning and design are essential skills for construction engineers to execute their responsibilities well
  • Communication skills - good verbal and written communication skills are important for construction engineers because they constantly submit reports and share vital information in a clear, concise manner
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Construction Engineer Education and Training

Construction engineers need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction engineering, or construction management. These degrees focus on skills such as mechanical design, structural design, physics, and mathematics. Construction engineers desiring work on public projects must obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Candidates wanting a higher salary often obtain postgraduate education in a complementary field like business management, although this not required for entry-level jobs.
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Construction Engineer Salary and Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for construction engineers is $84,770. The highest 10 percent of workers earn more than $138,110. The lowest 10 percent of workers earn less than $54,150. The BLS projects that employment for construction engineers will grow 11 percent through 2026, which is faster than average for all occupations. As US infrastructure continues to age, more construction engineers will be called upon to rebuild and repair large structures.
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Helpful Resources

We searched the web to find the best industry resources to help you continue exploring a career as a construction engineer. From thought leaders to industry groups, this list is packed with opportunities to learn, connect, and thrive in this field:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - as the official US licensing organization for construction engineering professionals, NCEES provides information about becoming a certified engineer

Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam - this tried and true test review guide can help you learn the vital engineering skills needed for construction engineering and passing the PE licensing exam

Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down - author J. E. Gordon's beloved book is highly touted as "the book every engineering major should read." It strips down complicated engineering terms, making concepts easy to understand The Art of Construction: Projects and Principles for Beginning Engineers and Architects - learn the basic principles needed to construct bridges, skyscrapers, and other structures

Civil and Construction Engineering Materials: Properties, Uses, and Evaluations - learn how to create construction engineering systems that are vital to society and how to choose the right materials for a construction project

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