Architectural Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an architectural engineer. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an architectural engineer.
Who is an Architectural Engineer?
An architectural engineer is an individual who applies practical and theoretical expertise to designing building structures and systems.
The aim of an architectural engineer is to ensure he creates high-level buildings that are durable, sustainable, has great economic value, and are viable in the long term. Asides from this, the architectural engineer ensures that the safety, health, and comfort of the general public is not compromised.
Architectural engineers are expected to be creative individuals who can build concepts and designs that will stand the test of time. Architectural engineers’ impact is felt in society because many people spend more than 89% of their time, and their condition and well-being are germane to society.
Furthermore, architectural engineers are expected to ensure energy consumption and tenants’ footprints are low in tandem with recent climate changes around the world. As an architectural engineer, you are expected to combine your structural, mechanical, and electrical knowledge to enhance the living conditions of your environment.
They are known as problem solvers who put in much effort to erase challenges that relate to sustainable building materials and green energy. They are trained in using the latest technologies like analytics software (eQuest, Revit, RISA-3D), system-based structural design, latest sensors, and controls to help them create a better design and integrate many building solutions that will be of help to occupants.
Their inputs are needed to help structures withstand natural causes like hail, earthquakes, and tornadoes. Their creation of top engineering acoustic and lighting structures helps reduce dead spots in theaters which helps the audience enjoy film production.
The architectural engineer also designed light systems for sports arenas so that players and spectators aren’t affected by the direct glare of the light.
Architectural Engineer Job Description
Below are the architectural engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an architectural engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
An architectural engineer is expected to:
- Create structural plans, drafts, and prototypes that work efficiently and safely.
As an Architectural engineer, you are expected to use your creative intellect to turn prototypes and drafts into working ideas. This should be done in line with proper health regulations, and people should be able to trust your building decisions.
- Innovate new structural concepts, examine and edit drafts, and build prototypes.
As an architectural engineer, you should be able to innovate new plans which will best suit the building structures. This should be done after proper analysis and editing have been done to drafts to ensure that all loopholes have been covered.
- Help team members with plan objectives, financial budgets, and schedules.
A good architectural engineer is expected to be able to aid colleagues and team members on how to carry out their current projects. This will be done under strict adherence to budgets and timelines which are necessitated by the present situation in the building world.
- Establish the aim and goal of building projects.
An architectural engineer should have a clear understanding of the project he wants to embark on and establish feasible goals on how to achieve the goals. He should be able to know what problems he will face in the project, how he will solve the problems, and the benefits from such projects.
- Identify and solve structural issues when it concerns building, structure, and architectural structures.
He or she should be able to fish out technical problems relating to building drafts and prototypes and find a way to solve them as quickly as possible.
- Ensure structures systems are reliable, safe, and operational.
As an architectural engineer, knowing about building systems is important, however more crucial is the ability to guarantee that structures are safe and reliable for occupants.
- Visit the site regularly to monitor project progress.
It isn’t just enough to design and examine prototypes, architectural engineers should physically visit the site of the project to make sure all works are done as specified in the draft.
- Evaluate building systems to detect problems and make improvements.
You should be able to take a critical look at building designs, detect problems and look for ways to improve them.
- Interpret and explain technical documents to others.
Since not everyone is versed in complex technicalities known to architectural engineers, you should be able to explain building documents in layman’s terms.
- Consult with customers about ongoing projects.
An architectural engineer should be able to discuss with clients about building projects and how he will be able to help the customer achieve their aims.
- Deal with Design Concepts Manually and Computer-aided.
Since they deal with designs, an architectural engineer should know how to draw designs manually and with recent software.
Architectural Engineer Qualifications
To be qualified to be an architectural engineer, you will need to have undergone basic GCSE with at least a B, or B+ in mathematics, English, and technical drawing.
Asides from that, you will need to have at least a degree in architecture, civil engineering, architectural engineering, and Structural Engineering. While this might not be compulsory for all firms, many companies will want some certification indicating you have at least 2 years of formal training in structural engineering and designs.
Furthermore, having an M. Tech in architecture and civil engineering is a plus when seeking employment in Blue chip companies. You should know about the core of engineering, physics, and building management.
Depending on the country and state, in which you are seeking employment; you may need to have a license and certificate in engineering. Moreover, to be qualified for this position, you should have at least two years of experience and some form of state licensing.
Another important qualification is having the ability to use the latest design software like Computer-aided design (CAD).
Architectural Engineer Skills
You will need to have the following skills:
- Knowledge of Designs and Drawing: You should be able to engrave unique structural designs and draw them using design software or manually.
- Have in-depth knowledge of Construction and Building: The job deals with structural designs and building, therefore being knowledgeable about construction works and the building is important.
- Ability to Manage Pressure: Architectural engineering is a tedious, complex job that requires concentration. You should be able to manage pressure from clients and workers who will be making inquiries daily. Patience is a virtue in this job, therefore pressure management is very important.
- Understand Mathematics: An architectural engineer should know mathematics and calculations to a large extent. This is vital because you need to be accurate about building designs.
- Pay Attention to Details: This job needs someone who is detailed and focused. The lives and comfort of occupants are at stake, therefore there isn’t room for distraction or errors.
- Intelligence and Reasoning Skills: Only a highly intelligent architectural engineer can create a robust structure that would stand the test of time. You are expected to think clearly and reason logically.
- Customer Service Skills: You should be able to put clients’ minds and rest and attend to all their questions immediately. This means you should be available on all social media platforms, emails, and phone numbers.
- Splendid Communication Skills: To be qualified for this job, you should be able to explain complex designs to your customers in an easy manner. Communication is important because that is how you explain to your clients what they should expect.
- Leadership Skills: This job requires someone who will be able to lead and properly manage a team. As an architectural engineer, many people will be looking up to you and asking for guidance concerning projects. You should be able to impose yourself and have good management skills.
- Analytical and Inquisitive Skills: The ability to think beyond the normal is necessary as an architectural engineer. You need to be inquisitive and analytical in your judgment to prevent loss of life.
- Computer Skills: The world is a global village, therefore using your computer skills to design quality structures and images is very important.
- Ability to Work With Others: No man is an island of knowledge, irrespective of your personality traits, you should be able to be a good team player and work with others to achieve success in projects.
How to Become an Architectural Engineer
To become an architectural engineer, you are required to at least have a degree that is recognized by your country’s Engineering board. Also, you will need some practice under your belt (around 6-12) months will suffice.
Moreover, you should take courses and have a B. Arch, Diploma, and M. ARCH. If you don’t have a college degree, you will need to show at least two years of practical training in architectural designs, engineering, and structural studies.
Prospective employers will want to see your previous portfolio of designs, prototypes, hand sketches, building drafts, and models before considering your application.
Having a Professional Engineer (PE) certification from reputable agencies like the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) can go a long way.
This is because many top engineering firms prefer working with engineers with this certification.
Where to Work
There are several sectors an architectural engineer can work and they include:
Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry remains the highest employer of architects and architectural engineers. Many engineering firms regularly recruit architectural engineers with at least three years of experience.
Cement firms, steel, real estate, and oil rigs are top companies in the manufacturing sector that employ architectural engineers.
Engineering and Extractive industries
Engineering firms like General Electronics(GE), Power firms, and Mining companies employ lots of structural engineers. They are highly sort-after because they can guarantee the safety of workers and they pay a lot of money to engineers.
Public Service
Government is another huge employer of architectural engineers. They can be seen in several government firms and ministries. You will find many working at the ministry of housing, ministry of labor, and other public services.
Research and Development sector
As an architectural engineer, you can work in many research and structural sectors which deal in buildings and property. Many research firms are springing up daily looking for skilled architectural engineers to work with.
Education
While many may work with multinationals and other firms, if academics is your calling, you could find jobs working as a teaching assistant, full lecturer, or professor in Higher institutions.
However, you will need to have a good grade and have at least a Master’s degree in Architectural engineering or Architecture to be eligible. Moreover, you can decide to work in high schools as a class teacher, taking mathematics, physics, and technical drawing.
There are lots of public and private high schools looking for architectural engineers to teach young kids.
Private Work
If you don’t want to work with anybody and want to open a private practice, you can do so. However, you will need to have a platform where you can connect with your clients and show them what you can do. Private practice takes time, however, it comes with many financial benefits.
The Military
The military is regularly seeking engineers, especially architectural engineers who could help them design bases. The army and airforce sometimes seek reliable and top architectural engineers who are creative and innovative.
Note, however, that you wouldn’t be on the battlefront as you will be working 90% from the base.
Architectural Engineer Salary Scale
The salary scale of an architectural engineer depends on the country of residence, qualifications, and where you work. In the US an architectural engineer earns an average of $96 789 to $ 210,00 annually.
This is also based on the years of experience and seniority level of the person is. There are bonuses due to architectural engineers which float around $2,100 to $ 2,427 yearly.
Those who wish to work in Canada as an architectural engineers should expect wages for graduate entry to be around C$45,678 – C$ 55,800. As you move to experience and management level, you should expect to earn C$ 65,435 to C$ 98,000.
Many firms pay architectural engineer in Canada bonuses and commissions which ranges from C$ 2,500 to C$2,800 yearly.
In the UK, architectural engineering is a highly paid job, especially for those with a four-year degree and two years of experience. The average salary of an architectural engineer in the UK is between £79,557 and £120,780.
However working with top tech and engineering firms will give you a bonus of about £1, 780 to £2,550 yearly.
