Site Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a site engineer job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a site engineer. Feel free to use our site engineer job description template to produce your own site engineer job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a site engineer.
Who is a Site Engineer?
A site engineer is a specialist who coordinates and manages building projects while offering technical guidance. As both occupations handle construction project packages, oversee workers, and offer technical expertise and on-site support, the calling is comparable to that of a construction manager.
A site engineer is a qualified engineer who collaborates with a site management team to plan and manage building projects. They also give technical guidance to building crews. Sometimes, site engineers collaborate with other engineers, architects, interior designers, subcontractors, laborers, craftspeople, and other operators.
Their technical, organizational, and managerial contributions to building projects will come from their role as site engineers. They will lay out the site, decide where to put the infrastructure installations above and below ground, and mark the area with blueprints and plans. The organization and management of the site’s material and human resources, and its security, health, and safety, will fall under their joint responsibility.
Civil, road, rail, and other infrastructure projects can range in size from modest scale to multibillion-pound undertakings. They will collaborate with and work with the following individuals while working as a member of the site management team: Architects, Construction Managers, Engineers, Planners, Subcontractors, Supervisors, and Surveyors.
On a building site, site engineers labor outdoors in all types of weather and typically focus on one project at a time.
They might have to move or endure a long commute, depending on the project’s location.
Compared to other managers or designers, the site engineer is the one who spends the most time on the construction site. Site engineers provide daily updates regarding the designs and activities for the following day, based on which they implement on the site.
If there are any inconsistencies, they may have to reach the resource acquisition to obtain the supplies according to the correct specifications.
Site engineers must carry out tasks at the site, such as leveling and survey control, under the prescribed circumstances to control contracts. They lay works following the contract drawings. It necessitates routine inspections at the construction site. The records must be accurate and adhere to all statutory and organizational standards. The site engineer must deal with any unforeseen technological challenges that arise at any moment. He must investigate the issue and find the most effective solution.
The site engineer ensures the location has enough resources to finish the job. They do this by creating procurement schedules for the tasks to be completed and coordinating with the procurement department. Site engineers plan and produce a report on the upcoming work in advance.
The site engineer will assume the function of a safety engineer at extremely hazardous work sites. He or she must ensure that the work done by the employees and others adheres to the applicable state or local safety regulations. Every construction company needs to have a culture and practice that promotes safety. The site engineers are in charge of overseeing its implementation and application. Although the organization may have additional safety and health officers, they still have to contribute to ensuring it.
Other duties include handling building work to support environmental compliance, as each task must be completed safely and before the deadline.
Site engineers follow protocols set forth by the company and the specification in all actions and practices. They also guarantee that the work is finished, delivered, and handled promptly.
Site engineers are in charge of organizing and carrying out the engineering work on construction sites. To guarantee that the project is finished on schedule, within budget, and following the requirements, they collaborate closely with the construction manager and other team members. Most times, site engineers put in long hours, including early mornings, late nights, and weekends. To fulfill deadlines, they might also need to put in extra hours. Site engineers may get exposed to dangerous materials and equipment, and the work can be physically taxing.
Site Engineer Job Description
What is a site engineer job description? A site engineer job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a site engineer in an organization. Below are the site engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a site engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a site engineer include the following:
- Communicate with customers, suppliers, and other professionals, particularly quantity surveyors and the project manager by giving technical guidance and resolving issues on the spot.
- Create site reports and complete associated documents
- Ensure compliance with laws, policies, and regulations related to sustainability, health, and safety.
- Examine facilities and operational data.
- Estimate the technical and material needs for the project’s development.
- Establish and present operating cost estimates.
- Suggest modifying processes and technical designs to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
- Design your plans with environmentally friendly and sustainable elements.
- Make graphical depictions of suggested fixes.
- Prepare presentations and proposal documents.
- Assemble and deliver reports to non-technical stakeholders outlining project specifics.
- Manage engineering projects, allocate responsibilities, and give assistance and training.
- Establish work schedules and make necessary adjustments to meet project deadlines.
- Keep thorough records of all site engineering activities.
Qualifications
- High school certificate or an equivalent
- A bachelor’s degree in civil, structural, or building engineering
- Work experience through internship or apprenticeship
- Professional certification or license. For example, PE – United States; P.Eng.- Canada.
Essential Skills
To do their jobs well, site engineers may need the following abilities:
- Critical
A site engineer’s workday has a variety of challenges. A few of them will be simple to go over. Others will call for them to compare the advantages and disadvantages of many options before selecting the best one. Site engineers also need to be aware of their possession of the right equipment and that it is in good operating condition.
- Writing
Site engineers must be proficient writers since they frequently take notes and submit progress reports.
- Technical expertise
Site engineers must possess the technical know-how to deal with plans, drawings, and models, identify engineering challenges, and think of solutions. As a site engineer, you must possess a solid command of technical abilities, read and understand designs, operate construction tools, and interpret soil and geological data. Technical knowledge is crucial for site engineers because it enables you to comprehend and carry out the duties associated with your position.
- Project management skills
Site engineers use this skill to evaluate, assign, and oversee the work assignments in a project and to assure compliance with standards, regulations, and laws. They head several aspects of a project’s execution, including the labor, materials, and rigorous project deadlines, in addition to the safety of the construction site.
- Communication skill
For site engineers to deal with customers, suppliers, vendors, other engineers, site managers, and employees, they must possess strong verbal and written communication skills. The team they work with, clients, vendors, and other stakeholders are just a few of the people that site engineers talk to daily. Aside from having a background in engineering, they must also be able to communicate technical information to others. Their capacity to lead a team and forge deeper connections with individuals can be better by being great communicators.
Site engineers assess work progress, guarantee adherence to project plans and design documentation, organize project data, and allocate construction resources.
- Budgeting
There is usually a budget in place for site engineers. And rigorous supervision is given to these budgets. Consequently, a site engineer needs to be very skilled at managing budgets. They must carefully manage resources while estimating labor and material prices.
- Leadership skills
Site engineers frequently collaborate with other experts, such as other engineers, architects, construction managers, and site employees. They need to motivate their team and ensure that everyone is cooperating, so they can finish the project and stay on budget. The site engineer should be capable of making decisions, confident and personable, and able to inspire and lead others working beneath them because they are in command of the project and accountable for its success.
- Management
A site engineer must oversee a broad group of skilled workers, stay in touch with clients, and ensure that their work and others adhere to all relevant laws and standards. They must also adhere to predetermined spending limits and deadlines.
- Mathematical skills
Understanding mathematics and physics is essential for tackling complicated engineering problems, so site engineers should be well-versed in these subjects. They frequently have to calculate and determine the technical requirements of projects using mathematical calculations. They also apply engineering principles using physics concepts.
- Teamwork
Teamwork is essential to the construction industry, and site engineers organize work tasks with crew members to increase productivity.
- Problem-solving
Site engineers need to be able to resolve issues promptly and effectively because a variety of issues are likely to occur. Site engineers pay close attention to every aspect and consider even the tiniest details to guarantee that the building work goes smoothly.
- Effective time management
Most construction projects have completion dates, and site engineers make sure that the project proceeds on schedule.
- Negotiation skills
Site engineers should be able to get the best rates on products to maximize profit. Recognize pertinent building, health, and safety laws.
- Physical fitness
Engineers must be mobile and in reasonable physical condition because site inspections can be physically taxing.
How to Become a Site Engineer
A profession as a site engineer has numerous potential benefits. It provides the chance to work on various projects, pick up new abilities, and meet new people. By working to construct significant, daily-used structures, site engineers have the opportunity to impact the lives of others.
Below is a route to becoming a site engineer:
Get a bachelor’s degree
Most firms demand that candidates for a site engineer’s role complete a bachelor’s degree program in engineering. The body is known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which awards accreditation to engineering and computing programs at hundreds of universities. Site engineers often have a degree in construction or an engineering discipline like civil or structural engineering. They cover engineering, math, physics, and other STEM-related subjects.
Acquire experience
After they graduate from college, they can go for an internship program to obtain experience. They can also conduct an internship while enrolled in classes to earn college credits. Their real-world experience from an engineering internship may allow them to visit building sites. It is beneficial to gain professional experience as early as feasible because most engineering licenses demand at least four years of professional experience.
Learn technical skills
Learning the technical aspects of construction when working on a construction site is essential to becoming a site engineer. It calls for familiarizing oneself with standard health and safety guidelines for construction projects and studying software applications, including computer-aided design (CAD).
Obtain a license
It is important to get licensed in the state where one works to work as a site engineer. Being a professional engineer with a license enables you to oversee either public or private construction projects. The Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering tests are frequently the first steps toward obtaining a license.
Apply for jobs
Consider starting your hunt for a site engineer position once you have fulfilled the prerequisites for your license. You may have the choice while seeking jobs between full-time employment where you work for one firm and a freelance position where you work for other companies.
Advance your degree (optional but recommended)
Even though the majority of site engineers may get jobs with a bachelor’s degree, acquiring a master’s degree can help you develop in your profession and handle more complex projects with larger budgets. When pursuing a master’s degree, which takes two years, site engineers frequently select a focus ranging from water quality to sustainable cities.
Where to Work as a Site Engineer
Site engineers spend most of their time at one specific worksite. They also frequently work in offices and on building sites. They may work outside in a variety of weather situations and may travel for assignments. Site engineers typically have regular office hours and work full-time.
They may work for construction firms, private sector businesses, Public services, and federal, state, and local governments.
Site Engineer Salary Scale
In the United States
The median income for civil engineers is $89,115. The top 25 percent make around $125,670, while the bottom 25 percent make $68,450.
In the United Kingdom
Graduate site engineers can expect to make between £24,000 and £28,000 as their initial wages.
For people with a few years of experience, salaries might range from £30,000 to £37,000.
Senior site engineers can anticipate making between £38,000 and £58,000, and occasionally even more.