Nature of Work
Engineers in construction are involved in the planning, design, construction, operation, and management of building and infrastructure projects. They serve as problem-solvers, addressing both detailed technical issues and broader project challenges to ensure successful completion.
Construction engineers may specialize in a variety of fields, including architectural, civil (structural), electrical, mechanical, and environmental engineering. Their work often involves coordinating with architects, contractors, and other professionals to ensure that designs are safe, efficient, and practical to build.
Education and Training
Most engineering positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, with some roles requiring a master’s degree. Students typically enter engineering programs after completing a college preparatory high school curriculum. It is important to attend an accredited program in the chosen engineering field.
Strong academic performance, particularly in mathematics and science, as well as competitive standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), are important for admission into engineering programs.
Aptitude and Interest
Individuals interested in engineering should have strong abilities in math and science and enjoy working with these subjects. Important qualities include problem-solving skills, curiosity, patience, and practical judgment. A desire to understand how systems work and how to improve them is essential.
Advancement Potential
The construction industry offers opportunities for engineers with a wide range of interests and skills. Many begin their careers in entry-level or assistant roles supporting project managers or supervisors. With experience, engineers can advance into senior technical roles, project management, or executive leadership positions. Many construction company owners and executives began their careers as engineers.
Types of Engineers
Architectural Engineer
The architectural engineer (AE) is involved with the design of the building, and/or the estimating and supervision of the project. Initial emphasis is on building construction materials, principles, practices, and methods. An AE can specialize in structural design or in building environmental system design of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning; fire safety systems; plumbing; or lighting/illumination. In college, the AE program is clearly focused on the building industry.
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers work with structures. They design and monitor the construction of roads, airports, tunnels, bridges, dams, harbors, irrigation systems, water treatment and distribution facilities, and sewage collection and treatment systems. Civil engineers are technical problem solvers. They incorporate the principles of science and mathematics into the cost-effective design of permanent and temporary structures. The development of detailed plans and specifications is a major aspect of their work. Civil engineering is the oldest and broadest of the engineering professions. “Civils” can concentrate their work in technical specialties such as structural engineering and transportation engineering.
Structural Engineer
Structural engineering is a specialized field of work falling within the civil engineering discipline. Structural engineers are planners and designers of buildings of all types: bridges, dams, power plants, supports for equipment, special structures for offshore projects, transmission towers, and many other kinds of projects. They are experts in analyzing the forces that a structure must resist (its own weight, wind, water, temperatures, earthquakes, and other forces), and incorporate appropriate materials (steel, concrete, timber, plastic) into a design that will resist these forces and carry the total load of the structure.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture and sometimes installation of electrical equipment. Such equipment includes the power generating and transmission equipment of electric utility companies, and the electric motors, machinery controls, and lighting and wiring used in buildings. Electronic equipment used in automobiles, aircraft, computers, and communications equipment is also designed by electrical engineers.
The work involves writing equipment performance requirements, developing maintenance schedules, solving operating problems, and estimating the time and cost of electrical engineering projects.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers are concerned with the production, transmission, and use of mechanical power and heat. They study the behavior of materials when forces are applied to them—such as the motion of solids, liquids, and gasses—and the heating and cooling of objects and machines. Mechanical engineers design and develop manufacturing equipment and technologies, and supervise installation of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, materials handling systems, automatic control systems, noise control and acoustics, machine tools, internal combustion engines, solar energy systems, and rail transportation equipment.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental health hazards utilizing various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.