Last Updated on November 30, 2020 by Admin
Project engineering includes all parts of the design of manufacturing or processing facilities, either new or modifications to and expansions of existing facilities. The project engineer is also often the primary technical point of contact for the consumer. A project engineer’s responsibilities include schedule preparation, pre-planning, and resource forecasting for engineering and other technical activities relating to the project. Kindly read this article to learn about the project engineer job description and salary details.
If you are aspiring to become a project engineer, this article answers all your questions on how to become a project engineering professional along with the project engineering job description and salary details.
Project Engineer Roles and Responsibilities
Kindly read to know more about the various roles and responsibilities carried out by the project engineer;
What does a project engineer do?
A project engineer manages a team during the entire life-cycle of a technical or engineering project. This professional ensures the design, consistency, and functionality of a project throughout its execution. While their duties and responsibilities vary depending on the industry, project engineers typically perform the following tasks:
- Preparing, scheduling, coordinating, and monitoring all assigned projects
- Communicating effectively during daily interactions with clients to interpret their requirements and needs
- Maintaining quality control in every area, including team dynamics, personnel performance, planning, scheduling, and budget
- Submitting reports on project status
- Monitoring compliance in all aspects of the project
- Communicating effectively with the project manager and other team members to provide assistance and technical support
- Reviewing engineering deliverables and initiating appropriate corrective actions throughout the project life-cycle.
Project Engineer Job Responsibilities
- Completes engineering projects by organizing and controlling project elements.
- Develops project objectives by reviewing project proposals and plans and conferring with management.
- Determines project responsibilities by identifying project phases and elements, assigning personnel to phases and elements, and reviewing bids from contractors.
- Determines project specifications by studying product design, customer requirements, and performance standards.
- Completes technical studies and prepares cost estimates.
- Confirms product performance by designing and conducting tests.
- Determines project schedule by studying project plan and specifications, calculating time requirements, and sequencing project elements.
- Maintains project schedule by monitoring project progress, coordinating activities, and resolving problems.
- Controls project plan by reviewing design, specifications, and plan, scheduling changes, and recommending actions.
- Controls project costs by approving expenditures and administering contractor contracts.
- Prepares project status reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends; recommending actions.
- Maintains a safe and clean working environment by enforcing procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Maintains project database by writing computer programs; entering and backing up data.
- Maintains product and company reputation by complying with federal and state regulations.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
What are the skills required for the project engineer?
An individual needs several hard and soft skills to become a successful project engineer, the skills for project engineer including:
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Organization: Project engineers must be able to prioritize the workloads, needs, and challenges of all team members. The ability to remain organized allows a project engineer to make decisions quickly and help their team stay on schedule.
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Problem-solving: Because project engineers are responsible for the engineering aspects of a project, they must be good at developing appropriate solutions for problems as they arise. Project engineers should be able to gather all the data and facts related to an obstacle to creating an informed solution.
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Decision making: Project engineers must be good at determining the feasibility of plans, especially regarding safety, financial costs, and quality concerns.
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Communication: Project engineers must be excellent at communicating with other professionals, such as financial analysts, senior management, project developers, team members, and subcontractors. They must be good at providing clear instructions and writing reports that people without a background in engineering can understand, as well as presenting findings, plans, and recommendations clearly.
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Mathematical: Project engineers must understand the principles of trigonometry, calculus, and other advanced topics in math for design, analysis, and troubleshooting in their work.
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Leadership: Because project engineers are ultimately responsible for the design and implementation of the project, they should be able to supervise all people involved to implement the plan successfully.
How do I become a project engineer?
Project engineer requirements
The career path for project engineers involves a combination of the following:
Education
While their education varies by field, most project engineers hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, or construction management. Some project engineers choose to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering management.
The courses offered within an engineering management program include an introduction to controllers, basic business practices, manufacturing processes, industrial motors, technical communications, and accounting.
Project engineers can also obtain a master’s degree in engineering management or business administration to advance their careers. This program is ideal for project engineers who are interested in moving into management positions. It includes advanced instruction in entrepreneurship, safety management, and leadership.
Training
Many project engineers learn the specific methods and technology related to their role during on-the-job training, which usually lasts for six to 12 months. Some project engineers take training courses to learn more about overseeing specific engineering projects, managing complex information systems and supervising a crew of professionals.
During schooling, project engineers may get hands-on training through internships. Students can choose to complete an internship in a specific field to learn more about the different processes, software, and techniques involved in project management and engineering roles. Some master’s programs require students to undergo at least one internship to prepare them for careers after graduation.
Certifications
Project engineers can obtain a certification to demonstrate their career commitment, showcase skill, build credibility, and expand job opportunities available to them. The following are some of the most common certifications for this profession:
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Professional Engineer certification: The PE certification signifies that an engineer has mastered the critical elements of their job. It’s also proof of their ability to provide engineering services directly to the public. To obtain a PE certification, engineers must have a four-year college degree, complete four years of qualifying engineering experience (usually under the supervision of a professional engineer), pass two competency examinations, and obtain a license from their state’s licensure board. To retain their licenses, professional engineers must apply for a renewal based on their state’s regulations.
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Project Management Professional certification: Project engineers can obtain a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute that signifies they understand the principles of project management. To earn a PMP, project engineers need a combination of project management experience and education. They must also pass an online exam and renew the certification every three years.
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Certified Professional in Engineering Management: Offered by the American Society for Engineering Management, the CPEM recognizes experienced engineers for their knowledge and skills in technical operations management. To obtain the CPEM credential, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, or a related field. They must also have at least four years of professional experience and pass an examination. The CPEM credential is valid for three years and requires certification of continuing education for renewal.
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Certified Associate in Engineering Management: The CAEM is another certification offered by the ASEM. Young technical professionals can earn a CAEM in preparation for early supervisory assignments or technical management. Like the CPEM credential, the CAEM certification is valid for three years and requires verification of continuing education for renewal. To obtain this credential, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in a related engineering or technology field and pass an examination.
Project engineer work environment
Project engineers occasionally work in an office environment during regular business hours, though they spend most of their time at the construction sites. Because they travel at times to consult with contractors and clients, they sometimes work overtime, especially when commuting and as the deadline approaches. Project engineers typically act as the point of contact for clients regarding technical aspects of the job.
While in the office, project engineers may sit for extended periods in front of a computer or reviewing construction plans. On construction sites, they will stand or move around while inspecting the progress of the project.
Project engineers may work in a variety of companies and institutions, including:
- Government agencies
- Architecture firms
- Manufacturers
- Construction companies
How to become a project engineer
Here are the most common steps to follow in becoming a qualified project engineer for a company:
Earn a bachelor’s degree: You can earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering management, or construction management. Courses in any of these programs will help you gain the management and engineering knowledge needed for this role.
Many engineering firms or construction management companies offer internships that allow you to gain experience as you work toward your bachelor’s degree. Internships also enable students to develop valuable connections with project engineering professionals who may be able to help them obtain a job after graduation.
Apply for entry-level jobs: Since the project, engineers can work in a variety of fields, carefully consider which industry you’d like to pursue a career in. After determining which field you’d like to work in, begin applying for entry-level jobs so you can gain relevant experience. Make sure to customize your application materials for each job you apply to so you can distinguish yourself from other candidates.
Gain experience: Project engineers typically have at least three to four years of experience in an engineering role. Gaining work experience in a specialty field such as civil, mechanical, electronic, aerospace or electrical engineering helps you build your credibility in project engineering.
Obtain a Professional Engineering license: Project engineers with PE licenses usually enjoy higher earnings and advancement potential compared to non-credentialed peers. To become a licensed professional engineer, you must pass the PE examination and renew your license based on your state’s requirements.
Salary for Project Engineer
Project engineer salary varies depending on several factors, such as their level of education and experience, their region, the level of responsibility involved in the job, and the size of the company.
- The average salary in the U.S.: $78,813 per year
- Average Project Engineer Salary in India ₹385,615
Project engineer resume sample
Resume for project engineer, cv for project engineer, project engineer cv, project engineer resume sample, project engineer resume. Kindly check this sample resume of the project engineer.
Final Words
If you are pursuing a civil engineering degree, the project engineer is one of the lucrative career options in 2020 and beyond. Kindly consider this career path if you are keen to become a good project management professional in the near future of your career endeavor.
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