What is a Construction Engineer?

Construction engineers design and execute processes for building and maintaining the infrastructure of our world. They have the option of either working in an office setting or out in the field—oftentimes, it's a combination of both.

Career Paths

Some construction engineers focus on the design aspect, while others focus on the actual build phase of a project. There are many career paths to choose from with a degree in construction engineering:

• General contractors (bridges, roads, buildings, healthcare, data centers, sports facilities)
• Owners and developers
• Mechanical/electrical contractors
• Renewable energies
• Consulting and design firms
• Oil and gas industry
• Aviation industry
• Law firms*
• Historical restoration*

*Additional education may be necessary

As your career progresses, you may want to take your PE exam to become a licensed Professional Engineer. With a construction engineering degree and a PE license, you can attain executive positions with a company or even become an owner of a construction firm.

Job Responsibilities

Construction engineers design and execute processes for building and maintaining the infrastructure of our world. As a construction engineer, your responsibilities may include:

• Planning and overseeing the construction operations of a project
  • Conducting site layout
  • Scheduling
  • Selecting equipment
  • Organizing the work crew
  • Managing materials
  • Safeguarding the environment
  • Building temporary structures
• Designing both temporary and permanent structures
• Checking and modifying plans and specifications for constructability, efficiency, and safety
• Developing cost estimates and preparing bids
• Utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) software for 3D models
• Managing subcontractor firms
• Working with the owner to ensure that the project meets requirements
• Solving job site problems, moving between the field and office
• Gaining additional education and training
• And more