A construction engineer prepares blueprints and oversees building efforts on large-scale construction projects. Most professionals specialize by working on particular types of structures, such as highways or skyscrapers. With the assistance of engineering technicians and drafters, engineers are able to design schematics for safe, functional buildings and roads. A construction engineer may be employed by a private contracting company, a municipal government agency, or a large construction firm.
Before the design phase of a project begins, a construction engineer carefully reviews land maps and survey information to make sure an area is stable enough to support a structure. He or she then works with geotechnical and civil engineering experts to get a basic idea of which materials and construction methods would be the most appropriate to use. Rough blueprints are usually submitted to the landowners, who make the decision about whether or not to go ahead with a project. Once plans are in place, he or she can begin revising blueprints.
Most construction engineers work with computer-aided drafting (CAD) programs to produce schematics and simulations. CAD software allows engineers to easily make adjustments to their measurements and calculate important figures. After completing several drafts of blueprints and CAD simulations, an engineer can put together a formal report that describes deadlines, cost estimates, materials needed, and other pertinent information for landowners to review.
It is common for a construction engineer to work on-site throughout the building phase. He or she commonly helps supervisors coordinate labor and resources to make sure that deadlines are met. An engineer often personally inspects ongoing projects, confirming that sections are built exactly to specifications. If problems in a design are discovered along the way, the engineer can make quick decisions about how to remedy or work around them. Once construction is completed, the engineer once again inspects the structure. He or she ensures that all elements are safe, durable, and functional.
A person who wants to get into the construction engineering business can do so in a few different ways. Most professionals hold bachelor's degrees or higher in civil engineering, though some workers obtain their positions by gaining many years of experience as construction site supervisors, surveyors, or engineering technicians. Most countries require engineers to pass licensing exams administered by accredited certification boards before they can lead projects. With the appropriate credentials and experience in the field, an individual usually enjoys many opportunities to obtain full-time careers.