Site engineer

Site engineer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Key tasks of the job include:

• managing construction projects
• overseeing building work
• undertaking surveys
• setting out sites and organising facilities
• supervising contracted staff
• ensuring projects meet agreed specifications, budgets or timescales
• liaising with clients, subcontractors and other professional staff
• checking and preparing site reports, designs and drawings
• providing technical advice; problem solving
• ordering and negotiating the price of materials
• ensuring site safety.

Flexibility is important as contracts are often short-term, and relocation may be necessary.

Typical employers of site engineers

• civil engineering companies
• building companies and contractors
• public sector organisations.

Vacancies are advertised by careers services and recruitment agencies and in national newspapers and professional journals such as TARGETjobs Construction and Building Services Engineering, TARGETjobs Civil and Structural Engineering, Building Services Journal, Construction News, Structural Engineer and New Civil Engineer.

Qualifications and training required

To be a chartered engineer you will need an accredited degree in construction, building, or civil/structural engineering and vocational training with an approved employer. The professional institutions can provide lists of organisations that offer accredited training schemes.

Relevant experience can be beneficial, although not essential. Many employers offer sponsorship, vacation work and 'year out' placements which can provide valuable contacts and a useful insight into the profession. Speculative applications made early in the academic year are advisable, particularly to smaller employers.

Key skills for site engineers

• commercial awareness
• team working
• technical skills
• an eye for detail
• management skills