Site engineer
Site engineers perform a technical, organisational and supervisory role on construction projects, including setting out roads, drains, sewers and structures involved in construction operations.
Site engineers apply designs and plans to mark out the site and can be involved in projects ranging from small scale to multi-million pound ventures. This may include civil, road, rail and other infrastructure projects.
A site engineer works as part of the site management team liaising with and working alongside architects, engineers, construction managers, supervisors, planners, surveyors and subcontractors. They share responsibility for site security, health and safety, and the organisation and supervision of material and human resources.
Typical work activities include:
Although this is a career open to all graduates, it would be useful to posses a degree/HND in one of the following subjects:
It is important that the degree is accredited and meets the academic requirements of a professional body. In construction the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is the main professional body, while in engineering the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) are the key professional bodies in the field.
Graduates with non-accredited or non-cognate degrees are required to undertake a conversion course to upgrade their academic qualifications. There are also many dedicated postgraduate courses available in the construction and engineering field, designed for existing professionals in the industry.
Initial entry without a degree or HND is possible, with apprenticeship opportunities or options to work in lower positions such as a trainee technician while taking further study. Progression on to more supervisory roles can be achieved with experience.
Pre-entry experience in a construction/engineering environment is desirable and is highly regarded by recruiters. Vacation or sandwich placements are therefore advantageous and may be invaluable if the degree is not directly relevant. A work experience placement can also give a good understanding of the industry as a whole, show what skills are required, and help to assess suitability for the work.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
A driving licence is usually required, and a willingness to work long, abnormal hours can be advantageous. Having foreign language skills can also be a bonus if working with or for multinational companies.
A number of major construction and engineering firms offer industrial placements and actively seek new entrants at on-campus presentations, while others expect graduates or final year undergraduates to make the approaches. Some employers will also offer sponsorship to undergraduates.
Recruitment drives by large construction groups generally match academic timetables. Applications are generally required in October/November of your final year for graduate training programmes starting the following October or November. However, recruitment may take place all year round, particularly in the case of small to medium-sized companies.
Try to develop contacts in the industry, possibly through work experience, your academic department, personal contacts and local representatives of professional bodies and associations. Join one of the professional bodies, which usually offer free student membership, as this provides access to professional journals and information about vacancies.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training usually starts with an induction period and continues with a mix of on-the-job training and relevant short courses. It is essential to keep abreast of legislation, compliance and reporting requirements through training and continuous professional development (CPD). Attending internal and external training courses, relevant seminars and conferences is an effective way of keeping up to date with current issues and refreshing knowledge. Most large firms offer structured training and encourage professional status.
For future career development, it may be worthwhile to consider gaining chartered status of a professional body, and for a site engineer, there is a choice to make depending on the area of work.
Graduates in the building industry will find the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) the most appropriate professional body to join. An accredited degree in building gives exemption from the academic element of membership of the CIOB, but three years must be spent in work at an appropriate professional level (or two years if the degree was a sandwich course). A report on that experience must be submitted and candidates then face a professional interview.
For site engineers working for engineering firms, gaining chartered status of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or the The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) may be preferable. Both institutions require members to undertake a programme of initial professional development (IPD), with a mentor assigned to monitor progress. To gain chartered or incorporated status, members will need to undertake a professional review.
Site engineers may begin their careers on a graduate training scheme, which may last about two years. Following this, they may move on to manage their own projects, or work as assistant site engineers. Within the profession, career progression and salary increases are possible by moving from simple to more complex projects. In contracting, the standard route of advancement is:
This progression may entail both changing employer and relocating, so geographical mobility is important. Complex projects may involve posts for assistant site engineers as well as site engineers.
Professional qualifications and continuous training are an integral part of career development, and there may be opportunities to move into other areas of the building and engineering industry to gain new skills and experience.
With experience there may be opportunities abroad as all the big civil and structural engineering construction companies operate throughout the world. The developing world has provided opportunities due to population growth and tourism. New build projects include housing, commercial building and transport infrastructure.
It is worth noting that, in the construction industry, unlike many other sectors of British industry, a graduate or Diplomate entering as a site engineer can reach the highest positions of management in the industry whilst remaining in a hands-on role.
Most site engineers work for building contractors or civil engineering companies, which can range from small locally based firms to multinational organisations. Some public sector organisations, transport authorities, water, gas and electrical supply companies may also recruit their own resident site engineers.
There are also many consultants who employ site engineers, whose clients may include central and local government, developers and multinational corporations.
The Contract Journal Directory, available via Contract Journal , is a free, online database of contracting firms and suppliers.
Some contractors are increasingly working on 'design and build' projects, which mean that the contractor has responsibility not only for building the project, but also for the design stage. This has led to a gradual blurring of roles between contractors and consultants. There are, however, some systemic differences between working for a contractor and working for a consultancy.
There are now a number of specialised site engineering courses available, so there may be opportunities with training providers and academic institutions.
Recruitment agencies also handle vacancies. See the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) for details.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
Tweet