Civil Project Engineer Job Description
Civil engineers are responsible for the building of civilian projects and infrastructure such as bridges, highways, tunnels, airfields, and water and sewage systems. They are the people who ensure that the projects are built to within safety regulations. Civil engineers find work in architectural firms, engineering companies, construction businesses and within all levels of government.
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Function
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Most civil engineers will specialize in one area --such as structural, construction, hydraulics, sanitary, environmental, transportation or soil mechanics engineering. Structural engineers work alongside architects to design buildings and other structures, while those specializing in construction supervise the actual construction process. Those who work in hydraulics help with the building of canals and other waterway systems such as irrigation networks and flood-control systems. Sanitary engineers design systems that purify water and treat waste products, while environmental engineers help to contain water and air pollution, and transportation engineers plan highways, airports and railroads. Soil mechanics engineers are responsible for improving the foundations of structures built on soil.
Qualifications
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A civil engineer must have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited school. These are normally four- to five-year programs and include courses in fluid mechanics, circuitry, stress analysis, structural design and thermodynamics. Many of these programs offer students the ability to split their time between academic study and practical work experience. Those candidates wanting to pursue a career in research will need to complete a graduate degree in civil engineering.
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Working Conditions
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The working conditions of a civil engineer will depend on the employer and specialization. Some may work in offices, others on the construction site, while those who work in research may be based in laboratories. The job can be stressful, with tight deadlines and pressure to be as accurate as possible given the money constraints that are often placed on building programs. The ability to work well in a team is an essential requirement of a civil engineer, as is the ability to solve problems.
Prospects
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In 2008, 278,400 civil engineers were employed in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Around half of these worked for engineering and architectural firms, a quarter for government, while the rest worked in construction. The industry is set to grow faster than the national average for all occupations in the U.S. up to 2018 as more civil engineers will be needed as the population of the U.S .grows. Old buildings will need to be fixed or replaced and new buildings will need to be erected to meet new demands.
Earnings
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average salary of a civil engineer in the U.S. in 2008 was $78,560 a year. The BLS reports those with bachelor's degrees in civil engineering started off on an average salary of $52,048 a year in 2009.
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References
- Photo Credit highway image by michele goglio from Fotolia.com
