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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Construction Project Engineer

💰 $ - $

ConstructionEngineeringProject Management

🎯 Role Definition

A Construction Project Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising construction activities from pre-construction through closeout. This role ensures projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the specified quality and safety standards by managing technical execution, coordinating subcontractors, producing and reviewing construction documentation, and serving as the technical point of contact for stakeholders.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior/Site Engineer
  • Construction Coordinator or Field Engineer
  • Civil/Structural Engineer (entry-level)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Project Engineer
  • Project Manager / Construction Manager
  • Program Manager or Project Controls Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Estimator / Preconstruction Engineer
  • BIM Coordinator / Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) Engineer
  • Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead day-to-day site engineering and coordination efforts: supervise subcontractors, coordinate trades, enforce sequencing plans, and ensure work packages are delivered according to construction schedules and technical specifications.
  • Develop and maintain detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 or MS Project; track milestones, critical path activities, and update schedule forecasts to mitigate delays.
  • Prepare, review, and manage construction submittals, shop drawings, RFIs, and technical clarifications to ensure design intent is met and to expedite approvals.
  • Administer cost control and budget tracking: monitor committed costs, process purchase orders, track change orders, and develop monthly cost forecasts to minimize budget variance.
  • Coordinate procurement and materials management: validate material takeoffs, confirm lead times, manage material inspections and storage logistics to prevent site shortages or delays.
  • Implement and enforce site safety and environmental plans in accordance with OSHA standards and client-specific safety requirements; conduct toolbox talks and site safety inspections.
  • Perform quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) checks: develop punch lists, oversee testing and inspection programs, verify compliance with specifications and standards, and coordinate third-party inspections.
  • Manage construction change management: prepare technical change order documentation, evaluate cost and schedule impacts, and negotiate with stakeholders and subcontractors.
  • Lead technical coordination meetings with design engineers, architects, clients, and subcontractors to resolve constructability issues and to ensure alignment on scope and standards.
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation: as-built drawings, O&M manuals, commissioning records, equipment certificates, and turnover packages for project closeout.
  • Supervise installation and testing of mechanical, electrical, and structural systems; oversee commissioning activities and ensure systems meet performance criteria.
  • Conduct site surveys and pre-construction reviews to validate site conditions, utilities, access, and constructability prior to mobilization.
  • Establish and implement temporary works and logistics plans: site access, hoisting/crane plans, site utilities, temporary works approvals, and traffic management when applicable.
  • Mentor and coordinate junior engineers and field staff, assign responsibilities, review technical work, and provide professional development and training.
  • Ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions, coordinate contractual deliverables, and respond to contractual notices, claims, and disputes with appropriate documentation.
  • Track project KPIs and prepare weekly/monthly progress reports, dashboards, and executive summaries for clients and internal stakeholders.
  • Coordinate commissioning and start-up activities, prepare pre-commissioning checklists, and manage punch-list remediation through final acceptance.
  • Oversee subcontractor performance: lead prequalification, issue scopes of work, monitor progress, and enforce performance metrics and corrective actions.
  • Administer site-based permits and approvals: coordinate inspections with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ), manage permit renewals, and ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Evaluate and implement constructability improvements and value engineering proposals to reduce cost, shorten schedules, and improve safety or quality.
  • Facilitate risk management and mitigation: identify project risks, develop mitigation plans, and support contingency planning and risk registers.
  • Coordinate utility coordination and interface management with external stakeholders such as municipalities, utility providers, and adjacent property owners.
  • Maintain accurate daily logs, site diaries, labor and equipment productivity records to support progress claims and dispute resolution.

Secondary Functions

  • Support project reporting automation and data requests to streamline progress reporting and dashboards for stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the development of company construction standards, procedures, and templates based on lessons learned and best practices.
  • Collaborate with procurement and contracts teams to translate technical requirements into bid packages and subcontract scopes.
  • Participate in progress meetings, safety committee meetings, and lessons-learned sessions; share field engineering insights to improve project delivery.
  • Assist in pre-bid site investigations and feasibility assessments to inform estimates and bid strategies.
  • Coordinate with the BIM/VDC team to integrate design models, manage clash detection workflows, and ensure 3D model accuracy for onsite implementation.
  • Support sustainability and quality certification efforts (e.g., LEED, BREEAM) by providing documentation and overseeing implementation of green construction measures.
  • Provide technical support to commissioning teams and operations staff during handover and defect liability periods.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Project scheduling and controls (Primavera P6, Oracle P6, MS Project) — schedule creation, baseline management, and recovery planning.
  • Cost management and budgeting — cost tracking, forecasting, change order quantification, and progress billing.
  • Construction drawings and specifications interpretation — AutoCAD, Revit (BIM), and ability to create and review shop drawings.
  • QA/QC processes and inspection management — developing punch lists, coordinating testing, and ensuring compliance with codes and standards.
  • Contracts and claims management — understanding FIDIC / AIA / EPC contract provisions, preparing change orders, and dispute documentation.
  • Construction means and methods knowledge — site work, structural, mechanical, electrical, and civil systems installation sequencing.
  • Submittal, RFI, and document control systems — Procore, Aconex, Viewpoint, or similar construction management platforms.
  • Health, Safety & Environmental compliance — OSHA standards, HSE plans, incident investigation, and safety auditing.
  • Commissioning and start-up procedures — pre-commissioning checks, functional testing, and turnover documentation.
  • Geotechnical and site survey interpretation — reading survey control, elevations, and coordinating as-built conditions.
  • Material logistics and procurement coordination — lead time planning, vendor management, and inspection at source.
  • Field measurement and quantity verification — site takeoffs, progress measurements for payment applications.
  • Scheduling and conducting site coordination and progress meetings — stakeholder alignment and action tracking.

Soft Skills

  • Strong verbal and written communication for clear coordination with clients, subcontractors, and internal teams.
  • Leadership and team management to motivate field crews and mentor junior engineers.
  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking to resolve constructability and technical conflicts quickly.
  • Time management and prioritization to handle multiple competing site priorities and deadlines.
  • Attention to detail and quality orientation to ensure compliance and reduce rework.
  • Negotiation skills for working with subcontractors and suppliers on changes, claims, and procurement.
  • Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, changing construction environments.
  • Stakeholder management and customer-focused mindset to maintain positive client relationships.
  • Critical thinking for risk identification, mitigation planning, and decision justification.
  • Collaborative approach to work effectively with design teams, BIM/VDC, and cross-functional departments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Structural Engineering, or related engineering discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with certifications such as PMP, CCM, or relevant professional engineering licensure (PE/EIT).
  • Technical certifications in Primavera P6, Primavera P6 Professional, or BIM tools (Revit, Navisworks).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction Management
  • Structural Engineering
  • Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (for MEP-focused roles)
  • Project Controls / Construction Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8+ years in construction engineering, field engineering, or site supervision roles.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of progressive construction project engineering experience on commercial, industrial, infrastructure, or heavy civil projects.
  • Demonstrated experience with large-scale project delivery, subcontractor management, and project controls (scheduling and cost control).
  • Proven track record using construction management systems (Procore/Aconex), Primavera P6/MS Project, and BIM coordination tools.
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