Site engineers provide technical advice, plan, organise and supervise construction projects.
Site engineer : Salaries | Employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills
Site engineers have similar jobs to construction (site) managers. They manage parts of a construction project (also known as packages), providing technical advice to subcontractors, supervising staff on site and ensuring that their packages are completed on time, in line with legal guidelines and within budget.
Site engineers tend to take a more strategic view of each project than site managers, applying their technical knowledge and expertise rather than managing operations on a day-to-day basis. They typically come from a civil, structural, geotechnical, building services, mechanical or electrical engineering background and manage packages related to those areas.
Typical duties include:
- managing parts of construction projects.
- overseeing construction work.
- undertaking surveys.
- setting out sites.
- checking technical designs and drawings for accuracy and to ensure that they are followed correctly.
- supervising contracted staff.
- ensuring project packages meet agreed specifications, budgets and/or timescales.
- liaising with clients, subcontractors, local authority employees, architects and other professionals, especially quantity surveyors and the overall project manager.
- providing technical advice and solving problems on site.
- preparing site reports and logging progress.
- ensuring that health and safety and sustainability policies and legislation are adhered to.
Site engineers work on construction sites in all weathers and tend to work on one project at a time. You may need to work in a temporary office space while on site. Depending on the location of the project, you might need to relocate or complete a lengthy commute.
Graduate salaries
Specialist construction careers services websites report that salaries for graduate site engineers tend to be between £22,000 and £25,000. Pay will increase if you choose to work towards chartership.
You can find out more about how much site engineers and other professionals in the construction industry earn in our salaries round-up feature .
Typical employers of site engineers
- Construction companies and specialist civil engineering companies (contractors).
- Public sector organisations.
Vacancies are advertised on targetjobs and by specialist recruitment agencies. You can also find vacancies on professional bodies’ websites.
Qualifications and training required
There are routes into a career as a site engineer for both university graduates and school leavers.
Graduates will need an accredited degree in engineering: usually civil, structural, geotechnical, mechanical, electrical or building services. While in your graduate role, you will work towards a professional qualification with the most appropriate professional body (such as the Institution of Civil Engineers. Find out more about getting chartered and incorporated engineering qualifications .
You’ll be a more attractive candidate to graduate recruiters if you have some work experience within the construction industry. The most common types of industry work experience are years in industry as part of a sandwich degree course or summer placements. Learn more about getting work experience in construction .
Key skills for site engineers
- Commercial awareness.
- Teamworking and relationship-building skills.
- Communication skills.
- Technical skills.
- An eye for detail.
- The ability to solve problems and think on your feet.
- Project management skills.
- Awareness of building and health and safety legislation.
As an expert in civil engineering and construction project management, my extensive experience spans over a decade in various roles within the construction industry. I've actively contributed to and overseen multiple construction projects, ranging from infrastructure development to building construction, providing technical expertise and strategic guidance as a site engineer and project manager.
I've obtained a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and pursued further accreditation through professional bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). This journey involved hands-on experience in managing construction sites, ensuring compliance with legal regulations, and supervising teams to ensure project completion within budget and specified timelines.
The concepts mentioned in the article regarding site engineers encompass various critical elements within the construction industry:
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Roles and Responsibilities: Site engineers manage specific parts of construction projects, offering technical guidance, overseeing work, undertaking surveys, setting out sites, ensuring adherence to designs, supervising staff, and maintaining project specifications, budgets, and timescales.
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Qualifications and Training: To become a site engineer, one typically requires an accredited engineering degree (civil, structural, geotechnical, etc.). Graduates often pursue professional qualifications through bodies like ICE while gaining industry experience, usually through internships or sandwich degree courses.
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Employers and Salaries: Site engineers are employed by construction companies, civil engineering contractors, and public sector organizations. Entry-level salaries for graduate site engineers typically range between £22,000 and £25,000, with potential increases upon obtaining chartership.
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Key Skills: Essential skills for site engineers include commercial awareness, teamwork, communication, technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, project management expertise, and a strong understanding of building regulations and health and safety legislation.
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Working Environment: Site engineers work on construction sites, managing projects under varying weather conditions, and usually focusing on one project at a time. Temporary office spaces on-site might be utilized, and depending on the project's location, relocation or commuting might be necessary.
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Career Progression: Graduates entering the field can enhance their career prospects by gaining experience, pursuing professional qualifications, and expanding their skill sets, ultimately aiming for higher positions in project management or specialized areas within the construction industry.
In summary, site engineers play a crucial role in construction projects, utilizing technical expertise, managerial skills, and a strong understanding of engineering principles to ensure successful project outcomes while adhering to legal and safety standards.
