What do civil engineers do? (2024)

FAQs

What do civil engineers do? ›

The role of a civil engineer is to design and implement structures that are used in everyday life such as bridges, roads and water supply systems. They are responsible for making sure these structures are created to a high standard and are safe.

Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects. These projects may include facilities, bridges, roads, tunnels, and water and sewage systems.

Civil engineers design and manage construction projects such as buildings, bridges, transport links and sports stadiums.

Project Management Skills

It is important for civil engineers to take on the responsibility of the successful completion of projects. They need to deal with all aspects of project management, which include pre-planning, resource allocation, budgeting, contract negotiation, supervising, and worker coordination.

Civil Engineers (CEs) are trained to solve the design, construction, and maintenance concerns of the natural and physically built environment. They deal with public works including highways, railroads, bridges, buildings, and water and energy systems.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for civil engineers in the United States was $88,570 as of May 2020.

Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways.

Civil Engineering Job Duties

Analyzing survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, and aerial photography in order to plan projects efficiently. Computing load and grade requirements, water flow rates, and materials' stress factors for design specifications. Inspecting project sites and monitoring progress.

Our society cannot function without civil engineers. Everything around us from roads, buildings, bridges and drainage systems are expertly designed and crafted by civil engineers. They have a direct impact on society as without these infrastructures the world cannot go about its everyday life.

What type of person is a civil engineer? ›

They are predominantly introverted, preferring to focus their energy on the internal world of ideas and possibilities. They prefer to gather their facts using their senses and are predisposed to facts and figures.

As civil engineers, we play a unique role in our communities. We are the profession entrusted with building a better world. Most of the work we do is for the betterment of our communities' health, safety, and welfare.

Civil Engineers will lead the development of the smart, resilient, and sustainable cities of the future. At the forefront will be vital infrastructure projects, and lifeline infrastructure systems, including transportation, water and power supply networks.

Civil Engineers often face complex projects that require meticulous planning and problem-solving, which can be inherently stressful. Balancing tight deadlines with ensuring the safety and sustainability of structures demands a high level of precision and responsibility.

Civil engineering is relatively hard. Consider the amount of work-related skills needed to succeed in this profession. Additionally, since practical experience is valued so highly in this field, you might also have to spend your summers interning just to get your foot in the door.

They do on-site inspections and supervise construction. This requires some local travel. Civil engineers work 8 to 10 hours a day, 40 to 50 hours a week. They sometimes have to work nights and weekends.