Project Engineer
Career information and advice on being a Project Engineer

A Project Engineer is an individual who leads the engineering design on a specific project.  He/she may be the sole designer on the job, or may be the leader of a large design team.  There are various levels of project engineers at different firms, and a senior engineer may manage several individual project engineers, who may themselves manage other designers, draughtsmen, and assistants.  The term “project engineer” should not be confused with the licensing designation of “Professional Engineer (PE).”

There are many specialisms within Project Engineering and the skills required of the Project Engineer will be those needed in a specific project.  For example, civil engineering skills will be required for construction projects, mechanical engineering skills for plant and equipment design projects and electrical engineering skills for power reticulation projects.

Project Engineers are usually employed by the company that has been commissioned to complete the job.  They could, however, also be employed by a client if the company is big enough to handle the task itself.

Other opportunities for Project Engineers are specialised fields within Project Engineering, usually on very large or highly specialised jobs, for example Quality Project Engineers, Civil Project Engineers, Electrical Project Engineers, and Structural Project Engineers.

Closely related careers include Project Managers, Designers, and Quality Engineers.

Working under a Project Manager, a Project Engineer could work closely with Architects, Other Engineers and Planners, Buyers, Lawyers, in-house specialists and the client.  The exact team will depend on the technical area of the job to be carried out.

Your Functions May include

• Schedule preparation and resource forecasting for specific engineering activities relating to the project.
• Performance management of the architectural and engineering vendor.
• Maintaining the accuracy of financial forecasts and related project schedules
• Ensure projects are completed according to project plans.
• Managing project team resources and training