Last month, we kicked off our Behind the Build series with a post about those working with aggregates. If you missed it, check back on our blog before reading on. As we mentioned in this first post of the series, we noted that the best construction projects come from a highly coordinated, collaborative team effort. But before the foundation can even be set by skilled tradespeople working with aggregates, a high-level strategy must be established. This is the job of construction engineers. Let’s take a look behind the build and see the impact of construction engineers.
Engineers are the innovators who see the potential for the industry. They are our problem solvers that are tasked with seeing the big picture and determining how a team will get there, taking care of everything, down to the most minute detail. On the one hand, construction engineers design buildings and plan out infrastructure development. On the other hand, they support routine maintenance and find on-the-job solutions. It’s that attention to detail to project design that allows construction engineers to bring a project to fruition safely, efficiently and cost effectively.
Given the scope of work, it might be obvious that collaboration and communication are key skills to master in order to become a construction engineer. They work with other engineers in the design stage and manage building crews along the way. Not only are they thinking about a project before it begins, they also keep the project moving forward on time, on budget and on-target based on agreed-upon specifications.
You might have heard of “Civil Engineering” before. This is the broadest and oldest term in the construction engineering profession. Today, there are many specialties that support construction projects of all kinds beyond this title.
- Architectural Engineers work on the design of the building and may also help with estimating or supervising the project.
- Average annual salary according to the U.S. Department of Labor: $89,210.
- Structural Engineers plan and design buildings of all types.
- Average annual salary according to the U.S. Department of Labor: $87,170.
- Electrical Engineers design, develop and supervise the creation and installation of electrical equipment.
- Average annual salary according to the U.S. Department of Labor: $95,980.
- Mechanical Engineers work on the production, transmission and use of mechanical power and heat.
- Average annual salary according to the U.S. Department of Labor: $86,980.
- Environmental Engineers design, plan and execute engineering tasks that focus on environmental health.
- Average annual salary according to the U.S. Department of Labor: $99,710.
Given the range of specialties, the education and training to become a construction engineer varies, ranging from a baccalaureate degree to a master’s degree.
We hope it’s evident how impactful construction engineers are in our industry. Without their clear vision, our projects would fail. For more information about construction engineering careers, click here.
Stay tuned for more from our Behind the Build series. We’ll continue to break down the walls and show what really goes into each project with every helping hand.
