Profession construction engineer

Construction engineers interpret building designs and add technical specifications to construction projects. They integrate engineering principles into the designs to ensure that structures are safe and resistant. They work together with architects and engineers to transform design ideas into executable plans.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Technical drawings

  Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.

• Engineering principles

  The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.

• Architectural design

  The branch of architecture that strives for balance and harmony in the elements of a construction or architectural project.

• Building codes

  The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.

• Construction methods

  The various techniques and methods for erecting buildings and other constructions.

Skills

• Communicate with construction crews

  Exchange information with the construction crews or supervisors to ensure smooth progress of the construction project. Obtain updates on the progress and any obstacles, and inform the crews of any changes in the schedule or procedures.

• Integrate measures in architectural designs

  Integrate measurements, taken at sites or included in the project, into the design and drafting of architectural projects. Integrate considerations such as fire safety, acoustics, and building physics.

• Advise on building matters

  Provide advice on building matters to the various parties involved in construction projects. Bring to their awareness important building considerations and consult on construction budgets.

• Oversee construction project

  Make sure that the construction project is carried out in compliance with the building permit, the execution plans, the performance and design specifications, and the relevant regulations.

• Make numerical calculations

  Work with numbers and perform complex calculations. An understanding of the basics of maths is crucial.

• Satisfy technical requirements

  Take into consideration technical requirements coming from the clients or from the engineers in order to integrate them into the design.

• Integrate building requirements of clients in the architectural design

  Interpret clients’ requirements for building projects and integrate them into the design of the construction while considering feasibility and budget constraints.

• Monitor construction site

  Keep an overview of what happens at the construction site at all times. Identify who is present and what stage of the construction work each crew is in.

• Consider building constraints in architectural designs

  Conceive the different types of constraints faced in architecture and building projects, including budgetary, time, labour, material, and natural constraints.

• Execute feasibility study

  Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the process of decision making.

• Define technical requirements

  Specify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied according to customer requirements.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB