what is a site engineer?
As a site engineer, your input in managing construction projects is technical and supervisory. Your primary role is to oversee, supervise and coordinate the technical aspects of a project. That involves marking the site and ensuring the architectural designs are applied correctly. Your job on the construction site is to provide technical advice and ensure that quality standards are met.
Site engineers also do physical work, like levelling the site before infrastructure installation. While most of the duties are technical, a site engineer also performs administrative tasks. You check drawings and the accuracy of calculations. You also write reports and liaise with clients.
where do site engineers work?
The main employers of site engineers are building and construction companies. As a site engineer, you can work for a contractor or client directly. You also work for civil engineering companies, from local to multinational firms. You often deal with public sector organisations when you work on infrastructure projects. For instance, you work with water, gas, transport authorities and electrical supply companies.
Would working as a site engineer suit your numerical and analytical skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a site engineer role.
site engineer jobsaverage salary of a site engineer
According to ONS, your mean salary is £43,156 per year. At an entry-level position, you are still a trainee with minimal transferrable skills, and your compensation package starts at £35,000 annually. Salaries for site engineers with relevant qualifications and experience range from £35,000 to £55,000 yearly. Senior-level site engineers take home over £75,000 per year.
how to increase the salary of a site engineer
As a site engineer, your compensation package varies based on the business sector you work in and your employer. When you work for the public sector, the projects usually have limited budgets, and you are likely to earn less. Site engineers in the private sector usually have better compensation prospects since they work for organisations with less limited resources.
The project's complexity and size also influence your earnings. When you work on large-scale infrastructure projects, the complexity of your role improves your salary prospects. Project complexity also requires additional experience and expertise, which attract higher salaries. The demand for site engineers also varies by location and affects the earnings in the region. Earnings are normally higher in London due to the high cost of living in the city.
types of site engineers
The types of site engineers depend on the projects completed, including:
- building site engineers: as a building site engineer, you work in the construction of residential and commercial buildings. Your job is to review the designs and structural drawings. You also prepare the construction site for the project by levelling the foundations. You work alongside the site manager to supervise construction activities and ensure building safety.
- transportation site engineers: you may also work on infrastructure projects and transportation systems as a transportation site engineer. That means you design road systems, bridges, railways and airports. You prepare the location for the installation of the transport systems.
working as a site engineer
Working as a site engineer requires extensive technical knowledge of infrastructure designs, site security and health and safety requirements. Let's explore the responsibilities, schedules, career prospects and work environments.
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duties and responsibilities
Your specific duties as a site engineer depend on the project. Some of the tasks include:
- conducting preliminary site inspection: you are responsible for conducting preliminary studies and inspections on the construction site. You determine the preparatory work necessary before construction commences. For instance, you decide if the site requires access roads or if the construction site needs levelling. Sometimes, you work with surveyors to determine the site's features.
- supervising contractors: your job involves managing the daily work activities of sub-contractors and contractors on the construction site. You monitor their schedules, work activities and progress. Your job is to ensure the project milestones are met and the construction is completed on time. You also conduct regular site inspections to ensure the contractors follow the blueprints and project guidelines.
- determining cost estimates: you generate labour and material cost estimates before construction begins. You examine the blueprints and project specifications to help determine the material quantities and create a budget.
- advising on process improvements: site engineers provide technical advice on necessary operational and process enhancements. You monitor the construction process and look for opportunities that improve efficiency and optimise expenses. You also devise solutions to technical issues arising that could affect the workflow.
- overseeing safety standards: you are responsible for implementing site safety standards and ensuring workers adhere to the guidelines. You also develop and distribute site safety protocols to all the stakeholders.
- maintaining site reports: you maintain documentation for the construction projects. You record permits, budgetary documents and materials specification sheets and file the documents with the local authorities.
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work environment
Site engineers spend the majority of their work time outdoors. You work on construction sites during inspections and preliminary studies in all weather conditions. Most construction sites have office facilities or converted premises for completing paperwork. The role involves climbing ladders and accessing hard-to-reach areas. Therefore, appropriate safety equipment is necessary for the role. Your role also involves travelling from one site to another. You cannot work from home since you provide hands-on technical guidance.
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who are your colleagues?
If you work in construction, your colleagues might include site managers, site supervisors, project engineers and construction managers. You may also work with quantity surveyors and cost planners, as well as other specialists that could include contracts managers, architects, electrical engineers, and civil engineers.
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work schedule
The working week of a site engineer is 35 to 40 hours. However, your job often starts early or ends late at night. Sometimes, you work weekends to meet deadlines. You also meet clients in the evenings or at weekends to discuss the projects. While most site engineers work full-time, some companies have part-time positions or short-term contracts.
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job outlook
As a site engineer, you begin your career as a graduate trainee before progressing to an assistant site engineer role. You can become a senior site engineer or manager from a junior site engineer position. Site engineers also make excellent project managers and contract managers.
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advantages of finding a site engineer job through randstad
Finding your site engineer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a site engineer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Employers look for the following educational qualifications:
- education: to become a site engineer, complete a degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in an engineering or another construction-related discipline. A degree in building surveying, civil engineering, building engineering or structural engineering increases your chances of securing employment. If you want to progress to chartered status, acquire a degree accredited by The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
- work experience: you require extensive experience to work as a site engineer. Work in lower positions and become a trainee technician before progressing to supervisory roles as you gain experience.
skills and competencies
As a site engineer, the following skills enable you to excel in your role:
- analytical thinking: as a site engineer, you ensure the infrastructure layout is structurally sound. You require analytical and logical thinking to find creative solutions to any issues. Analytical thinking also aids decision-making when determining the best locations for infrastructure installations.
- attention to detail: you are expected to be detail-oriented to ensure the project meets expectations. You rely on your attentiveness to monitor every aspect of the construction process.
- budgeting skills: you are responsible for using materials and resources on the construction site. Your job is to estimate the materials and labour that a project requires. Budgeting skills help you optimise costs and resources for a project.
- management skills: as a site engineer, you supervise team members and manage the timeline of a project. Management skills help you delegate duties and assign tasks to relevant workers.
- technical skills: site engineers require strong familiarity with the technical aspects of a project. They use sophisticated software programs like Autodesk and AutoCAD.
- physical fitness: your job involves location inspections that may require climbing ladders, elevated lifts and being on your feet for hours. Being physically fit and agile is important to meet the job's demands.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a site engineer
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is a site engineer a good job?
A site engineer plays a crucial role in the site management team. Your job is to ensure a project is completed successfully. It is an exciting career if you enjoy providing technical advice. The salary prospects are also promising. Want to learn more about working as a site engineer? Then check out this article.
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what is the salary of a site engineer?
A site engineer receives a median salary of £43,156 per year. Trainee site engineers earn a compensation package of £35,000 annually, while experienced professionals make over £75,000 yearly. The earnings depend on your employer and level of education. Want to learn more about working as a site engineer? Then check out this article.
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is a site engineer and a project engineer the same?
As a site engineer, you survey, prepare and plan infrastructural installations. You complete the physical work involved in the technical aspects of construction. A project engineer isn't involved with the physical work. They only provide technical advice and supervise the overall execution of a project. Want to learn more about working as a site engineer? Then check out this article.
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what does a site engineer do daily?
As a site engineer, you monitor and interpret technical designs and drawings to ensure the construction team applies them correctly. You also survey and prepare the site for the installation of various infrastructures. Want to learn more about working as a site engineer? Then check out this article.
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are site engineers the same as civil engineers?
While civil and site engineers have closely related duties, they are different. Civil engineers investigate a construction site and design the technical plans for the project. A site engineer ensures the construction project is advancing as expected and applies the designs to the project. Want to learn more about working as a site engineer? Then check out this article.
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how do I apply for a site engineer vacancy?
Applying for a site engineer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our site engineer job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
