Project engineers are one of the most relevant site personnel for every construction project. Basically, project engineers
are a more construction-versed professional compared to site engineers. Project engineers have already advanced their knowledge of the construction industry.
Here are the seven major works of a project engineer.
1. Overall project in charge and see to it that the site is safe at all times
Project engineers are the overall supervisor for the project. Thus, their decision-making skills should be well developed to properly weigh situations that require corrective actions. They are the ones familiar with the rules, best practices, regulations and performance standards by the book and on-site. They should as well check that the site is safe at all times.
They should know how to properly deal with different types of people. Their people skills and communication skills should be developed to deal with staff under them like site engineers, architects, planning engineers even foreman and laborers.
2. Sees to it that the project is on time
As the overall project in charge, project engineers see to it the project pushes through as scheduled. They should have the qualities to anticipate possible problem ahead and solve them even before it arrives.
Project engineers are one of the top personnel responsible for completing the project on time. Thus, choosing the best candidate for this position is very crucial. They review engineering deliverables ahead of everyone and initiate actions to finish the project as scheduled.
3. Sees to it that the project is on quality
Known to have an eye on details, project engineers are the ones that formulate realistic parameters and implementation of procedures. If not stated on the plan, they are the go-to person to ask for the establishment of methods by which all field tests are administered. They monitor the compliance with applicable codes, practices of quality assurance and control and other specifications and standards.
Project engineers should be known to champion quality on top of their project without compromising the budget. Thus, they should be well-versed on calculating probable overhead expenses and do value engineering if applicable.
4. Sees to it that the project is on budget
The main reason why those who have field management experience is plus for project engineers it is because of this one. On every project, profitability is one of the top priority. Else, one would lose the logic of being into the construction business. With enough field and project planning experience, they can suggest substitute materials of lesser price without compromising any quality concerns.
5. Interacts with the client to know their needs and present them on site
With their developed communications and technical skills, project engineers are the one entitled to face the clients (aside from the construction managers) to know and hear their expectations and needs. Basically, project engineers are already on-site during bidding and even before the project started. Ideally, project engineers should already be part of the planning and budgeting even during the designing stage.
6. Assigns responsibilities to project personnel and review their performance
Usually, these persons are of top leadership and organizational skills, project engineers know when and where to place their personnel to boost their potentials and for the benefit of the project. They also know if the applicant is the right fit for the working environment and the existing personnel he or she has. Thus, it is advisable for the human resource officer to top the project engineers when hiring a person.
7. Report and communicates with the project manager for project support
Project engineers are the ones entitled to communicate with project managers. He or she is the one authorized to voice out the needs, queries, and ask for support like the purchasing of materials and or equipment needed on site.
As the one who monitors the project progress, project engineers know when to strategically purchase materials so as not to have too many stocked materials vulnerable to thief and stealing. Tools especially heavy equipment are also under the watch of project engineers. They see to it that these are all maximized and that no unused heavy equipment lies around the site which would just increase overhead expenses. He or she works together with quantity surveyor, office engineer and warehousemen on this.
These may not be all but few roles of project engineers. Depending on the demand for the project, project engineer has to be a jack of all trade that knows almost every role there is on site. This personnel has to be exposed to various trades be it electrical, plumbing or mechanical trades. This is the main reason why civil project engineers are crucial because almost all these trades are attached to the building or structure.
Getting or hiring the right fit for this role is too crucial, thus, construction managers should see to it that the person’s qualifications are good enough to handle the role.
