what is a project engineer?
As a project engineer, you have the expertise to manage a technical project. You guide engineers and manage engineering projects from commencement to end. Your duties are similar to those of a project manager, like delegating tasks and monitoring project budgets. You also oversee the project's progress and mitigate risks associated with the work.
The role of a project engineer is to allocate tasks to technicians and engineers. Since you have technical knowledge, you can identify experts for a particular task. Most employers hire a project engineer to manage engineering projects or tasks that require technical expertise that a project manager doesn’t have. As a project engineer, you speak to the company's stakeholders and senior managers. You also provide updates and discuss other requirements of the project.
Since most construction and engineering projects are site-specific, you spend significant time monitoring on-site engineering works. You direct members and make time-sensitive decisions on the projects. You require technical expertise to establish the correct project plans for the teams. You also decide on the work procedures and the models of the projects. When working on-site, you consider the risks of a project and identify the necessary safety standards required.
Project engineers are useful in various industries. However, most project engineers work in manufacturing, construction and aerospace vehicle development. Some project engineers also work in technology companies.
Would working as a project engineer suit your decision-making skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a project engineer role.
project engineer rolesaverage project engineer salary
According to our latest salary guide, a project engineer takes home an average salary of $130,000 per year. Project engineers with less than five years of experience or applying for an entry-level position receive a salary of $85,000 to $125,000 annually. An experienced project engineer can earn up to $160,000 yearly.
what determines the salary of a project engineer?
As a project engineer, your compensation package depends on your experience and qualifications. When you have minimal experience and qualifications, you are likely to earn less than a project engineer with extensive experience. With experience, you acquire additional skills and expertise which prepare you for complex roles in the company.
The compensation package of a project engineer also depends on the industry sector you work in. For instance, when you work on complex engineering projects in the construction and manufacturing industries, you earn a higher salary than project engineers working on smaller projects.
The company's size also influences the project size and your earning potential. When you work for a large company, you work on huge projects, and the unlimited resources increase your salary potential. Smaller companies handle less complex projects and have limited resources.
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access our tooltypes of project engineers
Some of the types of project engineers include:
- mechanical project engineers: as a mechanical project engineer, you work in the automotive or aviation industry. Your job is to provide general management skills. You develop blueprints and perform market research for the projects. You also design and create the assembling prototypes.
- electrical project engineers: as an electrical project engineer, you guide a team in designing and developing electrical systems involved in a project. You supervise the installation of electrical systems to ensure it meets safety standards.
- software project engineers: as a software project engineer, you work in the IT industry as the technical lead in a software development project. You also have experience in designing various types of software components.
working as a project engineer
Project engineers manage the technical aspects of projects. Discover the duties, responsibilities and work environments of a project engineer.
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project engineer job description
The daily duties and responsibilities of project engineers include:
- preparing and scheduling projects: as a project engineer, you coordinate and monitor tasks associated with a project. You split tasks and assign the duties to professionals with the necessary skills and competency.
- communicating with the project team and stakeholders: as a project engineer, you interact with clients to determine the requirements of a project. You also interpret the requirements and project needs of the clients. When the project commences, you provide updates on the progress of the project.
- maintaining quality control: as a project engineer, you implement processes and check for quality in every aspect of the project. You develop quality controls for team dynamics, personnel performance and scheduling to avoid falling behind on the project. You also review engineering deliverables and initiate corrective actions when mistakes are made.
- monitoring compliance: as a project engineer, you ensure the project site is compliant with the rules and regulations. You monitor the safety standards and ensure the work environment is safe for the team. Your job is to make sure the company complies with the regulations in all aspects of a project.
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work environment
As a project engineer, you work in an office environment when preparing project plans and reports. You also attend meetings with various stakeholders of the project. Since your work involves working on-site, you spend time on construction or manufacturing sites. It is important to wear protective clothing when working on engineering projects.
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who are your colleagues?
Project engineers work with various professionals with technical knowledge of a project. For instance, you work alongside civil engineers, mechanical engineers and plant managers. You collaborate with project managers and operations managers to ensure the projects are completed on time. Project engineers also work with construction managers, contractors and architects.
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work schedule
As a full-time project engineer, you work 40 hours a week. The work hours vary depending on the project's urgency. For instance, an urgent construction project will require more working hours to complete on time. Some project engineers work part-time or on a contract basis providing technical expertise on a project basis.
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job outlook
As a project engineer, you have a promising career with good growth prospects. For instance, you are well-positioned to become the project manager or construction manager of a project. Alternatively, specialize in a particular industry and become an operations manager or a consultant.
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advantages of finding a quality engineer job through randstad
Finding your project 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 project 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!
project engineer skills and education
Here are the steps to becoming a project engineer in the UK:
- complete your education: the first step in becoming a project engineer is to gain knowledge and technical expertise in a relevant field of study. You can complete an engineering degree relevant to your field of expertise. However, completing an engineering degree is not mandatory; a project management degree or diploma in a specialist area prepares you for the role.
- gain relevant experience: you require extensive experience in project engineering. At the beginning of your career, take up roles in small projects to build your skills and confidence in the role. When you have experience and the necessary qualifications, you will have a competitive advantage in the job market. If your role requires a license, ensure you have the relevant license for your role.
skills and competencies
A project engineer requires the following skills and qualities:
- project management skills: as a project engineer, you provide technical guidance to project teams. That means you require strong project management skills to lead and coordinate others. The project management skills necessary for the role include communication, delegation, problem-solving and organisation skills. You motivate and manage the entire team of engineers and technicians to ensure they perform their tasks.
- initiative: as a project engineer, you make decisions that impact the project outcome. You require initiative to make changes that will benefit the project. Your proactiveness is also useful in making the necessary changes and improving the project quality. You also require innovation skills to improve the outcome of projects.
- time management skills: projects have timelines, and time management is vital as a project engineer. From the beginning of the project, you have a strict schedule and timeline. Without time management skills, you are likely to miss deadlines. Your time management skills help you organize your work and have a realistic idea of the duration the work takes.
- teamwork skills: as a project engineer, you lead a team of engineers or technicians to complete a project. Being part of the team and putting in the necessary work to complete a project is important. Your teamwork skills help you collaborate with others and listen to their ideas and suggestions for the smooth running of projects.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a project engineer.
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is a project engineer a good job?
As a project engineer, you are essential in technical and engineering projects. Your job is to provide oversight and assist in the quality control of projects. As a project engineer, you support a project manager with limited technical or engineering expertise by leading project teams through the technical phase of a project. The role has promising career prospects and salaries.
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what qualifications does a project engineer need?
A good communications manager has exceptional communications skills. You also need to be a strategic planner with great organizational skills.
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what are the main skills required of a project engineer?
As a project engineer, you work in numerous fields that require technical knowledge. For instance, if you work in the manufacturing sector or civil engineering, you require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering course to gain the technical expertise required for the role. You also require extensive experience working in the technical field.
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what is the expected salary of a project engineer?
The typical annual income for a project engineer amounts to $130,000. Project engineers possessing under five years of experience or vying for an introductory role are granted an annual remuneration ranging from $85,000 to $125,000. An experienced project engineer has the potential to gain as much as $160,000 annually.
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do project engineers work long hours?
As a project engineer, you supervise all aspects of an engineering project. That means you work the same hours as other employees. If the technical team works 12-hour shifts, you are likely to work additional hours to plan the tasks for the next day. Sometimes, you also work weekends to meet project deadlines.
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how do I apply for a project engineer vacancy?
Applying for a project engineer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
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Make sure your resume is up-to-date, including information about your technical skills and certifications. Then share it with us to connect with a recruiter and be matched with job opportunities.
