ASSISTANT CIVIL ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION

An Assistant Civil Engineer is a practicing designer and analyst who works under qualified supervision to deliver technical outputs on real infrastructure schemes. This role sits within multidisciplinary project teams serving public-sector highway authorities, water utilities, and private development clients operating under frameworks such as CDM regulations and Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) standards. What makes the position demanding is the dual expectation: produce accurate design calculations and drawings while actively progressing toward Chartered or Incorporated status. Progression happens on the job.

As the Assistant Civil Engineer, you will own design deliverables across highway, drainage, and structural workstreams, contributing directly to scheme programmes and cost targets for public and private sector clients. You operate within a project team led by senior engineers, with your scope expanding as technical competence and professional accreditation milestones are achieved.

Career Impact: Progressing toward Chartered or Incorporated status through live project delivery, rather than classroom study alone, accelerates recognition within the Engineering Council framework and strengthens your standing with major infrastructure clients.

Business Impact: The calculations, drawings, and technical reports you produce form the contractual design record that moves highway and drainage schemes from feasibility through to construction, directly determining whether client programmes are met.

Growth Opportunity: Consistent exposure to multi-disciplinary coordination, client liaison, and contract administration at the assistant level builds the technical and commercial competence that supports promotion to Civil Engineer and, eventually, Project Engineer.

• Prepare design calculations, drawings, and specifications for highway, drainage, and structural elements within the agreed scope, timescale, and budget.
• Carry out site visits, surveys, and inspections to gather field data and support the definition of design requirements.
• Coordinate highway and drainage design outputs within multidisciplinary teams, integrating with structural, mechanical, and process disciplines.
• Review and quality-check drawings and technical documents prepared by technicians and CAD designers for accuracy and completeness.
• Liaise with clients, stakeholders, and statutory consultees on technical aspects of active projects.
• Assist senior engineers with feasibility studies, technical reports, cost estimates, and construction specifications.
• Monitor personal project time recording and flag scope or programme risks to the project manager promptly.
• Support graduate engineers and technicians through guidance on technical tasks and design procedures.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent qualification, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of post-graduate experience in civil or infrastructure design, with exposure to highway or drainage schemes.
• Active progress toward Chartered or Incorporated status with a recognised professional body such as ICE or CIHT.
• Working knowledge of relevant design standards, including DMRB, CDM regulations, or equivalent water company and Environment Agency procedures.
• Ability to prepare and validate engineering design calculations for highway, drainage, or structural systems.
• Experience producing and checking technical drawings, reports, and specifications under supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with multiple disciplines and manage personal workload against programme deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings clearly to clients and colleagues.

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Experience with Section 38, Section 104, or Section 278 agreement processes within highway or drainage adoption frameworks.
• Familiarity with structural analysis principles, including seismic qualification or probability-based reliability assessment.
• Prior involvement in water supply, sanitation, or utility infrastructure projects serving urban or rural communities.

• Design deliverables issued on time as a percentage of total scheduled outputs per project stage.
• Number of drawing or calculation revisions attributable to errors identified after first-issue QA review.
• Progress milestones completed toward Chartered or Incorporated status within agreed professional development timeline.
• Percentage of assigned project tasks completed within agreed budget hours, tracked against project time records.
• Client feedback score on technical report quality and responsiveness across active scheme commissions.
• Typical tools: CAD and 3D modelling (commonly AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or OpenRoads); drainage analysis (commonly MicroDrainage or InfoWorks)

• Base Salary Range: $58,000 to $78,000 per year
• Bonus: Annual performance-based bonus, typically 5% to 10%
• Equity: Not standard at this level; uncommon in consulting
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies
• PTO: 15 to 20 days per year, plus public holidays
• Common Perks: Professional membership fees covered, CPD budget, chartership support program

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background checks, including verification of employment history and professional credentials, are a condition of employment for all positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process upon request. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

The Assistant Civil Engineer shapes engineering solutions across design and project management activities, preparing technical reports, carrying out investigations, and managing small contracts within Arcadis project delivery frameworks. Working alongside team leadership and collaborating with multiple design disciplines, the role contributes to client satisfaction and supports junior team members in both project delivery and professional development.

Key Responsibilities

• Combine project-related experiences with targeted learning and development to complete their development for incorporated or chartered status.
• Carry out a range of project activities to support the development and implementation of engineering solutions.
• May undertake a Design or Project Management Role in line with Arcadis Project Management Academy competence requirements.
• Work alongside team leadership.
• Manage the delivery of elements of projects in accordance with Management Systems to meet time, quality, budgetary and health and safety targets.
• Working to ensure maximum client satisfaction, championing client care and proactively working with the client.
• Promote the culture of the business.
• Work collaboratively with other design disciplines to ensure the integration of the overall design or solution.
• Plan assigned project work and allocate work to ensure timely delivery and effective utilisation of resources.
• Monitor the performance of team members and sub-contractors, identifying and resolving issues.
• Guide and provide technical advice to junior team members, supporting them in project delivery and professional development.
• Work on detailed engineering assignments involving calculations and increasingly complex tasks, and prepare significant elements of technical reports with limited supervision.
• Build an understanding of the design of multiple elements of a project and how it interfaces with the client.
• Carry out investigations and analyses to support the development of technical solutions.
• Develop effective working relationships with other disciplines and senior engineering staff to ensure effective communication of progress, changes, and resolution of issues.
• Manage small contracts, including invoicing and debt management in relation to the project.
• Contribute to the development of technical proposals for small projects.

Required Qualifications

• BSc/BEng, MSc/MEng, or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Experience using project design decision logs and project assumptions registers to record and agree on key project decisions.
• General understanding of one or more sectors and a sound theoretical approach to the application of technology in engineering practice.
• Knowledge of sustainable development best practice and the ability to support engineering activities that contribute to it.
• Ability to prepare design risk assessments to accompany hazard identification during design development.
• Ability to validate elements of computer analysis using simple hand methods or alternative software.
• Practitioner-level expertise in a specialist discipline with the ability to input into discussions around identifying and selecting techniques and methods for engineering tasks.
• Proficiency in relevant desktop applications and their application to support engineering tasks.

Reporting to senior engineers in the Civil Engineering Department, the Assistant Civil Engineer I delivers structural analysis, seismic qualification, and engineering design calculations for steel, reinforced concrete, and masonry systems in accordance with applicable codes and standards. Working across process, mechanical, instrument and control, and other interfacing groups, the role supports design drawing production and participates in formal engineering reviews to maintain accuracy and quality of technical documentation.

Core Functions

• Work under the supervision of intermediate and senior engineers to ensure adequacy of scopes, budgets, and schedules.
• Perform structural analysis, seismic qualification and assessment, structural design, and ageing management.
• Quality-check work performed by others to ensure accuracy, completeness, and quality of technical information and design documentation.
• Proactively self-start and self-monitor work performance, identifying potential risks or gaps in scopes of work.
• Work on technical solutions under the supervision of senior engineers.
• Perform plant walkdowns as required to support design requirements definition and detailed engineering of design modifications.
• Communicate effectively with team members, inter-disciplines, and project management.
• Provide engineering input and support to field engineering groups.
• Obtain inputs from plant commissioning, operations, and maintenance personnel, as well as client engineering and scientific specialists in interfacing disciplines.
• Prepare engineering design calculations for structural systems involving steel, reinforced concrete, and masonry elements in accordance with relevant standards and applicable codes.
• Work with designers and drafters for design drawing production and delivery.
• Participate in formal engineering design and other reviews as required for design changes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Civil Engineering degree from a recognised university, or eligibility for licensure with a professional engineering organisation recognised in Canada.
• A master's degree or above is an asset.
• Good knowledge of underlying engineering principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of NBCC, CSA, and other applicable industry codes and standards.
• Academic knowledge of structural analysis and design.
• Familiarity with at least one commercial finite element analysis software, such as STAAD Pro, SAP2000, ANSYS, LS-DYNA, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of probability-based analysis of structural reliability.
• Self-motivated with the ability to seek practical solutions to engineering problems.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, drive, and resourcefulness, with the ability to manage work effectively under tight schedules and budgets.

Partnering with a dedicated design engineering team at Amey Consulting, the Assistant Civil Engineer builds technical designs for road schemes from inception through construction, preparing design calculations, drawings, and feasibility reports in compliance with DMRB and related standards. Working from post-graduate experience toward professional qualification, the role enables scheme delivery across trunk and local roads while supporting contract preparation and programming.

Primary Duties

• Implement project requirements to fully meet client specifications and relevant standards.
• Prepare design calculations, drawings, and documents.
• Carry out site visits, surveys, inspections, and supervision of subcontractors.
• Prepare feasibility studies, inspections, assessments, and technical reports, ensuring compliance with relevant procedures.
• Keep up to date with industry best practice and apply it within a team environment.
• Work under minimum supervision.
• Assist with contract preparation, project planning, and programming.
• Comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental legislation, including CDM regulations.

Skills & Qualifications

• At least two years of post-graduate experience working towards professional qualifications through a relevant institution.
• Experience delivering competent designs of minor and major road schemes for trunk and local roads.
• Working knowledge of the DMRB, TSRGD, Cycling by Design, Roads for All, and Sustrans design documents.
• Experience in roads, traffic, and transportation feasibility and design.
• Proficiency in CAD tools and road design or traffic modelling, including AutoCAD, Bentley MX, Civils 3D, Keysoft packages, or MicroDrainage.

Sitting at the intersection of highway engineering and client collaboration, the Assistant Civil Engineer leads on scheme design delivery, prepares feasibility and technical reports, and supports senior engineers across surveys, inspections, cost estimation, and specification production. Operating across design project delivery and professional development activities, the role drives health and safety practices within the team and supports the growth of graduate engineers and technicians.

Duties

• Drive effective health and safety practices within the team.
• Liaise with clients and community partners to ensure solutions are suitable for buildability and maintainability.
• Lead on the delivery of scheme design and provide support to senior engineers on various design duties, including surveys, inspections, feasibility and technical reports, planning, programming, cost estimation, design production, drawing review and amendment, and specification production.
• Support the development of graduate engineers and technicians.
• Work to programme to deliver specified designs on time.
• Assist with site surveys and inspections.
• Keep up to date with personal development to ensure team growth and progression with a chosen professional institution.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in an appropriate subject.
• Working towards Chartered or Incorporated status as defined by the Engineering Council with a relevant professional body.
• Design experience within the highways sector.
• Track record of successful design project delivery and experience in problem-solving in collaboration with clients.
• Experience working on Highways England contracts.
• Appreciation of technical governance procedures and their application within a consulting engineering environment.
• Proficiency in relevant design software for the discipline.

A key member of the project delivery team, the Assistant Civil Engineer owns the execution of water supply and sanitation design tasks in compliance with water company and regulatory standards, consulting with stakeholders and liaising across disciplines. Collaborating with clients, team members, and other engineering groups, the role delivers projects within agreed scope, timescales, and budgets while applying innovative and value-for-money design approaches.

Key Deliverables

• Assist with designs to current water company and regulatory standards.
• Provide regular feedback on progress to the team leader to support management of delivery against client objectives and requirements.
• Ensure tasks are carried out and completed in accordance with the agreed scope of works, timescales, and budgets.
• Consult with stakeholders.
• Liaise with team members, clients, and other disciplines to deliver projects collaboratively.

Position Requirements

• Experience or awareness of current water company, EA, and NRW design standards, requirements, and procedures.
• Experience or awareness of site investigation.
• Appreciation of the environmental impacts of construction and how to reduce them.
• Understanding of contractors' information needs and construction site methods and procedures.
• Ability to work with professionals from all disciplines to optimise and develop bespoke, value-for-money, and innovative designs.
• Awareness of InfoWorks and/or MicroDrainage, and of the mechanical and electrical elements of hydraulic design projects.
• Good problem-solving skills with the ability to find innovative and practical solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to adapt style to suit the audience.

Successful delivery of highway design packages depends on the Assistant Civil Engineer, who produces 3D models, drawings, reports, and specifications to relevant standards while supporting project managers and senior engineers across all programme and budget targets. Based within a multidisciplinary team, the role coordinates the highway design process and integrates outputs with other design disciplines, working alongside clients and stakeholders on technical project aspects.

Scope of Work

• Support the project team in designing highway schemes.
• Prepare scheme drawings from feasibility design through to detailed design.
• Prepare or check horizontal and vertical alignments in 3D models.
• Ensure tasks are carried out within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Co-ordinate the highway design process and integrate with other design disciplines within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Work alongside clients and stakeholders on technical aspects of projects.
• Keep up to date with current methods and design guidelines.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• Appropriate previous experience of working in this field.
• Experience preparing drawings and reports.
• Proficiency in the use of AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of Civil3D and/or OpenRoads.
• Ability to act on own initiative and operate proactively.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams or independently.

As the Assistant Civil Engineer, this role leads field surveys, facility design, and site management tasks to improve water and sanitation services across urban and rural areas, including small towns. The project team relies on this work to develop and present research findings, support field operation managers in landfill and septage treatment design, and carry out construction supervision aligned to national service and sector experience requirements.

Accountabilities

• Provide support for developing proposals for water supply and sanitation projects, including project implementation. strategies, operation plans, procedures, and manuals.
• Support the preparation, organisation, and presentation of papers.
• Research findings at workshops and facilitate working groups related to projects and policies.
• Support senior researchers and engineers in carrying out field surveys to improve water and sanitation services in urban and rural areas, including small towns.
• Support field operation managers in carrying out design of water and sanitation facilities, including remedial works on disposal sites and the design and operations management of landfills and septage treatment plants.
• Carry out field and site management tasks as assigned.

Education & Experience

• BSc in Civil Engineering with strong analytical capability.
• At least three years of post-qualification experience, including national service, preferably in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector.
• Experience in the supervision and measurement of construction works.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and time management skills.

Assistant Civil Engineer delivers technical drawings, specifications, and quantity estimates for catch basin, water main, and utility design projects while conducting record research, site investigations, and field work for utility clients and city agencies. The work directly supports coordination with various city agencies and traffic construction staging management across urban infrastructure assignments.

Work Activities

• Design and align catch basins and water mains.
• Conduct record research and site investigations for utility clients and city agencies.
• Manage and protect traffic construction staging.
• Conduct studies, develop technical drawings, prepare estimates of quantities, and write specifications.
• Carry out field work for data gathering, test pit inspection, surveys, and construction observations.
• Co-ordinate with various city agencies.

Background & Experience

• Baccalaureate degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited college.
• Previous relevant experience.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Familiarity with Civil3D and Microstation as assets.
• Detail-oriented with excellent writing skills.

The Assistant Civil Engineer shapes drainage and highway designs for public and private sector development schemes, producing technical reports and managing deliverables in coordination with CAD designers, technicians, and senior engineering teams. Working closely with clients and design teams on active projects, the role builds accountability for project time recording, Section 38/278/104 agreements, and the delegation of technician resources to meet agreed deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the production of drainage and highway designs for all types and scales of development projects.
• Collaborate with CAD and technician resources in the delivery of outputs to agreed deadlines.
• Liaise with clients and design teams on active projects, and manage and procure deliverables on time.
• Manage project time recording carefully.
• Prepare and manage technical reports.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience of Section 38, Section 278, and Section 104 agreements.
• Experience of highway design and specification, and detailed drainage and attenuation design.
• Experience in the delegation and management of technician and CAD resources.
• Competency in the use of Microsoft Office programmes.
• Excellent communication and written skills with the ability to compile and check reports.
• Ability to liaise with a broad range of stakeholders, with exceptional attention to detail and strong presentation skills.