CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION

Defining what a Civil Engineering Technician does takes fewer words than most expect: translate engineering proposals into accurate models, drawings, and specifications that pass through design review. The hard part is everything underneath - navigating BIM environments under ISO 19650 protocols, meeting DMRB and BS/Eurocode standards, and maintaining model integrity across drainage, earthworks, and highway packages simultaneously. One miscalculated cut-and-fill assessment or a missed SuDS requirement can delay a planning submission by months. That consequence is what makes precision non-negotiable in this seat.

As the Civil Engineering Technician, you will own the production of civil models, infrastructure drawings, and drainage designs that carry projects from feasibility through planning submission, directly supporting engineers and project managers in meeting programme and budget targets. You will operate within a multi-disciplinary design team, contributing to BIM deliverables and coordinating with clients, statutory authorities, and construction stakeholders across a portfolio of public and private infrastructure projects.

Career Impact: Working across highway, drainage, and earthworks packages within a BIM-managed environment builds a technical portfolio that is directly transferable to senior technician and engineer roles in the UK and international infrastructure markets.

Business Impact: Accurate models and compliant design packages produced in this role determine whether planning applications succeed and construction contracts proceed on schedule.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to Civil 3D, Common Data Environment platforms, and BIM Execution Plan processes at project level positions you to take on coordination and mentoring responsibilities as your experience grows.

• Prepare civil engineering models and drawings for infrastructure, earthworks, drainage, and highway design packages to required standards.
• Carry out feasibility and pre-planning assessments, including cut-and-fill appraisals and SuDS-compliant surface water drainage design.
• Conduct site inspections and surveys, recording conditions and feeding findings into design development.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings and sketches to support design progression and check model accuracy.
• Liaise with clients, project stakeholders, statutory authorities, and external disciplines to communicate technical requirements and progress.
• Produce engineering reports for planning applications, site appraisals, and submissions in line with programme and budget targets.
• Support the delivery of BIM project documentation within the Common Data Environment, maintaining document control and issue registers.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and fellow technicians to develop detailed designs from outline proposals in accordance with relevant design codes.

• Bachelor's degree or HNC/HND in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of experience in civil engineering design or infrastructure delivery, with demonstrable involvement in highway, drainage, or earthworks projects.
• Working knowledge of relevant design standards and codes, including DMRB, BS/Eurocodes, or equivalent national standards.
• Ability to produce and interpret detailed engineering drawings and design packages across multiple infrastructure disciplines.
• Experience operating within a BIM or collaborative design team environment, including Common Data Environment workflows.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for liaison with clients, contractors, and statutory bodies.
• Valid driver's licence and ability to travel to project sites as required.

• Experience with drainage design and modelling processes, including surface water management and SuDS scheme development.
• Familiarity with BIM processes and standards such as ISO 19650, including contribution to BIM Execution Plans.
• Experience delivering transportation or highway infrastructure projects, including design to Network Rail or Local Authority standards.
• Progress toward or eligibility for registration with a recognised engineering institution or council.

• Drawing and model issue accuracy rate, measured against design review comments and revision cycles per package.
• Programme adherence, tracked as percentage of individual task deliverables completed on time against project schedule.
• Planning submission pass rate, reflecting whether engineering reports and design packages meet statutory requirements on first submission.
• BIM deliverable compliance score, measuring conformance of issued models and documents to project BIM Execution Plan requirements.
• Site inspection report turnaround, measured in working days between visit and completed report submission.
• Typical tools: CAD and modelling (commonly AutoCAD Civil 3D or MicroStation); drainage design (commonly MicroDrainage or PCSWMM); CDE platforms (commonly Aconex, BIM 360, or Viewpoint).

• Base Salary Range: $52,000 to $72,000 per year, depending on seniority and location
• Bonus: Discretionary project performance bonus, typically 3% to 8% of base salary
• Equity: Not typically offered at this level in the engineering sector
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution standard for the industry
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard federal holidays
• Common Perks: Professional development allowance, licensing exam support, mileage reimbursement for site travel

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

Candidates are evaluated without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the recruitment process should notify the hiring team. Employment in this role is contingent on successful completion of a background check. All candidates must be authorised to work in the United States prior to commencing employment.

The Civil Engineering Technician delivers infrastructure design across earthworks, drainage, and highway systems, translating outline proposals into detailed models and drawings that support planning applications and statutory submissions. Reporting to engineers and project leads, the role builds technical output within a BIM environment while liaising with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to keep individual tasks on programme and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete feasibility and pre-planning assessments.
• Prepare engineering models including earthworks, site levels appraisals, cut and fill assessments, and infrastructure design.
• Design traditional surface and foul water drainage systems, including SuDS.
• Carry out site inspections and surveys.
• Work with technicians and engineers to translate outline proposals into detailed models and designs per relevant standards.
• Manage delivery of individual tasks and activities to programme and budget.
• Liaise with clients, project stakeholders, and internal and external disciplines.
• Prepare engineering reports for planning applications, site appraisals, and submissions to statutory authorities.

Required Qualifications

• HNC, HND, or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering or a related discipline, or working towards one.
• Experience in infrastructure design packages and drawings, specifically highway and drainage design.
• Working knowledge of design codes and standards such as DMRB and BS/Eurocodes.
• Knowledge or experience of working within a BIM environment and with Civil 3D.
• Experience with MicroDrainage, Flow, or other drainage design software.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and sketches and apply change control and review procedures.
• Strong communication and teamworking skills.
• Commercially aware, well organised, and able to work to tight deadlines under pressure.

Embedded within a civil engineering team, the Civil Engineering Technician shapes project delivery across preliminary design, construction plans, and site administration for both public and private-sector clients. Working closely with general contractors, subcontractors, and city staff, the role owns coordinated responses to RFIs and submittals, ensuring field activities are recorded accurately, and designs are carried through to construction.

Core Functions

• Perform routine engineering computations and research engineering records.
• Assist with preliminary design, construction plans, and specifications for public and private-sector projects.
• Administer construction activities including recording progress, reviewing submittals, and responding to RFIs.
• Coordinate with general contractors, sub-contractors, city staff, and residents on project matters.
• Travel to work sites and other project-related locations as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience as an engineering technician, with internships considered.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles and their application to site design problem-solving.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D required, with knowledge of storm design software preferred.
• Fluent in written and spoken English, with strong active listening skills.
• Well organised, able to multi-task and prioritise, and comfortable working in a team environment.
• Valid driver's licence required.

Reporting to the bid manager and project leads, the Civil Engineering Technician delivers high-quality 2D drawings and complex 3D models for transportation infrastructure, including bridges, rail schemes, and station enhancements, within Autodesk and Bentley environments. Partnering with junior technicians and multidisciplinary project teams, this role builds technical excellence across Design and Build programmes while supporting fee estimation and mentoring emerging talent.

Primary Duties

• Produce high-quality 2D drawings and complex 3D models for civil engineering projects, including bridges, bridge strengthening, station enhancements, and general civil structures.
• Work within Autodesk or Bentley environments using a Common Data Environment such as ProjectWise.
• Support the bid manager in developing fee estimates for modelling work packages.
• Mentor and support junior technicians to develop their skills.

Skills & Qualifications

• HNC, HND, BTech, NVQ Level 3, or above in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Experience delivering transportation infrastructure projects, especially bridges, rail, and Design and Build schemes.
• Experience working to Network Rail CAD standards and in multi-disciplinary project environments.
• Proficiency in Autodesk AutoCAD, Civils 3D, or Revit, and Bentley AECOsim or MicroStation.
• Experience with 3D modelling in Revit or Civils 3D, including R.C. Detailing.
• Able to take full responsibility for design decisions and deliverable quality, work independently, and solve problems within the area of expertise.
• Excellent communication and teamworking skills.

Sitting at the intersection of civil infrastructure design and BIM governance, the Senior Civil Engineering Technician leads the preparation of civil models and drawings for earthworks, drainage, and infrastructure while owning the Common Data Environment and BIM Execution Plans across project delivery. Operating across utility coordination, document control, and junior technician mentoring, the role ensures deliverable quality is maintained from initial modelling through to final issue.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Prepare civil models and drawings for infrastructure, drainage, and earthworks.
• Ensure quality of all deliverables is maintained throughout project delivery.
• Carry out utility coordination and contribute to project BIM Execution Plans.
• Plan and manage BIM deliverables, including document issues and maintenance of the Common Data Environment.
• Mentor technicians and junior technicians within the team.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and Microdrainage, including import workflows into Civil 3D.
• Proven technical experience in civil and infrastructure disciplines, including earthworks and production of isopachytes.
• Understanding of BIM processes to ISO 19650 and their application across projects.
• Experience with Common Data Environment platforms such as Asite, BIM360, Viewpoint, or Aconex.
• Knowledge of clash detection software such as Navisworks, Revizto, or Solibri is an advantage.
• Ability to manage your own tasks, meet programme deadlines, and contribute to Civil 3D content development.

A key member of the water and sanitation engineering team, the Civil Engineering Technician owns the implementation of maintenance, replacement, and capital projects across potable water distribution and sewage conveyance infrastructure. Collaborating across external providers, developers, consultants, and construction contractors, the role ensures compliance with design and tender specifications while managing plans, drawings, and wayleave processing to support subdivision and rezoning facilitation.

Accountabilities

• Assist with development facilitation, subdivision, and rezoning processes.
• Implement maintenance, replacement, and capital projects for water and sanitation infrastructure.
• Assist with the distribution of potable water and the effective conveyance of sewage.
• Liaise with external providers and oversee construction to ensure compliance with design and tender specifications.
• Manage plans, drawings, maps, and charts, and provide services information and wayleave processing to developers and consultants.

Experience & Qualifications

• National Diploma or Degree in Civil Engineering or a water-related discipline.
• Registration or eligibility to register with the Engineering Council of South Africa.
• Up to 2 years of experience in tenders, contracts, water services operations, project management, and financial management.
• Knowledge of engineering principles related to water and sewer services infrastructure.
• Valid Code EB driver's licence.

Accurate foundation and geotechnical outcomes depend on the Civil Engineering Technician, who leads pile testing projects, geotechnical design coordination, and client relationship management across infrastructure, including buildings, bridges, and wharfs. Serving as a key link between foundation testing, geophysics, and design teams, the role shapes business development and knowledge transfer through training while supervising less experienced professionals and delivering high-quality proposals and reports.

Activities

• Provide technical advice on geoscientific issues to clients and internal staff.
• Manage and report on projects involving foundation pile testing for structures including buildings, bridges, and wharfs.
• Manage and coordinate geotechnical design components on infrastructure projects.
• Support geotechnical data collection across pile testing, geophysical, and on-site testing methods.
• Prepare proposals, tenders, reports, and high-quality deliverables, and assist with data analysis and invoicing.
• Maintain client relationships, develop new business, and transfer knowledge on foundation testing through teaching and training.
• Supervise and evaluate less experienced professionals and collaborate with foundation testing and geophysics teams.

Technical Qualifications

• Engineering or Science Degree.
• Experience in foundation testing using specialised equipment to collect and analyse data, including static testing of foundation piles.
• Knowledge of geotechnical design and advancing technologies, methods, and research in the field.
• Proficiency with pile dynamic testing hardware and software, including PDA-8G, CAPWAP, PIT, CSL, TIP, and GRLWEAP.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Proficient written and oral communication skills.
• Well-developed interpersonal and client relationship skills.