WHAT DOES A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ENGINEER DO?

Published: August 7, 2024 - The Construction Project Engineer sets up and maintains comprehensive job records, manages change orders, and tracks invoicing, ensuring meticulous documentation throughout the project lifecycle. Coordinates closely with vendors, owners, and architects, resolving field issues and maintaining communication to facilitate smooth operations. Oversees field personnel, schedules inspections, and sequences work, guaranteeing that materials and resources are optimally aligned with project timelines.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Construction Project Engineer

1. Construction Project Engineer Duties

  • Estimating Assistance: Assist with estimating by procuring plans and specifications, performing Good Faith Efforts, and preparing bid documents and pre-qualification packages.
  • Contract Administration: Provide contract administration to ensure strict adherence to contract specifications, including labor, insurance, safety, and environmental compliance.
  • Schedule Development: Assist in the development of project master CPM schedules and 3-week look-ahead schedules.
  • Document Control Management: Manage the document control process; send and receive project documents, letters, directives, RFIs, submittals, etc.
  • Change Order Management: Develop, review, and approve change orders (T&M Reports).
  • Quality Assurance: Review shop drawings, design specifications, and material requirements to ensure quality and contract specification compliance.
  • Subcontract Management: Prepare subcontract agreements and provide subcontract management and coordination.
  • Field Quality Control: Conduct periodic field job walks to ensure quality and consistency with company policies and practices.
  • Meeting Management: Prepare all meeting agendas and meeting minutes.
  • Submittal Review: Review submittals for conformance to plans and specifications.

2. Construction Project Engineer Details

  • Project Support: Assist Project Manager with building RFIs, change orders, maintain project files.
  • Documentation Management: Maintain submittal log and daily reports, review weekly job reports.
  • Submittal Completion: Complete project submittals, close out documents.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Communicate with contractors, superintendents, foremen, and vendors.
  • Project Involvement: Work on single or multiple construction projects.
  • Document Control: Provide support & document control to Project Managers.
  • Field Support: Support field Superintendents in completing required paperwork to ensure accurate record-keeping.
  • Schedule Management: Maintain project milestones and master schedules.
  • Architect Management: Manage Architect for timely and accurate responses.
  • Procurement: Procure supplies and materials to complete projects.
  • Record Keeping: Manage project record documents "as-builts."

3. Construction Project Engineer Responsibilities

  • Construction Activity Coordination: Coordinate and monitor heavy civil marine construction activities.
  • Work Procedure Coordination: Coordinate work procedures with the superintendent, crew, and subcontractors.
  • Safety and Quality Planning: Prepare and implement Accident Prevention Plans and Quality Control Plans.
  • Surveying: Perform hydrographic and land surveys.
  • Plan Interpretation: Read and understand plans and specifications.
  • Drafting: Draft layouts and as-built drawings.
  • Cost Estimation: Estimate project costs for bidding.
  • Load Calculation: Calculate construction loads and design shoring systems.
  • Construction Planning: Plan construction methods including critical lifts.
  • Team Supervision: Supervise and develop Assistant Superintendents and Project Coordinators, including completing performance appraisals.
  • Project Management: Manage project RFIs & Submittals, project budgets, and change orders.

4. Construction Project Engineer Accountabilities

  • Stakeholder Coordination: Interface and coordinate with building management.
  • Record Keeping: Set up and maintain job records, including vendor correspondence, all construction documents/drawings.
  • Change Order Management: Manage vendor change orders and change order log, track vendor invoicing throughout the job and manage meeting minutes.
  • Vendor Coordination: Work with vendors to gather invoices and additional items needed for monthly draws.
  • Schedule Updates: Make periodic updates to the project schedule as directed.
  • Professional Conduct: Maintain a professional appearance in accordance with corporate policies at all times when representing BPGS.
  • Personnel Oversight: Oversee all trade and field personnel required to successfully complete the project.
  • Issue Resolution: Communicate with owners, architects, and internal team about field issues; investigate and resolve such issues.
  • Material Management: Ensure site has proper materials ordered and scheduled inspections.
  • Scheduling: Create monthly schedules and determine sequencing of work.
  • Professional Relationships: Maintain a professional appearance and positive relationships with customers, contractors, suppliers, and other employees.

5. Construction Project Engineer Functions

  • Project Charter Development: Develop project charter, user requirements, scope of work, schedule, project plans, cost estimates, and turn over documentation packages.
  • Contractor Bid Evaluation: Develop and evaluate contractor bid packages.
  • Project Management Assistance: Assist with the management of projects through budgeting, estimating, forecasting, schedule tracking, and status updates.
  • Permitting and Inspection Assistance: Assist with local authority permitting and inspections.
  • Field Drawing Analysis: Effectively read, verify, and redline field drawings such as CSA plans, electrical schematics, P&IDs, and piping plans.
  • Area Owner Coordination: Work with area owners to obtain permission to proceed and hand-over area/system after completion of work.
  • Contractor Field Supervision: Supervise contractors in the field to ensure safety of personnel and property, adherence to quality and efficiency standards, security and environmental policy compliance, and confirmation of the construction schedule.
  • Construction Progress Tracking: Track the progress of construction per design, anticipate and resolve field issues to avoid rework.
  • Future Project Input: Provide input to future projects regarding the practicality of budgets, schedules, and project plans.
  • Professional Respect and Participation: Uphold the respect of peers in all business dealings and participate actively in corporate functions.
  • Site Safety Management: Manage the overall site safety program as required and ensure subcontractor compliance.
Relevant Information
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