Site engineer
Bring your engineering expertise to construction projects! You’ll make sure designs are set out accurately and built as intended.
Also known as: civil site engineer, construction site engineer
About the job
What it's like
Fancy working on construction sites to make sure structures are built exactly where and how they should be? As a site engineer, that’s exactly what you’ll do!
In this role, you’ll analyse technical drawings and use surveying equipment to set out exact positions on construction sites. Your work will help construction teams build roads, drainage solutions and foundations in the right place.
Site engineers regularly check in with the construction team during a project. By working closely with colleagues on site, you’ll make sure the project meets quality and safety standards.
Let’s say you worked on a wind farm project. First, you’ll set out the turbine foundations. You’ll then check ground levels to make sure cranes can safely assemble turbines. Site engineers also map out where access roads are required and manage drainage to ensure that rain doesn’t ruin your foundations.
Your tasks might include:
inspecting sites before construction starts so you can assess if the area needs any preparatory work
supervising workers on a construction site to make sure everyone’s following blueprints, designs and project guidelines
examining blueprints and your project specifications to work out what materials the project needs – you’ll then use these findings to create a budget
advising construction workers on ways they could improve their processes to speed up the project and save money
setting safety standards and making sure everybody follows them while on site
taking responsibility for the project’s documentation – you’ll file relevant paperwork, such as permits, with local authorities
Green job
In this role, you could do work that helps the environment. You might:
source sustainable materials for construction projects you work on
avoid damage to protected areas or habitats when building new infrastructure
make sure materials are reused where possible – for example, excavated soil can be kept and used to raise ground levels later in a project
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Randstad UK – discover what it’s like to work as a site engineer
Tomorrow's Engineers – learn about engineering careers and pathways
Go Construct – find out about working as a setting out engineer, a closely related role to site engineer
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Select qualification level(s)
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Transport Energy Engineering and manufacturing Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- working with numbers
- working with technology
- time management
- taking responsibility
- problem solving
- developing a plan
- making decisions
- analysing
- attention to detail
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Maths (Mathematics)
Design and Manufacture
Engineering Science
Physics
You’ll need a degree, college qualification or apprenticeship to become a site engineer.
Many people start their career in a graduate or trainee site engineer role.
Let’s explore all the routes you can take to become a site engineer.
University
A degree may be helpful for getting into this job. You could study subjects such as:
Civil Engineering
Construction Management
Building Surveying
Structural Engineering
Quantity Surveying
If you want to become a chartered site engineer later in your career, make sure you choose a degree that’s accredited by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Use the My World of Work course search to find university opportunities.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you find a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Civil Engineering
Construction Management
Built Environment
Quantity Surveying
Apprenticeships
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry. You'll spend most of your time learning on the job but will also go to university. You'll have a job, get paid and work towards a degree qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in:
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Work
Some people start their career as groundworkers, survey assistants or site operatives. You can then move into engineering once you’ve gained experience and additional qualifications.
Many people also build a career as a civil engineer before specialising as a site engineer.
Volunteering in a relevant role can help you build some of the skills and experience you’ll need to become a site engineer. Search for construction or engineering-based opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
You’ll probably need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card to work on building sites.
Many employers will expect you to have experience using equipment such as Leica or Trimble GPS technology.
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