Project engineer

As a project engineer, you will assist project management in carrying out all kinds of projects. You'll have a lot of responsibility and it can come in many forms. It can range from directing a team of individuals and keeping track of a project's status to evaluating economic factors for future jobs. Essentially, you'll oversee the various stages of development for a variety of products and projects. You must make sure that the various parts are progressing, and that the project works as a whole. Generally, you'll get involved at every level of the project from concept to production and everything in between. You may also have a wide range of different projects on the go at the same time, all at different phases of development. Your routine duties will vary, but are likely to include:

Ensuring a project is fit-for-purpose and adheres to the project budget and schedule. Ensuring all relevant safety objectives and legal requirements are observed. Accounting for engineering tasks to ensure they meet contract requirements. Developing project-specific procedures for the work to be carried out. Interpreting clients' requirements, identifying and addressing design parameters and engineering problems and ensuring solutions are implemented. Ensuring all justifications for contractual variations during projects are maintained to support subsequent commercial claims. Evaluating, organising and prioritising work within the overall project schedule. Liaising and managing third party contractors to ensure all equipment is fit for purpose. Taking responsibility for a team of engineers and training/mentoring junior engineers. Drafting contract administration correspondence.

You will work as part of the project management team with other professionals. How much responsibility you have will depend on your experience.

Hours and environment

You'll work between 35 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Your time will be split between the office and working on site. Sitework would be in all weathers and may involve extensive travel, sometimes overseas, depending on the contract.

Skills & Interests

To be a project engineer, you'll need:

Knowledge of a broad range of subjects, from economics to materials

Excellent maths, science, and IT skills Strong organisational skills Good teamworking skills The ability to explain design ideas and plans clearly The ability to analyse large amounts of data and assess solutions Confident decision-making ability Excellent communication skills Project management skills The ability to work within budgets and to deadlines A comprehensive knowledge of relevant legal regulations Patience and the ability to deal with people

Entry
For more senior roles, you'll need significant relevant industrial or construction experience. Normally, you'll also need a BEng degree or a BTEC HNC or HND in an engineering subject. To get onto a degree course, you will need at least five GCSEs (A-C), and two A levels including maths and a science subject. Some universities offer a foundation year for people without qualifications in maths and science. Check with the colleges for their exact entry requirements. See the websites for Cogent, IChemE, IET and Women into Science, Engineering and Construction for information about engineering careers.

Training
You'll normally be trained on the job by your company, possibly through a structured graduate training scheme. You could help your career development by working towards incorporated or chartered status. To do this, you should register with your professional industry body and apply to the Engineering Council. As an incorporated engineer, you will specialise in the day-to-day management. At chartered level, you would have a more strategic role, planning, researching and developing new ideas, and streamlining management methods.

Opportunities
You could work in a wide range of industries in the UK, as well as finding opportunities to work on overseas contracts.

With experience, you could progress to senior engineer, research and development manager, or project manager, and eventually overall operations manager. You could also move into consultancy work.

Annual income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Graduate starting salaries are between 19,500 and 24,000 a year. Salaries for experienced engineers are between 30,000 and 45,000. Senior engineers can earn between 40,000 and 52,000 a year. Top salaries for project managers can reach 80,000 or more.

Design engineer
As a design engineer, you'll research and develop ideas for new products and production systems. You'll also improve the performance and efficiency of existing products. You could work in a variety of industries from electronics to textiles, and on any project from redesigning a mobile phone to building motorcycle parts from carbon fibre. Your exact duties are likely to include:

Research - using mathematical modelling to work out whether new developments and innovations would work and be cost effective. Design - turning research ideas into technical plans using CAD/CAE software. Testing - collecting and analysing data from tests on prototypes. Modifying designs and re-testing - there are several stages before a product is ready for manufacturing. Reporting - writing or presenting regular progress reports for project managers and clients. Environmental assessment - taking into account the environmental impact of new products and their manufacturing processes and how they would be safely disposed of.

Hours and environment

You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Much of your woRk will be computer-based, working in a design or drawing /ffice. You will do some travelling to meet clients.