site engineer job description

Your specific duties as a site engineer depend on the project. Some typical tasks include: conducting preliminary site inspection: you are responsible for determining the preparatory work necessary before construction commences. For instance, you decide if the site requires access roads or if the construction site needs levelling. Sometimes, you work with surveyors to determine the site's features. supervising contractors: your job involves managing the daily work activities of sub-contractors and contractors on the construction site. This includes monitoring their schedules, work activities and progress. Your job is to ensure project milestones are met and that construction is completed on time. You also conduct regular site inspections to ensure contractors follow the blueprints and project guidelines. determining cost estimates: as a site engineer, you generate labour and material cost estimates before construction begins. You examine blueprints and project specifications to help determine material quantities and create the budget. advising on process improvements: site engineers provide technical advice on necessary operational and process enhancements. You monitor the construction process and look for opportunities that improve efficiency and optimise expenses. You also devise solutions to technical issues that could affect the workflow. overseeing safety standards: you are responsible for implementing site safety standards and ensuring workers adhere to the guidelines. You also develop and distribute site safety protocols to all the stakeholders. maintaining site reports: as a site engineer, you maintain documentation for construction projects. You record permits, budgetary documents and materials specification sheets, and you file the documents with the local authorities.

Site engineers spend the majority of their work time outdoors. You work on construction sites during inspections and preliminary studies in all weather conditions. Most construction sites have office facilities or converted premises for completing paperwork. The role involves climbing ladders and accessing hard-to-reach areas. Therefore, appropriate safety equipment is necessary for the role. Your job also involves travelling from one site to another.

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include structural engineers, civil engineers and site supervisors. You might also be working in close proximity to site managers and architects, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, estimators , construction project managers and project engineers .

The working week of a site engineer is 35 to 40 hours. However, your job often starts early or ends late at night. Sometimes, you work weekends to meet deadlines. You also meet clients in the evenings or during weekends to discuss the projects. While most site engineers work full-time, some companies have part-time positions or short-term contracts.

As a site engineer, you begin your career in a graduate trainee position before progressing to an assistant site engineer role. You can become a senior site engineer or manager from a junior site engineer position. Site engineers also make excellent project managers and contract managers.

advantages of finding a site engineer job through randstad

Finding your site engineer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a site engineer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

what is the role of a site engineer?

As a site engineer, you oversee on-site activities for construction projects. Whether you are working on infrastructure or building, your job is to manage construction operations. You ensure the construction crew implements the specifications and technical drawings accurately. That involves interpreting technical drawings for the workers and assisting site managers in the development of construction methodologies.

how much do site engineers make in Australia?

The typical salary of a site engineer in Australia is $105,000 per year. With minimal experience, you start with a remuneration package of $95,000 annually. As you improve your expertise and gain experience in the role, you can take home over $115,000 annually. The earnings also depend on the size of the projects you handle and the company size.

how do I become a site engineer?

You require a bachelor’s degree in engineering to work as a site engineer. Pursue a bachelor of engineering majoring in civil engineering, and register with the National Engineers Register to work as an engineer. You also require extensive experience.

what is the difference between a civil engineer and a site engineer?

While civil and site engineers work in construction, a site engineer ensures the project meets the specifications and remains on schedule. A civil engineer designs technical drawings and manages project resources.

is site engineering a good career?

Working as a site engineer is a promising career with a competitive salary. You also have promising career prospects in the construction field. You can work for companies in the public or private sector.

how do I apply for a site engineer vacancy?

Applying for a site engineer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here .

site engineer

what is a site engineer?

As a site engineer, your input in managing construction projects is technical and supervisory. Your primary role is to oversee, supervise and coordinate the technical aspects of a project. That involves marking the site and ensuring the architectural designs are applied correctly. Your job on the construction site is to provide technical advice and ensure quality standards are met.

Site engineers also do physical work, like levelling the site before infrastructure installation. While most of the duties are technical, you also perform administrative tasks. You check drawings and the accuracy of calculations, as well as write reports and liaise with clients.

The main employers of site engineers are building and construction companies. As a site engineer, you work for a contractor or directly with clients. You work for civil engineering companies, from local to multinational firms. You often deal with public sector organisations when working on infrastructure projects. For instance, you liaise with electrical supply companies, as well as water, gas, mining and transport authorities.

As a site engineer, you require good technical skills and an understanding of the construction industry. Your knowledge in installing pipes, forming earthworks and handling equipment comes in handy. Since you assist the site manager with analysing budgets and contracts, it helps to have good business acumen.

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average site engineer salary

Site engineers oversee the flow of work and direct various activities at worksites. Working as a site engineer in Australia attracts an average salary of $105,000 per year. The salary range is based on your qualifications and experience. When you are new to the role, you start with a remuneration package of $95,000 yearly. However, the earnings increase gradually with experience and qualifications. For instance, senior site engineers receive a remuneration package of $115,000 annually.

how to increase your salary as a site engineer

The remuneration package of a site engineer depends on various factors. For instance, when you have the requisite experience, you can negotiate a higher remuneration package. Your qualifications also significantly boost your earnings since employers are always looking for site engineers with additional expertise.

The projects you work on affect your earning potential. For instance, working on large infrastructure or building projects requires more expertise due to the complexity of the tasks. Large projects also have unlimited resources, increasing your earning potential. Working on small projects usually attracts lower salaries, but you will improve your skills.

Want to know what you will earn as a site engineer? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.

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types of site engineers

Site engineers’ areas of specialisation depend on the projects completed and the industry they work in. For instance, you can work on buildings or transportation projects at construction sites. As a building site engineer, you construct residential and commercial buildings. Your job is to review designs and structural drawings. You also prepare construction sites for projects by levelling the foundations. You work alongside site managers to supervise construction activities while ensuring building safety.

Transportation site engineers work on infrastructure projects and transportation systems. That means you design road systems, bridges, railways and airports. You prepare the location for the installation of transport systems.

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working as a site engineer

Working as a site engineer involves coordinating and directing on-site activities during construction projects. Here are the duties, responsibilities and work environments of site engineers.

site engineer job description
Your specific duties as a site engineer depend on the project. Some typical tasks include:
- conducting preliminary site inspection: you are responsible for determining the preparatory work necessary before construction commences. For instance, you decide if the site requires access roads or if the construction site needs levelling. Sometimes, you work with surveyors to determine the site's features.
- supervising contractors: your job involves managing the daily work activities of sub-contractors and contractors on the construction site. This includes monitoring their schedules, work activities and progress. Your job is to ensure project milestones are met and that construction is completed on time. You also conduct regular site inspections to ensure contractors follow the blueprints and project guidelines.
- determining cost estimates: as a site engineer, you generate labour and material cost estimates before construction begins. You examine blueprints and project specifications to help determine material quantities and create the budget.
- advising on process improvements: site engineers provide technical advice on necessary operational and process enhancements. You monitor the construction process and look for opportunities that improve efficiency and optimise expenses. You also devise solutions to technical issues that could affect the workflow.
- overseeing safety standards: you are responsible for implementing site safety standards and ensuring workers adhere to the guidelines. You also develop and distribute site safety protocols to all the stakeholders.
- maintaining site reports: as a site engineer, you maintain documentation for construction projects. You record permits, budgetary documents and materials specification sheets, and you file the documents with the local authorities.
work environment

Site engineers spend the majority of their work time outdoors. You work on construction sites during inspections and preliminary studies in all weather conditions. Most construction sites have office facilities or converted premises for completing paperwork. The role involves climbing ladders and accessing hard-to-reach areas. Therefore, appropriate safety equipment is necessary for the role. Your job also involves travelling from one site to another.
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include structural engineers, civil engineers and site supervisors. You might also be working in close proximity to site managers and architects, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, estimators, construction project managers and project engineers.
work schedule

The working week of a site engineer is 35 to 40 hours. However, your job often starts early or ends late at night. Sometimes, you work weekends to meet deadlines. You also meet clients in the evenings or during weekends to discuss the projects. While most site engineers work full-time, some companies have part-time positions or short-term contracts.
job outlook

As a site engineer, you begin your career in a graduate trainee position before progressing to an assistant site engineer role. You can become a senior site engineer or manager from a junior site engineer position. Site engineers also make excellent project managers and contract managers.
advantages of finding a site engineer job through randstad
Finding your site engineer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a site engineer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

4

education and skills

To work as a site engineer, you require a bachelor of engineering with honours. You can pursue an accredited bachelor of engineering with a major in civil engineering from Engineers Australia. The degree course takes four years to complete and usually includes three years of undergraduate and one year of honours. To join the course, you should meet the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) qualification and prerequisite subjects, including English, chemistry, physics and maths. For additional qualifications, pursue a postgraduate study, such as a master of civil engineering.

If your ATAR is low for a bachelor’s degree, completing a vocational course helps you qualify for university. Start with a Certificate IV in tertiary preparation to gain the academic credits necessary for enrolling for an engineering degree. Before you work as a site engineer, join the National Engineers Register.

site engineer skills and competencies

The following skills enable you to excel in your site engineer role:

analytical thinking: as a site engineer, you ensure the infrastructure layout is structurally sound. You require analytical and logical thinking to find creative solutions to any issues. Analytical thinking also aids decision-making when determining the best locations for infrastructure installations.
attention to detail: being detail-oriented helps you ensure the project meets expectations. You rely on your attentiveness to monitor every aspect of the construction process.
budgeting skills: you are responsible for using materials and resources on the construction site. Your job is to estimate the materials and labour that a project requires. Budgeting skills help you optimise costs and resources for a project.
management skills: as a site engineer, you supervise team members and manage the timeline of a project. Management skills help you delegate duties and assign tasks to relevant workers.
technical skills: site engineers require strong familiarity with the technical aspects of a project. You use sophisticated software programs like Autodesk and AutoCAD.
physical fitness: your job involves location inspections that may require climbing ladders, elevated lifts and being on your feet for long hours. Being physically fit and agile is important to meet the job's demands.

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FAQs about working as a site engineer

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a site engineer.

what is the role of a site engineer?

As a site engineer, you oversee on-site activities for construction projects. Whether you are working on infrastructure or building, your job is to manage construction operations. You ensure the construction crew implements the specifications and technical drawings accurately. That involves interpreting technical drawings for the workers and assisting site managers in the development of construction methodologies.
how much do site engineers make in Australia?

The typical salary of a site engineer in Australia is $105,000 per year. With minimal experience, you start with a remuneration package of $95,000 annually. As you improve your expertise and gain experience in the role, you can take home over $115,000 annually. The earnings also depend on the size of the projects you handle and the company size.
how do I become a site engineer?

You require a bachelor’s degree in engineering to work as a site engineer. Pursue a bachelor of engineering majoring in civil engineering, and register with the National Engineers Register to work as an engineer. You also require extensive experience.
what is the difference between a civil engineer and a site engineer?

While civil and site engineers work in construction, a site engineer ensures the project meets the specifications and remains on schedule. A civil engineer designs technical drawings and manages project resources.
is site engineering a good career?

Working as a site engineer is a promising career with a competitive salary. You also have promising career prospects in the construction field. You can work for companies in the public or private sector.
how do I apply for a site engineer vacancy?

Applying for a site engineer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

site engineer.