Civil engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like bridges, roads, canals, dams, and buildings. Generally, any land development project will involve a civil engineer in some capacity.
A civil engineer is a professional who practices civil engineering. These jobs are almost always located within a company's engineering department. However, due to their knowledge and skillset, they may also be found in other areas such as business, operations, and even compliance. There are currently hundreds, if not thousands, of companies hiring for civil engineer jobs.
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A civil engineer designs, plans, and oversees the construction of many different types of projects, including bridges, roads, canals, dams, and buildings. They also work on the development and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment. As well as developing civil engineering plans. There are many different types of civil engineering jobs, including:
-Bridge Engineer
-Construction Engineer (set a job alert here for Construction engineer)
-Geotechnical Engineer (set a job alert here for Geotechnical engineer)
-Environmental Engineer (set a job alert here for Environmental engineer)
-Project Engineer (set a job alert here for Project Engineer)
-Project Managers (set a job alert here for Project Manager)
-Transportation Engineer (set a job alert here for Transportation engineer)
-Water Resources Engineer (set a job alert here for water resource engineer)
-Structural Engineer (set a job alert here for structural engineers)
-Surveying and Mapping Technician (set job alert here for surveying and mapping technician)
Please see the links below for job descriptions for each type of civil engineer:
-Bridge Engineer: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/bridge-engineers.htm
-Construction Engineer: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/construction-engineers.htm
-Geotechnical Engineer: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/geotechnical-engineers.htm
-Environmental Engineer: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm
-Transportation Engineer: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/transportation-engineers.htm
-Water Resources Engineer: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/water-resources-engineers.htm
-Structural Engineer: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/structural-engineers.htm
-Surveying and Mapping Technician: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/surveying-and-mapping technicians.htm
Some civil engineering projects that a civil engineer might work on include:
-Designing and constructing bridges
-Designing and constructing roads
-Designing and constructing canals
-Designing and constructing dams
-Designing and constructing buildings
-Developing and maintaining the physical and naturally built environment
-Other infrastructure projects in various industries
Yes, a civil engineer may travel or work remotely. A civil engineer who works on large projects may travel to the project site as needed. Civil engineers who work in remote areas may need to live in temporary housing near the project site.
Most civil engineering jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an accredited four year college. Some jobs, such as surveying and mapping technician, may only require an associate’s degree. You can also choose to earn a master's degree or Ph.D. in civil engineering if you want to pursue a career in research or teaching at the collegiate level.
An accredited engineering school is a college or university that has been approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
A civil engineering degree can be challenging, but most students who are successful in obtaining their degree find the challenge to be worth it. Courses that civil engineering students take vary by school, but most programs include classes in mathematics, physics, statistics, and computer science. Students also take classes specific to civil engineering, such as:
-Construction Materials
-Structural Analysis
-Geotechnical Engineering
-Hydraulic Engineering
-Environmental Engineering
-Transportation Engineering
Most states require that a civil engineer obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) license, or otherwise become a licensed engineer, to practice civil engineering. To obtain a PE license, engineers must pass an exam administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
Most entry-level civil engineering jobs require at least four years of experience. Some advanced positions, such as construction manager, may require more than 10 years of experience.
Some skills that civil engineers need include analytical skills, communication skills, creativity, critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, organizational skills, and research skills
Some common challenges that civil engineers face include:
-Budget constraints
-Schedule delays
-Scope changes
-Weather conditions
The job outlook for civil engineering jobs is good. The demand for civil engineering jobs is expected to grow by 11% from 2016 to 2026, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual salary for civil engineers is $86,640.
Some of the top companies that hire civil engineers include Burns & McDowell, Black & Veatch, PG&E, and Southern Company.
Civil engineering is a good career because it is a stable and well-paying profession. Civil engineers are in high demand, and the job outlook is good. Civil engineering is also a versatile field, with many different types of jobs available.
Some civil engineering associations include the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE).
Some civil engineering publications include Engineering News-Record (ENR), Journal of Infrastructure Systems (JIS), and International Journal of Geoengineering Case Histories (IJGCH).
What are some online resources for civil engineers?
Some online resources for civil engineers include ASCE Journals Online, Civil Engineering Resources, and Engineering.com.
What are some civil engineering software programs?
Some civil engineering software programs include AutoCAD, Revit, and Bentley Systems.
Some industries that hire civil engineers include:
-Construction
-Architecture
-Environmental
-Transportation
-Utilities (click here for civil engineering jobs in utilities)
-Government
Some common civil engineering job titles include:
-Civil Engineer
-Construction Manager
-Project Engineer
-Structural Engineer
-Geotechnical Engineer
-Transportation Engineer
-Environmental Engineer
-Municipal Engineer
-Hydraulic Engineer
-Sanitary Engineer
Some current trends in civil engineering include sustainable design, green infrastructure, and smart cities.
Civil engineers use many different types of engineering technology, including:
-Computer-aided design (CAD)
-Geographic information systems (GIS)
-Global positioning systems (GPS)
-Project management software
Some future trends in civil engineering include self-healing materials, 3D printing, and nanotechnology.
The most important thing for civil engineers to know is that they need to be able to adapt to change. The field of civil engineering is constantly evolving, and new technologies and approaches are constantly being developed. As a result, civil engineers need to be able to keep up with the latest developments in the field.