Typical Employers
Construction Companies/Contractors:
Types of firms include those who may specialize in one or more types of work including buildings, highways, bridges, utilities, power, petro-chemical, industrial, sanitary plants, mechanical, electrical and other trade specialties.
Some construction companies, known as general contractors or Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firms perform both design engineering
and construction. They may employ engineers to do the design or outsource it to design/engineering firms and then direct and oversee their work. These companies
are large and have a global presence. However, most of the construction firms in the USA build projects that have been designed by separate engineering and/or
architectural companies.
Construction companies may typically use one or more types of contractual delivery systems. These systems include bidding, negotiation, construction management, design/build and a mixture of one or more delivery systems. Generally, construction companies are required to sign contracts that require them to assume substantial risk by guaranteeing a price and completion date.
Industry:
These companies, also known as owner companies, may employ engineers to perform various project and construction functions related to their operations, process plants, manufacturing or facilities. Engineers may serve in roles where they are directly involved in the planning, contracting, engineering, estimating, inspecting, directing, and/or overseeing construction.
Multi-Unit Housing & Residential Construction:
A majority of companies in this country who build housing projects perform the construction functions in-house. Engineers often fill positions in planning, estimating and supervising construction.
Governmental:
Many government agencies employ engineers in various capacities to plan, estimate, supervise, coordinate, inspect and/or perform contract administration functions. Employers include municipalities, counties, state and federal agencies.
Military:
The Army, Navy and Air Force all have major construction programs and employ engineers either in a military or civilian capacity. All of these services have units of military construction personnel that are supervised by military officers who normally have engineering degrees. The Army and Navy have large construction contracting programs and employ engineers to perform many functions including planning, estimating and contracting. The Army Corps of Engineers has a major civil engineering/public works program throughout the USA. In addition to the Army, Navy and Air Force, there are other limited opportunities in the Coast Guard in construction contracting and the Marine Corps in combat engineering.
Program & Project Management Firms:
Program and project management firms differ from construction firms and contractors in several ways. They often are independent firms who work for an owner to perform various functions which may include planning, budgeting, estimating, contract negotiation and administration and inspection. They normally work for a fee and/or on cost reimbursable basis and are not at risk/responsible for the construction cost of the project.
Developers:
Companies that develop and build projects such as office buildings and retail projects may employ engineers. Generally engineers employed by these companies have gained prior experience in other construction or engineering areas.
Typical Engineering Positions
Example Career Paths
Educational Background and Licensing Requirements
Major Professional Societies
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