what is a project engineer?
As a project engineer, you have the expertise to manage a technical project. You guide engineers and manage engineering projects from commencement to completion. Your duties are similar to those of a project manager, like delegating tasks and monitoring project budgets. You also oversee the project's progress and mitigate risks associated with the work.
The role of a project engineer is to allocate tasks to technicians and engineers. Since you have technical knowledge, you identify experts to carry out a particular task. Most employers hire project engineers to manage engineering projects or tasks that require technical expertise, which a typical project manager doesn't often have. As a project engineer, you speak to the company's stakeholders and senior managers. You also provide updates and discuss other project requirements.
Since most construction and engineering projects are site-specific, you spend significant time monitoring on-site engineering operations. You direct members and make time-sensitive decisions on the projects. You require technical expertise to establish the correct project plans for the teams. You also decide on the work procedures and models of the projects. When working on-site, you consider the risks of a project and identify the necessary health and safety standards required.
Project engineers are useful in various industries. However, most project engineers work in manufacturing, construction and aerospace vehicle development. Some project engineers also work in technology companies.
Would working as a project engineer suit your project management and decision-making skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a project engineer role.
project engineer jobsaverage project engineer salary
According to the Economic Research Institute, your average salary in Greece as a project engineer is €45,000 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of €22. Your earnings as a project engineer fluctuate based on various factors. For instance, a junior project engineer receives a lower salary than senior project engineers due to minimal experience. You start your career with a salary of €31,000 per year, but your earnings increase as you improve your experience and qualifications. The highest-paid project engineers in Greece take home over €55,000 annually.
what factors affect the salary of a project engineer?
When starting your career, you are a trainee engineer with no hands-on experience. Hence, you mainly perform administrative duties and assist on projects, which attracts a lower salary. As you improve your experience, you offer valuable expertise in your field; hence, your earnings increase gradually. Consider improving your educational qualifications or work experience, and you can negotiate a higher salary.
The industry you work in also influences your earnings. For instance, working as a project manager in construction attracts a different salary compared to working in manufacturing or information technology (IT). The complexity of the duties related to the industry determines your earnings.
types of project engineers
Some of the types of project engineers include:
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mechanical project engineers
As a mechanical project engineer, you work in the automotive or aviation industry. Your job is to provide general management skills. You develop blueprints and perform market research for projects. You also design and create the assembling prototypes.
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electrical project engineers
As an electrical project engineer, you guide teams in designing and developing electrical systems involved in a project. You supervise the installation of electrical systems to ensure they meet safety standards.
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software project engineers
As a software project engineer, you work in the IT industry as a technical lead for software development projects. You also have experience in designing various types of software components.
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construction project engineers
As a construction project engineer, you work in the construction industry, providing technical support to construction workers. You maintain accurate documentation to ensure the technical specifications of a project are adhered to.
working as a project engineer
Working as a project engineer involves coordinating project tasks. If you are interested in the role, discover the duties, responsibilities and work environments of project engineers.
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what does a project engineer do?
The daily duties and responsibilities of project engineers include:
- Preparing and scheduling projects: as a project engineer, you coordinate and monitor tasks associated with a project. You split tasks and assign duties to professionals with the necessary skills and competency.
- Communicating with the project team and stakeholders: as a project engineer, you interact with clients to determine the requirements of a project. You also interpret the requirements and project needs of the clients and use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create 3D project designs. When the project commences, you provide updates on its progress.
- Maintaining quality control: as a project engineer, you implement processes and check for quality in every aspect of the project. You develop quality controls for team dynamics, personnel performance and scheduling to avoid falling behind on the project. You also review engineering deliverables and initiate corrective actions when mistakes are made.
- Monitoring compliance: as a project engineer, you ensure the project site complies with rules and regulations. You monitor safety standards and ensure the work environment is safe for the team. In all aspects of a project, your job is to make sure the company complies with regulations.
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work environment of a project engineer
As a project engineer, you work in an office environment when preparing project plans and reports. You also attend meetings with various stakeholders of the project. Since your job involves working on-site, you spend time on construction or manufacturing sites. It is important to wear protective clothing when working on engineering projects.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the industry you work in, you are likely to work alongside project managers, project coordinators and mechanical engineers. You also collaborate with civil engineers, architects and quantity surveyors. Other professionals you are likely to work with include cost estimators, site managers and developers.
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project engineer work schedule
As a full-time project engineer, you work 40 hours a week. The work hours vary depending on the project's urgency. For instance, an urgent construction project will require more working hours to complete on time. Some project engineers work part-time or on a contract basis, providing technical expertise on a project-to-project basis.
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career opportunities as a project engineer
Project engineers have promising careers with good growth prospects. For instance, you are well-positioned to become a project or construction manager. Alternatively, specialise in a particular industry and become an operations manager or a consultant.
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advantages of finding a job as a project engineer through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- a range of jobs in your area
project engineer skills and education
As a project engineer, you handle the technical aspects of a project. Hence, you require a high level of education in the industry of your choice. Some of the requirements for the role include:
- Education: you require a bachelor's degree in civil or mechanical engineering. Qualifications in a tech-related field, like software engineering, may be useful for project engineers in the IT industry. A bachelor’s degree from a Greek Higher Education Institution (HEI) is necessary to get a licence. Some employers expect a master's degree in a relevant field, such as engineering or project management.
- Work experience: working as a project engineer requires relevant work experience. You can gain work experience through internships and entry-level positions in your field of interest. Consider getting relevant certifications like Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) to enhance your portfolio. You may also require a professional licence to practise as a certified project engineer and register with the Technical Chamber of Greece.
competencies and characteristics of project engineers
Project engineers require the following skills and qualities:
- Project management skills: as a project engineer, you provide technical guidance to project teams. That means you require strong project management skills to lead and coordinate others. Project management skills necessary for the role include communication, delegation, problem-solving and organisation. You motivate and manage an entire team of engineers and technicians to ensure they perform their tasks.
- Initiative: as a project engineer, you make decisions that impact the project outcome. You require initiative to make changes that benefit the project. Proactiveness is useful in making the necessary changes and improving project quality. You also require innovation skills to improve the outcome of projects.
- Time management skills: projects have timelines, and time management is vital as a project engineer. From the beginning of the project, you have a strict schedule and timeline. Without time management skills, you are likely to miss deadlines. Your time management skills help you organise your work and have a realistic idea of the work's duration.
- Teamwork skills: as a project engineer, you lead a team of engineers or technicians to complete a project. Being part of the team and putting in the necessary work to complete a project is important. Your teamwork skills help you collaborate with others and listen to their ideas or suggestions, ensuring the project runs smoothly.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a project engineer.
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what is the role of a project engineer?
As a project engineer, you manage the technical aspects of a project. You rely on your engineering knowledge to determine the technical specifications of a project. For instance, you guide the team to make sure they follow technical drawings that meet the client's requirements. Other duties include ensuring adherence to quality standards and health and safety regulations at the workplace.
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is project engineer a good job?
Working as a project engineer is a promising career in Greece, with a lucrative salary and multiple growth opportunities. You can work in various industries, from manufacturing to mechanical and construction. You also work on important projects and gain valuable skills, which improves your career prospects.
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what is the role of a project engineer vs project manager?
As a project engineer, you dive deep into the technical intricacies of a project. You determine project requirements and use your knowledge of project design to create technical drawings for a project. Project managers, on the other hand, focus on broader aspects of the project, like planning and budgeting, to ensure it is completed on time.
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is being a project engineer a stressful career?
Working as a project engineer involves multiple challenges caused by time and budgetary constraints. However, you can navigate the challenges more easily when you have the necessary knowledge and skills.
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what makes a good project engineer?
To work as a project engineer, you require exceptional project design and project management skills. You rely on your project management skills to plan, budget and execute projects within the stipulated timelines. Your attentiveness to details is also vital when supervising the project.
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how do I find a job as a project engineer?
Finding a job near you as a project engineer is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Then log in or register an account to send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
