In the construction industry, field engineering is considered as a highly technical kind of a job, hence, hands-on practical experience and expertise for this field are really required. Field engineers are in charge of overseeing any construction projects. They are given a wide variety of responsibilities ranging from the initial planning, actual physical construction of buildings to guaranteeing that the guidelines carefully comply throughout the entire process. In every other way, they are expected to be extra hands-on and should necessarily spend an enormous time both at the construction sites and at the office.
If you’re an experienced project field engineer already, is there a point of your career wherein you asked yourself if you’re really that good enough? Have you felt uncertain about your chosen profession? Have you, by any chance, doubted your skills? If the answer is yes, then probably it will be the time to refresh every single knowledge and skill you practically acquired and consider improvements for it for further self-confidence and particularly for competency. Below are some helpful information, tips, and guidelines in order for you to become a much more competent project field engineer.
Working as a Project Field Engineer
The operation, maintenance, building, supervision, and maintenance of construction projects and systems will be done by project field engineers. They cater to both private and public sectors including dams, bridges, roads, tunnels, dams, and also sewage treatment. These professionals are basically under by engineering consulting companies, by a construction firm and in all areas of government and other industries as well.
The following are common duties performed by a project field engineer:
- Conducting research to determine project requirements
- Planning and Designing of major civil projects (bridges, buildings, roads, etc.)
- Developing of construction methods, procedures, and specifications
- Establishing, monitoring, updating and maintaining or construction work schedules
- Discuss with the engineering team together with the client
- Conducting of economic analyses, investigations and feasibility studies
- Preparing of contract documents and supervision of technicians and other engineers
- Monitoring the quality of air, soil, and water and establishing of procedures for cleaning up contaminated sites
- Meet the specifications and guidelines of building codes and other necessary regulations
Acquired Skills of a Project Field Engineer
Evidently, these engineers are highly skillful which means they have every capability to manage any construction projects of all sizes and complexities. Below are some of the skills which they are required to possess.
- Organization skills
Field engineers have to prioritize all workloads, the member’s needs, and list all possible challenges faced by everyone involved. They need to have the capacity to remain organized so that decision making will be processed easily. The team will also be on the schedule if everything is sorted properly and manageably.
Good the thing that today, construction project management software has been introduced and now utilized by the field project engineers. Organizing and sorting of all activities, people, resources is incredibly easier and much efficient.
- Communication skills
These professionals should be excellent at communicating. Communication is a must for without it, it will be impossible to manage the construction projects and deliver in on time. Other professionals such as the senior management, subcontractors, project developers, and financial analysts are the ones which field engineers have to consistently communicate. And also, being good at providing and giving instructions is necessary as well. Writing reports will also be prepared by these engineers which is expected to be clearly and precisely written.
Today, with the use of project management software for construction projects, managing is easy as well as communication has become efficient as well.
- Problem-solving skills
It is the engineering aspect of construction projects where the field engineers are most focused about. Hence, this is also the part where they are expected to be the most responsible. Developing appropriate methods and solutions to any rising problems is done by them. They too are able to collect data, facts, and information related to the occurring obstacle the team has faced in order to create detailed and informative solutions.
- Mathematical skills
Mathematical and analyzation skills are a must-have from these professionals. They should be able to further comprehend the principles of calculus, trigonometry, or any advanced topics for as long as math-related. The knowledge and skills will essentially help them for designing, troubleshooting, and analyzing their construction-related projects and works.
- Leadership skills
Given that the project engineers are ultimately accountable for the implementation and designs of a certain project, supervision of all individuals involved is absolutely necessary because it can greatly affect the success of the project’s implementation. Supervising, managing, and monitoring of people and project’s activities are made easy these days because of project management software. Hence, leading the team wasn’t as hectic and mentally pressuring anymore because of this software tool.
Training and Certification
The engineers who then providing field services need to consider certifications and training for further qualifications. There is a Field Service Engineer training course made available today. It is an interactive online learning combine with actual on-the-job tools. Additionally, it includes a reinforcement module intended for skills. Furthermore, the format is comprehensive and coupled with industry certification which is then providing a continuous and detailed learning process that guarantees success. There will also be an instructive preparation for the online exam.
Field service staff who are newly hired are welcome to take the training course. Experienced field service engineers and technicians are also considered. In addition to that, any members of the field organization who has interaction with the customers are allowed to take this course.
There are other available online training courses available today aside from Field Service Engineer. Make sure to avail of any of these certifications. Pick the option which suits you the most.
Developing Project Management Skills is Necessary
If you may wondering what is the key aspect that needs to be possessed most by a field engineer, it is none other than project management skills. This is, without any questions, make the professional much highly-competent than any other. In all industries, project management is required and has to be accurately planned, established, and carefully developed. In the construction industry, as expected, it utterly becomes the most prioritized for it is intended for the overall success of a project. There are many absolute reasons for a field engineer to basically acquire this particular skill.
You might have heard about the phrase “Successful engineering projects rely more on non-technical skills rather than the other”. You might wonder how true it is. It wasn’t implying that technical skills weren’t important because by default, they definitely are. But it is important to know also that one cannot able to design a building without the existence of skilled structural, knowledgeable, MEP, and field engineers. Relying alone on the resources available isn’t even enough. That is why, smart and experienced engineers are extremely important to be around every single time.
Developing project management skills is absolutely beneficial. Amidst the busy schedules and the demands of the work, you may want to spare time improving more this particular skill. Two specific convincing reasons related to why field engineers should have to exert extra effort in developing such skills and to reconsider their priorities are listed below:
- Career Advancement
Field engineers do have the choice of advancing their careers via improving their skills. There are effective ways to basically improve it and engineers know it firsthand. One of which is through consistent study and reading. Engaging and attending training courses will also be a huge help whether for growing of the skills or advancing the career. By further studying the project management, it will provide thorough information, details, procedures, and methods which can help in enhancing the delivery and planning of projects. This will be a good foundation for engineers for career advancement such as leadership positions.
- Increasing Benefits for Organization and Clients
Lacking of skilled engineer-project managers has been a huge issue today both in infrastructure and building sectors. There are two main reasons why the number of such professionals was lesser. One, engineers are not quite interested in getting higher roles that require project management. Two, the experienced engineers have filed a retirement, who already developed a strong foundation into such skills. The issue was, no one can able to fill the vacant spot.
With the information stated above, it is clear that project management skills have to be taken seriously. Developing it isn’t an option but a choice to make. Having this capability allows the field engineers to maintain the project into scope, keeping the schedule right and the budget will be controlled. It is advisable to never miss some of the most critical pieces of knowledge which can only be gain from an exerted and focused effort in building professional skills.
Above all, once the skills are flourished and developed, it can potentially increase benefits both for the clients and organizations. It can improve the efficiency and enhanced effectiveness from initiating the project to finishing it out. Replication of success can also happen because successful project management can provide standard operating methods, checklists, and procedures. These strategies will be then used again for the next projects by the people involved particularly the contractors and subcontractors.
Nowadays, with the continuous advancement of technologies, updated software tools are now being preferably used. With the utilization of software tools, management for any construction projects has become extra well-organized and efficient. Subcontractor scheduling software is one of the commonly used advanced tools within the implementation of a project.
Key Takeaways
Field engineers have strong critical thinking with highly-spirited customer skills and strong communication capability. In a way, they aren’t expected to settle in anything less. Learning is continuous and one must know that being competent is a must-have attitude and skill in the construction industry. Finish education, undergo and complete training, collect certifications, and above all acquire practical and hands-on experiences are one of many important things they need to do in order to be a successful and competent field engineer professional.
The job itself and the responsibilities of project field engineers are tremendously difficult. Managing the involved working team, monitoring the progress of the project, provide updates, and communicate consistently to the clients isn’t an easy job. However, despite the nature of the job, field engineers can now use project management software which is purposely designed for construction project management. Pro Crew Schedule is certainly one of the best options anyone can able to get! This software management tool is made available now in the market. Avail it today and request now for a live demo.
