Job Responsibilities
Responsible Professional Engineer and manager of structural
design for various design projects. Prepare and check design
calculations, construction drawings, project specifcations, and
provide support during construction. Some management
responsibilites for direction of support engineers and CAD
support staff.
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Job Requirements
Minimum BS in Civil Engineering - MS is favorable. Classwork to
include essential structural design related courses.
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Uppers
Interesting technical work in developing structural projects. Satisfaction when
a project is constructed. Can also involve technical commitee work, such as
assisting in updating of national design codes. Reasonable pay and benefits.
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Downers
A lot of pressure to meet budgets and deadlines. Pressure to
put in extra hours at work. High expectations of quality work
but not always adequately budgeted for amount of work necessary
to meet expectations. Pressures to reduce costs are increasing
stress levels. Pay is reasonable but not a career to "get
rich".
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Lifestyle
Profesional career, often work more than 40-hour work week. Respected by
clients and public. Periodic travel to project locations or to industry
conferences. Male dominated industry but more female engineers enter the market
each year. "Business casual" dress, except when formal client meetings are
scheduled.
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Compensation
Good starting salaries, compensation increases with increased
experience and responsibilities. Generally good raises early in
career, mainly keep up with inflation later in career unless
move into management position. If willing to relocate,
increases "value" for larger employers.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Need strong background in structural analysis and design, good
grades in college. Some pressure on the industry due to
outsourcing engineering work to other countries, but generally
still solid future employment. Work to obtain Professional
Engineers license early in your career.
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