How To Become An Assistant Chief Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an assistant chief engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

The assistant chief engineer serves as the second-in-command of the chief engineer. They perform various tasks under the supervision of the chief engineer, which includes organizing work schedules, interpreting blueprints, inspecting plans, and reporting pertinent information to the chief engineer and other managers.

An assistant chief engineer is also expected to be one of the first people to respond to emergencies, such as accidents on the worksite. They also help ensure that all employees comply with OSHA regulations and company safety policies, which is essential in avoiding workplace accidents and legal compliance issues.

For many employers, a bachelor's degree in engineering is a must for this role. The same goes for work experience, with most employers requiring at least a year or more of employment. Furthermore, an assistant chief engineer must have exemplary skills in organization, people management, communication, and coordination to perform their duties successfully. On average, an assistant chief engineer earns around $79,000 per year. In terms of job progression, an assistant chief engineer may eventually become the chief engineer with enough experience.

ScoreAssistant Chief EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.3

Avg. Salary $93,642

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.3

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.24%

Asian 2.09%

Black or African American 8.15%

Hispanic or Latino 15.60%

Unknown 4.50%

White 68.42%

Gender

female 4.00%

male 96.00%

Age - 50

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50

Stress level

9.3

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.4

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an assistant chief engineer

Explore assistant chief engineer education requirements

Most common assistant chief engineer degrees

Bachelor's

36.8 %

Associate

25.6 %

High School Diploma

13.3 %

Start to develop specific assistant chief engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
HVAC	15.52%
Plumbing	12.54%
Customer Service	8.54%
Life Safety Systems	5.48%
Safety Procedures	4.32%

Complete relevant assistant chief engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New assistant chief engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an assistant chief engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real assistant chief engineer resumes.

Gain additional assistant chief engineer certifications

Assistant chief engineer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific assistant chief engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for assistant chief engineers include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and Air Conditioning Service Certification.

More About Certifications

Research assistant chief engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage Terraform and refactore from monolithic to application specific components.
Maintain and repair central HVAC systems and refrigeration equipment, implement and supervise general maintenance and construction programs.
Concrete, framing, siding, roofing and doors
Use proper safety measures when operating any equipment, according to OSHA regulations and hotel requirements.

Prepare your assistant chief engineer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your assistant chief engineer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an assistant chief engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable assistant chief engineer resume templates

Build a professional assistant chief engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your assistant chief engineer resume.