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

What is an assistant project engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Bhaven Naik PhD, PE, PTOE, RSP

Assistant project engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and executing construction projects. They work with project managers in reviewing project specifications, preparing project plans, and designing sheets. Assistant project engineers also ensure accurate forecasting and management of budgets, as well as changing order management and ensuring safety and quality control management. They complete all tasks assigned by the senior engineer, which may include performing regular inspections of equipment and scheduling maintenance or repairs.

Assistant project engineers inspect inventory and report inconsistencies as well as ordering more materials. They also evaluate all products and processes and ensure the quality assurance measures are met.

Assistant project engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, mechanical engineering, or other related fields. They are expected to have completed an apprenticeship program and practical experience using CAD software. Some employers prefer candidates with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Assistant project engineers earn an average salary of $68,000 annually, or $32 per hour. However, this figure can vary significantly depending upon academic qualification, having previous experience, and possession of the aforementioned skills.

What general advice would you give to an assistant project engineer?

Bhaven Naik PhD, PE, PTOE, RSP

Associate Professor, Ohio University

Be prepared to keep learning! You can never stop learning. Also, keep your “doors” open to opportunities in new areas of work and also in new firms. Your first job/position should only be the beginning … stepping stone to the next! Learn to network with your peers and mentors through membership into various organizations (ASCE, ITE, etc.)

ScoreAssistant Project EngineerUS Average

Salary

5.5

Avg. Salary $70,944

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.3

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.30%

Asian 17.29%

Black or African American 3.65%

Hispanic or Latino 10.73%

Unknown 4.60%

White 63.43%

Gender

female 17.92%

male 82.08%

Age - 39

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 - 39

Stress level

7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an assistant project engineer

Explore assistant project engineer education requirements

Most common assistant project engineer degrees

Bachelor's

75.6 %

Master's

9.7 %

Associate

9.1 %

Start to develop specific assistant project engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Shop Drawings	9.36%
Contract Drawings	8.67%
Construction Management	7.84%
Geotechnical	7.17%
Construction Projects	7.04%

Complete relevant assistant project engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New assistant project 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 project engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real assistant project engineer resumes.

Research assistant project engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage and/or participate in a variety of water and wastewater assist company principles as engineering consultants for numerous municipal clients.
Request for information (RFI) review/ submission and maintenance of (RFI) log.
Maintain online communication logs for RFI s, current drawings set, and subcontractor correspondence relating to invoicing.
Enhance SCR system performance for internal combustion engine applications and provide compliance assurance through system troubleshooting and modifying existing PLC programming.

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