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What does a civil engineer/project manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Karen Panetta Ph.D.
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Civil engineer/project manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real civil engineer/project manager resumes:

  • Manage new and retrofit projects for households, retail, commercial, and industrial applications.
  • Deliver product quality initiatives including audit procedures and staff training to achieve and maintain ISO and CMMI certification.
  • Manage various wastewater capital improvement projects.
  • Manage collocation facility and service delivery infrastructure.
  • Manage fiber restoration and network maintenance activities, which include the scheduling of maintenance windows and participation in maintenance window events.
  • Use of IBC & OSHA latest codes.
  • Meet ISO [] GMP, HCCP for production areas, working with the production team.
  • Develop GIS maps and exhibits.
  • Maintain SharePoint site for multiple programs.
  • Design welded and bolt connection design for stick build structures using AISC code.
  • Complete RISA analysis, review shop drawings and perform quality checks of other design firms.
  • Perform structural calculations by MathCad, and used model verification (RISA) to substantiate calculations
  • Prepare and approve progress reports, subcontractor payments, RFI's, and subcontract administration.
  • Create a step by step plan to move the entire information infrastructure to the new location.
  • Check, coordinate, all shop and field drawings, RFI's, and relate documents.

Civil engineer/project manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Civil Engineer/Project Managers are proficient in Civil 3D, Project Management, and Business Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Organizational skills, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Civil Engineer/Project Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Civil 3D, 15%

    Prepare Engineering and Surveying drafting files using AutoCAD 2005 and Civil 3D.

  • Project Management, 15%

    Created Project flow system for Project Objective and Project Management Supervised and managed construction management groups and traffic management impacts studies.

  • Business Development, 6%

    Supported Business Development team on the launch of Stanley's new Transportation Division.

  • Site Development, 5%

    Performed surveying for: line and grade of underground utility installation, building footings, and site development.

  • Hec Ras, 4%

    Assisted with a HEC RAS model analysis for existing and proposed culverts crossing on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

  • Construction Management, 4%

    Served as project manager providing contract administration and construction management services.

Most civil engineer/project managers use their skills in "civil 3d," "project management," and "business development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential civil engineer/project manager responsibilities here:

Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform civil engineer/project manager duties is organizational skills. Civil engineer/project managers responsibilities require that "civil engineers often oversee several projects at the same time and must be able to allocate resources effectively." Civil engineer/project managers also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "apply outstanding technical, organizational and leadership talents toward overseeing full-scope project management for initiatives totaling $1m. "

Math skills. civil engineer/project managers are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to civil engineer/project manager responsibilities, because "civil engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting." A civil engineer/project manager resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "designed sub-division roadway alignments, geometry, intersections, pavements, traffic control and signage. "

Problem-solving skills. For certain civil engineer/project manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a civil engineer/project manager rely on this skill, as "civil engineers may encounter problems during each stage of their work." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what civil engineer/project managers do: "performed structural analysis to develop solutions for civil engineering changes in the field. "

See the full list of civil engineer/project manager skills

Choose from 10+ customizable civil engineer/project manager resume templates

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Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume
Civil Engineer/Project Manager Resume

Compare different civil engineer/project managers

Civil engineer/project manager vs. Structural designer

A Structural Designer designs, develops, and supervises the construction of new buildings and bridges, or extensions to existing properties or other structures. They review and update construction drawings as well as communicate project problems and flaws to managers.

If we compare the average civil engineer/project manager annual salary with that of a structural designer, we find that structural designers typically earn a $19,991 lower salary than civil engineer/project managers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between civil engineer/project managers and structural designers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like civil 3d, project management, and geotechnical.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, civil engineer/project manager responsibilities require skills like "business development," "site development," "hec ras," and "construction management." Meanwhile a typical structural designer has skills in areas such as "revit," "bim," "navisworks," and "ladders." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Structural designers earn the highest salaries when working in the construction industry, with an average yearly salary of $69,802. On the other hand, civil engineer/project managers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $88,117.On average, structural designers reach lower levels of education than civil engineer/project managers. Structural designers are 9.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Civil engineer/project manager vs. Structural design engineer

A Structural Design Engineer designs drawings, specifications, and computer models of structures for building contractors. They help design hospitals, office blocks, houses, bridges, ships, and other structures.

On average, structural design engineers earn a $7,602 lower salary than civil engineer/project managers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both civil engineer/project managers and structural design engineers have skills such as "cad," "geotechnical," and "rehabilitation. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that civil engineer/project manager responsibilities requires skills like "civil 3d," "project management," "business development," and "site development." But a structural design engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "autocad," "aerospace," "gd," and "emerging technologies."

Structural design engineers may earn a lower salary than civil engineer/project managers, but structural design engineers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $88,526. On the other hand, civil engineer/project managers receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $88,117.structural design engineers earn similar levels of education than civil engineer/project managers in general. They're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for civil engineer/project managers in the next 3-5 years?

Karen Panetta Ph.D.Karen Panetta Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Dean of Graduate Education, School of Engineering, Tufts University

Robotics and any technology that helps alleviate human contact to reduce the spread of disease. Robotics have been typically very expensive and used for space exploration or manufacturing, but we will see more applications of specific application-based robots in our everyday lives. This includes disinfecting robots, health monitoring robots in schools and community spaces and delivery services.
The pandemic has also renewed our sense of need for internet security, privacy, and access to service. When all our social and educational interactions had to move to virtual platforms, we became aware of just how small and ill-prepared the world was and how inequitable the availability of these services was to parts of the world.

Civil engineer/project manager vs. Assistant project engineer

An assistant project engineer performs support tasks to assist project engineers in overseeing and managing engineering projects. Their responsibilities include conducting inspections and assessments, performing research and analyses, processing documents and certifications, managing schedules, liaising with internal and external parties, and providing technical support to staff as necessary. Besides reporting directly to the project engineer, they also work together in implementing policies and monitoring operations to ensure that engineering projects adhere to project guidelines and requirements.

On average, assistant project engineers earn lower salaries than civil engineer/project managers, with a $12,320 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on civil engineer/project managers and assistant project engineers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "construction management," "project scope," and "geotechnical.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, civil engineer/project managers are more likely to have skills like "civil 3d," "project management," "business development," and "site development." But a assistant project engineer is more likely to have skills like "contract drawings," "meeting minutes," "auto cad," and "project documentation."

Assistant project engineers earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $81,856. Civil engineer/project managers earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $88,117.assistant project engineers typically earn lower educational levels compared to civil engineer/project managers. Specifically, they're 6.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Civil engineer/project manager vs. Structures engineer

A structures engineer works in designing, planning, and overseeing the development of the latest buildings and bridges or modifications and extensions to an existing property or other structures. They are mainly concerned with the safety and capability of the structure to withstand the elements to which they will be exposed--also improving the existing building structural integrity. Part of the task is inspecting properties regarding the conditions/foundation and checking work undertaken by contractors. The job is very similarly related to a civil engineer.

Structures engineers average a lower salary than the annual salary of civil engineer/project managers. The difference is about $9,873 per year.While their salaries may vary, civil engineer/project managers and structures engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "project management," "hec ras," and "construction administration. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A civil engineer/project manager uses "civil 3d," "business development," "site development," and "construction management." Structures engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "revit," "risa," "aci," and "engineering design. "The manufacturing industry tends to pay the highest salaries for structures engineers, with average annual pay of $81,360. Comparatively, the highest civil engineer/project manager annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.structures engineers reach higher levels of education compared to civil engineer/project managers, in general. The difference is that they're 5.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of civil engineer/project manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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