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What does an engineering project specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

The primary role of an engineering project specialist is overseeing the project process until its completion. They are the ones who are in constant communication with the contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders, from accounting to inventory to deliveries and even to hiring new staff to increase the workforce, so that a project will be completed on time, with no missing parts, and with no fail. If a problem arises, engineering project specialists can troubleshoot and find a timely solution.

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Engineering project specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real engineering project specialist resumes:

  • Lead a cross-function team to participate plant-wide ERP system launch; establish the prototype electrical operations and maintenance activities evaluation system.
  • Lead ISO auditor for Dril-Quip subsea suppliers.
  • Lead a cross-function team to participate plant-wide ERP system launch; establish the prototype electrical operations and maintenance activities evaluation system.
  • Work perform utilizing PMI methodologies.

Engineering project specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Engineering Project Specialists are proficient in Project Management, Program Management, and BOM. They’re also known for soft skills such as Organizational skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Engineering Project Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Project Management, 22%

    Project management experience- building projects, tracking and reporting.

  • Program Management, 12%

    Executed projects with program management, customers, consultants, suppliers, and vendors.

  • BOM, 9%

    Improved Bill of Material (BOM) accuracy by successfully developing and maintaining an Access database for EEE parts.

  • Part Numbers, 8%

    Itemized and consolidated part numbers into a department-wide Excel database for expedited navigation and improved organization of projects.

  • Engineering Design, 3%

    Collaborated in the engineering design, testing, and approval of new products and packaging.

  • Project Engineering, 3%

    Provided project engineering assistance by coordinating environmental effects testing activities for avionics products to obtain FAA certification.

"project management," "program management," and "bom" are among the most common skills that engineering project specialists use at work. You can find even more engineering project specialist responsibilities below, including:

Organizational skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an engineering project specialist to have is organizational skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "architectural and engineering managers keep track of many workers, schedules, and budgets simultaneously." Engineering project specialists often use organizational skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "standardized project management cost tracking structures to improve organizational efficiency by through integration into the work process. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform engineering project specialist duties is analytical skills. Engineering project specialists responsibilities require that "architectural and engineering managers evaluate information to solve problems." Engineering project specialists also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assisted senior lean six sigma black belt with implementing performance improvement initiatives via benchmarking, trend analysis, and pareto analysis. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of engineering project specialists is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday engineering project specialist duties, as "architectural and engineering managers must effectively convey information and expectations related to projects." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "assisted with the design and installation of networking infrastructure and telecommunications systems for existing and new tenants. "

Math skills. Another common skill required for engineering project specialist responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of engineering project specialists all the time, as "architectural and engineering managers use calculus and other mathematics to develop new products and processes." An excerpt from a real engineering project specialist resume shows how this skill is central to what an engineering project specialist does: "designed numerous site structures using computer programs such as mathcad, sap2000, gtstrudl and solidworks. "

See the full list of engineering project specialist skills

Choose from 10+ customizable engineering project specialist resume templates

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Compare different engineering project specialists

Engineering project specialist vs. Process improvement engineer

A process improvement engineer specializes in conducting research and analysis to develop new strategies and ideas to improve the processes in a manufacturing plant or a similar setting. They prioritize efficiency and profitability. Most of the time, engineers participate in a series of meetings where they coordinate with fellow engineers to determine opportunities for product growth and development. Moreover, a process improvement engineer is also responsible for crafting new policies and regulations, upgrading systems, and developing new practices to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.

If we compare the average engineering project specialist annual salary with that of a process improvement engineer, we find that process improvement engineers typically earn a $25,307 lower salary than engineering project specialists make annually.Even though engineering project specialists and process improvement engineers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require project management, technical support, and product lifecycle management in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between engineering project specialists and process improvement engineer. For instance, engineering project specialist responsibilities require skills such as "program management," "bom," "part numbers," and "engineering design." Whereas a process improvement engineer is skilled in "lean six sigma," "healthcare," "data analysis," and "performance improvement." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Process improvement engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $89,829. Comparatively, engineering project specialists tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $112,537.process improvement engineers tend to reach higher levels of education than engineering project specialists. In fact, process improvement engineers are 7.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Engineering project specialist vs. Product support engineer

A product support engineer is responsible for resolving technical issues of end-users regarding the products and services offered by the company. Product support engineers conduct troubleshooting operations for system failures and write resolution reports for reference. They also support the product analysts in improving the product's features and processes to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and maintain optimal performance. A product support engineer designs automation procedures and runs multiple diagnostic tests to ensure high-quality outputs and avoid operational delays.

Product support engineer positions earn lower pay than engineering project specialist roles. They earn a $17,401 lower salary than engineering project specialists per year.A few skills overlap for engineering project specialists and product support engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "bom," "technical documentation," and "technical support. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that engineering project specialist responsibilities requires skills like "project management," "program management," "part numbers," and "engineering design." But a product support engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "product support," "troubleshoot," "customer service," and "customer support."

On average, product support engineers earn a lower salary than engineering project specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, product support engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $98,326. Whereas engineering project specialists have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $112,537.In general, product support engineers achieve similar levels of education than engineering project specialists. They're 0.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Engineering project specialist vs. Senior process engineer

A Senior Process Engineer assesses a process efficiency, effectiveness, safety, and quality. They also conduct process improvement initiatives and custom product developments.

On average, senior process engineers earn lower salaries than engineering project specialists, with a $2,402 difference per year.By looking over several engineering project specialists and senior process engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "project management," "engineering design," and "technical support." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an engineering project specialist is likely to be skilled in "program management," "bom," "part numbers," and "project engineering," while a typical senior process engineer is skilled in "data analysis," "process design," "product quality," and "lean manufacturing."

Senior process engineers earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $107,116. Engineering project specialists earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $112,537.Most senior process engineers achieve a higher degree level compared to engineering project specialists. For example, they're 7.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Engineering project specialist vs. Co-operations engineer

A Co-Operations Engineer ensures that operations-related activities are performed in compliance with company standards and regulations. They optimize the overall efficiency of business.

Co-operations engineers average a lower salary than the annual salary of engineering project specialists. The difference is about $65,162 per year.According to resumes from engineering project specialists and co-operations engineers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "project management," "bom," and "technical support. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "program management," "part numbers," "engineering design," and "project engineering" are skills that commonly show up on engineering project specialist resumes. On the other hand, co-operations engineers use skills like lean manufacturing, python, c++, and data analysis on their resumes.co-operations engineers enjoy the best pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $51,087. For comparison, engineering project specialists earn the highest salary in the technology industry.co-operations engineers reach similar levels of education compared to engineering project specialists, in general. The difference is that they're 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of engineering project specialist

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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