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Project engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

7 min read

Quoted experts

Charles Jenckes,

Bryant Harrison

One of the most important hard skills a project engineer can possess is experience with project management because much of their work will be built off of the foundation of great project management. It's also important for project engineers to have the hard skill of being able to model and plan out projects via computer-aided design (CAD).

When it comes to soft skills, project engineers should have strong time management skills above all else. Project engineers need to manage large teams and lots of complex facets of project planning, so good multitasking skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical project engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for project engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.3% of project engineer resumes contained project management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a project engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 project engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Project Management

Here's how project engineers use project management:

Provided project management and technical execution and acted as liaison between command and regulatory agencies for all environmental program issues.
Initiated and implemented the part number characterization for managing Wet ESP components to make project management and customer communication easier.

2. Autocad

Here's how project engineers use autocad:

Generated AutoCAD drawings for facility modifications as well as for the manufacturing of custom parts and components for development projects.
Prepared installation drawings utilizing AutoCAD software that included all necessary dimensions to comply with strict nuclear specifications.

3. Construction Management

Here's how project engineers use construction management:

Mastered construction management skills such as quantity-takeoff, estimating, scheduling, subcontractor negotiations, and bid presentation.
Project engineer with contract administration and construction management responsibilities for flood control, demolition, and emergency/contingency projects.

4. CAD

Here's how project engineers use cad:

Prepared CAD models prototype based on constraint specifications, engineering calculations, dimensional measurements, detailed drawings and design requirements.
Work involved optimization of manufacturing sequence and introduction of computerized rational quality control systems CAD automation and PLC programming.

5. UL

Here's how project engineers use ul:

Supervised motor testing and certification to UL, CSA and other international certification standards.
Conducted UL Certification testing for a high-flow cooling fan used in semi-conductor manufacturing.

6. Cost Estimates

Here's how project engineers use cost estimates:

Determined project specifications by studying product design, customer requirements, performance standards; completing technical studies and preparing cost estimates.
Designed package handling conveyor systems per UPS corporate engineering specifications and performed the associated feasibility cost estimates for these preliminary designs.

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7. Engineering Design

Engineering design is defined as the method that engineers use to recognize and solve problems. It is an extensive and flexible approach to problem-solving and provides the necessary information needed regarding every step of the process. An engineering design is a collaborative effort of the team to identify problems underlying a process and find out ways to solve them.

Here's how project engineers use engineering design:

Demonstrate comprehensive project management consisting of detailed engineering design development working closely with clients to perform accurate and timely project delivery.
Provided engineering design, support and expertise to several companies/industry leaders offering new products, services and solutions to valued customers.

8. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how project engineers use technical support:

Initiated technical support for various combustion system upgrades -Utilized Six Sigma principles to focus on customer satisfaction and limit defects.
Provide technical support and clarification to clients and other internal departments during engineering, fabrication, and commissioning of projects.

9. Project Scope

Here's how project engineers use project scope:

Maintained continuous alignment of project scope with project objectives and make modifications to enhance effectiveness toward the intended result.
Assisted in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility.

10. Work Ethic

Here's how project engineers use work ethic:

Received three separate commendations with pay increases for work ethic, work quality, and overall performance.
NOTE: The Turnberry client later hired him directly once his skills-set and work ethic was known.

11. Engineering Projects

An engineering project is a human activity that can vary widely in scope and encompasses all parts of the design of manufacturing or processing facilities, whether new or modifications and expansions of existing facilities focusing on meeting needs.

Here's how project engineers use engineering projects:

Coordinated with suppliers, purchasing, manufacturing and other engineering personnel to develop the information required to complete assigned engineering projects.
Forge partnerships between Marietta engineering department and Wyeth Corporate to ensure engineering projects are completed on time and specifications met.

12. OSHA

Here's how project engineers use osha:

Supplied safety risk assessments for machinery and designed/executed mitigation strategies to ensure full OSHA compliance.
Developed class 3b laser safety procedures and implemented OSHA required laser precautions and safeguards.

13. Construction Projects

A construction project is an organized process of constructing, redeveloping, renovating, or otherwise improving a building, or structure. The project phase begins usually as a broad criterion that is then made with the help of a brief, feasibility analysis, funding, and planning. The majority of construction projects are one-time jobs.

Here's how project engineers use construction projects:

Developed client construction projects alongside architect and engineer, to develop economically and technically feasible projects within client's proposed budget.
Scheduled construction projects and verified proper sequencing to avoid project delays, and determined liability for delayed projects.

14. Shop Drawings

Here's how project engineers use shop drawings:

Designed precast members for commercial buildings and prepared architectural shop drawings for manufacturing of the members.
Performed engineering calculations and site visits to ensure working completion and produced shop drawings for fabrication.

15. Control Systems

Here's how project engineers use control systems:

Installed and preformed reliability testing for electrical & electronics instruments, including control systems including power distributions and high voltage generators.
Designed, developed and put into production various analog and digital electronic devices for industrial machines and automatic control systems.

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What skills help Project Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on project engineer resumes?

Charles Jenckes

Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student

What soft skills should all project engineers possess?

Bryant Harrison

Instructor, Murray State University

Engineers are constantly working with a variety of people on a project. These people could be other engineers in the same department or other departments, managers, stakeholders, and customers. The ability to communicate both on a technical and non-technical level with these people is likely the most important soft skill for a design engineer.

What hard/technical skills are most important for project engineers?

Bryant Harrison

Instructor, Murray State University

Designing, prototyping, testing, and iterating are likely the most important skills for a design engineer. This is what we strive to teach at Murray State in our Design Engineering Technology program. Many sub-skills would fall into these categories, such as CAD, design for manufacturing, 3D printing, and destructive/non-destructive testing.

What project engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Angela Rasmussen

Professor (Lecturer) Director of Mentoring and Advising Director of Electrical Engineering Senior Projects, University of Utah

Hone your skills by taking online classes, or consider getting something such as the University of Utah Electrical and Computer Engineering Online Master's Degree which can increase your overall income, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, by approximately $20,000 in comparison to just having a Bachelor of Science degree. Our department has removed many barriers and streamlined our admittance process for this upcoming Fall 2020 semester.

Another skill to expand is programming. Consider learning a new programming language to build on your current skills. Also, look at different job opportunities and choose a skill that you are lacking to improve upon.

What type of skills will young project engineers need?

Andy Gerrick

Associate Professor and Chair, Embry-Riddle, Prescott

Most important is the ability to pull together the problem-solving skills learned in the different engineering courses to solve real-world, multidisciplinary, engineering problems. This requires a clear understanding of the problem and the requirements, and it requires a thorough understanding of engineering concepts. Memorizing problem solutions is of no value because no one will pay you to solve a problem that has already been solved. An engineer's ability to communicate is also extremely important. Engineering is a collaborative endeavor, so if you are not able to communicate your ideas, you are not contributing.

What technical skills for a project engineer stand out to employers?

Martin Pietrucha Ph.D.

Program Coordinator and Professor, Pennsylvania State University

Given this trend, employers will be looking for the usual superior engineering knowledge and skill sets, but they will also be interested in those who can prove that they are excellent self-starters and time managers. Being able to demonstrate one's "flexibility" and an ability to think on one's feet will also be highly desirable.

Do you want to know more?

List of project engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a project engineer resume and required skills for a project engineer to have include:

Project Management
Autocad
Construction Management
CAD
UL
Cost Estimates
Engineering Design
Technical Support
Project Scope
Work Ethic
Engineering Projects
OSHA
Construction Projects
Shop Drawings
Control Systems
Solidworks
Capital Projects

Project Documentation
RFI
Customer Satisfaction
Engineering Support
HVAC
Design Reviews
Product Development
R
Product Design
Project Budget
Project Planning
System Design
Test Procedures
PLC
Technical Reports
Technical Specifications
Project Specifications

Sigma
Design Drawings
BOM
Windows
Microsoft Project
Design Changes
Engineering Drawings
Geotechnical
Provide Engineering Support
MEP
Bid Packages
Unified Communications
Process Improvement
ISO
Technical Issues

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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