How To Become A Special Project Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a special project engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Marco Schoen Ph.D.

A special project engineer is accountable for the preparation, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring of engineering projects. He/She performs high-level concept development for special project tasks. He/She oversees the optimization of these tasks for efficiency, cost, weight, ergonomics, manufacturability, and serviceability. Asides from that, he/she handles multiple tasks ranging from project managerial duties, engineering, interface coordination, and prototype manufacturing. Also, he/she works with suppliers and machine shops for the delivery of mechanical hardware. Additionally, he/she supervises and drives the execution of these projects.

For this job, you need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field and at least three years of related work experience. Essential skills for this role include communication, problem-solving, and listening skills. You must be conversant with project management and product lifecycle management tools. Special project engineers are paid $70,542 on average per year, equivalent to an hourly rate of $33.91. Their salary varies from $50,000 to $99,000.

What general advice would you give to a special project engineer?

Marco Schoen Ph.D.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the Measurement and Control Engineering Research Center (MCERC), Idaho State University

Stay current. Engineering evolves continuously; new tools, new technologies, and new areas where engineers can contribute, learn, and work. When graduating, students have the feeling they are set for their careers. However, this is not true; they might be set to start their careers. To be consistently successful in their pages, they need to stay informed and updated.

ScoreSpecial Project EngineerUS Average

Salary

5.5

Avg. Salary $70,934

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.4

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.11%

Asian 10.30%

Black or African American 3.41%

Hispanic or Latino 9.37%

Unknown 4.60%

White 72.20%

Gender

female 34.11%

male 65.89%

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

7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a special project engineer

Explore special project engineer education requirements

Most common special project engineer degrees

Bachelor's

61.6 %

Associate

13.1 %

Master's

11.0 %

Start to develop specific special project engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
DOD	10.29%
Design Changes	10.08%
Engineering Support	9.83%
R	8.37%
Prototype	7.30%

Complete relevant special project engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New special 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 a special project engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real special project engineer resumes.

Research special project engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage a database for storage of CNC machining programs and engineering drawings.
Manage several industrial production building HVAC equipment replacement projects.
Develop software to automate generation of engineering drawings and BOM.
Manage custom product design & generate all require documentation for both customer and manufacturing groups using AutoCAD rel.

Apply for special project engineer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a special project engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams