What does a special project engineer do?
A special project engineer is in-charged in the preparation, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring of engineering projects. He/She or she should be able to establish good relationships with prospective clients to gain information on engineering requirements and delegate tasks to staff. The core skills that a special project engineer should possess include good creative ability and excellent mechanical and listening skills. Other requirements to qualify for the position include a college degree in business or mechanical engineering.
Special project engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real special project engineer resumes:
- 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.
- Implement cost reduction strategies through aggressive RFP and bidding processes while optimizing distribution processes and maintaining excellent customer service standards.
- Perform basic setup of fanuc control CNC machines.
- Develop engineering and maintenance procedures, PLC programming.
- Design PLC control systems for the filling equipment and C.I.P.
- Install automation controls for hotel chillers, boilers, and HVAC equipment.
- Wash walls, windows, blinds, and ceiling fixtures using ladders.
- Represent the company as quality liaison during customer ISO, and production audits (e.g.
- Produce complete engineering technology including specifications, BOM, fabrication, and proposal drawings.
- Operate and troubleshoot vacuum deposition machinery used in the development of anodes vital to the design of novel lithium-sulfur battery technology.
- Verify, manufacturing methods and procedures are FDA compliant.
- Lead UDI direct marking project in validating existing products with a new UPN per FDA require- ments.
Special project engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Special Project Engineers are proficient in DOD, Design Changes, and Engineering Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Creativity, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Special Project Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- DOD, 10%
Work combined various DoD data sources; reformatted to meet JWARS input requirements, utilizing Access and ORACLE jointly.
- Design Changes, 10%
Reviewed and approved product design changes for compliance with engineering principles, company standards, customer contract requirements and regulatory agencies.
- Engineering Support, 10%
Awarded three engineering eagle awards for successfully providing project engineering support for design, fabrication and testing ancillary hardware and components.
- R, 8%
Translated interpolation and validation rainfall models from R to Java for application development.
- Prototype, 7%
Produced alpha, beta and pilot prototype units for full scale testing in conjunction with FMEA (DFMEA and PFMEA).
- CAD, 6%
Prepared CAD models prototype based on constraint specifications, engineering calculations, dimensional measurements, detailed drawings and design requirements.
"dod," "design changes," and "engineering support" are among the most common skills that special project engineers use at work. You can find even more special project engineer responsibilities below, including:
Mechanical skills. One of the key soft skills for a special project engineer to have is mechanical skills. You can see how this relates to what special project engineers do because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Additionally, a special project engineer resume shows how special project engineers use mechanical skills: "performed constructability reviews on various projects prior to construction issue.superintendent / mechanical engineer / qc, milne point field. "
Creativity. Many special project engineer duties rely on creativity. "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery," so a special project engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways special project engineer responsibilities rely on creativity: "completed investment grade audits on multi-family residential buildings; inventoried hvac systems, lighting fixtures, and envelope deficiencies. "
Listening skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of special project engineers is listening skills. This skill is critical to many everyday special project engineer duties, as "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "communicated with engineers and shop workers to ensure implementation of changes and product developments. "
Math skills. A big part of what special project engineers do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to special project engineer responsibilities because "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical special project engineer tasks: "team used solidworks basic research and mathematical analysis for design prototypes of legs and body. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in special project engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what special project engineers do. Special project engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." You can also see how special project engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "identify pertinent policy issues for both commercial and medicare programs and develop strategies, solutions, and procedures. "
The three companies that hire the most special project engineers are:
- CME Associates6 special project engineers jobs
- Apple4 special project engineers jobs
- Lucid Motors3 special project engineers jobs
Compare different special project engineers
Special project engineer vs. Controls designer
Controls designers both design and draft systems of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical controls for equipment and machines. The designers make diagrams of the logic system for timing and sequence control. They illustrate and describe details for installation and maintenance, such as bearing lubrication and lubrication types. It is part of their job to review schematics with the representatives of customers to answer questions during robot system installation. Also, they may design energy conversion controls.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between special project engineers and controls designer. For instance, special project engineer responsibilities require skills such as "dod," "design changes," "engineering support," and "prototype." Whereas a controls designer is skilled in "control panels," "ids," "auto cad," and "i/o." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Controls designers earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $88,405. On the other hand, special project engineers are paid more in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $79,777.controls designers tend to reach similar levels of education than special project engineers. In fact, controls designers are 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Special project engineer vs. Engineering trainee
An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, special project engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "dod," "design changes," "engineering support," and "prototype." Meanwhile, an engineering trainee has duties that require skills in areas such as "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "technical support," and "boilers." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Engineering trainees earn a lower average salary than special project engineers. But engineering trainees earn the highest pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $63,253. Additionally, special project engineers earn the highest salaries in the hospitality with average pay of $79,777 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Engineering trainees tend to reach similar levels of education than special project engineers. In fact, they're 4.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special project engineer vs. Radio frequency engineer
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, special project engineers are more likely to have skills like "dod," "design changes," "engineering support," and "prototype." But a radio frequency engineer is more likely to have skills like "test equipment," "antenna," "system performance," and "system design."
Radio frequency engineers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $94,522. Comparatively, special project engineers have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $79,777.radio frequency engineers typically earn higher educational levels compared to special project engineers. Specifically, they're 8.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special project engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Types of special project engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
