The Role of a Project Engineer
Have you recently joined an engineering company and only now became aware of the job role Project Engineer? Are you thinking of applying for a Project Engineer position? Or are you new to the industry and would like to learn more about the different roles within it? This article will explore the role, the key skills and responsibilities of a Project Engineer.
The Role
The role of a Project Engineer is to manage technical projects or work packages from initiation to completion. Where a project requires a specific technical output, a Project Engineer is best suited to ensure the project objectives are identified and delivered to the correct standard and specification. With the technical knowledge of how an engineering solution can be delivered, the Project Engineer will be able to drive the project to the correct level of engineering output. Alongside the technical knowledge, the Project Engineer will demonstrate the management skills required to ensure the project is delivered to scope, time and cost - otherwise known as the triple constraint. Triple constraint is a project management concept which each project works within, where a change to one factor will directly impact the other constraints. Simply put, a Project Engineer is responsible for delivering project objectives, controlling the spend and managing the plan of a given project or work package.
The Project Engineer will engage with most, if not all, project stakeholders which can include: project resource, suppliers, finance, senior management, third party inspectors and the client. This responsibility to engage with stakeholders requires clear, consistent and concise communication skills, namely through reporting mechanisms such as progress meetings and project update reports.
Key Skills
Project Engineers are required to demonstrate strong organisational skills, coordinating a series of tasks, with cost and risk associated to each. As mentioned above, communication is a key skillset of a Project Engineer. By sending emails, making phone calls, hosting/attending meetings and visiting suppliers, the Project Engineer's ability to communicate will lead to a better understanding of the projects progress and alignment to the project plan. Problems and challenges are inevitable during any project or work package, therefore demonstrating the ability to problem solve throughout a project will provide confidence to all project stakeholders and help prevent or minimise project delays or disruption.
A simple four step problem solving process is -
Identify and understand the problem
Produce a plan
Delivery the plan
Evaluate the solution and recored your findings
Project Engineering by its very nature means you as an engineer will be required to contribute and make project critical decisions, ensuring a quality product or output is achieved. A Project Engineers' strong decision making skills across the project will support the delivery of the scope, cost and programme. In many instances you will work on a project which will be required to align to a specification and standard. As the Project Engineer, attention to detail will be required when conducting market research and when understanding what engineering specifications and standards the project must adhere to.
Project Examples
Manufacture of a Power Station Component - A Project Engineer will be responsible for coordinating the design, procurement, manufacture, qualification, testing, compiling and issuing of the project documentation package and final issue of the component.
Equipment Mechanical Testing - A Project Engineer will be responsible for understanding the test parameters, coordinating technical resource, design and manufacture of test components, testing set up and completion, drafting of testing certifications and liaising directly with the customer.
Work Package Management - A Project Engineer will be responsible to the project manager for the output of a range of engineering disciplines, which could include electrical, mechanical, civil, and chemical.
Case Study
As a Project Engineer provided with a project scope, budget and deadline, below is the likely sequence of activities you will lead and manage for the successful delivery of the project.
In the first instance you will be required to fully understand the project scope by reviewing the project documentation such as proposals, request for quotations or specifications supplied by the client. This initial task will allow you to understand what the overall aim of the project is and create project deliverables. Once you have an understanding of the project scope, you will be in a position to create a project plan. Depending on the project size and business you work for, you may have access to a project planner who will work alongside you to develop, update and issue the project plan. If not, software such a Microsoft Project or Excel can be used to produce the project plan. A project plan will allow you to detail and sequence the key tasks required to achieve the project objectives, as well as report the project progress on a weekly, bi weekly or monthly basis. A project plan will also help prioritise resource by focusing on the key tasks at any given stage of the project.
With the project scope and plan in place, you can forecast a detailed project cost schedule and define a breakdown of the project spend.
Examples of the project spend are below -
Labour Hours
Materials/Equipment
Subcontractors
Risk Budget
The final key stage of initiating a project is producing a resourcing plan. It's common practice for projects to utilise internal staff, contractors and consultants, however this will depend on the work you are looking to conduct, your budget and the date the work is required to be completed by. Once you have a project resource plan the project works can commence.
It is the responsibility of a Project Engineer to drive the project from start to finish. In addition to your project, the project resource will likely work on other projects. Whether this be principal engineers reviewing CAD drawings or machine shop staff operating a CNC Lathe, it's important to arrange, agree and track resource to ensure tasks outlined in the project plan are completed on time.
One of the key responsibilities of a Project Engineer is to be aware of the safety of all personnel working on project activities. Identifying and producing Method Statements for the project works is a key responsibility of the Project Engineer. This requires the knowledge of how a task or element of the project should be delivered and to what quality and standard. A Risk Assessment, which corresponds to the work within the Method Statement, is also the responsibility of the Project Engineer. Commonly known as RAMS, this document package defines how a project task should be delivered taking into considerations the health and safety mitigations and control measures required to avoid injury. Industry standard training such as IOSH Managing Safely provides an understanding of your responsibilities for safety and health.
As you begin to progress the project, examples of the tasks you should expect to be involved with are -
Forecasting and measuring the project spend.
Identifying, researching and procuring materials and equipment.
Communicating with project stakeholders i.e. the client, contractors, consultants and suppliers.
Conducting project progress meetings.
Producing project progress reports.
Alignment of the project works with engineering standards, client specifications, business operating procedures and method statements.
Hosting third party inspectors to witness equipment testing and qualification.
Attending visits to site or suppliers.
A Project Engineer manages engineering projects or work packages which require technical expertise. The variety of roles within the engineering industry provides opportunities for career development and progress.
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