Job purpose
Office engineers act as a connection between project managers, site engineers, and clients on construction projects, providing technical and administrative information to all parties involved in the project. This skilled position is perfect for individuals who have technical knowledge but want to work inside an office in a more administrative function. The ability to seamlessly change hats and work with different audiences is essential to this role. While office engineers work with all employees regardless of their position, they directly report to project managers.
Duties and Responsibilities
The office engineer’s duties and responsibilities depend on the type of construction project underway. However, there are a few core responsibilities that office engineers are expected to perform:
Manage Submittals
An office engineer is responsible for the accurate processing of submittals in order to ensure the correct products and materials are installed throughout the project. Office engineers also manage the submittal log and coordinate submittal drawings with subcontractors. Submittals must be managed according to high industry standards.
§ Prepare shop drawings and as-built drawings.
§ Ensure the distribution of the approved shop drawings.
§ Ensure that all drawings, documentation and records in use are reviewed, approved by the consultant.
§ Coordinate between consultants, external agencies, contractors, property owners and other utility services for assigned projects.
§ Ensure bid envelopes contain relevant engineering drawings, designs and specification for of bid document.
Ensure Compliance
Another key component of an office engineer’s responsibilities is ensuring the project is compliant in all ways. This involves verifying that contractors and all other contract work are compliant with the terms of the contract. The office engineer also makes sure that project work stays compliant with industry standards, specifications, building codes, and design instructions.
§ Manage contractor’s work and ensure compliance with submitted contract documents.
§ Manage and submit all reviewed contract document to contract administrators for further approval.
§ Review and process construction for project design submittals and ensure forms as per existing standards.
§ Prepare monthly report on progress of assigned project with assistance of schedules, costs spreadsheets and perform analysis on same.
§ Interact with the Material Engineer regarding the material submittal and specifications, resolving any unexpected technical difficulties, and other problems that may arise.
Keep Accurate Records
Office engineers keep accurate and detailed project records. They must also organize these records in a way that makes it easy for the project manager and other project members to access the appropriate documents.
§ Conduct quantity surveying for all executed work.
§ Follow up and log the cashing of invoices from the client.
§ Perform inspection and prepare documents for entire contract work projects.
§ Prepare project records with details such as field progress, field conditions, equipment use and corrective actions.
§ Provide and gather all the required technical documents such as drawings, manuals and instructions for construction team.
§ Prepare correspondence and documents related to assigned projects and facilitate in internal scanning and archiving in line with closet procedure.
Resolve Project Matters
Since office engineers are involved in all areas of the project, they need to be especially aware of emerging issues. In these instances, office engineers act as liaisons between project management, subcontractors, and site engineers to resolve problems before they stall the project’s progress.
§ Follow up subcontractor’s progress.
§ Prepare time schedule for executed work versus planned.
§ Review and issue order to pay for subcontractors’ invoices.
§ Provide assistance to project manager and supervise office engineering construction.
§ Prepare and follow-up the documentation for claims and variation order and follow-up the documentation for claims and variation in order.
Monitor the Budget
Although office engineers don’t manage or set the project budget, they are responsible for monitoring it to ensure the project is staying on track. This includes checking project plans and drawings to verify authenticity and accuracy. If there are any problems with the budget, the office engineer communicates those problems to project management in a timely manner.
§ Inspect work sites, monitor project budget and schedule and check project plans and drawings to verify validity of office plans.
Skills and Qualifications
Office engineers need to remember the big picture while focusing on the details in order to keep all aspects of the project moving at a good pace. Employers prefer a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of experience in construction projects of a similar nature, along with the following skills:
Technical construction skills – office engineers need to be intimately familiar with all aspects of construction projects, including practical and technical construction skills. This includes being familiar with local building and construction codes
Contract management – it’s the office engineer’s job to make sure contracts are followed and managed appropriately, so they should be familiar with contract language and organization.
Communication skills – since office engineers work with everyone on the project, they should be communication rock stars who can resolve conflicts quickly and efficiently.
Time management – office engineers need to effectively manage their time, so they don’t cause holdups in the overall progress of the project
Tools of the Trade
§ B.Sc. Civil Engineering
§ Fluent English verbal and written
§ Computer-aided design software
§ Construction trade software (Primavera)
§ Microsoft Office especially Excel and Word
§ Experience in pricing
§ Preferably 3dmax
Working conditions
- 3-6 سنوات خبرة
- مؤهل عالي
- عمارة وهندسة
