Graduate Structural Engineer Responsibilities
Structural engineering is also known as stress engineering. A structural engineer designs the frame of the structure and ensures that it is long-lasting, strong and flexible. Every structure that is built has a purpose. Graduate structural engineer responsibilities include ensuring that the structure is built in a way that satisfies its purpose, remains safe during its lifespan and can withstand both the immediate and future loads and demands on it. Besides designing new structures, structural engineers also ensure to see to it that the older structures are safe and also plan repair work if required.
Key Graduate Structural Engineer Responsibilities
- Coming up with design ideas using software like CAD
- Ensuring that the project meets all environmental, legal, safety and health guidelines and requirements
- Preparing bids for tenders
- Overseeing the project team
- Preparing progress reports for seniors and the client
- Getting all building and planning regulations
- Working closely with the key people such as the client, architects, site managers, etc.
- Calculate which part of the structure will have to bear how much load and stress
- Administer contracts
- Help in preparing specifications, working drawings, etc.
- Make regular site inspections to ensure that the work is progressing according to schedule
- Assist the structural engineering manager and senior structural engineer in their work
- Knowledge about the properties and strength of the various materials like glass, steel, timber, brick, etc., and use each of them appropriately
- Use computer software to prepare simulation models to show the effects of weather change and how the structure will withstand different conditions like earthquake, etc.
- Inspect old buildings and recommend repairs or demolition where necessary
- Work with the contractor to ensure that the newly-built structures are sturdy and sound
- Ensure a balance of aesthetics and functionality. The building should be structurally sound and pleasing to the eye as well
- Inspect the work and advise the contractor once construction begins
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Team work is an essential skill required for any structural engineer. Building a new structure requires the efforts of a large number of people, and it is important that they all work well together
- Creativity. Yes, engineering also requires creativity. It is not just numbers and equations. Sometimes you get the answer to a problem only if you can think creatively and outside the box
- Strong mathematical skills. This is an obvious requirement of the job – not just for structural engineering, but for any kind of engineering, you need to be good at math
- IT skills. Most of the work today is done on computers using various softwares and programs. You should be proficient in at least the basic and popular softwares like CAD
- Ability to achieve deadlines. Meeting deadlines is an important aspect of this job
- Good analytical skills. You should be able to analyze complex problems and come up with solutions
- Knowledge of the required legal, safety and environment regulations
- Thorough knowledge of construction materials including the strengths and characteristics of each
- Knowledge of construction methods is also necessary
- Good communication skills
Educational Background
- A three-year Bachelor of Engineering degree in structural engineering or civil engineering is the basic requirement to become a graduate structural engineer
- To get accepted into the degree program, you will need a minimum of five GCSEs (A to C) and two or three A levels
- You should also have math and a science subject (preferably physics)
- If you study for a BTEC HND/HNC or foundation degree in engineering, you can start as a technician and then work your way up to the post of engineer
- To enhance your career prospects, work towards getting an incorporated or chartered engineer status
Salary Details
- The average salary for a new graduate structural engineer is around $55,000 to $68,700
- The salary will increase once you start gaining experience
- At the start of your career, worry more about gaining experience than getting a good salary. If you have the right qualifications and good work experience, the money will automatically come
Career Prospects
- Construction is an ongoing activity, hence the scope for growth is always good in this field
- Along with building construction, you can also look at fields like construction design, project management, etc., or decide to go into research or teaching
- You can also become a consultant once you get enough experience or work with disaster relief agencies
- Since the projects will mostly be of short duration, you will get enough variety and new challenges on a regular basis
- For those bitten by the travel bug, there will also be plenty of opportunities to travel abroad or work with international organizations or companies
Structural engineering is a job that will give you a lot of variety and the chance to see your work become a 'concrete' reality. Understand the graduate structural engineer responsibilities and get ready for a rewarding and challenging career.
