| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Construction and Projects |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Construction Manager |
| Direct reports | Site Supervisor |
| Experience | Fresher or up to 3 years in civil construction |
Civil Engineer job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Civil Engineer
Department: Construction and Projects
Reports to: Construction Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Civil Engineer at an entry level works on the technical and execution side of construction. They study drawings, set out and supervise civil works, check quantities and quality, and record measurements, learning to manage a site as they grow. They apply their engineering training to real works, from foundations to finishing. A good early-career Civil Engineer reads drawings well, executes civil works to specification, records measurements accurately, checks quality diligently, and builds the judgement needed to run larger works over time.
Key responsibilities
- Study structural and civil drawings and set out works accurately on the ground.
- Supervise civil works such as excavation, concreting, masonry and finishing to specification.
- Check the quality of materials and workmanship against the drawings and standards.
- Take and record measurements of executed work for progress and billing.
- Estimate material and labour requirements for the assigned works.
- Coordinate with contractors and labour to keep work fronts productive.
- Raise drawing and material queries to seniors and help resolve them.
- Support quality checks and testing on concrete and other materials.
- Follow and enforce site safety on the assigned works.
- Maintain daily progress, material and manpower records for the works.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or diploma in civil engineering
- Knowledge of construction methods and materials
- Basic AutoCAD and Excel skills
- Fresher or up to 3 years in civil construction
KRAs and KPIs for a Civil Engineer
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Execution quality | Civil works executed to drawings and specifications with minimal rework |
| Setting out | Works set out accurately with no dimensional errors |
| Measurement | Measurements recorded accurately for progress and billing |
| Progress | Assigned civil works kept to the weekly plan |
| Quality checks | Material and workmanship checks done before work is covered up |
| Safety | Zero avoidable safety incidents on assigned works |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: AutoCAD, Total station and level, Measuring tools, MS Excel, Concrete test kit.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Site Engineer, Execution Engineer, Construction Manager
Interview questions for a Civil Engineer
- How do you set out a foundation accurately from the drawings?
- What checks do you make before a concrete pour?
- How do you estimate material for a section of civil work?
- How do you record measurements so billing is not disputed?
- What do you do when the drawing does not match the site condition?
- How do you enforce safety on the works you supervise?
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What does a Civil Engineer do?
A Civil Engineer works on the technical and execution side of construction. At an entry level they study drawings, set out and supervise civil works, check quantities and quality, and record measurements. They apply their engineering training to real works from foundations to finishing, coordinating contractors and labour while building the judgement to manage larger works over time.
What is the difference between a Civil Engineer and a Site Engineer?
Civil engineering is the discipline; site engineer is a role. An entry Civil Engineer applies broad engineering knowledge across execution, quantities and quality, often on a career path toward management. A Site Engineer focuses on daily supervision of a work section. In practice the titles overlap, and many civil engineers begin as site engineers.
What qualifications does a Civil Engineer need?
A bachelor's degree or diploma in civil engineering is the essential base, along with knowledge of construction methods and materials and basic AutoCAD and Excel skills. Employers value the ability to read drawings, set out works, check quality, and record measurements accurately. Site exposure during study or early jobs strengthens a candidate.