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Explore your Career Options- Civil

  • Examples of Employers of Civil Engineers

    Construction Companies (Contracting and Consulting):  E.g. Kingspan Ltd, White Mountain, Queen's and other Univeristies, O'Connor, Suttin, MCL Consulting, Cronin Consulting Engineers, WYG, J. Murphy, Farrans Construction, Amec Foster Wheeler, Mott McDonald, Dawson Wam CivilEngineering, RPS,  AECOM, Self-Employed

    Utilities:  NI Water Service, Phoenix Gas, Firmus Gas

    Transport:  E.g. Translink, Transport for London, various rail companies.

    Renewables (Energy and Resources):  E.g. FloGas; Phoenix Natural Gas;  Firmus; Natural World Products; various Wind/solar energy companies

    Government (local and national):  E.g. Building Control, Public works Engineer

     

  • Examples of Civil Engineer Graduate Job Roles

    Consulting Civil Engineer:  Typically involves working with a client, as part of a team to design, develop and manage the construction of a range of structures and projects (including transport Consulting Civil Engineers are also employed in Transport, utility and waste management roles.  

    To become a Chartered Consulting Civil Engineer, a relevant Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) accredited honours degree is required and subsequent successful completion  elements of MICE CEng status.

    Contracting Civil Engineer:  This careerpath is open to Civil and Structural Engineernig graduates and involves working a part of a construction or other engineering team to build/execute the consultant/client plan or design.  The steps to gain Chartered Engineer status are similar to those shown for Consulting Civil Engineers above.

    Design Engineer: Typically liases with a client and uses design, technical and mathematical skills to analyse, conceptualise, design, model, test, devleop and/or managing projects relating to a range of sectors.  This could include buildings, structures, materials specific products.  It may also include use of CAD, CAN or CAM systems.  The ability to understand client need, be creative in designing innovative solutions, e.g. that improve performance/efficiences.  Civil Engineering graduates are qualified to enter this.  A relevant Masters (MSc or MEng) is a further required element of professional incorporated or chartered engineer status (IEng or CEng) professionachieve CharteA Masters qualification (some employers will support this)

    Structural Engineer: Designs structures, such as buildings and bridges, to withstand a range of stresses to ensure safety and stability. The role involves working closely with other professionals,such as archtiects and contractors.  The structural engineer will typically analyse structures and materials and assess their suitability for purpose in the overall design and produce relevant models, drawings and specifications. 

    Graduate structural engineers can work towards Associate and Chartered Structural Engineer membership (AMIStructE and MIStuctE) with the Institute of Structural Engineers.

    Environmental Engineer: "...combine brilliant problem-solving abilities with scientific skills to create technical solutions which protect, restore and preserve the planet"  source:  Prospects Environmental Engineer job profile

    Site Engineer: Involves putting technical, organisational and supervisory skills into practice at civil, road, rail or other infrastructure sites.  Progression to Chartered status for engineers can be achieved through the main professional bodies i.e. the Institute of Civil Engineers (see ICE above) or The Institute of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB

    Water Engineer: Water engineers design systems to manage and maintain our water resources.  This includes the provision of clean water, water treatment, sewage and waste water disposal/recycliing and flood prevention.  Interests in problem solving for wider population and environmental issues are a significant aspect of this role.  Again, a willingness to work towards Chartered status is important part of career development for those seeking higher level roles in this field in the future.  Further details are provides in Prospects Water Engineer job profile.

    Nuclear Engineer: This graduate career could involve running, designing, building or even decommissioning nuclear power stations.  The role typically involves working with cutting edge technology, problem solving and designing new systems and improve efficiency and safety. It may also involve design and implementation of appropriate procedures - including waste disposal procedures.  While some universities offer relevant postgraduate options, there are also opportunities to apply directly to relevant employers for graduate trainee programmes. Like other engineering careers, working towards charter status can also be advantageous for nuclear engineers: Nuclear Institute, Chartered Engineer.

    Building Control Surveyor: This job role is also open to Graduate Civil and Structural Engineers.  It involves taking steps to assess new, altered, extended or renovated premises against the requirements for building regulations.  This involves examining plans and reports, planning and conducting inspections through site visits, considering the extent to which the building meets the requirements, making reports, advising clients etc.  Relevant professional boodies for those seeking chartered Surveyor status include RICS and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers

     

     

  • Careers Support for Queen's Civil Engineering Alumni

    As a graduate of Civil Engineering at Queen's University Belfast you may access the full range of Careers, Employability & Skills services, including one-to-one Guidance Appointments and CV checks, for up to two your following graduation. 

    Your MyFuture account will remain live in order to allow you to view jobs and book into opportunities and appointments.

    You may also find it useful to make use of the wider Queen's alumni community by connecting to the University's Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) and their world-wide graduate networks.