A setting-out engineer is involved in providing technical support, advice and input on a construction site for those working on the site, whether they be contractors, operators or subcontractors. Let’s have a look at what a career as a setting-out engineer actually involves and where you career as a setting out engineer can take you.
Your Career as a Setting-Out Engineer
A setting-out engineer, your role on any construction project will be technical, supervisory and organisational. You will be involved at a strategic level in terms of determining the locations for key parts of infrastructure and will work with others to design this. In your role as a setting out engineer, just some of your tasks will be:
- Working on the location of the site, setting out boundaries, levelling and participating in any surveying work
- Monitoring health and safety protocols on the site
- Keeping management and stakeholders appraised of progress in developing the site
- Keeping a log book on the development of the project
- Liasing with other disciplines on the site to resolve any issues and to ensure that the work is being done to the best possible standard
- Ensuring that deadlines are met and that any deadlines are well communicated
Career Path
A setting-out engineer provides such a fundamental role at the outset of any project that in your career as a setting out engineer you can expect to work alongside a wide variety of other roles, including:
- Civil engineer
- Structural engineer
- Estimator
- Purchaser
- Site manager
- QA/QC engineer
- Documents controller
- Health & Safety
- HSE Officer
- Project engineer
- Finance manager
- Logistics technician
- Draughtsperson
- Site engineer
- Instrumentation technician
- Heavy equipment operator
Professional Qualifications
In order for your to start your career as a setting-out engineer, you will need a third level degree in an engineering discipline and also a range of industry or business experience. Due to the nature of the role and the wide range of opportunities therein, a career as a setting out engineer will have the scope for you to undertake continuous learning. Institute’s such as Engineers Ireland have a range of programmes and certifications available.
How can your Career Develop
A career as a setting out engineer will enable you to take part in ambitious projects of varying size and scale. Once you have established yourself within the industry as a setting out engineer you can work on a consultancy basis or management basis on large scale project both at home and overseas. Maintaining good relationships is vital in your career as a setting out engineer so building a strong professional network is essential.