Civil Engineering Technician

The science (and art) of civil engineering has been around since the beginning of humankind. What was once a plan for moving nomads from one location to another has evolved into roundabouts, one-way streets, and traffic signals. And what began as ancient stone pyramids, tediously built one block at a time, is now architecture used for homes, businesses, and public buildings.

Civil engineering involves the design and construction of structures and infrastructure within society. Civil Engineering Technicians are the right-hand assistants to Engineers in the field. The professionals a Civil Engineering Technician assists might hold titles like Structural Engineer, Materials Engineer, Coastal Engineer, Transportation Engineer, or Environmental Engineer.

Whoever is on your team, it’s your job as a Civil Engineering Technician to keep up to speed with the project on deck. Typical projects include designing or redesigning bridges, roads, buildings, sewage systems, tunnels, canals, or dams. You’ve got your hands in the mix from the very first idea. Using computer-aided design (CAD) programs, you work with the Engineer to create and make adjustments to plans.

With a trial blueprint in hand, you proceed to the next phase, surveying the construction area, recording your findings, and researching the ground stability, usage needs, exposure, and other elements that may affect the final plan. You also evaluate materials and costs, and write up reports outlining this information.

Once the project receives the green light, you are often on site to observe the transition from paper to real life. You organize and schedule workers, inspect their work, and keep tabs on the project’s progress.