Project engineer
Use your engineering expertise to manage and deliver technical projects.
Also known as: engineering coordinator, project engineering specialist
About the job
What it's like
Do you have what it takes to lead a team of engineers and technicians as they deliver a project? In this role, you’ll use your expertise to manage technical projects from start to finish.
As a project engineer, you’ll plan and coordinate the work of engineers and technicians. You’ll oversee the work and use your know-how to steer clear of potential risks. Think of yourself as a project manager that specialises in engineering!
You’ll be the voice of a project’s technical department. This means you’ll give updates to senior managers and other people with an interest in the project.
In this job, you could work across many different industries. A project engineer usually has qualifications, experience, or both, in a particular area of engineering. For example, an electrical engineer may become a project engineer for a company that delivers large-scale electrical projects.
Your tasks might include:
turning projects into clear, workable plans – this includes scheduling, defining key milestones and anticipating setbacks
reviewing and approving engineering drawings or technical documents
making sure designs meet client specifications, standards and safety requirements
tracking costs, reviewing invoices and identifying any areas that may run over budget
handling procurement and making sure you have all the materials you need to keep the project moving
producing weekly or monthly progress reports to share with management and clients
Green job
In this job, you may do work that supports the environment. You could:
use sustainable materials for your project
identify opportunities where you can use energy-efficient systems – this could include LED lighting or insulation
develop a waste-management plan that everyone uses on site
work in clean energy – managing projects in wind, solar, tidal energy or green hydrogen
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Tomorrow's Engineers – learn about engineering careers and pathways
Association for Project Management (APM) – learn more about APM accreditation, which you may need for some project engineering roles
Randstad UK – discover what it’s like to work as a project engineer
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Construction and built environment -
Engineering and manufacturing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- understanding
- building relationships
- verbal communication
- analysing
- managing resources
- attention to detail
- problem solving
- developing a plan
- making decisions
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Physics
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Engineering Science
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive
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Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Most project engineers in Scotland have a degree. But you can also get into this line of work through an apprenticeship.
Generally, you’ll need a combination of qualifications and experience to become a project engineer. Most have spent time in a mechanical, civil or electrical engineering role.
People tend to move into a project engineer position once they’ve built experience in another engineering-based role.
Here are all the routes you can take to get into an engineering career.
University
A degree may be helpful for getting into this job. You could study subjects, such as:
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Engineering
Energy Engineering
Mechatronics
Robotics
Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering
Project Management or Industrial Engineering
Use the My World of Work course search to find degrees.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Systems
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Systems
Electronic or Electrical Engineering
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Engineering Construction
Engineering: Technical Support
Engineering: Manufacturing and Fabrication
Engineering: Asset Lifecycle and Maintenance
Engineering and Digital Manufacturing
Construction: Civil Engineering
Construction: Technical
Construction: Specialist
Gas Engineering
Electrical Installation
Explore MAs on Apprenticeships.scot.
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry. You'll spend most of your time learning on the job but will also attend uni or college. You'll have a job, get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in areas such as:
Work
Already working as an engineer? If so, you’re in a strong position to become a project engineer or assistant project engineer.
To help your application stand out, you could start demonstrating your management skills at work. You can do this by:
volunteering to coordinate small projects
taking ownership of procurement during a project
leading client updates and progress meetings
helping with budget tracking
Use the My World of Work job search to find vacancies.
It’s handy if you have experience using tools like Microsoft Project, Excel or Primavera – these platforms are often used to manage project schedules.
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become an engineer. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
