Resident Engineer Job Description and Duties

Updated on: February 1, 2021
Resident Engineer Job Description

There are many “brains” behind construction projects – the people who handle the planning aspects of every project. One such position is that of a resident engineer who supervises and instructs construction staff in projects such as building roads, structures, and bridges.

Resident engineers are qualified individuals who are required to have a degree in engineering before they can apply for a job.

They need to possess the ability to manage time efficiently and resolve complex problems. Since they work with construction teams extensively, they also need to be able to provide technical advice akin to construction methodologies and of course be able to handle cost estimate requirements.

Apart from overseeing and monitoring construction staff, resident engineers also handle daily logs, project documents, and materials calculations which are essential to the success of every construction project.

Ensuring that the right materials are purchased and used in every construction project and ensuring compliance with safety regulations is a given in this job.

To understand what a resident engineer does on a broader level, let us have a look at the following list of responsibilities for this position.

Resident Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

  • Create and hand out schedules for construction staff working in the field.
  • Perform field quality control observations and assessments.
  • Inspect and assess the quality of materials being used for construction projects.
  • Calculate the quantity of material, supplies, and equipment needed for each project.
  • Verify and approve invoices of purchases.
  • Oversee the work of field staff to ensure the efficacy of work procedures.
  • Ensure compliance to project specifications.
  • Make sure that all construction activities are being carried out following present safety rules.
  • Ensure availability of resources and materials at all times.
  • Provide recommendations for repair work and make sure that deadlines have complied.
  • Perform continuous evaluation of trends and ensure that preventative maintenance is managed at each stage of the project.
  • Survey maps and blueprints before creating construction plans.
  • Determine project feasibility and direct all resources to the site in a time-efficient manner.
  • Provide technical advice to field staff to ensure that construction procedures are being carried out correctly.
  • Identify construction constraints and plan and carry out measures to counter them.
  • Prepare public reports such as bid proposals and environmental impact statements.
  • Test sites to ensure appropriateness for the construction project.
  • Prepare period reports and assessments for each project phase.