Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What do construction project engineers do? Today we go over what a project engineer does in construction, specifically working for a general contractor. This may differ from company to company, but in general, this is what you will be doing as a construction project engineer or field engineer.
Instagram: @kikoga
0:00 Construction Project Engineer
0:19 What Is A PE's Main Job?
Remove the obstacles for the project superintendent so the work can progress efficiently.
0:31 Procurement
Procurement tracking or material tracking is so important, because if the material is not on site, the work cannot progress. Especially in a place like Hawaii where everything is shipped here, its so important to understand your supply chain and keep hounding your subcontractors for delivery updates. Your procurement log should be tied to your project schedule and back all the way to when you need to receive submittals from your subcontractor so you can prioritize it efficiently.
2:46 RFIs and Submittals
Proper RFI and submittal review is a crucial part of being a project engineer. The better the project engineer you are, the sooner you catch potential issues before the work is in place. The worst kind of RFI is the one that is trying to fix something in the field, because that means work is not progressing while you are waiting for an answer. The submittal is what the subtrade ends up actually ordering, so it's important that that review is done properly so everything shows up as it should per the contract documents.
5:17 Field Quality Control
This is probably the best place for you as a project engineer to learn how things get built. This also gives you a chance to educate yourself about what is in the drawings and what you are actually checking. Hard to do QC if you haven't done your homework.
6:59 Updating Project Drawings
Redlining drawings, especially on jobs with constant change, is a big part of being a project engineer. You want to be sure everyone is working off the most recent set of drawings.
8:26 Email Management
9:06 Solving Problems
10:20 Quantity and Cost Trackings
11:20 Drawings and Specifications
12:36 Learning
Shirt Worn In the Video (availability may vary): Use code KIENEN40 at checkout for 40% off!
fivebirdies.com
Pass the PE Exam with Pathceed using the link below!
pathceed.com/?wpam_id=11
PE Exam Materials I Used To Pass:
NCEES Practice Exam (can also get this through NCEES): amzn.to/3wq3WOB
Civil Engineering Reference Manual (I used older 14th Edition): amzn.to/3gw201i
Lindeberg Practice Problems (I had an older version of this): amzn.to/3pWwxZw
Software Used In Construction:
AutoCad amzn.to/3qGt1lz
Autodesk Revit amzn.to/3qEl6Fe
Microsoft Office amzn.to/3pFMPnQ
Motion get.usemotion.com/ucejgocqz8vw
Youtube Camera and Recording Equipment:
Camera amzn.to/2ZOrGxn
Shotgun Mic amzn.to/2ZAL2FT
Clip On Mic amzn.to/3qM3pUw
Ring Light amzn.to/3pAA6m9
Drone amzn.to/2ZyJkET
*Some of the links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Kienen Koga will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Kienen Koga is part of an affiliate network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
What do construction project engineers do? Today we go over what a project engineer does in construction, specifically working for a general contractor. This may differ from company to company, but in general, this is what you will be doing as a construction project engineer or field engineer.
Instagram: @kikoga
0:00 Construction Project Engineer
0:19 What Is A PE's Main Job?
Remove the obstacles for the project superintendent so the work can progress efficiently.
0:31 Procurement
Procurement tracking or material tracking is so important, because if the material is not on site, the work cannot progress. Especially in a place like Hawaii where everything is shipped here, its so important to understand your supply chain and keep hounding your subcontractors for delivery updates. Your procurement log should be tied to your project schedule and back all the way to when you need to receive submittals from your subcontractor so you can prioritize it efficiently.
2:46 RFIs and Submittals
Proper RFI and submittal review is a crucial part of being a project engineer. The better the project engineer you are, the sooner you catch potential issues before the work is in place. The worst kind of RFI is the one that is trying to fix something in the field, because that means work is not progressing while you are waiting for an answer. The submittal is what the subtrade ends up actually ordering, so it's important that that review is done properly so everything shows up as it should per the contract documents.
5:17 Field Quality Control
This is probably the best place for you as a project engineer to learn how things get built. This also gives you a chance to educate yourself about what is in the drawings and what you are actually checking. Hard to do QC if you haven't done your homework.
6:59 Updating Project Drawings
Redlining drawings, especially on jobs with constant change, is a big part of being a project engineer. You want to be sure everyone is working off the most recent set of drawings.
8:26 Email Management
9:06 Solving Problems
10:20 Quantity and Cost Trackings
11:20 Drawings and Specifications
12:36 Learning
Shirt Worn In the Video (availability may vary): Use code KIENEN40 at checkout for 40% off!
fivebirdies.com
Pass the PE Exam with Pathceed using the link below!
pathceed.com/?wpam_id=11
PE Exam Materials I Used To Pass:
NCEES Practice Exam (can also get this through NCEES): amzn.to/3wq3WOB
Civil Engineering Reference Manual (I used older 14th Edition): amzn.to/3gw201i
Lindeberg Practice Problems (I had an older version of this): amzn.to/3pWwxZw
Software Used In Construction:
AutoCad amzn.to/3qGt1lz
Autodesk Revit amzn.to/3qEl6Fe
Microsoft Office amzn.to/3pFMPnQ
Motion get.usemotion.com/ucejgocqz8vw
Youtube Camera and Recording Equipment:
Camera amzn.to/2ZOrGxn
Shotgun Mic amzn.to/2ZAL2FT
Clip On Mic amzn.to/3qM3pUw
Ring Light amzn.to/3pAA6m9
Drone amzn.to/2ZyJkET
*Some of the links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Kienen Koga will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Kienen Koga is part of an affiliate network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
