Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

The Work

The work of civil and structural engineers combines site and design work.

Civil engineers work on projects that involve multidisciplinary teams including architects, quantity surveyors and building services engineers. Construction Engineering a professional sub-practice area of Civil Engineering.

Civil engineers work in offices and sometimes on building sites. Office duties include computer modelling of all kinds of extreme events such as floods in rivers and traffic jams on bridges. Civil engineering has many sub-disciplines such as Structural Engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, and hydraulic engineering. It is the broadest of the engineering fields.  
 
Civil Engineers also supervise technicians making detailed drawings for use on-site, write and check specifications for projects, plan work and keep records of progress, plant stock and finance. They must decide what the best materials are for a job and also what sort services are needed to service a building.  
 
Most large projects involve multi-disciplinary design teams that can include Civil Engineers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Building Service Engineers and occasionally specialists such as Geologists, Ecologists and Archaeologists.  
 
When a construction project is under way, Civil engineers on-site are responsible for making sure that the work is being carried out according to the designs, plans and estimated timescale. They are therefore involved in extensive liaising with the other disciplines and with the client and/or contractor, local landowners and the public. 

They use specialist equipment to survey the site to make sure that construction work is being carried out in the right place and that the structure is safe; for example, that steel reinforcement is correctly in place. They also supervise construction workers and engineering technicians.

Due to current demand in this field, graduate starting salaries are often above average.

Municipal Engineering

Municipal engineering is a branch of civil engineering. It deals with the public services controlled by local authorities, central government, water companies and nationalised industries. It includes operation and maintenance of road and traffic systems, street lighting, public buildings, coastal protection, water supply and the disposal of sewage and refuse. They also gather and analyse data on municipal projects and prepare reports.  
 
Municipal engineers are mainly involved in design work for construction projects. They must consider the impact that the scheme will have on the environment at this stage. They may conduct ground surveys and produce detailed designs before preparing a contract so that engineering companies can bid for the work. Computers are an essential tool in this work. Municipal engineers then manage the construction project by supervising the contractors and by making sure that the work is being carried out according to the specifications in the contract. 

Municipal engineers also have a monitoring role. They are involved in reviewing road parking and street lighting, for example, and they must identify possible changes as well as new schemes. They then advise on the services that are needed and talk to the public and central government. Most municipal engineers specialise in an area like construction, environment, hydraulics or transportation. They create plans on computers which test and predict problems with the structure

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
• Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
• Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
• Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
• Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
• Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
• Analyse survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data.
• Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction.
• Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility.
• Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions.

Further Information

• Civil / Construction Engineer - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Civil / Construction Engineer - from: GradIreland
• Civil / Construction Engineer - from: STEPS

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Civil / Construction Engineer is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Civil Engineering Technician apprenticeship

Entrants to Civil Engineering are usually graduates with a degree in Civil Engineering or related subject areas such as Structural Engineering, Construction Engineering, or Geomatics among others. Several colleges and IOTs throughout the country offer relevant courses. [See course list on this page]
 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Engineering operations, Architectural Technology and Computer-Aided Design, and Project Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: General Engineering, Engineering techology, Civil, Civil, Mechanical & Electronics Engineering, Construction Technology-Civil Engineering at NFQ Level 5 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Engineering Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: General Engineering, Civil engineering, Sustainable Civil Engineering courses at NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Civil Engineering, Planning, Engineering structural & environmental  Management at NFQ level 9

Professional development 

To apply for the Engineering Technician title, you will need an accredited level 6 qualification and three years post graduate experience. 

Engineers Ireland A list of Civil Engineering Technician accredited programmes 

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €90k

Salaries vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience. 

Data Source(s):
CPL/ Morgan McKinley/ Sigmar/ Lincoln/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although the annual average employment growth over the five-year period for this occupation was only marginally above the national average, employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022. 

Census data indicates that civlil engineers account for over half of the employment in this group: the strongest growth since 2016 was for production managers/directors. 

Both the new employment permits issued and the mentions of difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey point to issues in sourcing civil, site and structural engineers along with construction project managers. In addition, the Skills for Growth data signals issues with sourcing civil engineers (including for water infrastructure and sustainability) and structural engineer roles (especially those with project management skills).

Demand for this occupation was also evident in the 12% increase in the number of job postings (OVATE) for civil engineers in 2022, with growing demand for skills in project management, teamwork, communication and adaptability. Demand for these roles is expected to continue as Ireland aims to meet housing and climate action targets. With employment increasing and issues with recruitment evident, shortages are likely to continue. 

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
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• Wind Energy Ireland

  • Sycamore House Millennium Park Osberstown Naas Co Kildare W91 D627
  • 045 899341
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Institute of Civil Engineers

  • 1 Great Georges St, Westminster, London SW1P 3AA
  • Click Here

• STEPS - Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
  • (01) 665 1340
  • [email protected] Back to top
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