Important Job Skills for Civil Engineers

Civil engineers design and supervise large-scale public work construction projects, such as roads, buildings, tunnels, dams, and bridges. They are responsible for gathering project requirements, testing and evaluating building sites and materials, and managing the overall building process from start to finish. That means that civil engineers need to see and understand the big picture, and be able to execute the tiniest of details. 

Civil engineers typically require at least a bachelor’s degree. Graduate degrees and licensure often are needed for promotion to senior positions.

Take a look at some of the skills hiring managers seek for civil engineer applicants, a sample resume for a civil engineer, and review tips for how to use this list of skills to enhance your resume and shine during interviews. 

Top Five Civil Engineer Skills

The skill requirements for any civil engineer job vary widely based on the position. However, every civil engineer should have a strong understanding of industry and government standards, requirements, and guidelines. In addition, civil engineers should have strong leadership, decision-making, analytical thinking, math, organization, technical writing, and communication skills.

Consider the five skills below among the most common and important for engineers, but also familiarize yourself with some additional keywords describing skills that might be just as important, depending on the specific job. 

Communication

Communication skills are extremely important for civil engineers, who often lead teams of diverse people and have to communicate effectively with all of them. They also have to speak to clients and the public, explaining complex technical ideas in clear ways. Another element of communication skills is listening. Civil engineers need to listen carefully to the concerns of their co-workers and the needs of their clients. 

Critical Thinking

Civil engineers work on almost every step of a project, from planning to design to construction. Civil engineers are typically very skilled at problem-solving. Throughout each project, they have to solve complex technical problems and come up with creative solutions. These solutions have to be safe, efficient, and cost-effective. Therefore, civil engineers need to have strong critical thinking skills. They have to weigh the pros and cons of different solutions and make the best decisions. 

Leadership

Civil engineers often manage diverse teams that consist of contractors, architects, construction managers, other engineers, and more. They have to effectively lead and manage each team, making sure projects are completed successfully. That means building relationships with all members of the team and providing effective motivation. Communication skills are also a big part of being an effective leader—with strong verbal and written skills, managers can set expectations and timelines, and provide direction and feedback.

Project Management

As leaders on a project, civil engineers have to be able to see a project through from start to finish. They must manage many different types of professionals and work effectively with clients. They have to make difficult choices to make sure that each project is completed within budget, finished on time, and done well. Project management software helps, of course, but civil engineers must be skilled at estimating how long different aspects of a project will take. They must spot (and account for) dependencies, and also build in time for when unexpected setbacks occur. 

Technical Skills

While soft skills like leadership and communication are critical to civil engineering, civil engineers also require hard skills, particularly technical skills. They must be skilled in math and physics, as well as map reading, reviewing blueprints, design techniques, and computer-aided design (CAD) software. These technical skills are essential to ensuring that the projects civil engineers work on are structurally sound. 

Civil Engineering Skills List

Review a list of skills that employers look for in candidates for civil engineering jobs.

A-G

• Assess Environmental Impact and Risks
• Assemble Project Deliverables
• Assist With Staging, Testing, and Shipping of Equipment Prior to Deployment
• Analyze Survey Reports, Maps, and Data to Plan Projects
• Clearly Explain Design Ideas
• Comfortable Writing Technical Reports
• Compile and Submit Permit Applications to Local, State, and Federal Agencies
• Create Blueprints Using CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
• Design Public Work Projects
• Develop Designs, Layouts, and Design Calculations
• Develop Project Scope and Timeline
• Ensure Job Sites Meet Legal Guidelines, and Health and Safety Requirements
• Experience with Civil 3D
• Experience with Microstation 
• Experience with Reinforced Concrete and Steel Design
• Experience with On-Site Construction Observation and Management

H-M

• Highly Detail Oriented
• High-Level Analytical Thinking
• Identify Possible Design Improvements
• Knowledgable of AutoCad
• Manage and Monitor Each Stage of Project
• Manage the Repair and Maintenance of Public and Private Infrastructures

N-S

• Perform or Oversee Soil Testing
• Perform or Oversee Surveying Operations
• Prepare Designs and Estimates 
• Prepare Conclusion and Analysis Reports
• Present Environmental Impact Statements to the Public
• Proactive and Willing to Take on New Challenges
• Provide Cost Estimates for Materials, Equipment, and/or Labor
• Recommend Modifications for Design Improvements and Simplification
• Sound Knowledge of Engineering Fundamentals
• Strong Presenter 

T-Z

• Test Building Materials
• Understand Diagrams, Drafts, Flow-Charts, and Other Information and Documentation
• Understand and Design Within AASHTO Guidelines
• Use Software to Design Within Industry and Government Standards
• Work Effectively Under Pressure

More Keywords and Skills

While the skills above are perhaps most common and most relevant, they do not provide an exhaustive list. Other keywords civil engineers should consider using in resumes and cover letters include analytical thinking, decision making, detail-oriented, mathematics, organizational skills, physics, and proactive.

Showcase Your Skills to Strengthen Your Candidacy

When crafting your resume and cover letters, it's a good idea to include keywords that highlight your skills. While you can include them within a skills section on your resume, it's also helpful to weave them into the bullet point descriptions of previous roles you've held.

Be sure to include specific examples of times when you demonstrated those skills at work. Remembering keywords describing these skills also is a good idea during job interviews. 

Civil Engineer Resume Example

Below is a sample resume for a civil engineer. You may read the sample below or download the template by clicking on the link.