September 27, 2025
Explore the critical requirements, core duties, primary responsibilities, and key skills that should be included in a comprehensive Senior Civil Engineer job description.
What does a Senior Civil Engineer do?
A senior civil engineer is responsible for overseeing large construction projects, such as roads, railways, airports, bridges, dams, sewerage systems, pipelines, and buildings. They work for construction companies, engineering firms, or government offices.
Job Description
We are seeking a highly capable senior civil engineer to manage our construction projects. Your responsibilities will include conducting land surveys, allocating resources, supervising construction teams, and inspecting completed projects.
In order to be successful as a senior civil engineer, you should have extensive experience managing large construction projects and ensuring adherence to specifications and standards. An outstanding senior civil engineer will be able to complete projects within budget and on time.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Managing the planning and design stages of civil engineering projects.
- Assessing the feasibility of new construction sites.
- Overseeing all project stages from initial layouts to final designs.
- Surveying new sites and evaluating existing structures for potential upgrades.
- Improving computer-aided design (CAD) software drawings and schematics.
- Estimating project costs and creating budgets.
- Creating work schedules and managing resources, including junior engineers, construction managers, workers, technicians, and contractors.
- Ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Inspecting completed projects to ensure compliance with industry codes, specifications, and safety standards.
- Documenting processes and providing project updates to senior managers and clients.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
- State-licensed and certified civil engineer.
- At least 2 years of experience as a senior civil engineer on similar projects.
- Proficiency in civil engineering project management software, such as Civil 3D and CityEngine, as well as CAD.
- In-depth knowledge of civil engineering and construction specifications, standards, and codes.
- Strong leadership, project management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent mathematical, time-management, and organizational abilities.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills.
- Availability to visit construction sites outside of regular business hours, if necessary.
Alternate Job Titles
- Civil Engineer III
- Civil Infrastructure Engineer III
- Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer III
Senior Civil Engineer Salary
The earning potential of a Senior Civil Engineer can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, industry, professional experience, educational background, and the specific employer. On average, the annual salary for an Senior Civil Engineer in the United States is approximately $113473.
Alternative Careers and Similar Jobs to a Senior Civil Engineer
Find Senior Civil Engineer Job Vacancies – Start Your Career in Senior Civil Engineer