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With high demand for experienced and skilled engineers, finding and hiring the best site engineers can be tricky.

We’ve put together this helpful guide to site engineers, including how to find the best ones. As technical industry recruitment experts, our team here at BMR Solutions are on hand to help you find the perfect candidate.

What is a Site Engineer?

Site engineers oversee projects, specifically looking on-site ensuring accurate work is undertaken matching plans. The role involves technical, supervisory and organisation elements as part of a wider management team.

The role is highly technical, requiring candidates to survey sights, undertake levelling, check drawings and map plans onto the site. Site engineers are responsible for accuracy and precision, as well as more general technical good practice.

Different to project engineers, site engineers focus on the actual site and work completed, ensuring materials and staff follow legislation as well as health and safety standards. Project engineers handle orders, liaise with clients, and coordinate resources (including staff).

Site engineers are instrumental to the effective implementation of plans in the build of infrastructure. Regardless of project or site, from road to housing development, site engineers are required to ensure plans are properly followed.

Factors that are important considerations to both employers and candidates include salary, hours, skills, qualifications and progression.

See more: Site Engineer – Skills & Experience Needed to Become a Successful Site Engineer.

Site Engineer Salary

The starting wage for graduates is typically between £22,000 – £26,000, with expected raise over years of experience. Professionals with years’ experience can earn upwards of £35,000 – £45,000.

There is also chance for progression into higher management roles, reflected in higher salaries.

Site Engineer Hours

Site engineers can expect to work between 35 – 40 hours a week, with longer days and weekends sometimes required nearing deadlines. The hours are split between being on-site at the project and in the office (which is often on the site too).

Some site engineers may be self-employed, allowing greater flexibility in work undertaken and hours chosen. Self-employment is most likely if the candidate has a specific skill, such as foundations.

When hiring a site engineer, consider the hours you will require them as well as the hours they are willing to provide (if self-employed).

Site Engineer Skills

Universal skills all site engineers need include logical thinking with numerical and analytic skills, a keen eye for accuracy and ability to precisely follow plans. The best site engineers have impeccable problem-solving skills and can overcome issues affecting deadlines.

Although likely to be had by most engineering candidates, these skills are especially key for the technically demanding role of site engineer and should be prioritised by employers.

Site Engineer Qualifications

Experience is important for any site engineer as it demonstrates an understanding of the environment. It is possible to achieve job progression through experience alone; however, it is preferable that candidates have a relevant degree or Higher National Certificate/Diploma.

Graduates make good candidates as they are actively searching for employment. Those with engineering degrees, including technical and numerical degrees, are well suited to site engineering jobs. There are also postgraduate courses available relevant to site engineering, good for those trying to get into the industry as well as those already in it looking to progress.

Sandwich degree courses are good for engineer and other degree candidates if untaken in the engineering field. These demonstrate an awareness of the field and eagerness to get involved.

New hires will usually require induction and training courses to ensure they are compliant and prepared for the work. Candidates may also have to undergo academic assessment to join various bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers or Institution of Structural Engineers.

Site Engineer Progression

Once established as a site engineer, engineers can often move onwards to higher positions such as senior engineer, site manager, and project manager, among other senior roles. Therefore, a site engineer hire can be a longer-term investment for senior management down the line.

How to Find and Hire the Best Site Engineers

University

As aforementioned, graduates make promising candidates as they have relevant skills and are actively seeking work in the field. Attending University Careers Fairs help you to get your name and opportunities out there.

Graduate schemes are usually 2 years long and offer graduates the chance to try a variety of roles or sections, giving them comprehensive training along the way.

Recruitment drives often follow academic timetables with applications opening around October/November to final year students for starts in the following year. Recruitment, however, can be year-round, especially for companies not looking to exclusively hire graduates.

Referrals

A trusted source recommending a worker can go a long way in helping to secure successful candidates fit for the job. Reach out to industry peers and similar companies to see how they can help.

Waiting for a reference, however, can be frustrating and may not reach you at a time you need. Also taking a peer recommendation may mean actual ability is overlooked and may result in you missing out on better suited candidates.

Recruit with BMR Solutions

The best way to ensure you get relevant candidates with required skills and experience is to go through a recruitment agency. BMR Solutions specialise in technical industry recruiting, finding exceptional candidates for UK based manufacturing and engineering firms.

Let the experts find your next site engineer. Get in contact with BMR Solutions today.

Online Platforms

There are plenty of online job seeking platforms, some even specialising in engineering roles. Advertising a role on here may attract more candidates.

Reactions may not be instantaneous though and it may be months before you hear from anyone. Even then, there is no guarantee the candidate is actually applicable for the exact role.

Hire Site Engineers in Bristol with BMR Solutions

BMR Solutions specialise in providing employment in manufacturing and engineering markets for SMEs and Blue Chip organisations. From skilled site workers to soldering technicians, BMR have a variety of current jobs on offer, as well as exciting opportunities to come.

Whether you are a candidate or organisation, get in touch with our recruitment experts today.

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