Contract engineer

Contract engineers combine technical knowledge of contracts and legal matters with understanding of engineering specifications and principles. They ensure that both parts are aligned in the development of a project and foresee the compliance of all the engineering specifications and matters as defined in contracts.

The following job titles also refer to contract engineer:

subcontractor engineer
contract engineering specialist
contract engineering expert
contractor engineer
contract engineering adviser
contract engineering consultant

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as contract engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Contract engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to contract engineer.

process engineer
research engineer
logistics engineer
compliance engineer
precision engineer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of contract engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of contract engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of contract engineer.

Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
Contract law: The field of legal principles that govern written agreements between parties concerning the exchange of goods or services, including contractual obligations and termination.
Project management: Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.
Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.

These skills are necessary for the role of contract engineer.

Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Manage engineering project: Manage engineering project resources, budget, deadlines, and human resources, and plan schedules as well as any technical activities pertinent to the project.
Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
Ensure compliance with purchasing and contracting regulations: Implement and monitor company activities in compliance with legal contracting and purchasing legislations.
Interpret technical requirements: Analyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.
Define technical requirements: Specify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied according to customer requirements.
Build business relationships: Establish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.
Assess financial viability: Revise and analyse financial information and requirements of projects such as their budget appraisal, expected turnover, and risk assessment for determining the benefits and costs of the project. Assess if the agreement or project will redeem its investment, and whether the potential profit is worth the financial risk.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of contract engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Labour legislation: Legislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.
Cost management: The process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.
Tax legislation: Tax legislation applicable to a specific area of specialisation, such as import tax, government tax, etc.
Construction industry: The products, brands and suppliers active in the construction field.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of contract engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Identify suppliers: Determine potential suppliers for further negotiation. Take into consideration aspects such as product quality, sustainability, local sourcing, seasonality and coverage of the area. Evaluate the likelihood of obtaining beneficial contracts and agreements with them.
Consult with technical staff: Seek the advice of technical staff concerning the requirements, operation, and use of various products and systems.
Handle customer complaints: Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.
Carry out tendering: Place the request for a quotation to the organisation requesting a tender, then perform the work or supply the goods agreed with them during the tendering process.
Manage tender processes: Organise the process of writing and designing proposals or bids for tenders.
Meet contract specifications: Meet contract specifications, schedules and manufacturers’ information. Check that the work can be carried out in the estimated and allocated time.
Perform contract compliance audits: Execute a thorough contract compliance audit, ensuring that goods or services are being delivered in a correct and timely fashion, checking for clerical errors or missed credits and discounts and starting procedures for cash recovery.
Assess supplier risks: Evaluate supplier performance in order to assess which suppliers do or may not perform adequately, stick to the agreed contracts, meet the standard requirements and desired quality at all times or who may pose future risks.
Manage sub-contract labour: Oversee work and the labourers hired to carry out part or all of the responsibilities of someone else’s contract.
Maintain contract administration: Keep contracts up to date and organise them according to a classification system for future consultation.
Compare contractors’ bids: Compare proposals to award a contract in order to execute specified jobs within a prescribed frame of time.
Perform project management: Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project’s progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.
Issue sales invoices: Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.
Manage contract disputes: Monitor issues that arise between the parties involved in a contract and provide solutions in order to avoid lawsuits.

2149 – Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified

 

 

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References

1. Contract engineer – ESCO