The Role of Electrical Engineers in the Construction Industry

Electrical engineering is the study, design, and application of equipment, devices, and systems that deal with electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. Typically, an electrical engineer will be tasked with the designing, building, installing, and maintenance of high-voltage electrical, wiring, lighting, and power distribution systems and equipment. Electrical systems can range from small mobile devices to large supercomputers. 

An electrical site engineer can have many different roles and responsibilities in construction, whether they’re working residential or commercial jobs. Our experts at NCE offer some insights into what they do within the construction industry and the engineering services they provide. 

Job Responsibilities

The responsibilities of an electrical engineer in the construction and industrial fields can be vast. There is an ever-increasing need for electrical engineers on construction sites, with their main responsibilities involving overseeing projects, writing reports, resolving issues, and ensuring that all electrical work is completed and meets specifications. Additional electrical engineering services can include anything from signal processing and power generation to transmission and distribution of applications to computer engineering. 

Today’s electrical engineer job responsibilities in construction typically include these five key components to successfully meet the requirements for safety, reliability, and energy efficiency on a work site:

• Preparing Cost and Labor Estimates – The biggest responsibility of an electrical site engineer is to prepare and develop cost estimates for materials and labor before planning and construction begin. They are tasked with calculating how many workers will be needed and providing an accurate timeline to ensure the project stays within budget and is completed on time. 

• Designing Electrical Systems – Electrical engineers will determine the electrical elements needed for the project and the most effective way to install them. They will map out the full electrical system and prepare blueprints for the project.

• Managing Electrical Contractors – An electrical engineer will oversee and manage the electrical contractors on site. This can include assigning tasks, directing activities, and answering questions. 

• Resolving Electrical Problems – Even after all the preparation and designing, issues can still arise on a site. The electrical engineer is responsible for resolving any problems and quickly devising a new plan or solution so that the project stays on schedule with no delays. 

• Conducting System Tests – An electrical engineer will work to avoid issues and ensure everything works optimally by periodically performing tests on the electric systems. After project completion, they’ll perform the final inspection, testing the individual components and the entire electrical system as a whole, ensuring everything is up to local and national codes. 

Electrical Engineering Services with NCE

At NCE, our team of electrical engineers are highly trained and utilize the best equipment and practices in the industry to ensure your project is completed efficiently and safely. We are equipped with the expertise, knowledge, and experience needed to answer any questions and meet all your electrical needs.

We have been an industry leader in providing comprehensive commercial electrical services throughout the Northeastern, US, market for over 25 years. Whatever your electrical engineering needs may be, know the experts at NCE will work diligently with you and your facility to ensure safety and functionality. Connect with us today to learn more.