Setting out engineer

How to become a setting out engineer

There are several routes to becoming a setting out engineer. You can gain the qualifications you need by completing a university course or an apprenticeship.

You should explore the options to find out which is the right one for you. Setting out engineers usually have several years’ experience in construction.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

You could complete an industry-accredited foundation degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or undergraduate degree. Relevant subjects include:

• Civil or structural engineering
• Building surveying
• Building engineering
• Construction studies.

Afterwards, you could apply to graduate trainee schemes with construction firms or engineering companies.

You could also study for a postgraduate award in engineering, as some employers will require this level of expertise.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Equivalent entry requirements explained
• Find a university course
• Funding advice

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship with a construction firm is a good way into the industry. Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

You could complete an apprenticeship in Construction and the Built Environment to start you on your career path to being a setting out engineer.

You could then do more specific setting out qualifications on-the-job once you gain a permanent position.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Find an apprenticeship near you
• Guide to apprenticeships

Work

If you already have experience in one area of construction, such as bricklaying, you may be able to apply directly for a setting out role and then complete on-the-job training with your employer.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a setting out engineer. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

• Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone looking to become a setting out engineer include: 

• Knowledge of buildings and construction
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to interpret detail plans
• Good spatial awareness.

Qualifications

What does a setting out engineer do?

As a setting out engineer you will be responsible for getting a construction site ready for development. This can include working with detailed site plans and levelling the ground ready for work to begin. 

The job role of a setting out engineer involves the following duties:

• Setting out, levelling and surveying a construction site
• Working with site plans, drawings and building information models
• Mapping structural boundaries on the ground using pegs and markers
• Liaising with designers and engineers to ensure plans and drawings are accurate
• Overseeing quality control
• Monitoring health and safety
• Keeping a site diary
• Resolving technical problems
• Working in an office and on a construction site.

How much could you earn as a setting out engineer?

The expected salary for a setting out engineer varies as you become more experienced.

• Newly trained setting out engineers can earn in the region of £25,000 – £30,000
• Trained with experience setting out engineers can earn in the region of £30,000 – £35,000
• Senior Setting Out Engineers can earn in the region of £35,000 – £55,000.*

Hours and salary depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Check out the latest setting out engineer vacancies:

As these are external websites, the number of vacancies related to your preferred role may vary. New opportunities will be posted as they come up.

Career path and progression

You could start out as a junior or trainee setting out engineer. With specific training, you could become a building or civil engineer, or a surveyor.

You could also choose to become a site or project manager. Some people set up their own business and work freelance.

You could increase your employability and earn a higher salary by gaining chartered status through the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or another professional institution.