Structural Engineer
On this page
- What's it like to be a Structural Engineer?
- How to become a Structural Engineer
- Latest Structural Engineer jobs
- Top skills and experience for Structural Engineers
What's it like to be a Structural Engineer?
Structural Engineers focus on designing strong but flexible structures that can maintain their integrity against any kind of physical force. These forces include gravity loads (like the weight of vehicles on a bridge) and lateral loads (such as wind speed and earthquakes). Given the type of designs they have to create, Structural Engineers need strong scientific and mathematical skills.
Tasks and duties
- Calculating the maximum stress that infrastructure may have to sustain.
- Analysing the strength and durability of new building materials.
- Studying natural hazards, such as waves and wind speed, in and around the construction area.
- Checking existing buildings for structural integrity, and recommending necessary repairs.
- Designing and testing building models using software.
- Working with Civil Engineers and Architects for the overall design and construction of a project.
- Ensuring each project meets health, safety, and legal requirements.
Structural engineering is one of the sub-disciplines of civil engineering. Structural Engineers focus on ensuring the strength and stability of the materials, framework and design of a structure.
How to become a Structural Engineer
Structural engineering is a specialised role, requiring an undergraduate degree, a masters degree, and much experience.
Earn a bachelor degree, majoring in civil or structural engineering, from a university or college recognised by the Professional Engineers Board Singapore.
Attend graduate school and earn a master of science degree in structural engineering.
Sit and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering examination and the Practice of Professional Engineering examination prescribed by the Professional Engineers Board Singapore. You will then need to attend an interview. These steps lead to registration as a professional Engineer.
Work as an intern in the structural engineering field to gain experience.
Consider further studies on specialised areas of structural engineering, such as earthquake engineering, wind engineering, fire engineering, and tower engineering.
