Professional figure:
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Main functions:
Referring to highly complex structures (buildings, roofs, bridges, tanks, etc.), they lead the design phase, starting with the design and as far as the definition of construction details: they model the structure using a calculation method, draw up load analyses and calculate stress, design and verify structural elements, produce graphic reports complete with construction details and calculation reports. They select the most appropriate materials and technology for the specific structural application. They assess the level of safety of a newly designed or existing structure, with reference to the requirements of modern performance standards; they use even complex calculation software to carry out linear, non linear and dynamic structural analyses; they possess specific skills in the field of design in seismic areas. They design interventions for the consolidation of buildings, including the use of innovative materials. They carry out experimental tests on even complex structures and critically interpret the relative data.
Professional figure:
HYDRAULIC ENGINEER FOR TERRITORIAL MANAGEMENT
Main functions:
With reference to even highly complex hydraulic infrastructures (hydrographical basins and complexes, mains water networks, sewage systems and drainage land, water lifting and hydroelectric systems, torrents, rivers, estuaries, beaches and ports) they carry out 1) functional analyses, 2) design of interventions, from the initial idea to the design of construction details, 3) control of correct execution, 4) response monitoring.
In this field they choose the appropriate stress conditions (precipitation, discharge, waves), model infrastructural behaviour using appropriate models (physical or numeric), design and verify structural elements and systems, produce graphic reports complete with construction details and reports to accompany the designs.
They carry out even complex experimental tests on physical models or prototype measurements and critically interpret the results.
Professional figure:
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER
Main functions:
With reference to even highly complex transport infrastructures (roads, motorways, railways, airports), they deal with the design (from preliminary to executive), construction and maintenance with particular reference to safety and environmental impact. They possess specific skills in the design of such works in seismic areas. They can autonomously manage problems concerning the design of main support works (shafts, walls, braced walls). The main skills concerning therefore the construction and design of roads, railways and airports, maintenance of road infrastructure and the organisation and management of infrastructure worksites and systems.
Professional figure:
TRANSPORT ENGINEER
Main functions:
They design various types of even complex transport networks which include several transport modes and in particular the following types of network: urban and extra-urban road transport; collective urban rail and road transport; rail, maritime and air transport. They know how to deal with the problems of transport systems planning considering supply, demand and interaction. They are familiar with the most common software programmes used internationally for the design and planning of various kinds of transport system networks. They produce urban transport plans, considering the following aspects: operational (traffic), economic and environmental impact. They execute the detailed design of even complex hubs: road intersections with and without traffic lights, stations, airports, ports, intermodal centres.
They possess the skills needed to participate in the organisation, management and supervision of services delivered by the following: collective urban transport systems, collective extra-urban road transport systems, regional and national rail transport, air and maritime transport.
Professional figure:
SURVEY ENGINEER
Main functions:
They design, execute and supervise complex surveying activities, using the most modern geomatics techniques for the purposes of surveying, monitoring and representing structures and the territory. They identify the most appropriate operative methods for the specific applications in the engineering field using the methodologies inherent to topography, digital photogrammetry and image analysis, spatial geodesics (GPS), aerial and ground-based laser scanning, aerial or satellite multispectral remote sensing. They work in the execution, testing and management of topographic databases, Territorial Information Systems and GIS, numeric cartography, cadastral systems.
They carry out controls, also for the purposes of testing, during the execution and management of works and infrastructures, and know how to implement specialist surveys with high precision in order to monitor structures.
They are able to carry out highly complex experiments and critically analyse the results.
Professional figure:
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
Main functions:
With reference to the execution of all civil engineering works, they identify geotechnical problems, manage their analysis through the appropriate characterisation of the involved soils, process and implement suitable geotechnical models to study the soil response and its interaction with structures. They also identify appropriate design solutions and develop calculations and relative, possibly innovative, intervention methods with particular attention to issues concerning execution.
Finally, they design even advanced appropriate geotechnical surveying programmes, assuring the correct execution, critically interpret data and establish relevant parameters.
Professional figure:
CIVIL CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER
Main functions:
Starting from an architectural design, they produce the structural design and make constructive choices, in collaboration with other specialist technicians (systems technicians, electricians) and with the architect, within an integrated works project. They are familiar with the most recent standards concerning energy savings for building heating and can make the relative calculations, produce technical heating projects concerning the building covering and can analyse the relative building-system system in order to minimise consumption without compromising on the wellbeing of its occupants.
They carry out applied research into the technological features of even innovative materials and processes. They define and design standards and procedures to assure the functionality and safety of structures.
They have specific skills in the field of surveying for Cultural Heritage and in the use of Geomatics techniques integrated with other diagnostic methods.
Professional figure:
ENGINEER – WORKS DIRECTOR
Main functions:
In various civil engineering fields (building, hydraulic and geotechnical works, infrastructure and transport), they control and plan the execution of works on behalf of the contractor (Worksite Manager-Engineer) or on behalf of the Contracting Authority (Works Director). They provide their services throughout the whole project (General Works Director) or only for specific interventions (Structural/Technical Systems Works Director, for the organisation and topographic surveying operations for large works or numeric cartography, etc.).
Professional figure:
CONTROL ENGINEER FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND GOODS PRODUCTION
Main functions:
They cover the position of production manager in companies which manufacture materials for civil works (concrete, steel for frames and reinforced concrete, bituminous binders, bituminous conglomerates) and the execution of prefabricated structural and non-structural elements. They plan production according to orders, assure the procurement of materials, oversee routine controls on materials and mass-produced goods, also using advanced surveying methods to control geometries and modifications.
Professional figure:
SAFETY ENGINEER FOR INFRASTRUCTURES AND CIVIL DEFENCE
Main functions:
They design, implement and manage engineering works to safeguard the population and make civil buildings and infrastructures safe from hydraulic, geological and seismic risks. They are experts in the field of information management and cartography in risk areas. They know how to characterise and interpret different event scenarios that are useful for risk forecasting and prevention. They design infrastructures to make civil settlements safe and plan structural and non-structural interventions to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. They collaborate on environmental impact studies concerning civil infrastructures and the development of emergency procedures for civil defence. Furthermore, with reference to civil works, they draw up the Operational Safety Plan (“POS”). They understand the implications of the most recent criteria in the field of worksite operator safety, and can satisfy the requirements of Italian law 626 concerning worksite safety and health protection in the surrounding residential areas.
Career opportunities:
Engineer employed by the civil service and local administrations: specialist technical role in local authorities (Municipalities, Provinces, Regions, Mountain authorities) and national bodies (Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Transport, Motorways Authority, ANAS SpA (Italian roads authority), State Railways, National Civil Aviation Authority - ENAC, etc.) in various fields of Civil Engineering, including the design, management and control of civil and building works, hydraulic works, infrastructure, transport systems and territorial interventions, as well as the management and representation of the territory and its works. Specialist technical role in authorities managing the reduction and control of risks linked to civil works (Civil Defence, Fire Brigade, etc. ).
Engineer employed by companies: specialist technical role in construction companies, for the management of public and private construction sites, as well as transport infrastructure. They control production and assure quality control in companies which manufacture materials for civil works (concrete, steel for frames and reinforced concrete, bituminous binders, bituminous conglomerates) and the execution of prefabricated structural and non-structural elements. Specialist technical role in companies working in the urban and extra-urban territory (airport infrastructure management companies, motorway concession companies, mobility managers) which require technical and operational management skills in the design of even highly complex works and management and control skills relative to Territorial Information Systems. Specialist technical role in the management, organisation and direction of services provided by transport companies, passenger and goods transport, working in the municipal, provincial, regional and national level, including collective urban transport companies, regional and national railway companies, air and maritime transport companies.
Freelance Engineer: Having passed the state examination, in compliance with the applicable regulations, graduates in Civil Engineering may register with Section A of the professional association and freely exercise the private profession. They may therefore sign even highly complex civil works projects, either individually or as part of a design team. They may also follow the execution of civil building works, hydraulic works, infrastructures, geotechnical works, surveying, in the role of Works Director. As a freelance engineer, they may also carry out the activities listed in the above profiles as an external collaborator on projects on behalf of public administrations, authorities and companies, or providing their services directly to private contractors.
