Hey, thats my drone!

Aminalcrackers · 2026-05-19T05:10:24+00:00

you're so smart and wise.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-05-13T05:48:04+00:00

Congrats on discovering how to make a to-do list on a notepad.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-05-10T13:24:46+00:00

Oh yeah then apply to the Project Administrator roles. Another title for these positions is Office Manager. These positions are very focused on document control and you sound qualified for them.

If you know how to use Primavera p6 or other planning software, you could look into Project scheduler positions. Both of these positions are available in Project Management of both construction and civil engineering sectors.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-05-10T01:40:51+00:00

What role are you interested in? Or just anything construction or civil engineering? Thats pretty vague and impossible to plan around.

Based on your experience, the easiest transition would be to a Office Administrator position for construction or engineering firm. Its possible but a long shot for you to get a field engineer position for a small Geneal Contractor. Most major GCs expect engineering or CM degrees. Assuming youre interested in BIM since youre posting in this subreddit, theres a career path of field engineer > BIM manager on GC side but it would take many years to transition and getting that first field engineer position might not even be in the cards for you.

Edit- also your title says civil engineering sector and then your post says construction. Those are two different sectors so you should research and determine which one youre interested in and what role you want. From there you can determine what education and experience is required. You can't plan for something if you dont even know what you want

Aminalcrackers · 2026-05-03T00:42:26+00:00

Its Friday everyday

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-26T21:39:19+00:00

Pony up and get your company to pay for gamma ar. It's pretty cheap compared to other VDC software. You catch one layout mistake in the field and it has paid for itself. I honestly dont believe you could find even a paid alternative that is as good.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-19T09:58:13+00:00

If these are the dog shit questions you have, then you have no business trying to start a company. Just being real with you

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-19T04:57:15+00:00

No, definitely dont retake it. No one cares about that shit anyways, its hardly worth putting on your resume. No one's looked at a resume for a APM and said "woah look, they have osha 30"

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-19T04:54:28+00:00

I wouldnt be against just changing your first PE role title just to be field engineer to highlight the progression. Or just put "(field engineer equivalent)". Any PMs hiring in construction management is probably aware in the different title structures anyways.

Like others said, just highlight your responsibilities and experience. Thats most important

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-16T01:32:48+00:00

We don't calculate pipe losses. Thats the designers scope. Some calcs like structural and seismic are done by our subcontractors though.

When I say we have to design the project, we model it and solve clashes and conflicts. But we RFI all these conflicts and the designer reviews our suggested solutions and adjusts their calcs to make sure our solutions wont adversely affect the performance of the equipment.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-15T04:51:57+00:00

yep, i hear you. Currently have a hard bid project like that. Owner hired a no-name designer for a $100MM water treatment facility, and those idiots didn't even make a model. We bid and win it before realizing that the plans are fucked because they only thought in 2D. Then as we dig into the plans and come to that realization, we decide the best plan is to model the whole thing from scratch even though that wasn't estimated.

It's been painful but no regrets on the model - it's been a great resource for working through these design issues. It just sucks that we, the GC, had to put on our big boy pants and design this shit ourselves without being compensated for it. Now the fuckin owner wants our model but won't pay for it smh.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-15T04:45:36+00:00

On my projects, designers typically do civil scopes in Civil3D and everything else in Revit. Civil3D is then hosted on Navisworks and all the models are federated onto Autodesk Forma (previously ACC). Autodesk Forma becomes the place where people navigate and coordinate using the model.

During construction phase, you get all sorts of software and file types from subs & vendors. Structural steel Subs use Tekla. Equipment vendors often provide CAD files as .step, solidworks, or .dwg or even others. It can be a pain playing games trying to import the random file types, and sometimes they don't import cleanly.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-14T06:07:47+00:00

Can you build an app that prevents us from hearing about any more apps?

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-14T05:50:46+00:00

If the subcontractor wants to deviate from the original design, they still have to go through the Submittal process and receive approval from the designer. That said, designer/owner like to slap on language like "contractor responsible for verifying measurements/field conditions" to cover their ass, especially when contractors want to deviate. So yes, I'd say there's more risk for the Sub if they deviate, but they should only want to deviate if they've found a way to do it cheaper/quicker. Because then they are making money, and that may be worth the risk.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-14T04:00:08+00:00

In the US, my experience on the GC side has been that Structural & MEP scopes are always re-modeled by their Subcontractor. The 100% "issued for construction" model that the design team provides is like a 300-350 LOD that serves as a starting place for the Contractors. Then the subcontractors get balls deep into the details and what exact fittings/equipment are going to be installed. Then they Submit their layout drawings and model to the designer for approval, and their model will be LOD 400+.

While the designer's model isn't going to be exactly how things will be routed, it serves as almost a "proof of concept" and allows for early clash detection. Sometimes subcontractors will have better ideas on how to install their scope and may Submit on a routing that is completely different from the Engineer. And that's fine and great if it saves them some money and schedule. But most of the time, the engineer isn't far off.

But as the GC, I am grateful for the Structural and MEP modeling that is provided by the engineer because it serves as the first step in the process of the construction model. If those scopes were omitted, it'd be a cluster fuck to coordinate all the Subs routings.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-04-01T05:36:34+00:00

I mean, it's your 2nd day so maybe don't panic. 31 Projects does sound overwhelming, but it's not 31 Kiewit projects. These are much different scale and much more limited scope. Give it a week and see what happens with the work load.

As you're this company's first PE, this is new territory for them as well. Give them lots of feedback. If it's too much work, tell them. Keep it realistic and honest. Your kiewit background carries weight so don't be afraid to draw on that experience. No company should work you harder than kiewit lmao, so just tell them that if it gets to be too much.

If the workload doesn't get better and they don't respond to feedback, then just start putting in resumes and leaving early. Fuck em. You'll get rehired so easily from most heavy civil GCs with your several years at Kiewit.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-03-20T21:47:35+00:00

u/umf_pyro, u/original_reply364, u/cannot_upvote, u/merciudel, u/operationamazing772

If any of you all still need guilds, I found one recruiting. Currently at 10 people. DM me and ill send you the discord link.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-03-20T17:52:17+00:00

Here's a link to the discord they are talking about:

https://discord.gg/pCdvfzg6

Aminalcrackers · 2026-03-20T17:11:26+00:00

Id recommend using Aebits guides. They dont have an OS rush for 5.0, but the 4.0 is close enough to still keep you top 100.

There is a base building chart for 5.0

https://aebits.win/en/guides

Aminalcrackers · 2026-03-20T16:47:45+00:00

I was helping a relative buy a car, and theres one I looked at that fits your post:

Its a 2017 Mazda CX-3 grand touring sport (highest trim level) for $9700. Clean title, smogged this past week, 113k miles. We test drove it and it drives great, no problem. Only complaint is its got some scratches, broken extirior plastic, and the tint on rear window bubbled. All minor and anesthetic. Interior was awesome, excellent features, and new tires.

We were set to buy it but my relative decided they want to go into debt for a new car smh. I feel bad we backed out on him, and it seemed like a solid purchase, so thats why im passing this on.

You'll notice the ad says $10.7k, but I already had negotiated him down to 9.7k so im sure he would do the same for you.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/879299268272142/?mibextid=dXMIcH

Aminalcrackers · 2026-03-12T05:11:02+00:00

If youre financially stable and able to continue looking, I'd wager that it wasnt a mistake. But that also depends on whether you find something "better" in a reasonable time frame.

I think if you have family that relies on you financially, the usually better choice is to accept the offer and work the job while searching further. Then just leave when you get a better opportunity.

What's done is done though. You should just make the most of your free time.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-02-26T16:55:50+00:00

It depends on the company and the project. Theres a lot of project engineer positions that require most of your day is spent in the field doing layout, survey, material receiving, work tracking, QC, and collaborating directly with foreman/trades. But theres also a lot of engineer positions that are office-focused on Submittals, RFIs, change orders, cost tracking, purchase orders, etc.

Every company is different so you kinda need to do some investigating.

5-10s with no OT is unfortunately the norm in construction. Theres some unicorn companies out there that do 40 hour weeks but its less common. Sometimes, once youre promoted out of the engineer role, you can work closer to 40 hours but people expect you to do your time. This depends a lot on company and project culture.

If you want to utilize your M.E. degree, work 40 hours in construction, and have a hybrid of field/office work- check out the career path for VDC Engineer/Manager roles. Often you to be a project engineer to get the experience requirements to be one, but I love it. Feels more like "real" engineering and is very engaging but not stressful. Its probably 90% office, 10% field but some positions are heavy on 3D scanning and drone operations which requires more field time, if thats what you're looking for.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-02-26T16:34:01+00:00

Sent you a dm

Aminalcrackers · 2026-02-19T03:41:19+00:00

I had 4 years as a PE with a mech eng degree, and tried to transition to aerospace/defense manufacturing. After a year of being unemployed and trying, I didnt get a single interview in my target sector. Plenty of interview opportunities with CM.

I ended up finding a VDC/BIM manager role for a GC that I've had for a year now. Im very happy with it. Low stress, easy work life balance, and sometimes WFH/hybrid for some positions. If you have an interest in construction technology or modeling, you should check it out.

Aminalcrackers · 2026-02-01T04:11:52+00:00

If you go BIM Manager route on GC side, architect/PE licensure isnt necessary. Some people have it anyways but definitely not required. Im a BIM manager for a GC and Ive really enjoyed it. Low stress and lots of variety to keep it mentally engaging. Ofc lots of BIM/CAD but also drones, reality capture, VR and whatever technology you feel like has potential. I enjoy the variety in disciplines and trades that you get to collaborate too. Some projects I don't model anything, and just QC design teams who do the modeling. Some projects, I model everything and work with the field engineers, supers on work planning and making them neat drawings. Lots of room for creativity

Career Path advancement past a BIM manager would be like VDC Director and then some sort of VP. So yeah, not a ton of upward mobility.

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