21300

Civil engineers

TEER 1 — Usually require a university degree

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: Yes
In demand in Manitoba: Yes

Classification

Natural & applied sciences

2 › 21 › 213 › 2130

Definition

Civil engineers plan, design, develop and manage projects for the construction or repair of buildings, earth structures, powerhouses, roads, airports, railways, rapid transit facilities, bridges, tunnels, canals, dams, ports and coastal installations and systems related to highway and transportation services, water distribution and sanitation. Civil engineers may also specialize in foundation analysis, building and structural inspection, surveying, geomatics and municipal planning. They are employed by engineering consulting companies, in all levels of government, by construction firms and in many other industries, or they may be self-employed.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Confer with clients and other members of the engineering team and conduct research to determine project requirements
Plan and design major civil projects such as buildings, roads, bridges, dams, water and waste management systems and structural steel fabrications
Develop construction specifications and procedures
Evaluate and recommend appropriate building and construction materials
Interpret, review and approve survey and civil design work
Conduct field services for civil works
Ensure construction plans meet guidelines and specifications of building codes and other regulations
Establish and monitor construction work schedules
Conduct feasibility studies, economic analyses, municipal and regional traffic studies, environmental impact studies or other investigations
Monitor air, water and soil quality and develop procedures to clean up contaminated sites
Conduct technical analyses of survey and field data for development of topographic, soil, hydrological or other information and prepare reports
Act as project or site supervisor for land survey or construction work
Prepare contract documents and review and evaluate tenders for construction projects
Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.

Example job titles

•bridge engineer
•civil engineer
•construction engineer
•construction project engineer
•environmental engineer
•geodetic engineer
•geomatics engineer
•highway engineer

Overview

Civil engineers under NOC 21300 are responsible for planning, designing, developing, and managing projects for the construction or repair of key Canadian infrastructure, including buildings, roads, bridges, and water systems. Classified as TEER 1 under the NOC 2021 system, this professional occupation is eligible for key Canadian immigration pathways, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) managed through Express Entry, as well as various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

To meet the employment requirements, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related engineering discipline. Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is mandatory to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Key duties under ESDC guidelines include conducting feasibility studies, analyzing technical reports, and supervising construction sites to ensure compliance with safety and design specifications.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or the official IRCC website for certified legal counsel.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.