Engineering Design and Construction Engineering Design and Construction

Take the opportunity to work around the world on large-scale projects for multinational clients.

Every company that produces ready products from raw materials may need the services of the engineering design and construction (EDC) industry, a sector that provides the necessary infrastructure and technology for manufacturing processes.

Typically, EDC companies are appointed by major organisations to oversee largescale projects that can be worth billions of dollars, such as building a new oil refinery or refitting an old chemical plant. Their job is to turn such requirements into commercial realities through the conceptualisation, procurement, construction and initial operation of the project.

Career overview

EDC engineers are essentially contractors who cater to the specialised needs of clients such as petrochemical companies, chemical manufacturers and processed food producers. The industry is divided into two distinct divisions: “onshore” and “offshore”.

This is further split into hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon-based sectors. EDC engineers working in the hydrocarbon field generally work on projects related to oil and gas production, but may also be contracted by manufacturers of chemicals and polymers.

The non-hydrocarbon industry has more diversity, servicing areas of work such as pharmaceuticals, foods, minerals and metals, water treatment, industrial gases and environmental treatment.

Trends and developments

As an area that caters to a variety of industries, the EDC sector is often affected by many of the vagaries that impact other sectors as well. These may include hot-topic issues such as commodity prices, energy scarcity, construction, development of sustainable energy sources and reducing carbon emissions. As such, EDC engineers need to pay special attention to such factors when working on projects.

Another important issue in this industry is health and safety. It’s paramount for EDC contractors to ensure that all projects they work on adhere to international health and safety standards while still keeping costs as low as possible.

Career highlights

Training and support

Many employers have accredited training programmes that require engineers to experience all phases of projects and types of work.

Moreover, future career direction is usually something a graduate engineer discusses in conjunction with their supervisor and mentor – for those on an accredited training scheme – to ensure that the right level of training and experience is planned and completed to match not only their aspirations, but the business needs of the company as well.

Foreign travel

Plants are built in challenging places all over the world – including deserts and in the oceans – so foreign travel will be a routine feature of work.

Although it may be challenging, the chance to travel and work in many different locations is often a highlight for many engineers in this field.

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