Computer and Design Skills
The structural engineer needs to know how to use SACS, ANSYS, and/or other related engineering software. SACS software helps engineers to analyze and design offshore oil and gas production platforms. ANSYS is an engineering software suite that incorporates principles of physics so that engineers can come up with designs for any scientific or technological use.
Structural engineers need to know how to design foundations using masonry, concrete, steel, or other materials as conditions warrant. For an oil refinery, the structural engineer may design pipe racks for the processing equipment and pipes to carry the oil in addition to designing foundations.
Problem-Solving Ability
Structural engineers need to know how to fix problems on oil and gas platforms, in refineries, and with other structures. This requires the ability to do load and lifting analyses and other problem solving.
Making Safety Important
The engineer must ensure that the oil and gas structures are in compliance with domestic safety standards. If he is working in a foreign country, the structures must be in compliance with local and/or international standards. The wise structural engineer develops a plan for safety inspections of the structures and keeps an eye on the maintenance and repair of them. The lead structural engineer determines when shifts in the earth’s crust (seismic analysis) and the wind are dangerous to structures.
Willingness to be a Team Player
The structural engineer should be a good communicator since he works with other engineers, subcontractors, vendors, clients, drafters, other designers, and pipeline, platform, and refinery workers.
Willingness to Travel
Since many firms are based in one city but do work in other cities or countries, structural engineers do various amounts of traveling.
Cost Calculator.
Structural engineers calculate the costs of building and maintaining structures.
Finally, a word about education. Students looking to earn a degree in structural engineering should ensure that they enroll in a college or university that’s accredited by ABET, Inc, formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. While in college, students should find engineering jobs in the oil and gas industry because employers look for hands-on experience.
A person with some seasoning should aim to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before an apprenticeship. Then, after working four years and passing another engineer’s exam, the test taker receives an engineer’s license. So that first engineering job is the path to an engineer’s license.