Those considering a career in either architecture or engineering may wish to consider geometric engineering as an area of specialization. Geometric engineers play an important role in the civil engineering field by providing specialized design services to clients. Geometric engineers may serve as consultants, or may work specifically for civil engineering firms that provide architectural and engineering services.

Job Description

Geometric engineers are civil engineers who use computer-aided design to create roads, bridges and other forms of infrastructure using geometric design and patterns. Geometric engineers create designs according to client specifications and provide consultations to clients when necessary. They also prepare the design drawings and any other reports and paperwork necessary to complete each project they create and oversee. Geometric engineers may also manage the construction of a project and oversee its implementation.

Requirements

The typical path to becoming a geometric engineer involves the completion of a bachelor's degree program in engineering. A degree program with a concentration in civil engineering will best prepare someone planning to enter this field. Specialized training to differentiate oneself as a geometric engineer may also be required, but this is generally picked up along the way as civil engineers familiarize themselves with basic software used by geometric engineers. A master's degree can be helpful, but is not usually required to break into the field.

Salary

The salary of geometric and other civil engineers is on par with many other careers in the engineering field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for civil engineers was approximately $82,300 per year, as of May 2010. The median salary for those working in this field was $77,600 per year, with the highest paid civil engineers bringing home more than $119,000 on an annual basis. Those in the middle 50 percent of the pay scale made between $61,600 per year and $98,000 per year.

Job Outlook

Of all the engineering fields, the civil engineering field has one of the brightest job outlooks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates an expected job growth rate of 24 percent through 2018. This is a rate of growth that is more than double the rate of growth expected for all other engineering disciplines combined, which will grow at a rate of about 11 percent, according to the bureau. Job prospects for geometric engineers should be good because much of the job growth in civil engineering is expected to result from an increased emphasis on infrastructure.