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Temporary Civil Engineer Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Carpenter

Columbia, SC

$20 - $27.25/hr

Join MasTec Civil, a MasTec Company, in Columbia, SC, and help build the roads, bridges, and ... A Carpenter is a craft hourly-rated position involved in interpreting basic engineering drawings to ...

Carpenter

Columbia, SC ยท On-site

$20 - $27.25/hr

Join MasTec Civil, a MasTec Company, in Columbia, SC, and help build the roads, bridges, and ... A Carpenter is a craft hourly-rated position involved in interpreting basic engineering drawings to ...

Carpenter

Columbia, SC

$20 - $27.25/hr

Join MasTec Civil, a MasTec Company, in Columbia, SC, and help build the roads, bridges, and ... A Carpenter is a craft hourly-rated position involved in interpreting basic engineering drawings to ...

Roadway Engineer

Columbia, SC ยท On-site

$63K - $111K/yr

Analyze and prepare roadway and Temporary Traffic Control Plans (TTCP) designs, calculations and ... Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (or related field) and 3+ years of related work experience

Roadway Engineer

Columbia, SC ยท On-site

$63K - $111K/yr

Analyze and prepare roadway and Temporary Traffic Control Plans (TTCP) designs, calculations and ... Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (or related field) and 3+ years of related work experience

Member of Nuclear Staff

Columbia, SC ยท On-site

$91K - $109K/yr

Constructability, modular construction, heavy lifts, temporary works, and field engineering ... Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Nuclear ...

Member of Nuclear Staff

Columbia, SC ยท On-site

$91K - $109K/yr

Constructability, modular construction, heavy lifts, temporary works, and field engineering ... Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Nuclear ...

Senior Traffic Engineer/Project Manager

Columbia, SC ยท On-site

$91K - $119K/yr

... and pavement marking, temporary traffic control, and ITS. The ideal candidate will be a ... Bachelor's degree in Civil or Transportation Engineering or related field. * Professional Engineer ...

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Showing results 1-20

Temporary Civil Engineer information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$35.2K

$76.5K

$113.8K

How much do temporary civil engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary civil engineer in Columbia, SC is $76,484.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,400.00 and $91,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary civil engineer?

Temporary civil engineers are professionals hired on a short-term basis to work on civil engineering projects, such as construction, infrastructure, or public works. Their contracts typically last for the duration of a specific project or a set period, filling gaps in staffing or providing specialized expertise. Temporary civil engineers perform duties similar to permanent staff, including designing, planning, and overseeing construction activities, but their employment is limited in scope and time. This arrangement allows companies to efficiently manage workloads and project demands without committing to long-term employment.

What does a temporary civil engineer do?

As a temporary civil engineer, you complete all of the responsibilities of a civil engineer, except you are under contract for an individual project. Your duties may involve designing or evaluating a building plan, supervising construction, providing maintenance for infrastructure systems, obtaining permits, identifying cost estimates, using design software, and analyzing data before and during the building process. You may also conduct fieldwork to inspect concerns and recommend plan revisions to supervisors. You can work for private or public businesses and companies, or perform freelance services. Some industries you may work in include construction, structural, geotechnical, and transportation engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary civil engineer?

To thrive as a Temporary Civil Engineer, you need a solid understanding of civil engineering principles, a relevant engineering degree, and often a professional engineering (PE) license. Familiarity with industry-standard software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and project management tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and adaptability are important soft skills for working within project teams and adjusting to new environments. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring project quality, safety, and timely completion in short-term or contract-based roles.

What are some common challenges faced by temporary civil engineers, and how can they effectively integrate into new project teams?

Temporary civil engineers often face the challenge of quickly adapting to new project environments and team dynamics. Since assignments can vary in duration and scope, it's important to rapidly familiarize yourself with project documentation, site requirements, and company protocols. Building strong communication with permanent staff and proactively seeking clarification on expectations helps ensure seamless collaboration. Demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to learn can also foster trust and make the transition smoother.

What is the difference between Temporary Civil Engineer vs Civil Engineering Technician?

AspectTemporary Civil EngineerCivil Engineering Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in civil engineering; may require engineering licenseAssociate's degree or diploma in civil engineering technology
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, engineering firms, project managementDesign offices, construction sites, field surveys
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by engineering firms and construction companies for project-based rolesEmployed by engineering firms, government agencies, and contractors for technical support

The main difference is that Temporary Civil Engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree and may be licensed, focusing on project management and design, while Civil Engineering Technicians usually have an associate degree and support engineering projects through technical tasks. Both roles are essential in construction and engineering projects but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

Can you work remotely as a temporary civil engineer?

Temporary civil engineers typically work on-site at construction sites, project locations, or engineering offices, but some roles may offer remote or hybrid work options depending on the employer and project requirements. Remote work is less common due to the hands-on nature of civil engineering tasks, site inspections, and collaboration with field teams, but certain design or planning tasks can sometimes be performed remotely with appropriate software tools. Certifications and experience in project management or design software can facilitate remote work opportunities in this field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Civil Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC?

The most popular types of Civil Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC are:

Infographic showing various Temporary Civil Engineer job openings in Columbia, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $76,484 per year, or $36.8 per hour.

Civil Engineering Intern - Geotech

Schnabel Engineering, Inc.

West Columbia, SC โ€ข On-site

$19 - $25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Perform geotechnical field work including observing subsurface exploration, using GPS to layout borings, and performing infiltration testing

  • Perform construction observation and materials testing at construction sites

  • Create basic plans and figures using AutoCAD and GIS


Job description

Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabelโ€™s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 32 offices throughout the United States

Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.ย 

Benefit options include:ย 

  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
  • Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
  • Long-term disability
  • Supplemental life insurance
  • 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
  • Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
  • Bonus program
  • Paid time off
  • 9 Paid Holidays
  • Wellness program
  • Professional development and tuition reimbursement

Job Description:ย 

Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun and flexible atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation. Schnabel is seeking a temporary full-time intern with a Civil Engineering background to support our growing business. The emphasis for this position is broadening the internโ€™s practical knowledge and experience by applying professional principles to real problems under the supervision of senior engineering personnel. The position will be held from May through August of 2027.ย 

Job Responsibilities:ย 

  • Performing geotechnical field work including observing geotechnical subsurface exploration, using GPS to layout borings, and performing infiltration testingย 
  • Performing construction observation and materials testing at construction sitesย 
  • Performing laboratory testingย 
  • Create basic plans and figures using AutoCAD and GISย 
  • Providing support to engineers on preparing geotechnical proposals and reportsย 
  • Some travel may be requiredย 

            Required Skills/Experience:ย 

            • Current enrollment in an ABET-accredited Civil Engineering Bachelorโ€™s. Enrollment in other college engineering or relevant science programs may be considered.ย 
            • Possess good oral and written communication skills and computer literacyย 
            • Ability to work with direction as part of a teamย 
            • Willingness to perform a variety of tasks including office and field workย 
            • Desire and willingness to work outdoorsย 
            • Ability to routinely lift up to 50 poundsย 

                      Preferred Skills/Experience:ย 

                      • Masterโ€™s degree in Civil Engineeringย 
                      • Junior, senior, and graduate studentsย ย 
                      • Prior professional work or summer intern work in a related fieldย 

                          Other Requirements:ย 

                          • Must possess a valid U.S. driverโ€™s license as driving is an essential function of the jobย 
                          • Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record and credit checkย 
                          • Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screeningย 

                              The compensation range for a Civil Engineering Intern is between $19.00 to $25.00.ย  Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.ย