Civil Engineering Software & Codes Explained | Skills

Are you wondering what software and code experience you need to work as a Civil Engineer?

Most civil engineering roles require experience with industry-standard design software and nationally recognised engineering codes.

The exact requirements depend on your discipline (structures, highways, water, tunnelling) and region, but the following are the most commonly expected.

1. Core civil engineering software

Here's a list of all the core civil engineering software broken down in categories for design and drafting, structural analysis & design, Geotechnical & tunnelling and finally water & utilities. These types of civil engineering softwares are highly recognised within the industry.

Design & Drafting:

AutoCAD – essential for drawings and detailing
Civil 3D – highways, drainage, earthworks, alignments
Revit / BIM software – multidisciplinary coordination and BIM Level 2+ projects

Structural analysis & design:

ETABS / SAFE – buildings and structural systems
STAAD.Pro – general structural design
Robot Structural Analysis – Eurocode-based design
MIDAS / LUSAS / SAP2000 – bridges, complex structures

Geotechnical & Tunnelling

PLAXIS – soil–structure interaction
GeoStudio – slope stability and seepage
FLAC / RS2 – advanced geotechnical analysis

Water & Utilities

InfoWorks ICM / WS Pro – drainage and flood modelling
EPANET – water distribution networks
HEC-RAS – river hydraulics and flood risk

2. Common civil engineering codes and standards

There are many common civil engineering codes and standards which are recognised globally, but each region has different standards.

United Kingdom & Europe

Eurocodes (EN 1990–1999) – structural design
BS Standards – materials, testing, and construction
DMRB – highways and infrastructure
Sewers for Adoption / Design Manual for Roads and Bridges

United States

AASHTO – highways and bridges
ACI – concrete design
ASCE – structural and loading standards

Middle East, Australia & international projects

British Standards & Eurocodes (widely used)
Austroads – road design
Local authority standards (municipal approvals)

3. What employers typically expect by career level

Graduate civil engineers

AutoCAD or Civil 3D
Basic understanding of design codes
Exposure to BIM principles

Mid-level civil engineers

Discipline-specific analysis software
Independent design to relevant codes
Coordination using BIM platforms

Senior / chartered civil engineers

Code interpretation and approval responsibility
Multidisciplinary software knowledge
Technical assurance and compliance leadership

Do I need to know all of these?

No, employers typically expect civil engineering professionals to have:

1–2 core software tools (such as AutoCAD or Civil 3D)
Strong knowledge of relevant design codes
Ability to learn new platforms quickly

Depth in your discipline is more important than knowing every tool.

Why Civil Engineering Professionals Choose Navartis

We are a marketing leading specialist civil engineering recruitment agency. We pride ourselves on the quality of our recruitment service and have helped thousands of civil engineering professionals over the years secure civil engineering roles across the globe. We also offer;

Fast deployment onto leading civil engineering projects
Strong industry relationships and exclusive opportunities
Clear communication and dependable support
A compliance-first approach to keep you site-ready
Long-term partnerships that grow with your civil engineering career

Whether you’re a contractor looking for your next civil engineering project or you’re looking for a new permanent civil engineering role, Navartis is here to help you secure the right opportunity with the right employer within the civil engineering sector.

Ready to Move Forward in Your Civil Engineering Career?

If you're looking for a new opportunity within the civil engineering industry, take the next step with a team of civil engineering recruitment experts who understands the civil engineering industry inside out. We are trusted and well positioned to help you secure your next move within the civil engineering sector.

Civil Engineering Jobs

Find out more about what we recruit within the civil engineering industry

At Navartis, we recruit across the full spectrum of the civil engineering sector, supporting civil engineering projects from design and engineering through to construction, delivery and maintenance.

Our specialist teams place skilled professionals in civil engineering roles spanning renewable civil engineering, nuclear, and transmission & distribution. Whether you're a contractor looking for your next civil engineering assignment or a permanent professional seeking long-term progression within the civil engineering sector, we connect you with opportunities across major civil engineering operators, consultancies and tier-one contractors.

Explore the breadth of civil engineering disciplines we cover and discover where your next career move could take you.