Skills & knowledge Civil engineers need to have knowledge of: civil engineering and surveying methods relevant legislation such as the Resource Management Act, the New Zealand Building Code, by-laws and town planning regulations building materials, and how they work. Personal Qualities Civil engineers need to be: skilled at analysing and interpreting information practical and logical, with good problem-solving skills safety-conscious good at planning and organising creative and innovative, with good design skills able to work well under pressure able to work independently and in a team.