As a seconded engineer at CLERHP, I've had the opportunity to work in various Latin American countries: Bolivia, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic. Each experience has shown me that on-site presence isn't a perk, but a strategic necessity to ensure quality, meet deadlines, and instill confidence in both clients and investors.
Throughout my career, I've seen that being on-site completely changes the dynamics of a project. It's not just about supervising structures, but also anticipating problems, making immediate decisions, strengthening communication with local teams, and strengthening relationships with those who place their trust in us. In this article, I want to share my personal and professional experience and explain why I believe the role of the field engineer makes a difference in the international construction sector.
My first experience: Bolivia
My first assignment as a seconded engineer was in Bolivia, where I resided in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Until then, my experience had been primarily technical, but it was there that I discovered what it means to experience engineering in all its dimensions.
From the very beginning, I was confronted with the true magnitude of a project: the pouring of concrete, the smell of damp and steel, the formwork systems shipped from Spain, the cranes dominating the landscape... Everything that seemed abstract on the plans came to life on site. And with it, I also discovered the importance of being physically present.
These weren't easy months. The pressure to rise to the occasion and the pace of the project required much more than technical knowledge. They required responsiveness, constant adaptation, and leadership. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated the situation: lockdowns, canceled flights, and distance from my family. But even amidst that uncertainty, I confirmed that being on the ground was the key to keeping the projects going.
In Bolivia, I learned that a problem on a construction site, if addressed in person, is resolved in a matter of minutes. What could take days remotely is resolved immediately on the ground. This immediacy makes all the difference and avoids costly delays.
Paraguay: consolidation of experience and proximity
In 2020, I had the opportunity to make the leap to Paraguay. The context there was different, but the lesson was the same: the closeness with the local team and clients is irreplaceable.
In this country, I began to take on a more active role, combining the technical and commercial aspects. Being there allowed me to see that, beyond cultural differences, we all shared the same goal: to ensure the project moved forward and met the most demanding standards.
I was able to work side by side with local colleagues and also with technicians deployed from Spain. This direct contact allowed us to resolve complex situations quickly and generate a climate of trust that would have been impossible to convey through calls or emails.
I took something fundamental away from Paraguay: the certainty that human interaction is a key pillar of any international project. The deployed engineer not only ensures that the design is executed correctly, but also becomes the direct link between the client, developer, and work teams.
Dominican Republic: high-impact projects
After a paternity leave, I rejoined the team in 2023, this time in the Dominican Republic. This country represents one of the greatest challenges and, at the same time, one of the greatest satisfactions of my career.
The Dominican Republic is a rapidly developing region, with great opportunities in the construction sector. However, the pace of work is different, and adapting to that dynamic required patience and flexibility. What is done at a fast pace in other contexts is experienced here with a more relaxed approach, which forced me to rethink my way of managing time and priorities.
One of the most notable milestones in this country has been the participation in Larimar City & Resort, the Dominican Republic's first smart city. Being on the ground has been essential for strengthening ties with investors and developers, building trust, and providing immediate responses to the challenges inherent in a project of this magnitude.
In this environment, I confirmed that delivering an estimate in person, discussing plans directly with the client, or touring the project together are not mere formalities: they are gestures that convey commitment, seriousness, and closeness. This face-to-face interaction builds lasting relationships and differentiates CLERHP from other companies in the sector.
Lessons learned on the ground
Each country has taught me lessons that have shaped my understanding of international engineering. Some of the most relevant are:
- Immediate problem resolution
- On construction sites, unforeseen events are inevitable. The important thing is how quickly they are handled. Direct presence allows for a quick response and avoids major consequences.
- Building customer trust
- Clients value the closeness. Knowing that behind every plan there's an engineer who can speak, explain, and support them conveys peace of mind and professionalism.
- Effective coordination with local teams
- Fluid communication with on-site personnel ensures that international standards are met in every detail. Distance, on the other hand, often leads to misunderstandings and delays.
- Cultural adaptation
- Each country has its own pace, regulations, and way of working. Being there allows us to understand and respect these specificities, integrating the best of each context into the project.
- Strengthening the CLERHP brand
- Our direct presence on-site sets us apart. Clients perceive a "plus" in the way we support each phase of the project, and this translates into long-term trust and reputation.
The strategic value of the displaced engineer
Looking back, I realize that what truly makes the difference isn't just technical knowledge, but the ability to be present. Engineering is experienced in plans, yes, but it is consolidated on the ground.
The figure of the displaced engineer provides:
- Quality guarantee, supervising each stage in person.
- Agility in decision making, solving in real time.
- Closeness to the customer, generating relationships based on trust.
- Greater support for local teams, who feel constant support.
- Communication without time or cultural barriers, which ensures fluidity at all times.
For all these reasons, I am convinced that this model should not only be maintained, but will continue to grow in the coming years.
Challenges and sacrifices
Not everything has been easy. Being away from family, adapting to different work rhythms, and dealing with unexpected events far from home are daily challenges. However, every difficulty has become a learning opportunity.
I've developed skills that would otherwise have taken longer to develop: flexibility, empathy, resilience, and leadership. And, above all, the certainty that human value is just as important as technical value in any construction project.
Recommendation to new engineers
If I had to give advice to young engineers considering international experience, I'd tell them not to hesitate. Getting out of their comfort zone, experiencing another culture, and facing real challenges transforms both personally and professionally.
Construction is an incomparable school of thought: it teaches you how to make decisions under pressure, how to work as a team with people from different backgrounds, and how to see the real impact of each shot and each calculation. It's an accelerated learning process that provides a global perspective that's impossible to acquire from a distance.
Conclusion
After traveling thousands of miles, overseeing countless plans, and delivering quotes in person, I'm convinced that the success of international projects is built on the ground.
Being on the job means anticipating, resolving, supporting, and instilling confidence. It means reinforcing the CLERHP brand in every decision and ensuring that our clients and investors perceive the seriousness and commitment that define us.
Engineering is designed from plans, but it's experienced on the ground. And that experience is, without a doubt, the key to the success of our international projects.
By Álvaro Palazón
Technical Department
Civil engineer