Construction Business Review

Remote AE
Bringing Global Expertise to the AEC Sector

Placing talent, especially in a remote-first setting for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is no small endeavor. The task involves more than just the technical aspects — personalities, preferences and motivating factors are all key in determining if a candidate will succeed, be happy and stay long-term. At the end of February 2024, 456,000 construction positions were unfilled according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—the highest number of unfilled positions in the last two decades. This ongoing labor shortage is making the problem worse.

Remote AE, a leading provider of remote AEC staffing, is tackling these challenges head-on with its virtual assistant service.

“Clients like to say that we’re by the industry, for the industry. Local solution, global talent — that’s what we provide,” says Alen Ardan, founder and CEO of Remote AE. “Our team of industry veterans has lived the day-to-day realities of AEC work and brings a nuanced understanding of the industry’s staffing challenges.”

The company provides access to internationally licensed architects, engineers and construction candidates with a minimum of five years of industry experience, filling clients’ staff with expert talent. Its service is leveling the playing field by giving smaller to midscale firms access to international talent—once exclusive to larger corporations due to sourcing and screening challenges. With labor cost savings of up to 70 percent, Remote AE is a game-changer for resource-limited firms. An accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) further signifies the company’s credibility, trustworthiness and consumer confidence.

A real-life incident exemplifies Remote AE’s effectiveness in solving staffing issues. Recently, two architects from a prominent New York City architectural firm managing demanding projects, reached out to Remote AE, seeking relief from time-consuming tasks to focus on their priorities.

The company conducted a review of the client’s workload and needs, providing them with a virtual assistant within two weeks. The collaboration saved each architect over 12 hours per week and resulted in a 14 percent increase in project completion rate on time and within budget.

  • Clients like to say that we’re by the industry, for the industry. Local solution, global talent — that’s what we provide

Similarly, a NYC-based metal and glass company saw a significant boost in its bid submission rate after partnering with Remote AE, leading to more project wins and higher revenue potential. The company also operates for clients worldwide and has created numerous success stories in countries like the U.K., Australia, Canada and South Africa.

Regardless of the location, Remote AE’s sourcing process typically begins with a client consultation, ensuring a structured and efficient approach to hiring. After a thorough four-phase screening process, client review of detailed candidate profiles and interviews, qualified candidates are ready for endorsement. The whole process takes just two to three weeks. There is no financial or contractual obligation until they choose to proceed. This collaborative approach ensures that selected candidates have the necessary expertise and integrate well with the team, maximizing their impact from the start.

Once a client decides to proceed with a candidate, Remote AE facilitates the onboarding process, ensuring a smooth transition by organizing setup and support for the new hire.

The company maintains ongoing support well beyond candidate placement, emphasizing the importance of satisfaction for both clients and candidates. It conducts independent check-ins during the first four to six weeks and quarterly thereafter, providing performance reviews, training guidance and best practices to ensure success. Remote AE also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if clients are unsatisfied and up to two candidate replacements within a year at no extra cost.

It stays true to the ethos “by the industry, for the industry,” leveraging its deep understanding of the sector to help AEC firms navigate workforce challenges with confidence. By combining global talent with local insight, Remote AE has positioned itself as an indispensable partner for firms striving to thrive in a challenging market.