AECO ROLES THAT OPERATE IN BOTH OFFICE & FIELD

Construction is changing, but solid trade skills are still the foundation of the AECO industry. Today, there are more opportunities than ever for tradespeople who want to build on their field experience and expand into new roles that mix job site work with planning, coordination, technology, and leadership. This blog lays out both current, proven positions that already exist in the industry and new and emerging roles expected to grow over the next five to ten years. Many of these paths don’t require starting over—they build on what you already know from the field and add new skills like inspection, project management, digital tools, commissioning, or AI support. If you’re curious about what’s next beyond the tools and the trailer, this guide is meant to help you see the options.

1. Materials Testing & Inspection (Special Inspector / Lab Technician)

Field Work

• Concrete, soils, asphalt, steel, masonry testing

• Observing placement, sampling, compaction

• Verifying compliance with specs and codes

Office Work

• Test reports

• Non-conformance documentation

• Coordination with engineers, inspectors, and OPMs

Experience / Training

• ACI (Concrete Field Testing Technician)

• ICC Special Inspector certifications

• NICET (Levels I–IV)

• High school + technical training (degree not always required)

Who This Is Good For

• Early career professionals

• Hands-on learners

• Entry point into engineering or construction management

2. Superintendent

Field Work

• Daily site supervision

• Trade coordination

• Safety enforcement

• Schedule execution

Office Work

• Look-ahead schedules

• RFIs

• Daily reports

• Coordination meetings

Experience / Training

• 8–20+ years field experience

• Trade background or construction management degree (optional)

• OSHA 30

• CPM scheduling familiarity

Licensure

• Construction Supervisor's License (CSL)

3. Assistant Superintendent

Field Work

• Subcontractor oversight

• Quality control

• Punch lists

• Safety monitoring

Office Work

• Daily logs

• Submittal tracking

• RFI support

• As-built documentation

Experience / Training

• 2–7 years field experience

• Construction Management or Engineering degree helpful

• OSHA 10/30

4. Resident Engineer / Clerk of the Works / Owner’s Representative

Field Work

• Observing work for conformance

• Site walks

• Testing coordination

• Photo documentation

Office Work

• Daily journals

• Pay application reviews

• Change order review support

• Electronic Filing System

Experience / Training

• 5–25+ years construction experience

• Strong spec and drawing literacy

• Engineering or CM degree helpful but not required

• Public-sector experience often valued

Licensure

• PE helpful, not mandatory

• Often exempt on private work

5. Owner’s Project Manager (OPM)

Field Work

• Site meetings

• Progress verification

• Issue resolution

• Stakeholder coordination

Office Work

• Budget management

• Schedule oversight

• Consultant coordination

• Contract administration

• Risk mitigation

Experience / Training

• 10–30+ years industry experience

• Deep understanding of construction law, contracts, and phasing

• CM, Architecture, Engineering, or Business degree helpful

• Public OPM certification (state-dependent)

Licensure

• PMP, PE, RA, CCM add credibility

• Massachusetts Public Projects Require MCPPO

• Verify each state requirements

6. Field Engineer (Construction Engineer)

Field Work

• Layout

• Survey coordination

• Quality checks

• Testing verification

Office Work

• RFIs

• Submittal review

• As-builts

• Quantities and cost tracking

Experience / Training

• Engineering or Construction Management degree

• 0–5 years experience

• AutoCAD / BIM exposure

Licensure

• EIT encouraged

7. Delegated Designer / Engineer (Specialty Engineer)

Field Work

• Site verification

• Field measurements

• Installation observation

• Coordination with trades

Office Work

• Shop drawings

• Engineering calculations

• Sealed delegated design documents

Experience / Training

• PE required

• Engineering degree

• Specialty expertise (steel, precast, building enclosure, fire protection, etc.)

Licensure

• Professional Engineer (required)

8. Commissioning Agent (CxA)

Field Work

• Functional performance testing

• System startup verification

• Site inspections

Office Work

• Commissioning plans

• Test scripts

• O&M review

• Owner training documentation

Experience / Training

• Mechanical / Electrical background

• Building systems expertise

• Cx certifications (AABC, ASHRAE, BCxP)

Licensure

• PE helpful, not always required

9. Construction Inspector (Municipal / DOT / Private)

Field Work

• Observing construction activities

• Compliance verification

• Traffic control oversight (DOT)

Office Work

• Daily inspection reports

• Quantities

• Pay item verification

Experience / Training

• 3–10+ years construction experience

• NICET or state inspector certs

• DOT training if applicable

10. QA/QC Manager

Field Work

• Inspections

• Mock ups

• Non-conformance investigations

Office Work

• Quality plans

• Audit reports

• Corrective action tracking

Experience / Training

• 10+ years experience

• ISO / QA training

• Strong spec literacy

11. Safety Manager (Site Safety Officer)

Field Work

• Site audits

• Toolbox talks

• Incident investigations

Office Work

• Safety plans

• OSHA reporting

• Training documentation

Experience / Training

• OSHA 30 / 510 / 500

• 5–15 years experience

• CHST or CSP certifications

12. BIM / VDC Coordinator (Hybrid Role)

Field Work

• Clash resolution with trades

• Field verification

• As-built coordination

Office Work

• BIM modeling

• Coordination meetings

• Model-based schedules

Experience / Training

• BIM software (Revit, Navisworks)

• Construction or design background

• No license required

13. Construction Claims Analyst / Forensic Consultant

Field Work

• Site investigations

• Condition assessments

• Progress verification

Office Work

• Schedule analysis

• Delay claims

• Expert reports

Experience / Training

• 15–30+ years experience

• Scheduling expertise (Primavera)

• Legal exposure helpful

  
  

🚀 NEW & EMERGING HYBRID OFFICE + FIELD ROLES IN AECO

14. AI Agent / AI Integration Specialist

What They Do

• Develops and/or trains AI tools specific to AECO workflows(e.g., automating RFIs, predictive risk, QA/QC, daily reports, defect detection)

• Implements LLM-driven assistants for project teams

• Integrates AI into existing systems (ERP, BIM, CM software)

Field Work

• Needs to understand real project data flows

• Works with field teams to refine AI insights

Office Work

• Build and train models

• Manage AI pipelines, accuracy testing

• Oversee governance & ethics

Why It’s Emerging AI is going from “helpful assistant” to an integrated workflow engine—especially with on-site data capture and real-time insight.

Experience / Training

• AI/ML fundamentals (Python, model training)

• Familiarity with BIM + CM tools

• Construction process knowledge

• Preferred: CS + CE/CM double-focus

Typical Education

• BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or Construction Management

• AI / Data Science certifications

15. Digital Twin Specialist / Digital Thread Coordinator

What They Do

• Maintains virtual models that replicate physical building performance in real time

• Integrates IoT sensors, BIM data, and analytics

• Supports predictions: energy use, maintenance needs, risk exposure

Field Work

• Sensor deployment

• Physical model validation

Office Work

• Model management

• Visualization & simulation

• Dashboard creation

Experience / Training

• BIM + GIS skills

• Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS)

• Data analytics

Education

• Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science

16. Construction Data Scientist / Data Engineer

What They Do

• Collects, cleans, and analyzes project data

• Builds dashboards and predictive models (schedule, cost, risk)

• Enables data-driven decision-making

Field Work

• Data capture workflow definition

• Field validation of analytics

Office Work

• Data pipelines

• Reporting

• ML model testing

Training

• SQL, Python, R

• Analytics / dashboards

• Data ethics and governance

17. Robotics / Autonomous Equipment Specialist

What They Do

• Operates and manages autonomous machinery

• Integrates robotics into site logistics

• Ensures safety of robotic workflows

Field Work

• On-site supervision

• Robot setup/calibration

Office Work

• Planning robot routes

• Maintenance scheduling

• Data capture & analysis

Training

• Robotics certification

• Heavy equipment familiarity

18. IoT & Smart Sensor Systems Manager

What They Do

• Implements and manages sensors for asset conditions (vibration, temperature, humidity)

• Connects sensors to FM and predictive maintenance systems

Field Work

• Sensor installation and testing

Office Work

• Data analytics

• Alerts and dash boarding

Training

• IoT protocols

• Networking

• Data systems

19. Sustainability / Decarbonization Data Specialist

What They Do

• Quantifies embodied carbon and operational emissions

• Works with ESG reporting systems

• Coordinates field metrics with design and procurement

Field Work

• Material verification

• Energy use measurement

Office Work

• Carbon modeling

• Reporting and compliance

Education

• Sustainability, CE/Architecture, Environmental Science

20. Lifecycle Analytics Manager / Asset Performance Strategist

What They Do

• Ensures buildings perform efficiently over lifespan

• Plans predictive maintenance

• Forecasts O&M costs

Field Work

• Asset scans

• Performance data capture

Office Work

• Analytics

• Budget forecasting

21. Virtual & Augmented Reality Coordinator

What They Do

• Develops AR/VR experiences for design review, onsite safety, training

• Improves field accuracy through digital overlays

Field Work

• On-site AR spot checks

• Reality capture scans

Office Work

• Model prep

• AR/VR environment design

Training

• VR/AR platforms (Unity, Unreal)

• BIM integration

22. Cybersecurity & Tech Risk Manager (for AECO data)

What They Do

• Protects project data (BIM, IoT, drones)

• Ensures secure collaboration across teams

Field Work

• Field device security protocols

Office Work

• Risk assessments

• Policies

• Incident response

23. Drone / UAS Operations Engineer

What They Do

• Collects aerial site data

• Generates 3D topography & progress maps

• Supports safety and inspections

Field Work

• Drone flights

• Reality capture

Office Work

• Post-processing

• Reporting & models

Training

• FAA Part 107

• Photogrammetry

  
  

  Construction is changing, but solid trade skills are still the foundation of the AECO industry. Today, there are more opportunities than ever for tradespeople who want to build on their field experience and expand into new roles that mix job site work with planning, coordination, technology, and leadership. This blog lays out both current, proven positions that already exist in the industry and new and emerging roles expected to grow over the next five to ten years. Many of these paths don’t require starting over—they build on what you already know from the field and add new skills like inspection, project management, digital tools, commissioning, or AI support. If you’re curious about what’s next beyond the tools and the trailer, this guide is meant to help you see the options.