Welcome to the December edition of Blakely Brown Insights!

As we close out the year, this month’s newsletter highlights a major milestone in our growth, key developments shaping the US AEC market, and a moment to reflect and say thank you as we head into the holiday season.

We’re excited to share what’s ahead, and to look forward to an even bigger 2026!

With appreciation,

The Blakely Brown Team

Blakely Brown: London

2026 signals an exciting new chapter for Blakely Brown with the launch of our UK Headquarters in London. This expansion marks a major milestone in our growth as we bring our specialist executive search expertise to one of the world’s leading global business hubs. One of our Co-Founders, Ryan, will be on the ground in early spring to establish the office, build the local team, and lay the foundations for long-term growth in the UK market.

From our London base, the team will play a key role in further strengthening and scaling our services across the US AEC market, working closely with clients and candidates on some of the most impactful engineering and construction mandates in the industry. As part of this growth, we will be hiring both experienced search professionals and ambitious entry-level talent in the new year. If you, or someone in your network, are looking to take the next step in their Executive Search journey and be part of a fast-growing, internationally focused firm from day one, we would love to start the conversation.

Border Wall Contract

AIS Infrastructure has announced more than $2 billion in the U.S.–Mexico border infrastructure work awarded by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection across Texas, Arizona and California. Delivered as four large, full design-build contracts, the projects span the Del Rio sector near Eagle Pass, the Tucson and Yuma sectors in Arizona, and the San Diego sector near Marron Valley–Campo. The work combines vertical and waterborne barriers with access and patrol roads, drainage systems, and integrated security technologies, reflecting DHS’s preference for bundled, multi-year delivery packages rather than discrete barrier segments.

Engineering is already underway, led by HDR Design, with field construction expected to begin in January and run 30–36 months. AIS plans to hire 350–400 additional workers and deploy nearly 100 pieces of heavy equipment, intensifying competition for skilled labor in an already tight Southwest construction market. Beyond the immediate awards, AIS cited billions more in border infrastructure contracts under review, signaling a sustained execution phase for federal border projects after several years dominated by planning and policy uncertainty.

Key takeaways for engineers:

1. Long-duration, stable project opportunities are returning: These 30–36 month projects offer sustained employment and career continuity, particularly appealing compared to shorter-cycle private-sector work.

2. Multidisciplinary skills are increasingly valuable: Engineers with experience in civil works, drainage, access roads, environmental constraints, and integrated technology systems will be well-positioned, as border projects bundle multiple infrastructure types into single contracts.

3. Field-ready engineers will be in high demand: Challenging terrain, riverine floodplains, desert drainage, and mountainous areas, means engineers who can work closely with construction teams in the field will see strong demand and accelerated career growth.

Key takeaways for recruiters:

1. Design-build talent demand will spike quickly: Full design-build execution across multiple sectors means heightened demand for engineers with integrated design, constructability, and field coordination experience, especially those who can move from design into construction support roles.

2. Southwest labor competition will intensify: Border infrastructure will compete directly with highway, water, and energy projects in Texas, Arizona, and California, pushing recruiters to act early, expand geographic searches, and emphasize relocation or rotational incentives.

3. Security-cleared and federal project experience is a premium: Engineers familiar with DHS/CBP processes, environmental compliance, and federally regulated security systems will be especially valuable, making prior federal infrastructure experience a strong differentiator.

Christmas

This week marks the start of the Christmas break here at Blakely Brown, as our team signs off for the year and takes time to recharge ahead of an exciting 2026. We’ll be out of the office until the New Year, after what has been a year of strong growth, meaningful partnerships, and great conversations across the AEC community.

We’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of our readers for your continued support and engagement throughout the year. It’s been a privilege to work alongside such a dynamic network, and we’re excited for what lies ahead. We wish you all a restful break, a joyful holiday season, and a fantastic New Year, and we look forward to reconnecting with you in 2026!