Why Is It So Hard to Hire CS Talent in AEC?

Why can’t AEC attract people with solid computer science backgrounds?

Yes, salaries matter. Big Tech pays more. But many CS grads are still looking for meaningful, high-impact problems. And AEC has plenty of them. So what’s the disconnect?

Maybe the problem is us but also the reality of the work we do.

1. The Work Is Interesting But Constrained

AEC is full of hard, meaningful problems:
Complex systems. Interdisciplinary thinking. Real-world impact.

But our projects run on thin margins, tight deadlines, and client expectations that leave very little room for exploration. That’s not an ideal environment for tech innovation or for CS grads looking to build and test new ideas.

We’re not boring. We’re just too busy surviving.

If we want to attract talent, we need to make space for experimentation, not just execution.

2. Our Idea of a “Good Job” Is Broken

We assume a “good job” means competitive salary, exciting work, and room to grow. But if only Big Tech offers those, what does that say about us?

AEC should be attractive: tangible outcomes, lasting impact, critical problems to solve. But we often offer:

• Poor compensation

• Vague career paths

• Roles centered on production, not purpose

We pitch tasks, not missions. That’s not how you win hearts or minds.

3. The Team Setup Is Holding Us Back

Too often, Design Technology = IT in firm org charts.

So tech-savvy staff end up solving Wi-Fi issues and managing software installs, instead of designing better workflows or exploring automation.

CS grads didn’t study data structures to become internal tech support.

We need clearer roles:

• IT = infrastructure

• Design Tech = design tools

• CS/Dev = systems, workflows, innovation

Without this clarity, we’re not hiring for progress. We’re hiring for patch jobs.

Closing Thought

When we talk to architects about technology, the response is often:
“We’re artists, not programmers.”

But many of the challenges we face, from inefficiencies to repetitive workflows, can be solved with simple computer science principles.

Instead of chasing expensive SaaS tools we barely use, we could solve real problems with the tools we already have.

The future of AEC won’t be defined by who has the fanciest software.
It will be shaped by those who understand how to think with technology and use it with purpose.

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