For Daniel Aguilera, a designer in the Site Civil Residential department at FOCUS, a career in the AEC industry was practically written into his DNA. “I’m proud of my technical heritage, and I’m doing my best to perpetuate it,” he says. His great-grandfather was a carpenter, his grandfather a machinist, and his father a mechanical engineer at the historic Sewell Mining Camp in the Chilean Andes, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That legacy gave Daniel a deep respect for technical work and a drive to build on it.

An early internship with Earthtec Engineering confirmed his career path. While working on the Provo City Center Temple renovation, Daniel gained a rare behind-the-scenes look at how structural components and design could transform an old, burned-down building into a modern marvel. Later, one of his most challenging and rewarding experiences came during a large retrofit project for Proweld LLC, repairing lifeboat stations on a Carnival cruise ship. Coordinating a 26-person international crew, navigating unpredictable site conditions, and working under tight deadlines tested his leadership and resilience. “We put together three welder teams from Nicaragua, Peru, and Ecuador,” he recalls. “Including the managing staff, we had a crew of 26 people for whom we had to coordinate the logistics to get them to Portland, Oregon. In addition, we had to coordinate transportation of all materials, tools, and equipment to and out of the job site.”

Behind the Designs

Outside of work, Daniel plays 6 a.m. futsal at the local rec center, takes lunch walks to recharge, and jokes that skateboarding is on hold until he can touch his toes again. He is also a licensed general contractor, though for now that license is “gathering dust.” Daniel draws inspiration from trades professionals and business owners he has worked with and who embody the principle of “extreme ownership” by taking full responsibility for the outcome of their work. While studying at BYU, Daniel served as Vice President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, helping peers connect to STEM careers and engaging Latino youth through events like the Latinos in Action conference. He continues today to lead and mentor those around him in his interactions at FOCUS.

Blueprint for the Future

His long-term goal is to become a licensed engineer, closing the loop on his academic journey. He also wants to continue to work on projects he can point to with pride. Looking ahead, he sees technology playing an even bigger role in civil engineering, but believes people will always be at the heart of managing and bringing projects to life.

At FOCUS, Daniel values how the company prioritizes finding the right people. Working with his team, he has witnessed how the right people greatly impact the process and outcome of each project, and that the key to success is to work together transparently and collaboratively toward shared goals.