Remote engineering teams: Building trust without borders

Engineering is global by nature. The talent pool is no longer confined to local borders, and projects themselves are often multi-national.

When I look back at the last few years, one of the biggest changes I have seen in engineering projects is that, the engineering specialist teams no longer have to be located in the same office, city or even country to build something together.  

We have worked with projects where designers were in Finland, project managers in Germany, and commissioning engineers on-site in France. And yet, despite the big distance between them, the collaboration worked well. Sometimes even better than when everyone was under one roof.  

Remote engineering teamwork does not just happen. It requires close cooperation, good communication, shared intention, structure, and above all trust.  

Why Remote Engineering Teams Are Working Well?

Engineering is global by nature. The talent pool is no longer confined to local borders, and projects themselves are often multi-national.  

Remote and hybrid setups allow companies to:  

• Access global talent. If the best structural engineer is in Spain, you can still hire them for a Finnish project.  
• Reduce costs and delays. Virtual collaboration avoids waiting for visas, relocations, and long onboarding processes.  
• Increase flexibility. Engineers can contribute across time zones, keeping projects moving almost 24/7.  

The Hidden Challenge: Trust

Technology gives us tools (Teams, BIM platforms, digital twins), but what holds remote engineering teams together is trust. Without it, communication breaks down, and projects suffer.  

Trust means:  

• Believing that your colleague will deliver even if you can’t see them at their desk.  
• Being transparent when something goes wrong.  
• Knowing that different cultural backgrounds enrich, rather than complicate, collaboration.  

A Personal Lesson from the Field

A few years ago, we supported an industrial client in building a remote project team that included specialists from four different countries. At first, there was some hesitation and the first weeks weren’t easy. Misunderstandings piled up, time zones created friction, and people were cautious with each other. They did not know each other, had different cultural background and they had no connection based established trust between.  

But something shifted when the project leader suggested a weekly so called virtual coffee session. There was no agenda, no pressure, just time to connect as people. Suddenly, jokes were shared, families were mentioned, and even photos of pets made their way into the calls. That is when the team started to click. By the end of the project, those remote engineers were not just colleagues. They were trusted partners.  

The project delivered on time, and the client admitted: “Without remote collaboration, we simply wouldn’t have had the talent to finish this.” 

How to Build Trust Without Borders

From my experience, here are a few strategies that make remote engineering teams thrive:  

• Onboarding with intention. Do not just send a contract, best is to introduce people properly, create buddy systems, and explain cultural norms.
• Clear roles & accountability. Uncertainty and limited communication kills trust. Everyone must know clearly their responsibilities and deliverables.
• Regular check-ins. Not only about tasks, but about people.
• Celebrate wins and success together. Even if virtually, recognition matters more when distance is involved and effecting motivationally.
• Invest in leaders. A good remote team leader is not just a task manager, but a culture-builder.

Looking Ahead

As industrial megaprojects become even more global, remote engineering teams would not be the exception, this way of working became normal when it is possible and as well can be combined with periodical site visits.  

Companies can succeed with these working models if they know how to create trust across time zones, cultures, and screens. Having clear and shared vision, targets and strategy are having key importance as well.

At the end of the day, no matter how advanced our tools get, engineering is still about people working together to solve problems. And people, no matter where they sit and located, need to feel connected, trusted, and valued with shared vision.

If you have any questions, feedback, or are looking for support, I would be happy to connect.

Melinda Holopainen
Head of Expert Services & Recruitment Enersense Engineering Oy
+358 44 734 8886
melinda.holopainen@enersense.com

Expert Services – Enersense