U.S. Companies Shift to Nearshore Engineering Teams in Latin America
News related to:Hire With Near · 2 min read
SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES, October 9, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- U.S. companies are increasingly turning to nearshore engineering teams in Latin America, according to a new report from staffing and recruiting agency Hire With Near. The shift reflects a growing dissatisfaction with offshore teams and development outsourcing firms, driven by a desire for better collaboration and cost savings.
Hire With Near analyzed a sample of 300 calls with U.S. companies looking to hire software engineers in Latin America. Among the reasons cited, 30% of companies were moving engineering work off an offshore team, while another 15% were leaving a development outsourcing firm. Together, roughly 45% of these companies wanted to change their engineering model. Cost savings came in second, at 26%.
It highlights that 10% of engineering companies said they cannot find the engineers they need in the U.S., a rate double that of non-technical roles. Additionally, 19% of companies already have developers in Latin America and are growing their teams.
The job descriptions analyzed by Hire With Near reveal a strong emphasis on soft skills. Fifty-one percent of the job descriptions asked for ownership, 56% asked for autonomy, and 76% asked for communication skills. These requirements suggest a preference for engineers who can take initiative and work closely with teams.
Full stack engineers remain the largest single role family, accounting for 17% of the job descriptions. This indicates a continued demand for versatile professionals who can handle both front-end and back-end development tasks.
Companies leaving offshore teams often cite the working-hours problem as the primary issue. A decision that would take 20 minutes in a shared afternoon can take three days with a team eight to 12 hours away. Companies leaving outsourcing firms describe an ownership problem, as they want engineers who are more involved in the product development process and can engage directly with customers.
The shift towards nearshore engineering teams aligns with a broader trend in the tech industry. According to McKinsey's Global Tech Agenda 2026 survey, nearly half of top-performing companies plan to bring strategic technology expertise in-house over the next two years, compared with 37% of other companies.
Hire With Near, which helps U.S. companies hire remote talent in Latin America, has filled 97% of the roles it has taken on. The firm holds a 4.8 rating on G2 across 160-plus reviews and 80% of its hires stay two years or more. More than 950 companies, including Jersey Mike's, Expensify, and Deel, work with Hire With Near to build their teams.
The report underscores the growing importance of nearshore engineering teams in the U.S. market, driven by the need for better collaboration, cost savings, and access to a larger pool of skilled engineers.