Professional Summary
Civil Engineer | Office Engineer / Construction Administration with 25+ years on large-scale power generation and infrastructure projects ($400M–$700M+) — hydropower dams, underground powerhouses, TBM tunnels, and high-voltage transmission. Supported $1.6B+ in EPC project value with direct EPC contractor interface across field progress tracking, change order documentation, and schedule integration. Based in Elizabeth, NJ — permanent resident with long-term commitment to the New York/New Jersey metro area.
Career Evolution
2004–2011
Field Technical Expert
Advanced surveying, geometric design, quantity take-off on hydropower megaprojects. TBM alignment control, geodetic networks, underground powerhouse operations.
2011–2021
Systems Architect
Development and deployment of Visual CRP, AC&P, SALT, ETL Links and ICOD across $500M+ EPC projects. VBA-AutoCAD automation, document control, payment certification management.
2022–Present
Independent Consultant
Visual CRP document control for GuayubÃn Dam (2023) and the Santiago Monorail supervision team ($1B+). Soco–Yabacao feasibility study ($863M). Independent technical analysis of the Santo Domingo Monorail.
Project Lifecycle Impact
Quantified Results
"The ex-ante evaluation methodology presented by Engineer Bonilla establishes a new standard for technical analysis in the design phase. It stands out for its capacity to integrate analysis of existing studies, comparative evaluation of international challenges, and rigorous study of applicable technologies, articulated through advanced technical-financial modeling."
Professional Experience
Independent Consultant — Engineering Systems & Project Studies
- Proprietary Systems (Excel/VBA-based): Five proprietary engineering systems used on EPC projects — Visual CRP (engineering document control) · AC&P (cost engineering) · SALT (survey traverse adjustment) · ETL Links (multi-source data integration) · ICOD (automated LiDAR tunnel cross-sections) — plus Plan CAD v5.0 (horizontal alignment control via LandXML, with Civil 3D section report import).
- Visual CRP — Santiago Monorail Supervision ($1B+, 2023–2024): Implementation of the document control system for the project supervision team, alongside the contractor's Procore platform.
- Visual CRP — Document Control Implementation (GuayubÃn Dam, 2023): Document numbering for nine design firms, designer–contractor–owner submittal workflow, revision and review codes, transmittal tracking and owner approval-letter references; trained project users — 1,183 documents registered.
- Soco–Yabacao Water Transfer ($863M, 2025): Feasibility study submitted to CAASD (Santo Domingo water utility) through the contractor.
- Santo Domingo Monorail — Independent Technical Analysis (US$932.8M, 2025–2026): Self-initiated headway and capacity analysis using Monte Carlo simulation and international benchmarks, documented in a published evaluation dashboard; findings independently consistent with those of a separate technical audit published in August 2026. Also conducted a financial analysis of the Santo Domingo Metro Line 3 alternative.
Surveying & Technical Documentation Manager
- Earthwork Quantity Defense & Payment Certification: Provided the technical support that validated the monthly partial earthwork measurements against the supervision's proposed deduction of 300,000+ m³ of excavation and fill (based on a single two-surface comparison) — showing that partials reflect the construction process, such as temporary internal access ramps built and removed month to month. Consolidated 23 partial measurements into one database (928,682 m³ cut / 1,797,261 m³ fill), resolving the impasse and identifying 80,591 m³ of cut not previously included. Project scale: 12M m³ excavation, 5M m³ backfill, 230,000 m³ concrete, 39,000 m³ asphalt core, 36,500 m³ underground tunnel.
- Field Progress Tracking: Executed biweekly drone photogrammetry campaigns (Pix4D) over 12M m³ active excavation zone — correlated volumetric progress with construction schedule milestones for owner reporting and EPC contractor schedule validation.
- Design Review During Construction: My survey team applied my drawing-check method before every stakeout; I issued the resulting error comments (plan vs. section conflicts, dimensions, elevations) directly to the designers through the technical documentation role.
- LiDAR Automation (ICOD): Developed Excel VBA–AutoCAD API system in 2 weeks to automate tunnel cross-section generation from LiDAR data — 4,000+ pts/section, 2,800 sections auto-generated, 75% drafting time reduction. Built to extend the AutoCAD workflow to dense scanner data.
- Engineering Document Control: Deployed Visual CRP managing 15,000+ records across 4,000+ documents — 60+ daily users, validated by external auditors alongside Citadon/Construmanager/Procore, 100% audit compliance.
Survey Program Manager
- Underground Construction — TBM Operations: Led surveying operations for Dominican Republic's largest underground infrastructure project: 12.44km TBM double-shield tunnel (Herrenknecht/VMT SLS-HR guidance system), underground powerhouse with 11 interconnected tunnels, 400m-deep surge shaft, 60m CCR dam, and 19km transmission line — team of up to 80 personnel.
- Field Quantity Certification ($708K): Beyond the formal survey role, supported the Phase I roadway payment certification (Pay Application No. 7, Nov 2006): $708,323 certified (budget $700,753, +1.1%) — 23,938 m³ common excavation, 11,299 m³ dense excavation, 13,736 m³ fill, 51,109 m³ material transport, 4,803 m² slope revegetation — verified per progress measurement protocol with CDEEE; six months of support to the commercial team.
- 18 km Dam Access Road: Reviewed and modified the subcontracted geometric design; reviewer and main stakeout user through 13+ later segments re-stationed with station equations, tracking each change against the approved baseline.
- Access Road Engineering: Beyond the formal survey role, developed geometric designs and drainage solutions for powerhouse, TBM portal, and surge shaft access routes — culvert sizing Ø30" to Ø72", crown ditches, retaining structures.
- Geodetic Control & TBM Alignment: Managed topographic control network for full 12.44km TBM drive using SALT proprietary adjustment system — maintained alignment within specification throughout 20-month excavation (9,531 rings installed, completion March 2011).
- Anchor Bolt QC & Payment Measurement (ETL Links): Developed ETL Links to analyze rock anchor bolt quality-control records and support payment measurement: formula-driven cell references link the control files listed in a folder into a consolidated quantity analysis — reusable across disciplines when records follow a consistent structure.
Road Projects — Engineering Lead
- Led technical oversight of design consultant for two simultaneous road projects: Bávaro-Miches-Samaná Regional Highway (108km, V=80km/h) and Ocoa-Piedra Blanca Highway (mountain terrain). Identified critical geodetic error in a 4-year-old LiDAR study — traveled to Peru to demonstrate the error to the original subcontractor, resulting in full reprocessing at no cost (EGM2008 geoid vs. local geoid standard).
Interim Engineering Manager | Survey Manager
- Promoted to Interim Engineering Manager to lead technical reactivation of a stalled $700M+ hydropower project (paralyzed since 2009). Coordinated external design consultant and managed full execution of the Alternative Basic Design: 2 cascade hydropower plants (111.32 MW total), 2 CCR dams, 3 pressure tunnels (20.16km combined). Delivered conceptual approval in October 2012 — 6 months from assignment. Produced the redesign cost estimate and presented the final budget.
- Restart — Geotechnical Program (2021, while assigned to Montegrande): Administered the US$289K boring subcontract for the project's restart with a new design: 1,319 m of borings at five structures, 104 Lugeon/Lefranc permeability tests processed in real time, monthly quantity and payment certifications.
Earlier Experience — Survey, Quantities & Design
- Engineering Design Lead at NCC-OCECON — Guaigüà Dam (2002–2003). Earthwork volumetrics, payment certifications, and topographic support across multiple highway and dam projects including Guaigüà Dam, Santiago Northern Beltway (8-ramp cloverleaf interchange, 3.75km), and Autopista Duarte Widening (Lots III & IV).
Technical Competencies
Project Controls & Quantity Surveying
Geospatial & Survey
Systems & Automation
Software & Tools
Design: Civil 3D (surfaces, alignments, corridors with superelevation and widening, grading, volumes), AutoCAD (Expert, 2D/3D/VBA/API), Eagle Point (R13/R2010)
Geospatial: Global Mapper, Pix4D, Topcon Tools
Project Controls: MS Project, cost/schedule tracking, WBS, EPC contractor interface
Programming: Excel VBA (Advanced), AutoCAD API/DDE/COM, Monte Carlo simulation (Newton-Raphson)
Languages: Spanish (native) · English (professional) · Portuguese (professional)
Key Projects
Montegrande Dam — Andrade Gutiérrez ($500M+)
Dominican Republic · Feb 2018 – Dec 2021
Embankment dam with asphalt core (L=2.2km, H=57m). Active EPC environment with multiple concurrent design firms. Technical support validated the monthly partial earthwork measurements against the supervision's proposed 300,000+ m³ deduction — 23 partials consolidated (928,682 m³ cut / 1,797,261 m³ fill), 80,591 m³ of cut not previously included identified.
Palomino Hydropower — Odebrecht ($400M+)
Dominican Republic · Feb 2006 – Jul 2011
Dominican Republic's largest underground infrastructure project. 12.44km TBM double-shield tunnel, underground powerhouse with 11 interconnected tunnels, 400m surge shaft, 60m CCR dam, 19km transmission line.
Las Placetas Hydropower — Andrade Gutiérrez ($700M+)
Dominican Republic · Feb 2012 – Aug 2013 · Restart support 2021
Reactivation of stalled project. 2 cascade hydropower plants (111.32 MW), 2 CCR dams, 3 pressure tunnels (20.16km combined). Promoted to Interim Engineering Manager — delivered conceptual approval in 6 months.
Proprietary Engineering Systems
Five proprietary Excel/VBA systems used on EPC projects totaling $1.6B+ in combined value — production tools on active megaprojects, not side projects. Plus Plan CAD v5.0 (2026) for horizontal alignment control.
Visual CRP
Engineering Document Control · Since 2007 (Palomino) · visualcrp.com
Manages the operational document control layer that teams perform manually in Excel — transformed into a structured, multi-user system that coexists with contractual platforms (Procore, Aconex, Citadon) without replacing them.
ICOD
LiDAR Tunnel Cross-Section Automation · 2020
Excel VBA–AutoCAD API application that processes high-density LiDAR point clouds from tunnel laser scanners and automatically generates cross-sections. Developed in 2 weeks to extend the AutoCAD workflow to dense scanner data.
AC&P
Parametric Cost Estimation · Since 2004
Dual-accounting architecture separating cost base from strategic bid price, with inverse factorization engine. Produces 10 automated reports: monthly cash flow, material quantification, labor scheduling, change order support, and bid pricing. Analytical layer complementing HeavyBid, WinEst, Oracle.
SALT
Topographic Survey Adjustment · Since 2004
Implements Compass Rule, Crandall Rule, and Transit Rule polygon closure with proportional angular and linear adjustment, GPS integration, CSV coordinate export, and direct AutoCAD drafting output. Used on Palomino ($400M+) for full 12.44km TBM geodetic control network.
ETL Links
Multi-Source Data Integration · Born at Palomino
Multi-source data integration and consolidation: reads multiple workbooks without opening them, with zero hardcoding. Born at Palomino to turn rock anchor bolt quality-control records into payment measurement — reusable across disciplines when records follow a consistent structure.
Plan CAD v5.0
New (2026) — horizontal alignment control via LandXML, with Civil 3D section report import. Shown in the LinkedIn demo.
View Plan CAD v5.0 demoValue to Employers
What a hiring organization gains by bringing this experience to their project controls team — framed around the three areas where my background directly addresses common gaps in EPC project execution.
Independent Quantity Verification — Owner's Representative Capability
On the Montegrande project, the supervision proposed deducting 300,000+ m³ of excavation and fill based on a single two-surface comparison. I provided the technical support that validated the monthly partial measurements — partials reflect the construction process, such as temporary internal ramps built and removed month to month — consolidated 23 partials into one database and identified 80,591 m³ of cut not previously included. That is the discipline an Owner's Representative applies on a capital project: verify quantities against field evidence and the construction process.
- Field quantity take-off independent from contractor reporting
- Payment certification review and validation against field conditions
- Alignment change tracking against the approved baseline (station equations)
- Experience on both sides — the client's supervision team (highway projects, from 1994) and EPC contractors (Odebrecht, Andrade Gutiérrez)
Proprietary Automation That Solves Problems Commercial Software Cannot
ICOD was built in 2 weeks to process 4,000-point LiDAR cross-sections at tunnel scale directly in AutoCAD. Visual CRP was built because Procore, Aconex, and Citadon do not solve the operational document control problem on fast-track EPC projects — they solve the contractual one. These are not workarounds. They are solutions that external auditors validated alongside the commercial platforms.
- Excel VBA + AutoCAD API: production-level automation deployed on $500M projects
- Systems that run alongside Procore/Aconex, not instead of them
- Ability to build custom tools when standard software hits its limits
- Visual CRP: average 3,000+ documents per large EPC fast-track project (Montegrande reference: 4,000+ documents, 15,000+ version records)
Field-to-Office Integration — Progress Tracking Tied to Schedule
Biweekly drone photogrammetry campaigns over 12M m³ of active excavation, correlated to construction schedule milestones for owner reporting and EPC contractor schedule validation. That is field progress tracking integrated with schedule — not two separate processes.
- Drone photogrammetry (Pix4D) for volumetric progress measurement
- Correlation of field data with schedule milestones for owner reporting
- TBM daily advance tracking: 20 months of continuous records (9,531 rings, 12.44km)
- Geotechnical program management with real-time data processing
Quantified Track Record
Education & Credentials
Formal Education
B.S. Civil Engineering
Universidad Tecnológica del Cibao (UTECI), La Vega
1999
A.S. Information Technology
Universidad Nacional Pedro HenrÃquez Ureña (UNPHU), La Vega
1992
Credentials & Recognition
Licensed Civil Engineer — CODIA #17378 (Dominican Republic)
Colegio Dominicano de Ingenieros, Arquitectos y Agrimensores · Active since 2001
Engineering Exchange Program — UAEM México (1998)
Conference: "Facilities Offered by Computer Use in Highway Design"
Roadcalc Training Instructor
10 courses · 100+ engineers trained
Technical Publications
Technical-Financial Risk Report — Santo Domingo Metro Line 3 (2026)
Independent professional analysis establishing a methodological framework for ex-ante evaluations on mass transit projects. Documents methodology, operational capacity findings, design gaps, and projected financial risk.
View full publicationCase Study: Visual CRP Implementation at Montegrande Dam
Documented implementation serving as reference for hybrid document control architecture in EPC megaprojects. Includes audit validation results.
Explore case study"The ex-ante evaluation methodology presented by Engineer Bonilla establishes a new standard for technical analysis in the design phase. It stands out for its capacity to integrate analysis of existing studies, comparative evaluation of international challenges, and rigorous study of applicable technologies, articulated through advanced technical-financial modeling."