Forensic Structural Engineer (PE)
Senior Structural Forensic Engineer - Litigation
Location: Georgia or Tennessee (Atlanta, Nashville - hybrid options available)
Employment Type: Full-Time | Consulting | Expert Witness & Technical Analysis
We are seeking a highly experienced Structural Forensic Engineer to join a specialized consulting practice focused on litigation support, forensic analysis, and complex infrastructure evaluations. This role is ideal for an engineer with deep technical expertise and a strong interest in applying engineering principles to legal disputes and insurance claims.
You will work on high-stakes cases involving structural failures, construction defects, and performance disputes across a wide range of sectors, including industrial, energy, transportation, and defense. The position requires advanced analytical capabilities, courtroom-ready communication skills, and a strong understanding of engineering standards, codes, and failure mechanisms.
Responsibilities
- Conduct forensic investigations of structural failures, material degradation, and construction anomalies.
- Provide expert analysis and technical reporting for litigation, arbitration, and insurance claims.
- Develop and validate finite element models using commercial software (e.g., ABAQUS, ANSYS, LS-DYNA, SAP2000) for both linear and nonlinear simulations.
- Perform seismic, wind, blast, and impact load evaluations, including soil-structure interaction and dynamic response assessments.
- Prepare expert declarations, deposition materials, and trial exhibits in collaboration with legal teams.
- Testify as an expert witness in depositions, mediations, and court proceedings.
- Manage multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate with attorneys, insurers, and technical experts.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to internal technical development and quality assurance.
Litigation Case Types May Include
- Structural collapse and partial failure investigations
- Construction defect claims involving workmanship, design errors, or code violations
- Disputes over delay, disruption, and business interruption due to structural issues
- Product liability cases involving engineered components or systems
- Insurance claims related to natural disasters (earthquake, hurricane, flood)
- Blast and impact damage assessments for defense or industrial facilities
- Foundation movement and geotechnical-related litigation
- Fire damage and post-event structural integrity evaluations
- Disputes involving innovative materials or unconventional construction methods
Qualifications
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Structural Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a related discipline.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license required; Structural Engineer (SE) license preferred.
- Minimum 7-12 years of experience in structural engineering, with at least 3 years in forensic or litigation-related work.
- Strong background in structural dynamics, nonlinear analysis, and engineering mechanics.
- Familiarity with probabilistic risk assessment, uncertainty quantification, and reliability-based design.
- Proficiency in engineering computation tools (e.g., Mathcad, MATLAB, Python).
- Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills, especially in legal contexts.
- Ability to travel for site inspections, client meetings, and court appearances.
- Eligibility to work on projects requiring security clearance is advantageous.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary with performance-based incentives (140k+ Depending on experience).
- Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, disability, and retirement plans.
- Tuition reimbursement and continuing education support.
- Generous paid time off and parental leave.
- Hybrid work flexibility and support for professional licensure and certifications.
FAQs
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