Geotechnical Forensic Engineer
An established and highly respected engineering consulting firm is looking to add a Senior Forensic Geotechnical Engineer to its Houston team. This position offers the opportunity to work on complex failure investigations, litigation support, foundation performance evaluations, and challenging geotechnical consulting assignments across Texas and the Gulf Coast region.
This role is ideal for someone with a strong geotechnical engineering background who enjoys forensic investigations, problem solving, client interaction, and developing technically sound conclusions on high-profile projects.
What You'll Be Doing
- Conduct forensic investigations involving foundation movement, slope failures, retaining wall performance, ground settlement, pavement distress, and geotechnical-related construction defects.
- Perform site inspections and field investigations to determine causes of geotechnical failures and performance issues.
- Analyze subsurface conditions, geotechnical reports, construction records, and monitoring data.
- Prepare technical reports detailing findings, opinions, and recommendations.
- Work closely with attorneys, insurance carriers, owners, contractors, and expert witnesses.
- Support litigation matters through expert analysis, depositions, and trial preparation activities.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining technical quality and client satisfaction.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to business development efforts within the forensic and geotechnical practice.
- Collaborate with structural, civil, and materials engineering specialists on multidisciplinary investigations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with a geotechnical emphasis.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
- 6-10+ years of geotechnical engineering experience.
- Previous forensic engineering, failure investigation, construction defect, or expert witness support experience is highly preferred.
- Strong understanding of shallow foundations, deep foundations, retaining structures, earthwork, slope stability, and ground improvement techniques.
- Experience performing technical analyses and preparing client-facing reports.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while also collaborating within a multidisciplinary environment.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Opportunity to work on some of the most technically challenging forensic and geotechnical investigations in the industry.
- Strong pipeline of complex projects ranging from residential and commercial developments through to major infrastructure assets.
- Exposure to litigation support and expert consulting assignments.
- Collaborative team environment with nationally recognized technical experts.
- Clear progression path into project management, technical leadership, and expert witness responsibilities.
- Diverse project portfolio spanning forensic engineering, diagnostics, rehabilitation, asset preservation, and geotechnical consulting.
- Strong emphasis on technical excellence, professional development, and mentorship.
- Flexible working environment with a reputation for employee retention and career growth.
- Opportunity to develop both technical expertise and client-facing consulting skills.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary.
- Annual performance bonus potential.
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage.
- 401(k) with company contribution.
- Professional development and continuing education support.
- PE license and professional membership reimbursement.
- Generous PTO and paid holidays.
If you're a geotechnical engineer who enjoys solving complex engineering failures and wants to move beyond traditional design consulting into forensic investigations and expert consulting, this is an excellent opportunity to join a highly respected and growing practice.
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with resume and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.