Structural Forensic Engineer - Youngstown, Cleveland, Eaton, Akron

A highly respected forensic engineering and building consulting firm is seeking a Senior Forensic Engineer or Registered Architect to support a growing portfolio of insurance claims, damage investigations, failure analysis, and building envelope assessments throughout Northeast Ohio. This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex building failures, getting into the field, and delivering expert technical opinions, rather than sitting behind a desk producing design drawings.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Unlike many firms in the forensic space that have recently been acquired by private equity groups or larger consulting organizations, this is an independent, multi-generational business with a strong reputation, long-tenured staff, and a people-first culture. Employees are trusted to manage their schedules, focus on technical work, and avoid the administrative burden that often comes with consulting roles.

The firm handles the marketing, billing, collections, invoicing, administrative support, licensing costs, inspection equipment, and client development, allowing engineers to spend their time where they add the most value: investigations and technical analysis.

What You'll Be Doing

• Investigating building failures, property damage, and construction-related issues.
• Evaluating wind, hail, storm, fire, collapse, vibration, water intrusion, and construction defect claims.
• Inspecting residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, hospitality, retail, warehouse, and agricultural buildings.
• Conducting site investigations, documenting findings, analyzing damage, and preparing technical reports.
• Supporting litigation matters when required.
• Working directly with insurance carriers, adjusters, attorneys, and property owners.
• Assessing roofing systems, building enclosures, structural systems, moisture intrusion, windows, doors, cladding, waterproofing, and other building assemblies.

What They're Looking For

This is not a role for someone who has spent their entire career performing pure structural design.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 5+ years, 10+ preferred, of experience in design, construction, forensic engineering, architecture, building enclosure consulting, restoration consulting, or property investigations.
• Strong understanding of how buildings are actually constructed and how building systems fail.
• Exposure to architectural assemblies, roofing, waterproofing, moisture intrusion, exterior envelopes, building materials, and construction methods.
• PE or RA license preferred.
• Strong communication and report-writing skills.
• A professional presence and ability to interface directly with clients.

Territory

• 95% of work is concentrated within the Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Youngstown, and Western Pennsylvania markets.
• Primarily day travel.
• Minimal overnight travel.
• Limited travel outside Northeast Ohio.
• Hybrid and remote flexibility available following onboarding and training.

Compensation

This firm has a unique compensation structure designed for high-performing consultants.

Approximate annual earnings based on billable hours:

• 30 billable hours/week = $160,000
• 35 billable hours/week = $185,000
• 40 billable hours/week = $212,000
• 45 billable hours/week = $238,000

Travel time, site inspections, adjuster communications, and report writing are all considered billable activities. Compensation is directly tied to billed work rather than arbitrary bonus targets.

Benefits

• Fully competitive healthcare package
• 401(k) with company match
• Company laptop
• Company cell phone
• Company credit card
• Professional licensing fees paid
• Continuing education covered
• Inspection equipment provided
• Administrative and billing support provided by internal staff

Who Would Be Interested?

Candidates coming from:

• Forensic Engineering
• Building Envelope Consulting
• Repair & Restoration Consulting
• Architecture
• Construction Management
• Structural Engineering
• Property Loss Consulting
• Building Diagnostics
• Insurance Claims Investigations

If you're an experienced engineer or architect who enjoys being in the field, solving real-world building failures, and wants greater autonomy, work-life flexibility, and earning potential than traditional consulting firms offer, this could be worth a confidential conversation.