Structural/Civil Forensic Engineer

📍 Charleston, SC (Projects Across the Southeast)
✈️ ~25% Travel | Field-Based Role
💼 Full Benefits

About the Opportunity

Join a highly respected forensic engineering firm specializing in structural and civil investigations across the Southeast. This team works on complex, real-world cases involving structural failures, construction defects, foundation movement, moisture intrusion, building envelope issues, and storm-related damage that often lead to litigation.

The firm is intentionally small, technically rigorous, and trusted by insurers, developers, attorneys, and property owners. Engineers here take ownership of their work, collaborate closely with experienced experts, and build careers in a specialized, high-demand field.

What You'll Be Doing

This role offers a balance of field investigations, engineering analysis, and client interaction. You won't be confined to an office—you'll be out solving complex engineering problems and helping determine why failures occurred.

• Investigate structural and civil failures involving commercial, residential, and industrial properties

• Evaluate foundations, framing systems, roofs, retaining walls, site improvements, and building envelope components

• Determine the origin, cause, and contributing factors of structural failures, construction defects, and property damage

• Conduct detailed site inspections, document conditions, and collect field data

• Review construction drawings, geotechnical reports, specifications, maintenance records, and applicable building codes

• Perform structural calculations and engineering analysis to support findings

• Prepare clear, well-supported engineering reports suitable for litigation and insurance claims

• Collaborate with attorneys, insurance carriers, contractors, architects, and other engineering experts

• Support litigation through depositions, mediation, and expert witness testimony when needed

• Respond to storm, hurricane, and catastrophe events throughout the Southeast

• Coordinate materials testing and interpret laboratory results when applicable

• Build and maintain strong client relationships through technical expertise and responsive communication

What You Bring

🎓 B.S. in Civil or Structural Engineering (required)

🧰 Professional Engineer (P.E.) license (active or ability to obtain South Carolina licensure through reciprocity)

🔍 2+ years of forensic, structural, failure analysis, or investigative engineering experience

🏗 Experience with structural design, building inspections, construction defect investigations, or building envelope evaluations

📐 Strong understanding of structural systems, applicable building codes, and engineering principles

🗣 Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical findings to clients, attorneys, and non-engineers

🧗 Comfortable performing field investigations, including climbing ladders, walking roofs, crawl spaces, and active construction sites

➕ Experience with drones, CAD, laser scanning, or surveying equipment is a plus

Additional Details

• Based in Charleston, SC with projects throughout SC, NC, GA, and FL

• Approximately 25% regional travel, primarily day trips with occasional overnight travel

• Field work includes climbing, lifting up to 50 lbs., walking uneven terrain, and inspecting occupied and active job sites

Why This Role Stands Out

• Work on challenging structural investigations that frequently become litigation matters

• Gain exposure to expert witness work, depositions, and courtroom testimony

• Join a collaborative, highly technical team with outstanding mentorship

• Work on diverse projects—no two investigations are the same

• Develop a specialized, highly marketable career in forensic structural engineering

Interested?

If you're looking for a role that combines structural engineering, investigation, and real-world problem solving, I'd love to connect.