Forensic Structural Engineer

Luxus • Phoenix, AZ

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

SML - Consulting Structural & Forensic Engineers is seeking a licensed Professional Engineer to join its Phoenix-based forensic engineering practice. This is an opportunity to perform technically meaningful work that helps property owners, businesses, insurers, contractors, and other stakeholders understand structural damage and determine the safest, most practical path toward restoration. The Forensic Structural Engineer will investigate damaged buildings, identify the cause and extent of structural distress, document objective findings, and develop engineered repair recommendations. Assignments may involve damage resulting from vehicle or tree impacts, fires, water intrusion, flooding, foundation movement, construction deficiencies, broken or modified roof trusses, changes in structural loads, deterioration, and other building-related conditions. Projects encompass residential, commercial, and industrial properties constructed from wood, masonry, reinforced concrete, structural steel, aluminum, and other building materials. The position combines field investigation, structural analysis, repair design, technical writing, client communication, and project management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline
• Active Professional Engineer license
• Active Arizona PE license, an active NCEES record supporting comity licensure, or the ability to obtain Arizona licensure within six months of employment
• Approximately 1-3 or more years of relevant field engineering experience in structural engineering, building assessment, failure investigation, repair design, construction, or a related discipline
• Working knowledge of structural systems and building materials, including wood, masonry, concrete, and steel
• Ability to perform structural calculations and translate findings into practical repair recommendations
• Strong technical writing skills and the ability to present complex engineering conclusions clearly and objectively
• Ability to manage multiple projects, competing deadlines, and changing priorities
• Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record
• Ability and willingness to travel to project sites throughout Greater Phoenix and other areas of Arizona

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Civil or Structural Engineering
• Active Structural Engineer license
• Previous forensic engineering, insurance-loss, structural restoration, or building-damage assessment experience
• Experience investigating fire damage, impact damage, water-related damage, foundation movement, roof-truss failures, or construction defects
• Experience preparing structural repair drawings and details
• Experience conducting special inspections
• Familiarity with AutoCAD and, where applicable, Revit or other structural-design software
• Experience communicating with insurers, adjusters, attorneys, contractors, restoration firms, property owners, or expert witnesses
• Active NCEES record and the ability to obtain additional state licenses as project needs evolve
• Objective and analytical, with the professional discipline to let the evidence guide the conclusion
• Highly observant and attentive to small but potentially significant field conditions
• Comfortable working independently while remaining connected to a collaborative engineering team
• Confident making field decisions and asking questions when additional information is required
• Organized, accountable, and responsive to clients and internal stakeholders
• Capable of explaining technical findings to both engineering and nontechnical audiences
• Interested in photography, field measurement, building documentation, and investigative problem-solving
• Motivated to strengthen client relationships through quality work and dependable communication
• Committed to producing accurate, consistent, and defensible engineering deliverables

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site structural inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings
• Investigate damage associated with vehicle impacts, tree impacts, fires, floods, water intrusion, foundation movement, altered loads, damaged trusses, construction defects, and other reported events
• Evaluate visible distress, material performance, structural load paths, existing conditions, and potential contributing factors
• Determine the nature, cause, and extent of structural damage using objective engineering principles
• Gather field measurements, photographs, sketches, notes, material information, and other supporting evidence
• Develop unbiased, technically defensible conclusions based on available evidence, calculations, applicable codes, and observed conditions
• Clearly distinguish between event-related damage, pre-existing conditions, maintenance concerns, and unrelated deficiencies when supported by the investigation
• Perform structural calculations necessary to evaluate existing conditions and restore structural integrity
• Prepare repair recommendations, construction details, drawings, and technical specifications
• Design repairs involving wood framing, roof trusses, reinforced concrete, masonry, steel, aluminum, foundations, and other structural components
• Apply applicable building codes, referenced standards, engineering principles, and jurisdictional requirements
• Evaluate repair alternatives for safety, constructability, durability, and cost-effectiveness
• Support structural design assignments involving remodels, additions, tenant improvements, and commercial or industrial structures when needed
• Prepare clear, organized, and technically accurate forensic engineering reports
• Document site conditions, reported histories, investigative procedures, observations, analyses, conclusions, and repair recommendations
• Integrate field photographs, sketches, calculations, and supporting documentation into final deliverables
• Maintain complete and contemporaneous project records, including client communications and status updates
• Produce work capable of withstanding review by clients, contractors, insurers, attorneys, building officials, and other engineering professionals
• Conduct or support special structural inspections involving concrete, masonry, structural steel, drilled piers, post-installed anchors, and other code-required conditions
• Document inspection results accurately and communicate nonconforming conditions to the appropriate stakeholders
• Coordinate with contractors, testing agencies, owners, and design professionals to help resolve field issues
• Manage assigned projects from initial authorization through investigation, reporting, repair design, and closeout
• Establish and communicate project schedules, priorities, deliverables, and client expectations
• Manage multiple assignments while maintaining quality, responsiveness, and budget awareness
• Provide clients with timely updates and proactively communicate schedule changes, additional information needs, or emerging technical concerns
• Coordinate with property owners, contractors, restoration professionals, insurance representatives, attorneys, architects, consultants, and jurisdictional authorities
• Support other SML project managers and engineers as project needs require
• Help strengthen existing client relationships and identify opportunities to support new and recurring clients

Benefits

• Competitive base salary of $85,000-$120,000, depending on professional experience, Arizona licensure, SE credentials, forensic expertise, repair-design capabilities, and overall qualifications
• Employer-paid healthcare options, including available HSA-based plans
• Safe Harbor 401(k) contribution equal to 3% of salary, with no employee contribution required
• Employer-paid term life insurance
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Optional dental and vision coverage
• 15 days of combined PTO/sick leave
• 20 days of PTO/sick leave after five years
• 25 days of PTO/sick leave after ten years
• 8.5 paid holidays
• Weekly direct-deposit payroll
• Company-supported professional licensing
• Paid continuing education and professional memberships
• Coverage of eligible FE, PE, and SE examination fees, references, and testing expenses
• Internal and external technical training
• Professional growth and advancement opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level