Architectural Forensics Associate

Rand-Engineering-; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage (health insurance)

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Transit benefits

Parking benefits

On-site gym / wellness program

Professional development

Job summary

RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC, a Manhattan-based firm, is seeking an architect with 1-5 years of NYC experience to perform surveys, document conditions, and advise on repair strategies across NYC/NJ projects. You will work with senior architects to understand building systems and contribute to field documentation and project delivery.

Responsibilities include site investigations, preparing drawings and notes, and collaborating on client discussions for project planning.

Qualifications

• Architecture degree required with approximately 1-5 years of relevant NYC experience.
• Strong technical writing, organizational, and communication skills.
• Comfortable with frequent fieldwork including roofs, facades, mechanical spaces, and active construction sites.
• Experience or strong interest in existing buildings, interiors, restoration, historic preservation, building envelope, forensics, roofing, facades, and construction.
• AutoCAD and Microsoft Office proficiency; comfortable integrating smartphones, mobile apps, AI-assisted tools, and structured digital workflows into field documentation and project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Perform building surveys and investigations throughout the NYC/NJ metropolitan area.
• Document conditions through photographs, measurements, sketches, and structured field notes.
• Evaluate observed conditions, probable causes, appropriate follow-up investigations, and potential repair strategies with senior architects and engineers.
• Develop a working understanding of buildings as integrated systems, including structure, envelope, roofing, interiors, drainage, and MEP systems.
• Assist with exploratory probes, testing, contractor coordination, and construction-phase site visits.
• Review drawings, prior reports, repair records, and other documentation in preparation for field assignments.
• Translate building conditions and technical recommendations into practical plans considering client priorities, regulatory requirements, budgets, sequencing, and timing.
• Participate in client and building-management discussions regarding project priorities, next steps, and implementation planning.
• Support investigation programs, repair strategies, capital projects, reports, design scopes, and construction documents from evaluation through implementation.
• Work across multiple technical disciplines and contribute field experience, investigation methods, and repair approaches to the firm’s technical knowledge library and standardized workflows.

Skills

Fieldwork

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Strong writing

Communication skills

Education

Architecture degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC, a Manhattan-based firm, is seeking an architect with 1-5 years of NYC experience to perform surveys, document conditions, and advise on repair strategies across NYC/NJ projects. You will work with senior architects to understand building systems and contribute to field documentation and project delivery.

Responsibilities include site investigations, preparing drawings and notes, and collaborating on client discussions for project planning.