Area Director – Forensic Structural Engineering

Halliwell

Chicago (IL)

Hybrid

USD 130,000 - 180,000

Full time

9 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays

Life and disability insurance

Remote work flexibility

Employee recognition programs

Job summary

Halliwell is a Midwest-focused engineering consultancy seeking an experienced Area Director to lead the Engineering Services practice. This licensed Structural Engineer will oversee forensic investigations, build client relationships, and mentor staff to drive growth in the region.

Ideal candidates will have 10+ years of experience in structural analysis and design, a strong background in forensic engineering, and a passion for developing people while delivering exceptional client service.

Qualifications

Licensed Structural Engineer (S.E.) in Illinois.
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or Architecture.
Minimum 10 years of experience in structural analysis and design of buildings, bridges, and/or building envelope systems.
Experience in forensic engineering, structural failure investigations, damaged structure evaluations, and building condition assessments.
Experience mentoring engineers and managing client relationships.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership: assess conditions and causes of distress for commercial, institutional, and industrial structures; perform field investigations and structural analyses; prepare forensic reports with findings and repair recommendations; provide expertise across the Midwest.
Leadership & Team Development: lead, mentor, and guide engineering staff; provide ongoing technical development; foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams; support knowledge sharing.
Client & Business Development: develop and strengthen long-term client relationships; support business development and expand Halliwell's presence in forensic engineering; represent Halliwell with professionalism.

Skills

Written & verbal communication

Organizational & project management

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Office

Structural analysis software

Drafting software

Job description

Halliwell is seeking an experienced Area Director to lead our growing Engineering Services practice in the Midwest.

This leadership role is ideal for a licensed Structural Engineer (S.E.) with extensive experience in forensic engineering, structural investigations, and client relationship management. As Area Director, you will combine technical expertise with leadership responsibilities—overseeing complex forensic investigations, mentoring engineering staff, strengthening client partnerships, and supporting the continued growth of our regional business.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in structural failure analysis, evaluations of damaged structures, and building condition assessments, together with a passion for developing people and delivering exceptional client service.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership

Assess and evaluate the condition and potential causes of distress to a wide range of commercial, institutional, and industrial structures.
Perform field investigations and structural analyses.
Prepare detailed forensic engineering reports, including findings, conclusions, and conceptual repair recommendations.
Provide technical expertise on complex structural investigations throughout the Midwest.

Leadership & Team Development

Lead, manage, and mentor engineering staff.
Provide ongoing technical guidance and professional development to engineers across the region.
Foster collaboration within a multidisciplinary team of engineers and construction consultants.
Support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the engineering practice.

Client & Business Development

Develop and strengthen long-term client relationships throughout the region.
Support business development initiatives and expand Halliwell's presence within the forensic engineering industry.
Bring new and existing clients to the business through professional relationships and industry engagement.
Represent Halliwell with professionalism while delivering exceptional client service.

Qualifications:

Required

Licensed Structural Engineer (S.E.) in the State of Illinois.
Minimum 10 years of experience in structural analysis and design of:
buildings
bridges
and/or building envelope systems.
Demonstrated experience in forensic engineering, structural failure investigations, damaged structure evaluations, and building condition assessments.
Previous experience mentoring engineers and managing client relationships.
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or Architecture.

Preferred

Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or Architecture.

Technical Skills:

Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Experience using structural analysis software.
Experience with drafting software.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and project management abilities.
Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Additional Requirements

Ability to perform field investigations, including climbing ladders, carrying inspection equipment, stooping, kneeling, and working in varying site conditions.
Approximately 20% regional travel.

Why Halliwell

At Halliwell, you will have the opportunity to work on technically challenging projects, collaborate with nationally recognized experts, and help build a growing regional practice backed by the resources, reputation, and stability of a firm with more than 70 years of consulting excellence.

Halliwell offers a competitive compensation package and a collaborative, flexible work environment, including: