Director of Forensic Engineering

Socket.dev; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

401(k) plan with employer matching

Professional development support

Job summary

Pinchin seeks a Director of Forensic Engineering to lead Florida's Forensic Engineering & Litigation Support practice. You will oversee independent investigations, analysis, and expert opinions for complex building failures while mentoring professionals and expanding client relationships across Florida.

The role emphasizes advanced technical leadership, ethics, and collaboration with legal and insurance stakeholders to deliver defensible engineering conclusions and growth for the practice.

Qualifications

• Advanced engineering expertise and forensic investigation experience.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.
• Ability to develop defensible engineering opinions for complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex forensic investigations and failure analyses for existing buildings and systems.
• Develop technically sound opinions on causation, damage, and repair requirements.
• Plan and oversee field investigations, testing, and evidence handling.
• Prepare reports, expert opinions, and litigation-related deliverables.
• Provide deposition/trial support and expert testimony when needed.
• Mentor engineers and support growth of Pinchin’s forensic practice.

Skills

Forensic investigation

Engineering leadership

Communication skills

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural/Architectural Engineering

Florida Professional Engineer (P.E.) license

Tools

Florida Building Code

Job description

Director of Forensic Engineering

Building Envelope- Forensic Engineering & Litigation Support
Florida

Ready to play a leading role in developing a specialized forensic engineering practice and solving some of the most complex challenges affecting Florida’s built environment? If you are an experienced engineer who combines technical expertise, investigative thinking, sound professional judgment, and the ability to clearly communicate complex findings, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

Pinchin makes buildings and environments better. We are a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm with offices across North America. Our teams bring together expertise in environmental services, building science and resiliency, occupational health and safety, sustainability, and engineering to help clients make informed decisions and achieve better outcomes.

Pinchin is seeking a Director of Forensic Engineering to join our Florida Forensic Engineering & Litigation Support practice.

The Director of Forensic Engineering will serve as a senior technical leader within the Florida practice, working under the leadership of the Senior Directors to provide independent forensic investigations, failure analysis, litigation support, and expert witness services. This individual will also play an important role in developing our forensic capabilities, mentoring technical professionals, strengthening relationships within the legal and insurance communities, and supporting the continued growth of the practice.

Building Envelope- Forensic Engineering Overview

Pinchin’s Forensic Engineering & Litigation Support practice provides independent, objective technical analysis to attorneys, insurers, property owners, community associations, and other stakeholders involved in complex building failures, insurance claims, and construction-related disputes.

Our work includes forensic investigations, root cause and failure analysis, construction defect evaluations, building envelope and water intrusion investigations, standard-of-care assessments, causation and damage analysis, destructive and non-destructive testing, expert reports, deposition support, and expert testimony.

The Director of Forensic Engineering will help strengthen and expand these capabilities throughout Florida while collaborating with Pinchin professionals across disciplines and geographic locations.

Your Impact as a Director of Forensic Engineering

As a Director of Forensic Engineering, you will combine advanced technical expertise, investigative judgment, expert communication, people leadership, and client stewardship to lead complex forensic assignments and help develop Pinchin’s Florida forensic practice.

• Lead complex forensic engineering investigations, failure analyses, construction defect evaluations, and insurance claim assignments involving existing buildings and related systems.
• Develop technically sound and defensible opinions regarding cause, origin, extent of damage, standard of care, repair considerations, and other engineering issues within your areas of expertise.
• Plan and oversee field investigations, destructive and non-destructive testing, document review, evidence documentation, technical analysis, and multidisciplinary investigations.
• Prepare and review forensic engineering reports, expert opinions, technical memoranda, exhibits, and other litigation-related deliverables.
• Provide litigation support and expert witness services, including consultation with legal counsel, mediation support, deposition preparation and testimony, and trial testimony.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to attorneys, insurers, associations, property owners, and other clients while maintaining professional independence and objectivity.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and quality oversight for engineers and other professionals supporting forensic assignments.
• Support the continued growth of Pinchin’s forensic practice through client development, industry relationships, strategic pursuits, recruiting, and development of internal technical capabilities.
• Collaborate across Pinchin offices and disciplines to assemble the appropriate expertise for complex assignments while promoting a One Pinchin approach to client service and technical delivery.
• Maintain high standards for technical quality, responsiveness, professional ethics, financial performance, and defensibility of engineering opinions.

What You'll Bring to Pinchin

The successful candidate will bring a combination of advanced engineering expertise, forensic investigation experience, sound professional judgment, leadership capabilities, and exceptional communication skills. You are an objective and analytical professional capable of investigating complex conditions, developing defensible engineering opinions, and communicating those opinions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, Architectural, or a related Engineering discipline from an accredited program; an advanced degree is considered an asset.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Florida, or ability to obtain Florida licensure within an agreed-upon timeframe.
• Approximately 12+ years of progressively responsible engineering experience, with meaningful experience in forensic engineering, failure analysis, construction defects, insurance claims, existing buildings, structural systems, or building envelope investigations.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex forensic investigations and developing technically supported opinions regarding causation, damage, failure mechanisms, standard of care, or repair requirements.
• Strong technical expertise in one or more areas such as structural systems, building envelopes, roofing, waterproofing, façades, concrete, fenestration, water intrusion, construction defects, or storm-related damage.
• Experience preparing forensic reports, expert opinions, technical analyses, and other defensible professional deliverables suitable for claims or litigation matters.
• Prior experience providing deposition or trial testimony is strongly preferred; candidates with substantial forensic experience who are prepared to develop into an expert witness role may also be considered.
• Working knowledge of applicable Florida Building Code requirements, construction practices, standards, and investigative methodologies relevant to the candidate's areas of expertise.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical findings clearly, objectively, and confidently to attorneys, clients, opposing professionals, mediators, judges, juries, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor technical professionals, manage complex assignments, exercise independent professional judgment, and maintain appropriate quality and documentation standards.
• Ability to develop and maintain trusted relationships within the legal, insurance, property management, community association, and broader construction industries.
• Unwavering commitment to professional ethics, independence, objectivity, technical excellence, accountability, and defensible engineering practice.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout Florida and occasionally beyond the region for investigations, meetings, depositions, mediations, and other assignments as required.

For Current Employees

Current employees are encouraged to speak with their HR Advisor for information on the application process.

Compensation and Assessment

Pay ranges are listed as required by law. Final compensation reflects each candidate's education, experience, qualifications, and work location.

As part of our recruitment process, we use AI technology to support a fair and consistent evaluation of all applicants.

What makes Pinchin different?

We offer competitive salaries and great benefits. What sets Pinchin apart is our commitment to people and purpose. You will join a team that values curiosity, integrity, and learning. You will grow alongside supportive leaders and subject matter experts who want you to succeed.

Pinchin offers a competitive total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive Benefit package, including a Health Savings Account, an employer funded Health Reimbursement Account, as well as a Dependent Care FSA ensuring flexible options. With a strong 401(k) plan and employer matching, we help you secure your financial future. Additionally, we back your professional growth by reimbursing association fees and providing ample resources for ongoing development—all to keep you leading in your field.

Explore our offerings: Pinchin Benefits

Additional Information

• Some positions may involve online testing during the recruitment process.
• No agency phone calls please.
• We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Pinchin provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for current and future employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know.

We make buildings and environments better.