Forensic Architect

American Institute of Architects - Miami; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare premiums

Paid holidays

Unlimited PTO

401K match

Industry recognition

Job summary

m2e Consulting Engineers seeks a highly experienced Forensic Architect to lead architectural forensic investigations and serve as a key expert witness in litigation matters. The role oversees complex projects, ensures expert report quality, and collaborates across disciplines to deliver defensible opinions.

Ideal candidate holds a Florida Architect license with extensive experience in Florida Building Code, forensic methodologies, and technical writing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in architecture or related field; Florida Architect license.
• Active Florida Architect License and valid Florida driver’s license.
• Strong knowledge of Florida Building Code and forensic methodologies.
• Excellent technical writing and editing for expert reports.
• Experience with data gathering and documentation of work products.
• Ability to use software tools and models to develop solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct high-stakes architectural forensic investigations of existing and new structures.
• Serve as primary architectural expert witness in depositions, arbitrations, and trials.
• Develop technical deliverables including expert reports, repair specs, and life safety plans.
• Ensure consistency and technical excellence across deliverables.
• Collaborate with internal/external teams across sectors to provide defensible opinions.
• Stay current with Florida Building Code and related national standards.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to technical development.
• Contribute to business unit objectives and industry involvement.
• Conduct research and translate results into actionable recommendations.
• Audit own and others’ work for quality.

Skills

Technical writing

Analytical thinking

Independent decision-making

Highly organized

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Expert testimony (preferred)

Education

Architecture degree

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Who We Are

m2e Consulting Engineers is a full-service multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy in South and Central Florida that delivers industry-leading creative and technical services to a variety of clients including building owners, architects, developers, property managers, law firms, and general contractors.

Our Core Values

• Do What's Right - Honesty, Integrity, Truthfulness
• Do Your Best - Exceptional Client-Centric Service, Go Above and Beyond, Anticipate Needs
• Own It - Accountable, Committed, Reliable
• Win Together - Respect, Positive, Team Orientated, Support One Another
• Grow Together - Continuous Improvement, Learn and Improve, No Ego

Working at m2e

Creative, collaborative environment with Friday Happy Hour to relax after a productive week. 100% employer-paid Healthcare Premiums (Medical, Dental, Vision, GAP). 11.5 Paid Holidays, and Unlimited Flexible PTO. 401K plan with 100% match on the first 5%. m2e ranked as one of Inc. Magazine's 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and has been named one of the Best Places to Work by the South Florida Business Journal.

Job Purpose

We are seeking a highly experienced and credentialed Forensic Architect to serve as a senior technical leader on our Forensic Investigations and Expert Services (FINES) team. This individual will oversee and execute complex architectural forensic investigations, ensure the quality and consistency of expert reports and repair specifications, and serve as a key architectural expert witness in litigation matters. The ideal candidate will bring a strategic vision to our architectural forensic services and collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-impact results.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and direct high-stakes and complex architectural forensic investigations involving both existing and new structures.
• Serve as the primary architectural expert witness, providing testimony in depositions, arbitrations, and trials.
• Direct and contribute to the development of technical deliverables, including expert reports, repair specifications, and life safety plans.
• Ensure consistency and technical excellence across architectural deliverables.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary internal and external teams, in the public and private sector, legal counsels, condominium associations and clients to provide clear, defensible expert opinions.
• Stay up to date with the Florida Building Code and national standards related to design, construction, and forensic investigation.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to the technical development of the architectural forensic team.
• Contribute to business unit and company-wide objectives, participation in the attraction, development, and engagement of up-and-coming m2e professionals; collaborating with colleagues for in-house knowledge-sharing and training initiatives; and engaging in meaningful involvement in industry-related professional organizations, conferences, and technical committees.
• Perform detailed research and analysis, then put the results into action (e.g., gather, review, summarize literature and data from the public domain, specialized industry resources, or client, public and commercial databases).
• Audit own work products and work products of others to assure quality.

Minimum Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s/master’s degree in architecture or a closely related field from an accredited college or university, or documented combination of education and professional experience in related field.
• Active Florida Architect License.
• Valid State of Florida Driver’s License and reliable transportation required.
• Extensive knowledge of Florida Building Code and forensic methodologies.
• Strong technical writing and editing skills for developing expert reports.
• Assisting with data gathering activities including document review and supervision
• Demonstrating proper creation and documentation of work product.
• Demonstrate creativity and learn to efficiently use relevant software tools, analytical methods, and computer models to develop solutions.
• Gain experience developing and maintaining electronic databases, spreadsheets and other files as dictated by project needs.

Minimum Experience

• 15+ years of professional experience in architecture, including design, construction, and forensic investigations.
• Proven experience in preparing expert reports and providing expert testimony in legal settings.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams and complex forensic architectural projects.
• Experience working with the Florida Building Code and conducting forensic evaluations of both existing and new structures.
• Prior involvement in litigation, mediation, or arbitration processes preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Technical Communication and English Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in technical writing and reporting, adhering to company standards to ensure accuracy and timely documentation. Fluent in speaking, reading, interpreting, and writing English to enable clear and effective communication in all professional contexts.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Comfortable operating independently and making critical decisions.
• Highly organized and deadline driven.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Participate in a positive team environment and work hard to meet client deadlines and quality
• - Preferred: Proven experience developing and delivering expert testimony in legal settings, by providing a case list including case name and number.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit with back at a 90-degree angle for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to look at a computer for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to stand upright for up to 8 hours per day.
• Must be able to access and navigate job sites and construction areas (uneven terrain, exposure to outdoor weather elements)
• Bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, laying, crawling, and twisting required up to 30% of the time in this role.
• Must be able to ride in a hoist and/or swing stage.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds at times.
• Must be able to use right and left foot for repetitive movements such as in operating controls or levers.
• Full dexterity of wrists and fingers required with repetitive motions.
• Must be able to see near, in the distance, color, depth, and range.

*Safety equipment, including but not limited to hard hat, OSHA approved footwear, safety glasses and safety vests, is always required while performing job functions on active construction sites. Safety gloves, ear plugs, and safety harness will be issued when appropriate.

*Riding in a hoist and/or in a swing stage to be performed under strict adherence to the OSHA standards. Climbing ladders and scaffolds to be performed under strict adherence to the OSHA standards.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.