Forensic Concrete Structural Engineer

Lerch Bates Inc.; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP ownership

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

401(k) with match

Parental leave

Professional development

Wellness programs

Job summary

Lerch Bates is seeking a Forensic Concrete Structural Engineer in Raleigh, NC to lead evaluation, repair coordination, and rehabilitation of existing building structures. You will manage multiple rehab projects, mentor staff, and provide peer reviews to ensure quality delivery.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, client liaison, and collaboration with architects and contractors, with ESOP ownership and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• 5+ years of structural engineering experience focusing on existing buildings, repair or rehabilitation.
• Strong understanding of structural systems and behaviour in existing buildings.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical findings in reports and presentations.
• Experience with structural condition assessments, investigations, and repair design.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct structural condition assessments of existing buildings to evaluate systems, deterioration, and performance deficiencies.
• Investigate structural issues including cracking, settlement, corrosion, load path concerns, and material degradation.
• Review original construction documents to identify risks and vulnerabilities.
• Prepare detailed condition assessment reports and repair recommendations.
• Develop rehabilitation and repair strategies for existing buildings.
• Perform peer review of evaluation reports and technical findings.
• Coordinate with owners, architects, contractors, and consultants to review strategies.
• Oversee design coordination and construction documents to ensure compliance.
• Provide on-site inspections and quality assurance during repair work.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables.

Skills

PE license (preferred)

5+ years of experience

Structural engineering

Existing buildings rehabilitation

Report writing & presentations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural Eng

Job description

Department: Existing Building

Lerch Bates is seeking a Forensic Concrete Structural Engineer to lead the evaluation, design coordination, and repair of existing building structural systems. This role focuses on investigating structural deficiencies, performing condition assessments, and developing practical rehabilitation and repair solutions for commercial, institutional, and complex existing structures.

In this role, you will manage multiple structural rehabilitation projects from planning through execution, serving as a technical lead and trusted advisor to clients. You will oversee structural condition assessments, develop repair recommendations, coordinate design and construction activities, and ensure quality delivery of rehabilitation solutions. This position also includes mentoring engineers and technical staff and providing peer review of structural evaluation and repair work.

Become an Employee-Owner

One of the biggest advantages of working at Lerch Bates is that we are 100% employee-owned through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Unlike many companies that offer only a salary and retirement plan, eligible employees receive company-funded ESOP shares at no cost to them as part of their long-term retirement benefits.

As Lerch Bates grows, employee‑owners share in the company’s success. For many employees, the ESOP becomes one of the most valuable financial benefits of their career by helping build meaningful long-term wealth in addition to their salary and traditional 401(k).

When you join Lerch Bates, you are not just building better buildings. You also have the opportunity to build your financial future alongside the company’s success.

About Lerch Bates

Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high‑profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well‑informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP. That means when the company succeeds, our employee‑owners share in that success. It’s more than a retirement benefit - it's an ownership mindset backed by the opportunity to build long‑term financial value while helping shape the future of the company.

What You’ll Do

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.

Structural Assessment & Investigation

• Conduct structural condition assessments of existing buildings to evaluate structural systems, deterioration, and performance deficiencies
• Investigate structural issues including cracking, settlement, corrosion, load path concerns, and material degradation
• Review original construction documents and existing conditions to identify risks and structural vulnerabilities

Evaluation & Repair Development

• Prepare detailed structural condition assessment reports documenting findings and repair recommendations
• Develop structural rehabilitation and repair strategies for existing buildings
• Perform peer review of structural evaluation reports and technical findings prepared by team members

Design Coordination & Technical Review

• Participate in meetings with owners, architects, contractors, and consultants to review structural rehabilitation strategies
• Coordinate with internal teams to support structural repair design, drawings, specifications, and construction documents
• Review structural details, drawings, and submittals for compliance with engineering intent and repair requirements

Project Oversight & Construction Support

• Conduct on-site structural inspections and quality assurance reviews during repair and rehabilitation work
• Prepare detailed site visit reports documenting structural conditions and construction progress
• Provide technical oversight during construction to ensure repairs align with design intent and engineering standards
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables for assigned structural rehabilitation projects

Client Communication & Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients on structural performance and rehabilitation strategies
• Communicate findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to clients and stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and identify opportunities for additional project work
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance and development support

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (or related discipline)
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
• 5+ years of experience in structural engineering, preferably focused on existing buildings, repair, or rehabilitation
• Strong understanding of structural systems and behaviour in existing buildings
• Experience with structural condition assessments, investigations, and repair design
• Ability to clearly communicate technical findings in reports and presentations
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast‑paced consulting environment
• Experience working with architects, contractors, and building owners
• Proficiency in structural analysis or design tools (as applicable)
• Strong commitment to quality, accuracy, and attention to detail

Why Work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive base salary of $85,000 - $110,000 per year, based on experience, qualifications, and location
• Annual performance‑based bonus opportunity, with target incentive levels varying by position and based on individual and company performance.
• 100% Employee‑Owned ESOP (company‑funded retirement benefit that allows eligible employees to share in the company’s long‑term success)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) with 6% employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

Core Values

Ownership

• Community
• Integrity
• Respect
• Optimism

Working Environment

This position is performed in a combination of office, remote, client, and field environments. Regular travel to project sites is required and may include commercial buildings, occupied facilities, active construction sites, industrial locations, rooftops, and other environments where building evaluations, testing, or construction observations are performed. Work may occur indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Physical Demands

This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, climb stairs and ladders, and navigate active construction sites and existing buildings. Employees may be required to access rooftops, traverse uneven terrain, work at elevated heights, and enter confined or restricted spaces as project conditions require. Frequent use of computers, keyboards, measuring equipment, and handheld devices is required.

Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of equipment and materials weighing up to 40 pounds may be required. Employees must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, high‑visibility clothing, gloves, safety footwear, hearing protection, and fall protection when applicable.

Travel by automobile and occasional air travel may be required.

Mental Demands

This position requires strong analytical, technical, and problem‑solving skills. Employees must be able to interpret construction documents, building codes, technical specifications, engineering data, and field observations while exercising sound professional judgment.

The role requires managing multiple projects, balancing competing priorities, meeting deadlines, and adapting to changing project conditions. Effective written and verbal communication, technical report writing, client presentations, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and attention to detail are essential.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre‑employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.