Forensic Structural Engineer, Charlotte III

Salas O'Brien; North Carolina; On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Wellness programs and employee assistance resources

Professional development support

Job summary

A reputable engineering firm is looking for a Forensic Structural Engineer to join their team remotely in the Charlotte, NC area. The role involves conducting site inspections, developing detailed reports, and maintaining communication with clients. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in forensic engineering, excellent technical writing abilities, and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering. The role offers a competitive salary in the range of $100,000 to $140,000 per year, along with various benefits including medical insurance and 401(k) matching.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of forensic engineering experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct site inspections to evaluate structural damage.
• Develop technical reports and documentation.
• Provide updates to clients and manage expectations.
• Ensure deliverables meet applicable standards.

Skills

Forensic engineering experience

Strong technical writing skills

Effective communication

Customer service skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil or Structural Engineering

Master of Science in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

Technical software proficiency

Job description

We are seeking a Forensic Structural Engineer in the Charlotte, NC area. In this remote/home office role, you will investigate and evaluate the cause and extent of structural damage resulting from storms, natural disasters, fires/explosions, construction/design defects, accidents, foundation movement, and more.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct site inspections to determine the cause, origin, and extent of structural damage; evaluate failure modes and contributing factors.
• Develop clear, well-supported conclusions and produce high-quality technical reports, documentation, and deliverables.
• Provide timely, professional updates to clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders; proactively close communication gaps and manage expectations.
• Work independently from a home office while leveraging internal experts and resources; build long-term relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners.
• Drive issues to resolution with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring deliverables meet or exceed customer expectations and applicable standards.
• Contribute ideas that strengthen processes, tools, and customer outcomes; help others navigate change and adopt improvements.

Qualifications and Experience

• 2+ years of forensic engineering experience preferred.
• Must be able to work independently and with a cross-functional team of experts.
• Strong technical writing skills are required; the ability to write effective reports is critical. Strong verbal communication skills are necessary; you should be an effective communicator in face-to-face interactions.
• The ability to provide the utmost in customer service to our clients is a must.
• Technical proficiency with computers, phones, cameras, etc.
• Expert Witness experience is preferred.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship or any restrictions.

Licensure

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in NC is required, or eligible by reciprocity.

Physical & Travel Requirements

• Ability to perform fieldwork, including confined spaces and roof inspections.
• Must be able to carry ladders and operate required equipment.
• Willingness to travel locally, regionally, and nationally by vehicle or plane as needed.
• Some overnight travel will be required; however, most investigations can be done without overnight travel.

Education

• Bachelor of Science degree in Civil or Structural Engineering or a closely related degree from an ABET-accredited university required.
• Master of Science Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering preferred.

Location

• Remote (home office) – Charlotte, NC area.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $100,000 – $140,000 per year.
• In addition to the base salary, the compensation plan includes additional, nondiscretionary compensation based on billable productivity above a minimum threshold. Employees may elect at any time to transition to a model based primarily on a higher percentage of their billable rate applied to all billable hours worked. In practice, most employees choose to transition between approximately one and three years, once their billable hours support consistently higher earnings under this model.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, 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/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.