Licensed Building Enclosure Expert

AIA Colorado; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare (100% paid)

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Higgins & Associates, Inc. seeks a licensed Architect or Professional Engineer with extensive building enclosure experience to lead forensic investigations of roofing, waterproofing and exterior walls.

You will serve as a testifying expert in litigation and help guide repair/rehabilitation projects across Colorado and beyond. You will review plans and submittals, supervise diagnostic testing, and prepare defensible expert reports with adherence to codes and standards.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in architecture or civil/structural engineering.
• Licensed Architect or Professional Engineer (Colorado/Texas/Arizona licensure preferred).
• Experience performing forensic investigations and producing expert reports for litigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead forensic investigations of building enclosure performance (roofs, walls, fenestrations, waterproofing).
• Design and direct diagnostic testing programs and moisture assessments.
• Develop expert reports and opinions with defensible reasoning and code references.
• Serve as testifying expert including depositions, mediation, arbitration, and trial testimony.
• Mentor staff and review colleagues' investigative work and documentation.
• Support client relationships and business development through presentations and education.

Skills

Building enclosure consulting

Litigation experience

Technical report writing

Client communication

Lead investigations

Licensing: Architect/Engineer

Education

Architecture degree

Civil/Structural Eng degree

Tools

AutoCAD

BlueBeam Revu

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Founded in 2000, Higgins & Associates, Inc. is a leading forensic architecture and engineering firm serving clients across Colorado, Texas, Arizona, and beyond. We specialize in construction defect litigation support, post-litigation repair projects, and building envelope consulting for commercial, HOA and multi-family communities. Our team is built on technical excellence, integrity, and a commitment to delivering actionable results for our clients.

Position Overview

Higgins & Associates continues to build on a 25-year history of bringing the most trusted, objective and robust professional architecture and engineering services to clients across Colorado and beyond. In response to sustained growth in our construction defect and property loss practice, we are seeking a licensed Professional Engineer or Architect with extensive building enclosure experience to lead forensic investigations of roofing, waterproofing, fenestration and exterior wall assemblies, and to serve as a testifying expert in litigation and alternative dispute resolution matters.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead forensic investigations of building enclosure performance, including roofing systems, below-grade and horizontal waterproofing, air and water-resistive barriers, windows, doors, curtain wall, sealant joints, balconies, decks, and exterior facades such as stucco, adhered and anchored masonry veneer, fiber cement, and metal panel systems.
• Design and direct diagnostic testing programs, including destructive and non-destructive exploratory openings, water testing of fenestration and wall assemblies in accordance with recognized industry test standards, infrared thermography, and moisture surveys.
• Review background documentation - plans, specifications, submittals, shop drawings, manufacturer literature, warranties, maintenance records and construction correspondence - to establish original design intent, identify departures from the standard of care, and evaluate causation.
• Develop expert reports and technical opinions that are defensible, clearly reasoned, and supported by building codes, referenced standards, manufacturer requirements and industry best practice.
• Serve as a testifying expert, including preparation of disclosures, participation in depositions, mediation, arbitration, appraisal, and trial testimony.
• Assist with the preparation of architectural designs, construction documents and specifications for repair/rehabilitation projects.
• Assist with the review of RFIs, product submittals, etc. during repair/rehabilitation projects.
• Conduct Quality Assurance field observations for repair/rehabilitation work.
• Peer review the work of colleagues and mentor less experienced staff in investigative techniques, report writing and building enclosure science.
• Provide technical advice to clients including attorneys, homeowner association boards, property managers, contractors and insurers.
• Use excellent communication skills to ensure deadlines and cost targets are met.
• Support business development through client relationships, presentations, continuing education sessions and industry involvement.

Skills, Capabilities And Experience

• A minimum of eight years' professional experience in architecture, building enclosure consulting, forensic investigation, or closely related practice, with a current license as a licensed Architect or Professional Engineer (registration in Colorado, Texas and Arizona, or the ability to obtain reciprocal licensure, is preferred).
• Demonstrated experience performing litigation-related investigations, authoring expert reports for use in litigation, and providing testimony at deposition, arbitration or trial.
• Working knowledge of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, ASTM standards, and the technical literature of organizations such as the Air Barrier Association of America, the Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute, the National Roofing Contractors Association, and the Single Ply Roofing Industry.
• Familiarity with construction defect litigation practice, including the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act, notice and disclosure requirements, and the role of the standard of care in professional liability matters.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent matters and deadlines while remaining detail and quality focused.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, and to build rapport with clients, contractors, sub-contractors and other stakeholders.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and BlueBeam Revu
• A working knowledge of AutoCAD is desirable.
• Ability to access all areas of a construction site, including ladders, roofs, scaffolding and swing stages, and to travel to regional project sites as required.

Education/ Formal Training Required

• Professional degree in architecture or civil, structural or architectural engineering.
• Credentials such as Registered Roof Consultant, Registered Exterior Wall Consultant, Registered Building Enclosure Consultant, or Certified Document Technologist are viewed favorably.

What We Offer

• We aim to create an environment where the best people want to work, where they can turn their passion into their job and realize their full potential.
• Individual development, on-the-job training, and development programs designed to help our employees grow in their careers.
• Competitive pay and participation in the company bonus program based on performance-based incentives.
• 100% company paid healthcare, dental and vision insurance with discounted coverage for dependents
• 401(k).
• Unlimited time off policy.
• Flexible work environment

Compensation

• $120,000 - $150,000 depending on experience.