PhD Structural Forensic Engineer – Multidisciplinary Lead

Exponent; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Exponent is seeking a Structural Engineer/Associate (Ph.D.) to join our Civil & Structural Engineering Practice across multiple US locations, including Los Angeles and New York. The role focuses on forensic investigations, complex design assessment, and performance analysis of buildings and bridges.

You will model failures, develop analytical tools, and compose reports for clients, insurers, and legal teams. A Ph.D. and professional licensure path or eligibility within 4 years are required.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a Structural Engineering focus.
• P.E. or S.E. license or the ability to become licensed within 4 years of hire.
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States. No immigration sponsorship or processing required.
• Excellent creative problem-solving ability.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as lead and work in multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Conducting field investigations and site inspections of buildings, infrastructure, and specialty structures to document conditions, evaluate structural performance, and identify potential contributors to damage, distress, or failure.
• Problem solving to determine root causes of structural performance issues, construction defects, material degradation, and damage from events such as extreme weather, earthquakes, flooding, explosions, fire, or long-term degradation.
• Modeling failures through structural calculations, analyses, and assessment of load paths, capacity, durability, serviceability, and code compliance.
• Developing and applying analytical tools, models, and frameworks to characterize structural risks and failure mechanisms.
• Collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to solve complex engineering problems.
• Preparing clear, technically rigorous reports, presentations, calculations, and exhibits for clients and other audiences.
• Reviewing project information, drawings, specifications, records, data, and literature to synthesize findings.
• Contributing to client service and business development by supporting proposals and client relationships.
• Maintaining professional expertise through development, publications, and licensure.

Skills

Problem solving

Verbal and written communication

Independent & team leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering - Structural focus

Job description

Exponent is seeking a Structural Engineer/Associate (Ph.D.) to join our Civil & Structural Engineering Practice across multiple US locations, including Los Angeles and New York. The role focuses on forensic investigations, complex design assessment, and performance analysis of buildings and bridges.

You will model failures, develop analytical tools, and compose reports for clients, insurers, and legal teams. A Ph.D. and professional licensure path or eligibility within 4 years are required.