Senior Forensic Engineer

The Vertex Companies LLC; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

401(k) matching

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

The Vertex Companies, LLC is seeking a Senior Forensic Engineer in Columbia, SC to lead investigations of residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings, perform code research and failure analysis, and produce technical reports for insurance claims and construction defect matters.

You will manage project execution, support budgeting and client relations, travel regionally, and contribute to business development while maintaining high-quality deliverables.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 12 years of related experience or a Master's degree and 8 years of related experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required, with multiple states preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage project work products and coordinate with team members.
• Support Director to meet annual budget and utilization targets.
• Lead new accounts and expand existing engagements to meet sales goals.
• Meet defined utilization and revenue targets as set forth by leadership.
• Develop work documents and client communications with Director.
• Conduct forensic field inspections and develop remediation plans.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Construction knowledge

Code knowledge

Forensic investigations

Report writing

Communication

Education

PE license

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Adobe

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Description

The Vertex Companies, LLC (VERTEX) is a $180M global consulting firm that integrates strategic advisory, project management, and dispute resolution services for organizations facing complex challenges in a world of risk. We embody our core values of embracing lifelong learning, operating with urgency, maximizing value, and driving collaboration to better outcomes for our clients, colleagues, and communities. Join us if you are looking for a career that offers you a chance to love what you do and deliver meaningful impact.

Job Description

Senior Forensic Engineers are involved in a wide variety of tasks, including forensic investigations of residential, commercial, and/or mixed-use buildings, code research and construction document review, failure analysis, the scope of repair preparation, and report writing. These activities will generally be performed for both insurance property claims and construction defect litigation matters. Senior Forensic Engineers have cultivated a strong client following and excel at ongoing business development.

Core Responsibilities

• Work Product Creation, Project Management, Coordination with Team Members
• Responsible for supporting assigned Director in meeting or exceeding the defined annual budget for the entire practice area/practice division (including proactive management of assigned resources to meet or exceed defined utilization targets, oversight of execution of profitable engagement work streams, and communication with clients as assigned or requested)
• Responsible for managing and leading the execution of any new accounts and supporting the retaining and expansion of existing engagements to achieve sales goals
• Meet or exceed defined individual average utilization goals (and incorporating consideration of individual revenue targets) as set forth by company leadership
• Responsible for learning business development methodology and for being proactive in supporting assigned Director with drafts of relevant work documents (reports, presentations) or client communications
• Travel throughout region to support client, employee, and leadership needs
• Establish quality control of service delivery, maintaining an excellent reputation of quality
• Lead and manage in a manner that assists with rapid identification and escalation to Director of any client, team member or operational challenges

Operations

• Conduct forensic field inspections into the cause and origin of incidents related to residential and commercial property damage claims and/or construction or design defect claims (litigation)
• Assess the condition of existing structures for prospective buyers/sellers/tenants
• Inspect in-construction structures to prevent future claims/losses (loss control)
• Research failures attributed to the building design or construction to determine cause and origin of incident
• Develop detailed plan for remediation of loss: scope, schedule
• Develop expert investigative reports with detailed findings and plans for remediation for senior management review and client presentation
• Plan and execute business development activities and presentations, including regular contact with existing and prospective clients in the region
• Lead and manage in support of strategic plans that align with the organization's vision and defined business objectives
• Support construction of strong cross-functional teams to achieve success in shared goals, understanding that multiple perspectives and talents build stronger teams and results
• Manage assigned projects consistent with contracts and proactively alert assigned Director to any potential challenges or issues
• Ensure compliance of operations with all local, state and Federal (and International, if applicable) regulations, as well as compliance with company policy
• Ensure consistent high quality on deliverables for the practice
• Provide expert witness testimony for litigation cases as necessary
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Competencies

• Bachelor's degree and 12 years of related experience or a Master's degree and 8 years of related experience. Professional Engineering (PE) license required, with multiple states preferred

Knowledge & Skills

• Proven track record of customer relationship management and staff management and development
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Ability to carry and operate a 24-foot extension ladder unassisted, walk on sloped roofs and uneven surfaces, and work in small spaces (attics, crawl spaces)
• Strong knowledge of the residential (IRC), commercial (IBC) and existing (IEBC) I-codes
• Understanding of wood, steel, concrete, and masonry structural framing and foundation components
• Understanding of building envelope components preferred
• Experience in providing reliable work product review for technical deliverables
• Able to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with co-workers, clients, subcontractors, and vendors
• Able to provide oversight and direction to assigned staff
• Strong leadership, communication and organizational skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Developing increased emotional intelligence to work effectively with a wide variety of individuals at all levels, both internally and externally
• Able to handle multiple priorities and perform consistently and positively under high stress conditions
• Knowledge of computer operations and standard software packages (word processing, spreadsheets, Adobe) required

Additional Information

• Total compensation includes a base salary and a performance-based discretionary bonus program.
• Our comprehensive benefits package offers multiple healthcare and dental plan options, as well as company-paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability coverage-ensuring peace of mind for you and your family.
• We offer a 401(k) plan with immediate matching and full vesting, empowering employees to build financial security from day one.
• Additional benefits include Flexible Spending Accounts, a robust Employee Assistance Program, and a suite of exclusive perks that enhance everyday life.
• Time away matters-so we provide a generous paid time off program, including vacation, sick time, and paid holidays (with prorated options for eligible part-time employees).