Summary of Job Purpose
The Senior Project Engineer will apply scientific methodology to investigate and determine the cause of complex failures of materials, components, and products. The engineer may be called upon to isolate the specific reason(s) a product, device, or substance failed, which may lead to legal activity including civil and criminal proceedings. Some assignments may include analysis of property damage, personal injuries, and design/installation issues related to construction, fire, explosion, catastrophic claims, and equipment failures.
Primary Job Responsibilities
- Investigate the cause of failures, damages, or defects in mechanical fields within industrial, commercial, and residential sites.
- Analyze the failure of mechanical systems, determine causes, evaluate the quality of construction, and review design or maintenance procedures.
- Participate in catastrophe responses such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildland fires, and earthquakes.
- Perform field investigations and lead multi‑party examinations, documenting damaged property.
- Research failure modes and code requirements as needed, and prepare recommendations for repair and/or remediation.
- Prepare accurate, clear, thorough, and concise reports and letters outlining the cause and origin of the damages to clients.
- Follow established policies, procedures, and processes in preparing information, exercising sound judgment in potentially unusual or complicated situations, and submitting reports and documents in a timely manner according to client standards.
- Provide deposition or expert testimony as a fact or expert witness for product liability cases, civil or federal court cases, and occasionally criminal cases, investigating and testifying in deposition or courtroom settings regarding the cause, extent, or source of damages or professional liability.
- Maintain established relationships with current clients and consultants.
- Manage and/or work with multi‑disciplinary teams on large and complex assignments, ensuring a cohesive approach to the investigation while maintaining effective communication across the project team.
- Stay abreast of office and company policies, procedures, and practices; participate in ongoing training and development as assigned or approved to keep knowledge and skills current and comprehensive.
- Adhere to all applicable State Insurance Regulation requirements and other applicable laws, regulations, and standards.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Required Skills, Abilities, and Experience
- 5–7 years’ experience evaluating mechanical failures.
- Skills in analyzing, interpreting, synthesizing, prioritizing, and reporting pertinent information.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Exemplary time management and organizational skills, including attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to evaluate project schedule progress/performance and identify developing problem areas.
- Ability to allocate resources appropriately in the face of competing demands.
- Dedication to a tactful and constructive approach in coaching team members.
- Commitment to being an effective and collaborative team member.
- Sound written and oral communication, problem‑solving, influencing, and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to work in catastrophic environments such as the aftermath of natural disasters for an extended period.
- Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and CRM software.
- Commitment to confidentiality and discreet handling of sensitive information.
- Safety mindset with the ability to foresee project risks associated with investigations.
- Willingness to obtain additional Professional Engineering Licenses as required.
- Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in a work capacity.
- Teamwork, compassion, and respect toward others, and adherence to ethical behavior and professional conduct.
Preferred Skills, Abilities, and Experience
- Experience in a commercial or industrial setting.
- Forensics experience is a plus.
- 1–3 years’ experience working with law firms and insurance companies.
- Power systems experience (generators, transformers, switchgear).
- Electro‑mechanical experience.
- Project Management and MEP experience.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline is required. Active Professional Engineer license is required (preferred in the state of employment).
Working Conditions
The position frequently requires work at the site of property damage or loss, including locations where disasters or catastrophes have occurred; may require evening, overnight, and weekend travel and work. The incumbent may be subject to outside weather and environmental conditions, including extreme heat, cold, and precipitation. Exposure to noise, vibrations, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, heights, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation may occur. Work may be required in close quarters, crawl spaces, enclosed rooms, narrow aisles, passageways, or other enclosed areas, requiring physical agility, balance, and the ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, and grasp items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Physical Activities and Requirements
Close visual acuity (with or without correction) is required to prepare reports, read documents, and conduct inspections. The incumbent must be able to view a computer terminal, use a keyboard, read printed documents, make detailed visual inspections, perceive color, depth, and have sufficient field of vision. Willingness to travel an average of +/-25–30% of the workweek to accommodate meetings, with increased two‑week deployments during catastrophe events, and attend other work‑related activities outside normal daytime business hours.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Envista Forensics embraces diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Veterans are encouraged to consider Envista as their next career destination. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.