Structural Forensic Engineer - Youngstown, Cleveland, Eaton, Akron

LVI Associates; Youngstown (OH); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 238,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare package

401(k) with company match

Company laptop

Company cell phone

Company credit card

Licensing fees paid

Continuing education covered

Inspection equipment provided

Administrative and billing support

Job summary

LVI Associates in Northeast Ohio seeks a Senior Forensic Engineer or Registered Architect to support insurance claims, damage investigations, failure analysis, and building envelope assessments across Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years of engineering, architecture, construction, restoration, or forensic experience, with deep knowledge of building systems and strong report writing and client communication skills.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of engineering, architecture, construction, restoration, or forensic experience.
• Strong knowledge of building systems and construction methods.
• Exposure to building enclosure consulting, roofing, waterproofing, moisture intrusion, exterior envelopes, or related areas.
• PE or RA license preferred and professional presence for client interfacing.

Responsibilities

• Investigate building failures, property damage, and construction-related issues.
• Evaluate wind, hail, storm, fire, collapse, vibration, water intrusion, and defects in claims.
• Inspect various building types and document findings with technical reports.
• Support litigation as required and liaise with carriers, adjusters, attorneys, and owners.
• Assess roofing systems, building enclosures, structural systems, and moisture barriers.

Skills

Communication skills

Report writing

Client interface

Building construction knowledge

Education

Professional engineer (PE)

Registered Architect (RA)

Job description

A highly respected forensic engineering and building consulting firm is seeking a Senior Forensic Engineer or Registered Architect to support a growing portfolio of insurance claims, damage investigations, failure analysis, and building envelope assessments throughout Northeast Ohio. This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex building failures, getting into the field, and delivering expert technical opinions, rather than sitting behind a desk producing design drawings.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Unlike many firms in the forensic space that have recently been acquired by private equity groups or larger consulting organizations, this is an independent, multi-generational business with a strong reputation, long-tenured staff, and a people-first culture. Employees are trusted to manage their schedules, focus on technical work, and avoid the administrative burden that often comes with consulting roles.

The firm handles the marketing, billing, collections, invoicing, administrative support, licensing costs, inspection equipment, and client development, allowing engineers to spend their time where they add the most value: investigations and technical analysis.

What You'll Be Doing

• Investigating building failures, property damage, and construction-related issues.
• Evaluating wind, hail, storm, fire, collapse, vibration, water intrusion, and construction defect claims.
• Inspecting residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, hospitality, retail, warehouse, and agricultural buildings.
• Conducting site investigations, documenting findings, analyzing damage, and preparing technical reports.
• Supporting litigation matters when required.
• Working directly with insurance carriers, adjusters, attorneys, and property owners.
• Assessing roofing systems, building enclosures, structural systems, moisture intrusion, windows, doors, cladding, waterproofing, and other building assemblies.

What They're Looking For

This is not a role for someone who has spent their entire career performing pure structural design.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 5+ years, 10+ preferred, of experience in design, construction, forensic engineering, architecture, building enclosure consulting, restoration consulting, or property investigations.
• Strong understanding of how buildings are actually constructed and how building systems fail.
• Exposure to architectural assemblies, roofing, waterproofing, moisture intrusion, exterior envelopes, building materials, and construction methods.
• PE or RA license preferred.
• Strong communication and report-writing skills.
• A professional presence and ability to interface directly with clients.

Territory

• 95% of work is concentrated within the Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Youngstown, and Western Pennsylvania markets.
• Primarily day travel.
• Minimal overnight travel.
• Limited travel outside Northeast Ohio.
• Hybrid and remote flexibility available following onboarding and training.

Compensation

This firm has a unique compensation structure designed for high-performing consultants.

Approximate annual earnings based on billable hours:

• 30 billable hours/week = $160,000
• 35 billable hours/week = $185,000
• 40 billable hours/week = $212,000
• 45 billable hours/week = $238,000

Travel time, site inspections, adjuster communications, and report writing are all considered billable activities. Compensation is directly tied to billed work rather than arbitrary bonus targets.

Benefits

• Fully competitive healthcare package
• 401(k) with company match
• Company laptop
• Company cell phone
• Company credit card
• Professional licensing fees paid
• Continuing education coveredInspection equipment provided
• Administrative and billing support provided by internal staff

Who Would Be Interested?

Candidates coming from:

• Forensic Engineering
• Building Envelope Consulting
• Repair & Restoration Consulting
• Architecture
• Construction Management
• Structural Engineering
• Property Loss Consulting
• Building Diagnostics
• Insurance Claims Investigations

Desired Skills and Experience

Established forensic engineering and building consulting firm seeking a Senior Forensic Engineer or Architect in Northeast Ohio. Focus on insurance claims, property damage investigations, construction defects, building envelope assessments, and failure analysis across Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown. Ideal candidates will have 10+ years of engineering, architecture, construction, restoration, or forensic experience with strong knowledge of building systems and construction methods. Flexible work environment, limited travel, no business development requirements, and earning potential ranging from $140K-$220+.