Forensic Structural Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Forensic Structural Engineer - PE/SE

Company Name: SML - Consulting Structural & Forensic Engineers
Legal Name: Starling Madison Lofquist, Inc.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Project Focus: Forensic Investigation, Structural Damage Assessment, Repair Design, Special Inspections, and Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Structures in Wood, Masonry, Reinforced Concrete, Structural Steel, and Aluminum
Work Setting: Full-Time | Office and field-based | Approximately 50% local/regional fieldwork
Base Salary: $85,000-$120,000 annually, based on experience, licensure, and technical capabilities
Represented By: Luxus Group

Position Overview

SML - Consulting Structural & Forensic Engineers is seeking a licensed Professional Engineer to join its Phoenix-based forensic engineering practice.

This is an opportunity to perform technically meaningful work that helps property owners, businesses, insurers, contractors, and other stakeholders understand structural damage and determine the safest, most practical path toward restoration. The Forensic Structural Engineer will investigate damaged buildings, identify the cause and extent of structural distress, document objective findings, and develop engineered repair recommendations.

Assignments may involve damage resulting from vehicle or tree impacts, fires, water intrusion, flooding, foundation movement, construction deficiencies, broken or modified roof trusses, changes in structural loads, deterioration, and other building-related conditions.

Projects encompass residential, commercial, and industrial properties constructed from wood, masonry, reinforced concrete, structural steel, aluminum, and other building materials. The position combines field investigation, structural analysis, repair design, technical writing, client communication, and project management.

Core Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site structural inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings
• Investigate damage associated with vehicle impacts, tree impacts, fires, floods, water intrusion, foundation movement, altered loads, damaged trusses, construction defects, and other reported events
• Evaluate visible distress, material performance, structural load paths, existing conditions, and potential contributing factors
• Determine the nature, cause, and extent of structural damage using objective engineering principles
• Gather field measurements, photographs, sketches, notes, material information, and other supporting evidence
• Develop unbiased, technically defensible conclusions based on available evidence, calculations, applicable codes, and observed conditions
• Clearly distinguish between event-related damage, pre-existing conditions, maintenance concerns, and unrelated deficiencies when supported by the investigation
• Perform structural calculations necessary to evaluate existing conditions and restore structural integrity
• Prepare repair recommendations, construction details, drawings, and technical specifications
• Design repairs involving wood framing, roof trusses, reinforced concrete, masonry, steel, aluminum, foundations, and other structural components
• Apply applicable building codes, referenced standards, engineering principles, and jurisdictional requirements
• Evaluate repair alternatives for safety, constructability, durability, and cost-effectiveness
• Support structural design assignments involving remodels, additions, tenant improvements, and commercial or industrial structures when needed
• Prepare clear, organized, and technically accurate forensic engineering reports
• Document site conditions, reported histories, investigative procedures, observations, analyses, conclusions, and repair recommendations
• Integrate field photographs, sketches, calculations, and supporting documentation into final deliverables
• Maintain complete and contemporaneous project records, including client communications and status updates
• Produce work capable of withstanding review by clients, contractors, insurers, attorneys, building officials, and other engineering professionals
• Conduct or support special structural inspections involving concrete, masonry, structural steel, drilled piers, post-installed anchors, and other code-required conditions
• Document inspection results accurately and communicate nonconforming conditions to the appropriate stakeholders
• Coordinate with contractors, testing agencies, owners, and design professionals to help resolve field issues
• Manage assigned projects from initial authorization through investigation, reporting, repair design, and closeout
• Establish and communicate project schedules, priorities, deliverables, and client expectations
• Manage multiple assignments while maintaining quality, responsiveness, and budget awareness
• Provide clients with timely updates and proactively communicate schedule changes, additional information needs, or emerging technical concerns
• Coordinate with property owners, contractors, restoration professionals, insurance representatives, attorneys, architects, consultants, and jurisdictional authorities
• Support other SML project managers and engineers as project needs require
• Help strengthen existing client relationships and identify opportunities to support new and recurring clients

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline
• Licensure: Active Professional Engineer license
• Arizona Licensure: Active Arizona PE license, an active NCEES record supporting comity licensure, or the ability to obtain Arizona licensure within six months of employment
• Experience: Approximately 1-3 or more years of relevant field engineering experience in structural engineering, building assessment, failure investigation, repair design, construction, or a related discipline
• Technical Knowledge: Working knowledge of structural systems and building materials, including wood, masonry, concrete, and steel
• Analysis: Ability to perform structural calculations and translate findings into practical repair recommendations
• Communication: Strong technical writing skills and the ability to present complex engineering conclusions clearly and objectively
• Project Delivery: Ability to manage multiple projects, competing deadlines, and changing priorities
• Driving: Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record
• Travel: Ability and willingness to travel to project sites throughout Greater Phoenix and other areas of Arizona

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Education: Master's degree or Ph.D. in Civil or Structural Engineering
• Licensure: Active Structural Engineer license
• Forensic Experience: Previous forensic engineering, insurance-loss, structural restoration, or building-damage assessment experience
• Investigation Types: Experience investigating fire damage, impact damage, water-related damage, foundation movement, roof-truss failures, or construction defects
• Repair Design: Experience preparing structural repair drawings and details
• Special Inspections: Experience conducting special inspections
• Software: Familiarity with AutoCAD and, where applicable, Revit or other structural-design software
• Stakeholder Experience: Experience communicating with insurers, adjusters, attorneys, contractors, restoration firms, property owners, or expert witnesses
• Multi-State Licensure: Active NCEES record and the ability to obtain additional state licenses as project needs evolve

Attributes for Success

• Objective and analytical, with the professional discipline to let the evidence guide the conclusion
• Highly observant and attentive to small but potentially significant field conditions
• Comfortable working independently while remaining connected to a collaborative engineering team
• Confident making field decisions and asking questions when additional information is required
• Organized, accountable, and responsive to clients and internal stakeholders
• Capable of explaining technical findings to both engineering and nontechnical audiences
• Interested in photography, field measurement, building documentation, and investigative problem-solving
• Motivated to strengthen client relationships through quality work and dependable communication
• Committed to producing accurate, consistent, and defensible engineering deliverables

Fieldwork and Physical Requirements

Approximately 50% of the position may be spent outside the office performing inspections and collecting field information. Reasonable accommodations may be available for qualified individuals. The position may require the ability to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods
• Work in indoor and outdoor environments under varying weather and site conditions
• Lift or move equipment and objects weighing up to approximately 40 pounds
• Ascend and descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, and first- or second-story roofs
• Balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach while inspecting structural components
• Work in attics, roof areas, crawl spaces, construction sites, and other restricted-access locations when safe and appropriate
• Operate a vehicle and travel between project sites for extended periods

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary of $85,000-$120,000, depending on professional experience, Arizona licensure, SE credentials, forensic expertise, repair-design capabilities, and overall qualifications
• Employer-paid healthcare options, including available HSA-based plans
• Safe Harbor 401(k) contribution equal to 3% of salary, with no employee contribution required
• Employer-paid term life insurance
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Optional dental and vision coverage
• 15 days of combined PTO/sick leave
• 20 days of PTO/sick leave after five years
• 25 days of PTO/sick leave after ten years
• 8.5 paid holidays
• Weekly direct-deposit payroll
• Company-supported professional licensing
• Paid continuing education and professional memberships
• Coverage of eligible FE, PE, and SE examination fees, references, and testing expenses
• Internal and external technical training
• Professional growth and advancement opportunities

About SML

Starling Madison Lofquist, Inc., doing business as SML - Consulting Structural & Forensic Engineers, is a privately held engineering firm headquartered in Phoenix. SML has served the Southwest for nearly 40 years and has performed engineering work throughout the United States for approximately two decades. Capabilities include forensic engineering and structural-failure investigations, structural evaluation and damage assessment, restoration and repair design, new construction and renovations, special inspections and construction testing, expert-witness and litigation support, solar-support system engineering, swimming-pool and aquatic-structure engineering, and architectural metals, curtain wall, storefront, and structural-glass design.

SML's licensed professional and structural engineers are supported by experienced design, drafting, inspection, and administrative staff, and the firm maintains professional licensure across numerous states. Its project portfolio includes commercial buildings, custom residential properties, educational and healthcare facilities, entertainment venues, hospitality, mixed-use and retail developments, offices, parking structures, public works, renovations, and science and technology facilities. SML maintains a close-knit environment in which engineers can have a visible impact, work directly with clients, and gain exposure to a diverse range of assignments.

About Luxus Group

Luxus Group is a specialized recruiting and talent advisory firm serving the architecture, engineering, construction, and related professional-services industries. As an AEC-focused recruiting partner, Luxus Group helps engineering and design firms identify, engage, evaluate, and hire difficult-to-find professionals. Its recruiting team understands the technical differences between forensic and structural engineers, project managers, technical leads, discipline leaders, and principal-level professionals. Luxus Group is representing Starling Madison Lofquist, Inc. in identifying and recruiting qualified candidates for this opportunity. Interested professionals may contact Luxus Group for a confidential discussion regarding the position, compensation, team structure, project portfolio, and long-term advancement potential.

Equal Employment Opportunity

SML is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace where employees are respected and encouraged to contribute their individual experiences, perspectives, and expertise. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination based on any status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.