Consulting Associate/IP Investigations (Forensic Services practice)

About Charles River Associates

CRA is a leading global consulting firm that provides independent economic and financial analysis behind litigation matters, guides businesses through critical strategy and operational issues to become more profitable, and advises governments on the economic impact of policies and regulations. Our two main services – economic and management consulting – are delivered by practice groups that focus on specific areas of expertise or industries. Click here to learn how CRA can help you  launch your career.

Position Overview

CRA’s  Forensic Services practice supports companies’ commitment to integrity by assisting them and their counsel in independently responding to allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, and non-compliance. We are noted for deploying cross-trained teams of forensic professionals to assist our clients in gaining deeper insights and greater value more quickly.

We are looking for curious, analytical, highly motivated candidates with 2-5 years of experience who have majored in Computer Science or an equivalent degree. We value knowledge of software development, system design and implementation, exceptional written and oral communication skills, and a high level of initiative. We expect Consulting Associates to use their technical expertise to solve client problems, work collaboratively with a team, effectively manage their time, prioritize tasks, and take pride and ownership in their work.

The opportunities to contribute to the Forensic Services team in this role may include (but are not limited to):

• Conducting detailed forensic investigations of source code and systems in the context of copyright infringement, patent infringement, software failure, and software audit matters;
• Leveraging technical and consulting expertise to support counsel and clients in intellectual property litigation or disputes involving complex technology;
• Analyzing and inspecting source code, database schemas, system configurations, technical documentation, and other sources of technical evidence typically produced in the context of intellectual property litigation;
• Assisting with the preparation of expert reports and declarations describing technical and analytical findings;
• Ensuring reliability of analysis and risk management through implementing quality control measures and documentation;
• Participating in practice-building activities including recruiting and training;

Desired Qualifications

• Experience and deep understanding of programming languages including C, Java, or Python
• Strong understanding of source code analysis, binary reverse engineering, and hardware functional testing techniques
• Familiarity of analytical tools (e.g., SciTools Understand) used to visualize and understand software code
• Understanding of database administration and software development models (SDLC, Agile, etc.)
• Experience with drafting technical and investigative reports and communicating technical findings

To Apply

To be considered for a position in the United States , we require the following:

• Resume – please include current address, personal email and telephone number

If you are interested in applying for one of our international locations , please visit our Careers site to view and apply for available jobs.

Career Growth and Benefits 

• CRA’s robust skills development programs , including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.
• We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

Work Location Flexibility

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently expect that individuals spend at least 3 to 4 days a week working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to client meetings), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

The District of Columbia requires CRA to include a good-faith estimate of the wage range for this role. This range is specific to individuals applying to work in our Washington, DC office and considers a number of factors including but not limited to experience, education level, and expertise. A good-faith estimate of the base wage range for this role is $105,000 - $115,000; actual total compensation may also include benefits and bonus.