Restoration Engineer

Department: Existing Building

Lerch Bates is seeking a Restoration Engineer to lead the investigation, evaluation, and rehabilitation of existing buildings and structures. This role focuses on identifying building deficiencies, assessing structural and enclosure performance, and developing practical repair and restoration solutions that extend the life, safety, and performance of the built environment.

As a Restoration Engineer , you will manage projects from initial assessment through design and construction support, serving as a technical lead and trusted advisor to clients. Projects may include structural rehabilitation, façade restoration, waterproofing repairs, parking structure rehabilitation, building envelope restoration, and other existing building improvement initiatives.

This position combines engineering expertise, project management, and client relationship development while providing opportunities to mentor technical staff and contribute to the growth of Lerch Bates' rehabilitation and restoration practice.

About Lerch Bates:

Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we've partnered on some of the world's most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP, which fosters an ownership mindset and accountability in everything we do. At Lerch Bates, your expertise matters, your voice carries weight, and your work directly contributes to our shared success as OneLB.


What You'll Do:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.

Building Assessment & Investigation

• Conduct condition assessments of existing buildings, structures, and building envelope systems
• Investigate deterioration, distress, water intrusion, material failures, and performance deficiencies
• Review construction documents, historical records, field conditions to identify root causes and develop repair strategies
• Evaluate structural systems, façades, waterproofing assemblies, parking structures, and related building components

Engineering Evaluation & Repair Design

• Prepare technical reports documenting findings, conclusions, and repair recommendations
• Develop restoration, rehabilitation, and repair solutions for existing buildings and structures
• Perform engineering calculations and analyses to support repair designs and code compliance
• Review reports, calculations, and technical deliverables prepared by project team members

Project Management & Construction Support

• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and deliverables
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and specialty consultants throughout project delivery
• Prepare or oversee repair drawings, specifications, bid documents, and construction administration activities
• Conduct site visits and quality assurance observations during construction
• Review shop drawings, submittals, and contractor requests for information

Client Leadership & Business Development

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to building owners, property managers, architects, and contractors
• Present findings and recommendations to clients and project stakeholders
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships
• Support proposal development, scope definition, fee development, and project pursuits
• Identify opportunities to expand services and support business growth initiatives

Mentorship & Technical Leadership

• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and training to engineers, specialists, and technical staff
• Review project deliverables for quality, consistency, and technical accuracy
• Contribute to technical excellence initiatives and knowledge sharing across the organization

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (or related discipline). Master's degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 5+ years of experience in structural engineering, preferably focused on existing buildings, repair, or rehabilitation
• Strong understanding of structural systems and behavior in existing buildings
• Experience with structural condition assessments, investigations, and repair design
• Ability to clearly communicate technical findings in reports and presentations
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced consulting environment
• Experience working with architects, contractors, and building owners
• Proficiency in structural analysis or design tools (as applicable)
• Strong commitment to quality, accuracy, and attention to detail

Why Work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
• 9 paid holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
• Performance-based incentives and bonuses
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

Be more than just an employee...

Lerch Bates is 100% employee-owned! Our employee-owners bring a distinct "we own what we do" brand of technical consulting to every project and partnership. When you work with us, you join a company with an ownership mindset. Expect responsibility, service, and performance in everything we do. So, what does that mean for you? After a certain service time, you are eligible for stock ownership, which essentially works as an additional wealth accumulation and/or retirement account!


Core Values

Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism

Working Environment:

This role includes a mixture of office and field work, including visits to active construction sites and existing buildings. Fieldwork may involve climbing, confined spaces, and exposure to construction environments. Reasonable accommodation is available upon request.

Physical Demands:

The employee must be able to work at extreme heights using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and in various weather conditions (e.g., extreme heat, cold, and wet).

The work environment varies greatly from a general office environment, construction sites and entry into tight spaces which requires the ability to tolerate constant up, down, forward and reversing motions while performing work

Mental Demands:

This position requires strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Employees must interpret complex information, apply mathematical and logical reasoning, quickly learn new skills, and manage detailed, multitask workloads under shifting deadlines. Regular interaction with executives, colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders is also expected.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.