Divisional Vice President - Forensics Engineering

Job Description

Job Description

Vice President, Forensic Engineering

Technical Authority. Trusted Expert. Builder of Excellence.

Are you the person others rely on to validate conclusions, especially when the analysis must withstand legal scrutiny?

Do you take pride in delivering work that is technically rigorous, defensible, and worthy of expert testimony?

Are you energized by mentoring engineers, setting the technical bar, and ensuring every deliverable reflects true engineering excellence?

Stress Engineering Services (SES) is an elite, one-of-a-kind engineering consulting firm, trusted for more than 50 years to solve the problems others can’t. Our reputation is built on an uncompromising commitment to technical excellence, a highly selective team of experts, and a track record of delivering answers in the most complex, high-stakes environments. We operate at the intersection of deep technical expertise and real-world application, partnering with clients across energy, aerospace, consumer products, medical, and beyond. Our teams combine advanced analysis with hands-on testing, failure analysis, and practical engineering judgment to deliver solutions that perform where it matters most—in the field. As an employee-owned company, our people are personally invested in every outcome, creating a culture where accountability is high and excellence is the standard. We don’t just solve problems—we uncover root causes, mitigate risk, and deliver confidence.

For our clients, that means a trusted partner known for rigor and results. For our people, it means joining an elite team tackling the most meaningful challenges in engineering.

SES is where complex problems meet uncommon solutions—and where elite engineers come to do their best work.

Our Core Values

• We Over Me – We put the mission, our clients, and our team ahead of individual agendas
• Unyielding Pursuit of Excellence – Excellence is the standard. We deliver the right solution, on time, every time
• Own It – We take accountability to earn trust and deliver results

This role is ideal for a leader who values precision, credibility, and mentorship as much as impact.

Position Overview

The Vice President, Forensic Engineering serves as a senior technical authority responsible for guiding complex forensic investigations, ensuring quality and defensibility of engineering deliverables, and providing expert testimony in high stakes matters. This role emphasizes technical oversight, quality assurance, and thought leadership, while supporting strategic growth and development of practice.

Day in the Life

In this role, you operate as both a technical anchor and trusted advisor. You may be reviewing and strengthening an expert report to ensure every conclusion is supported and defensible, consulting with a team on investigative approach or testing strategy, or weighing in on complex failure mechanisms where the path forward isn’t immediately clear. You collaborate closely with engineers across disciplines, guiding analysis, challenging assumptions, and reinforcing engineering rigor.

You also engage directly with clients and legal teams, clarifying findings, aligning on strategy, and preparing for depositions or testimony. Throughout it all, you mentor developing engineers, shaping how they think, communicate, and uphold standards. At the same time, you help the practice grow by reinforcing credibility, supporting key client relationships, and ensuring every deliverable reflects the quality Stress is known for.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Authority & Quality Oversight

• Serve as a senior technical reviewer and authority on forensic investigations, ensuring work is accurate, defensible, and aligned with engineering fundamentals.
• Oversee root cause and failure analyses across mechanical, structural, materials, and industrial systems.
• Oversee multiple high-priority projects of varying size and complexity, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency, timeliness, and adherence to technical standards.
• Ensure evidence-based methodologies, proper documentation, and adherence to professional and regulatory standards.
• Establish and reinforce best practices for forensic investigations, reporting, and expert testimony.

Forensic Investigation & Testimony

• Provide leadership and oversight on cause-and-origin investigations, often involving equipment failures, structural issues, industrial incidents, or product performance.
• Direct hands-on field investigations, including cause-and-origin assessments, engineering analyses, testing strategies, and equipment or system disassembly to uncover critical findings, as needed for complex or high-risk matters.
• Serve as a testifying expert, including depositions, expert reports, and courtroom testimony.
• Translate complex engineering findings into clear, credible, and persuasive conclusions for legal and non-technical audiences.

Mentorship & Technical Development

• Mentor engineers in engineering judgment, failure analysis, and technical communication.
• Conduct detailed technical reviews, providing coaching that elevates both individual and team performance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, precision, and continuous learning.

Practice Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with leadership to ensure consistent technical standards and quality control across projects.
• Support strategic client engagements by reinforcing credibility and technical depth.
• Collaborate across disciplines to solve complex, multidisciplinary engineering problems.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in mechanical, civil/structural, materials, chemical, or related engineering field (PhD preferred)
• Strong command of engineering fundamentals and failure analysis methodologies
• 10+ years of experience in forensic consulting, failure analysis, or related fields
• Demonstrated expert witness and testimony experience
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) preferred or required
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to travel as needed for fieldwork and client engagements

Why Join SES

• Solve problems that matter – Your work directly impacts product performance, safety, and reliability
• High autonomy + high ownership – You’re trusted to lead and deliver
• Broad technical exposure – Work across industries, materials, and challenges
• Collaborate with experts – Learn from recognized leaders in engineering and failure analysis
• Entrepreneurial environment – Be part of a team that values initiative, curiosity, and innovation
• Employee-owned culture (ESOP) – Share in the success you help create
• Thought Leadership - You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful engineering insights, share your expertise with the broader industry, and build credibility as a trusted technical voice.

What’s in it for you?
At Stress Engineering, curiosity isn’t just encouraged—it’s expected. You’ll have the opportunity to deepen your technical expertise, broaden your industry exposure, and make a meaningful impact on real-world engineering challenges from day one.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, and holidays. Your compensation is thoughtfully aligned with your experience, expertise, and the value you bring to the team.

Own your impact. Build your future.
Here, employee ownership is more than a benefit—it’s part of our culture. The work you do today contributes to long-term success that you share in, alongside a team that values collaboration, innovation, and accountability. We’re built for stability and growth, where your technical skills and problem-solving directly influence outcomes—not just for individual projects, but for the future of the company. If you’re driven by meaningful work, a strong team, and the opportunity to think like an owner, you’ll thrive at Stress Engineering.

Recruitment Process Disclosure
As part of your candidacy and potential future employment, you agree to maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, sensitive, and client-related information obtained through interactions with SES. This obligation applies during and after your engagement.

As part of our hiring process, Stress Engineering Services may use technology tools, including automated tools, to help organize, review, or evaluate application materials and interview-related information. These tools are used to support our recruiting process, but hiring decisions are not made solely by technology. If you need would like to request a reasonable accommodation or would like additional information about the process, please contact View email address on ziprecruiter.com. Where applicable required by law, we will provide additional notices if a specific tool analyzes interview responses, assessments, or other information as part of your evaluation.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Stress Engineering Services, Inc. (SES) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.