Senior Consultant - Forensics (Structural Engineer)

Department: Forensics

Job Summary:

Are you a strong leader who enjoys providing technical expertise and recommendations to clients? Lerch Bates is seeking a Forensics Consultant to identify, plan, direct, and oversee building enclosure and rehabilitation projects. This role is responsible for managing multiple projects while investigating building performance issues and developing solutions for repair and restoration. The Consultant serves as a technical advisor and client partner , leading assessments, preparing technical reports, and coordinating design and construction activities. In addition, the Consultant provides technical review, mentorship, and guidance to specialists, engineers, and other team members while acting as a liaison on matters related to building science, structural performance, and enclosure systems. If you enjoy solving complex building challenges, working collaboratively with industry professionals, and providing trusted expertise to clients, we encourage you to apply.

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 pairs Building Science and Building Flow with one integrated team delivery. Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, management and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex Built Environment.

We are each 100% equal owners in the LB ESOP , which drives our ownership mindset and shapes everything we do. At Lerch Bates, your expertise matters, your voice carries weight and your work directly contributes to our shared success as OneLB. We invest in professional growth, collaboration, and technical excellence, supporting challenging and meaningful work alongside people who care about getting it right. If you're motivated by solving real problems, working on impactful projects, and being part of a team that truly owns both the work and the outcome, you're ready to be more than an employee. You're ready to be an employee-owner.

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.

Assessment

• Conduct on-site investigations and field reviews of existing buildings to evaluate structural systems, building enclosures, roofing systems, waterproofing assemblies, and exterior facades, including masonry.
• Review background documentation and original construction details to identify areas of risk such as water penetration, air leakage, condensation, or other building enclosure failures.
• Evaluate building performance and identify potential defects, deterioration, or construction-related deficiencies.

Evaluation

• Prepare technical reports and presentations documenting investigation findings, existing conditions, and recommended repair strategies.
• Analyze building conditions and extend observed defects to determine root causes and long-term repair solutions.
• Conduct peer reviews of reports and findings prepared by team members to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Design & Technical Review

• Participate in or lead meetings with owners, developers, architects, adjusters, and other consultants to review findings and coordinate project objectives.
• Coordinate with internal designers, engineers, and consultants to prepare construction drawings, specifications, and bid documents.
• Review drawings, details, shop drawings, and submittals to ensure compliance with project intent, engineering principles, and industry best practices.

Project Oversight

• Conduct on-site quality assurance observations during construction to confirm work is performed in accordance with contract documents, manufacturer requirements, and industry standards.
• Prepare site visit reports and documentation of construction progress.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to technicians and specialists performing field reviews, including review of site visit reports for consistency and technical accuracy.
• Manage all aspects of assigned projects, including scope, schedule, design coordination, budgets, quality control, staffing, and execution.

Client Communication

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients by providing expert recommendations and guidance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand services on existing projects.
• Proactively communicate project status, findings, and recommendations to clients and project stakeholders.

Performance & Project Management

• Monitor project performance through regular reviews of scope, schedule, and budget against project plans.
• Facilitate internal and client-facing project status meetings and address any variances or issues impacting project delivery.
• Manage time, budgets, resources, and schedules using departmental tools and processes while adhering to Lerch Bates procedures.

Leadership

• As applicable, supervise and mentor team members , including providing technical guidance, reviewing reports, and managing schedules.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and development discussions with direct reports.
• Support training and knowledge sharing across the team.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related discipline .
• Structural Engineer (SE) license required.
• 8-10 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, or construction industry.
• Previous experience managing , mentoring, and leading teams.
• Technical competency and an ability to effectively communicate and build rapport with clients, colleagues, Architects, Engineers, General and Subcontractors.
• A technical and practical understanding of building enclosure systems , specifically roofing, waterproofing, claddings, fenestration, and air/water/thermal/vapor barriers.
• Expert understanding of enclosure installation quality , timing of events, and the upstream and downstream impacts of the schedule.
• Excellent skills in technical writing and oral communication.
• Flexible, responsive, and confident multi-tasking skills .
• An ability to work independently , handle multiple deadlines, and accommodate shifting priorities.
• An ability to lead and contribute to the team in a collaborative, interactive environment.
• A demonstrated commitment to quality, organization, meticulous attention to detail , and consistency in work deliverables.
• Previous experience managing project budgets , change orders, and invoicing.
• Previous successful results in upselling services /scope.
• Proficiency in one or more design/modeling software programs, including WUFI, THERM, etc. (preferred).
• Master's Degree in Engineering Discipline (Civil, Structural, Construction) or Architecture (preferred).
• A certification in industry-specific technical areas (Roofing, Fenestrations, Waterproofing, Enclosure Commissioning) (preferred).

Why work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive Compensation
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance - Comprehensive coverage options
• Paid Time Off (PTO) - Includes vacation, sick leave, and personal days; starts at 17 days per year and increases with tenure
• Paid Holidays - 9 company-recognized holidays per year
• Retirement & Stock Programs - 401(k) with up to 6% employer match and 100% employer-provided Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Short- & Long-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance - Employer-paid coverage with voluntary options for additional protection
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Support for mental health and well-being
• Paid Parental Leave
• Charitable & Volunteer Time Off
• Incentive & Performance-Based Bonuses
• Education & Training Support - Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Additional Perks - Birthday bonus, paid business travel, military leave, jury duty, bereavement leave, and optional accident/critical illness coverage

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 involves both physical and mental demands and may be performed in various settings, including offices, construction sites, and confined spaces like elevator pits. Tasks often require frequent movement in multiple directions. Lerch Bates will provide reasonable accommodations upon request through Human Resources.

Physical Demands: This role requires regular sitting, talking, and hearing in meetings and by phone. Employees must navigate tight spaces, climb ladders, move around construction sites, take measurements, and travel by car, air, or rail. Duties may involve working at heights and in confined spaces, using hands for tasks like typing and operating elevator components, and applying up to 30 lbs. of force. Close visual attention is also required.

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.