BUILDING INSPECTION ENGINEER, E.I.T. — P.E. TRACK
Flexible Full-Time or Part-Time | Home-Based | Twin Cities Field Work
Criterium-Twin Cities Engineers is a specialist consulting firm based in Edina, Minnesota. We help homeowner associations, property managers, real-estate professionals, investors, developers, and building owners make informed decisions about the residential and commercial buildings in which people live and work.
We are seeking an Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) who is close to Professional Engineer licensure and expects to obtain a Minnesota P.E. license within approximately 12–18 months. This is an opportunity to build practical expertise in existing-building assessment, residential/light-commercial structural evaluation, building diagnostics, and client-ready technical reporting while working directly with experienced licensed engineers.
This field-based, home-office role offers flexible full-time or part-time scheduling, established project flow, and operational support. You will not be expected to build a book of business or manage billing and office administration. Our team supports project intake, scheduling, project setup, templates, invoicing, and document coordination so you can focus on developing sound engineering judgment and delivering high-quality work.
Office Location: Edina, Minnesota
POSITION SUMMARY
The Building Inspection Engineer, E.I.T. will assist with and perform evaluations of existing residential and light-commercial buildings; document observed conditions; prepare photo-supported reports; and develop practical recommendations under the responsible charge and supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer, as appropriate. Projects may involve foundations, framing, roofs, exterior conditions, water-management issues, retaining walls, common-area conditions, reserve-study support, and limited structural analysis or repair detailing.
The successful candidate is observant, organized, comfortable in the field, and motivated to obtain Minnesota P.E. licensure. This role includes a defined professional-development path with increasing responsibility as competence and licensure progress.
COMPENSATION AND SCHEDULE
- Compensation: $40–$48 per hour, depending on relevant experience with existing buildings, construction, structural evaluation, inspection, restoration, or residential/light-commercial design.
- Schedule: Flexible full-time or part-time employment. A predictable 2 to 4 day schedule or full-time schedule may be available based on qualifications and workload.
- P.E. progression: Candidates who obtain Minnesota P.E. licensure and demonstrate the ability to independently manage inspections, prepare client-ready reports, and assume expanded technical responsibility will be eligible for a compensation review at licensure. The anticipated post-licensure base-pay range is $50–$55 per hour, based on demonstrated capability and role scope.
- Performance pay: Eligible employees may participate in a bonus program based on individual contribution, report quality, collected project revenue, and company performance.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Assist with and perform field assessments of existing residential and light-commercial buildings under the direction and supervision of a licensed P.E., as appropriate.
- Document site conditions through organized notes, photographs, measurements, sketches, and standardized field observations.
- Prepare clear, photo-supported draft reports, condition summaries, and repair recommendations for P.E. review.
- Assist with basic structural evaluation, calculations, and repair-detail development consistent with training, experience, and supervision requirements.
- Support reserve-study and building-assessment assignments through field data collection, quantity takeoffs, condition assessments, cost research, and report inputs.
- Communicate professionally with clients, contractors, property managers, and colleagues; refer final engineering conclusions and opinions to the responsible P.E. when required.
- Collaborate with engineers and operations staff on scope, quality, project priorities, and schedule.
- Maintain accurate time records and support timely project delivery.
- Progress toward independent management of routine inspection assignments as experience, competence, and licensure allow.
P.E. DEVELOPMENT PATH
Criterium-Twin Cities Engineers intends to support the successful candidate's transition from E.I.T. to Minnesota P.E. within approximately 12–18 months, subject to the candidate meeting all applicable Minnesota licensing requirements and successfully completing the licensing process.
Support may include:
- Mentorship and technical guidance from experienced Minnesota P.E.s.
- Exposure to field assessments, technical writing, client communication, structural evaluation, and practical repair recommendations.
- Experience documentation and periodic progress discussions to help the candidate prepare for licensure.
- Assistance with relevant continuing education, examination preparation, licensing fees, and professional memberships, subject to company policy.
- A compensation and responsibility review after Minnesota P.E. licensure.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Flexible full-time and part-time schedules, including a predictable 2 to 4 day option.
- Established client demand and project flow without requiring you to build a book of business.
- Home-office work for report preparation and coordination, with planned local field assignments.
- Operational support for scheduling, project setup, proposal administration, invoicing, and document coordination.
- Practical exposure to real buildings and a broad range of existing-building conditions.
- Direct mentoring from experienced engineers and a clear route toward greater responsibility.
- Small-team autonomy, direct access to leadership, and fast decisions.
- Established field tools, report templates, technical resources, and quality-assurance procedures.
- IRS mileage reimbursement for approved personal-vehicle use.
- Health-insurance stipend, matching 401(k) contributions, and bonus-program eligibility for qualifying employees.
- Support for professional licensure, continuing education, and relevant professional memberships.
All benefits are subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of the applicable plans and company policies.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND KNOWLEDGE QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor's degree in civil, structural, or mechanical engineering from an ABET-accredited or otherwise qualifying engineering program.
- Engineer-in-Training certification or successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering examination.
- A clear expectation of eligibility for and intent to obtain Minnesota P.E. licensure within approximately 12–18 months.
- At least two years of relevant experience in structural, civil, construction, inspection, restoration, building-envelope, residential, or light-commercial work; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to safely perform field assessments, including ladders, roofs, crawlspaces, and exterior conditions, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.
Preferred, Not Required
- Experience with existing-building assessment, residential structural design, wood-frame construction, construction administration, building-envelope evaluation, restoration, or property-condition assessments.
- Familiarity with Minnesota residential and building codes.
- Experience preparing calculations, technical reports, repair details, photo logs, or construction-observation documentation.
- Experience working with homeowner associations, property managers, building owners, contractors, or real-estate professionals.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong observational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Clear, objective, organized technical writing.
- Willingness to ask questions, accept technical review, and build sound professional judgment.
- High degree of organization, reliability, and attention to detail.
- Professional communication skills and a client-service mindset.
- Ability to work independently within defined responsibilities and collaborate effectively with a small team.
- Comfort using common computer software, engineering-calculation tools, spreadsheets, and report-development systems.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Work from a home office when preparing reports and coordinating projects.
- Field assignments are primarily within the 13-county Twin Cities region. Field days are planned in advance whenever practical.
- Exposure to outside elements is necessary during site assessments.
- Use of a personal vehicle is required, with mileage reimbursement.
- Regularly required to sit, stand, reach, bend, and move about project sites.
- Ability to carry up to 50 pounds, climb ladders, enter confined spaces, and walk on sloped roofs, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.
APPLY
Please include your anticipated Minnesota P.E. eligibility date and indicate whether you prefer full-time, part-time, or a defined 2 to 4 day schedule.
Criterium-Twin Cities Engineers is an equal opportunity employer.
