Forensic Structural Engineer, Chicago III
At Haag, a Salas O’Brien company, we’ve been a trusted leader in forensic engineering and consulting since 1924, helping clients solve complex, high-stakes problems when it matters most. We’re known for technical excellence, integrity, and clear, defensible conclusions. We’re equally committed to building a career environment where talented engineers can do their best work, grow their expertise, and make a real impact.
In June2024, Haag merged with Salas O’Brien, expanding what’s possible for our team. Haag remains focused on forensic engineering, and we now offer the added strength of a broader, employee-owned organization. This brings deeper technical resources, expanded collaboration, and more opportunities to build your career across a wide range of disciplines and industries.
Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We are engineered for impact, and we bring that same commitment to our people as we do to our projects. We live our values every day: Inspire, Achieve, and Connect, as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.
We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for energy, manufacturing and industrial process, data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more. Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to deliver outstanding client outcomes and build long-term careers.
Job Summary: We’re seeking an experienced Forensic Structural Engineer in the Chicago, Il area. In this remote/home office role, you will investigate and evaluate the cause and extent of structural damage resulting from storms, natural disasters, fires/explosions, construction/design defects, accidents, foundation movement, and more.
Key Responsibilities:
- Forensic Investigations: Conduct site inspections to determine the cause, origin, and extent of structural damage; evaluate failure modes and contributing factors.
- Analysis & Reporting: Develop clear, well-supported conclusions and produce high-quality technical reports, documentation, and deliverables.
- Client Communication: Provide timely, professional updates to clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders; proactively close communication gaps and manage expectations.
- Collaboration & Independence: Work independently from a home office while leveraging internal experts and resources; build long-term relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners.
- Project Ownership: Drive issues to resolution with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring deliverables meet or exceed customer expectations and applicable standards.
- Continuous Improvement: Contribute ideas that strengthen processes, tools, and customer outcomes; help others navigate change and adopt improvements.
Qualifications and Experience
Experience:
- 2+ years of forensic engineering experience required; 5–10 years preferred.
- Must be able to work independently and with a cross-functional team of experts.
- Strong technical writing skills are required; the ability to write effective reports is critical. Strong verbal communication skills are necessary; you should be an effective communicator in face-to-face interactions.
- The ability to provide the utmost in customer service to our clients is a must.
- Technical proficiency with computers, phones, cameras, etc.
- Expert Witness experience is preferred.
- You must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship or any restrictions.
Licensure:
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in Illinois is required, or eligible by reciprocity.
Physical & Travel Requirements:
- Ability to perform fieldwork, including confined spaces and roof inspections.
- Must be able to carry ladders and operate required equipment.
- Willingness to travel locally, regionally, and nationally by vehicle or plane as needed.
- Some overnight travel will be required. However, most investigations can be done without overnight travel.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Civil or Structural Engineering or a closely related degree from an ABET-accredited university required.
- Master of Science Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering preferred.
Location:
- Remote (home office) – Chicago, Il area
Compensation & Benefits:
- Base salary range: $125,000 – $185,000 per year.
- In addition to the base salary, the compensation plan includes additional, nondiscretionary compensation based on billable productivity above a minimum threshold. Employees may elect at any time to transition to a model based primarily on a higher percentage of their billable rate applied to all billable hours worked. In practice, most employees choose to transition between approximately one and three years, once their billable hours support consistently higher earnings under this model.
This role is also eligible for a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
- Professional development support
For more information, visit our full benefits overview here (https://salasobrien.com/benefits/).
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
Third-Party Agency Notice
We do not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.
Required
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2 year(s): 2+ years of forensic engineering experience required
Preferred
Required
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Bachelors or better in Structural Engineering or related field
Preferred
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Masters or better in Structural Engineering or related field
Required
Preferred
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
