Position Description: Our
Forensics Associate will support the repair, renovation, and reconstruction of damaged residential and light commercial structures across California. This role will join our established Northern California Forensics team while helping expand and represent our growing Southern California presence. The position focuses on developing jurisdictionally compliant construction documents, evaluating existing conditions, and supporting insurance-funded repair projects.
Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is a licensed design professional who can quickly assess existing structural conditions and develop clear, compliant construction documents in fast-paced environments. They work effectively with contractors, owners, and project teams, manage multidisciplinary scope across structural, architectural, and basic MEP components, and build strong client relationships through responsiveness and sound technical judgment.
Compensation and Benefits: The pay rate for this position generally ranges between
$156,000 to $220,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to pay transparency laws. Actual pay rates will be based on various factors, including location, company geographic differentials, education level, and candidate qualifications.
Benefits include health and life insurance, commuter benefits, paid parental leave, 401(k) with company Profit Sharing contribution, employee ownership in a privately held stock plan, financial support for professional activities, company holidays, and a generous paid time off program.
Job Description:This role combines technical expertise, practical problem-solving, and client collaboration to support damage assessment, repair design, and reconstruction projects ranging from minor repairs to partial or full rebuilds. The Forensics Associate will prepare construction documents, evaluate code compliance, and contribute to clear technical reporting while working directly with clients, collaborators, and internal teams. The position emphasizes insurance-funded repair work within the Forensics Practice Area and requires adaptability, scheduling flexibility, and regional travel.
Minimum Requirements:- Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering with Structural Engineering emphasis and 10+ years relevant experience with a stable job history.
- California Civil Engineering license.
- Experience building durable client relationships in the Forensics market, including Insurance Adjustors, Reconstruction Contractors, and Attorneys. Established relationships that will follow you to Degenkolb are a plus.
- Experience with generating, scoping, managing and successfully completing projects that generate revenue of $500,000+/year with an acceptable profit percentage.
- Demonstrated ability to manage the development of Construction Documents for damage repair, written summaries of findings for damage assessments, and justifications for Code-compliance arguments. Experience with expert witness reports, depositions, and trial testimony a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, leadership and staff across multiple offices and remote working environments, to supervise and mentor junior technical staff, and to interact effectively with clients and project team members outside of the firm.
- Diverse working knowledge of steel, concrete, timber and masonry structural systems, as well as CAD and BIM platforms, is desired.
- Flexible schedule that allows for travel throughout the region.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Desired Qualifications:- Working knowledge of California permitting requirements - e.g., CalGreen, Title 24 energy, ADA, WUI.
- Basic working knowledge of MEP systems.
- Master's Degree in Structural Engineering.
- California Structural Engineering license.
