Envelope Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Department: Existing Building

Lerch Bates is seeking a Senior Building Envelope Rehabilitation Consultant to lead complex building enclosure evaluation, rehabilitation, and repair projects for existing buildings. This role serves as a senior technical authority responsible for assessing building performance issues, developing repair and rehabilitation strategies, and overseeing restoration projects from investigation through construction completion.

As a Senior Building Envelope Rehabilitation Consultant, you will act as a trusted advisor to clients while leading project teams, mentoring technical staff, and managing the delivery of complex rehabilitation and restoration projects. You will apply advanced building science principles and engineering judgment to solve challenging problems involving roofing systems, waterproofing, facades, fenestration systems, structural components, and other building enclosure assemblies.

This role is ideal for an experienced professional who enjoys combining technical expertise, project leadership, client development, and team mentorship while remaining actively involved in project execution.
 

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 integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP, which fosters an ownership mindset and accountability in everything we do. At Lerch Bates, your expertise matters, your voice carries weight, and your work directly contributes to our shared success as OneLB. 

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.

Building Assessments & Investigations

• Evaluate existing buildings to identify defects, deterioration, water intrusion, structural concerns, and building enclosure failures
• Prepare and present technical reports documenting existing conditions, findings, repair recommendations, and probable repair costs
• Conduct building condition assessments, forensic investigations, and rehabilitation evaluations
• Perform permit reviews, code reviews, and constructability evaluations
• Conduct technical peer reviews of reports and findings prepared by team members

Design & Rehabilitation Consulting

• Develop repair and rehabilitation strategies for existing building systems and assemblies
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, designers, consultants, and contractors throughout project delivery
• Prepare and oversee construction drawings, technical specifications, bid documents, and repair details
• Review drawings, specifications, shop drawings, and submittals for compliance with project objectives and building science principles
• Communicate complex technical concepts through reports, presentations, sketches, and client discussions

Project Leadership & Management

• Lead rehabilitation, restoration, and modernization projects from investigation through construction completion
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality control, staffing, and client expectations
• Provide technical oversight and direction to specialists, designers, and consultants
• Monitor project performance and proactively address schedule, budget, or quality concerns
• Ensure project deliverables meet Lerch Bates quality standards and client expectations

Client Development & Business Growth

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, owners, property managers, architects, attorneys, contractors, and consultants
• Develop and maintain long-term client relationships
• Partner with business development teams to prepare proposals, scopes of work, and project budgets
• Identify opportunities to expand services and support business growth initiatives
• Support market development efforts and contribute to industry visibility and reputation

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor, develop, and lead technical staff and project team members
• Provide technical review, coaching, and career development support
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment
• Support recruiting, onboarding, training, and succession planning efforts

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (or related discipline)
• Professional Engineer (PE) or Structural Engineer (SE) license preferred
• 8+ years of experience in structural engineering, with a focus on forensics, rehabilitation, or existing buildings
• Proven experience acting as Engineer of Record on structural repair or retrofit projects
• Strong expertise in structural systems behavior, building failures, and rehabilitation design
• Experience with structural condition assessments, investigations, and repair documentation
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, including report preparation and client presentations
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage complex engineering projects
• Strong knowledge of building codes and structural rehabilitation practices
• Experience with project budgeting, scope development, and client management preferred
• Proficiency in structural analysis/design software (e.g., RISA, ADAPT, or similar) preferred
• Master’s degree or specialized certifications in structural/forensic engineering preferred

Why Work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
• 9 paid holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
• Performance-based incentives and bonuses
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

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 includes a mixture of office and field work, including visits to active construction sites and existing buildings. Fieldwork may involve climbing, confined spaces, and exposure to construction environments. Reasonable accommodation is available upon request.

Physical Demands:

The employee must be able to work at extreme heights using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and in various weather conditions (e.g., extreme heat, cold, and wet).

The work environment varies greatly from a general office environment, construction sites and entry into tight spaces which requires the ability to tolerate constant up, down, forward and reversing motions while performing work

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.