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Expert Witness Civil Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CDM Smith is seeking a Civil Engineer to support Construction Management activities full-time on ... Field support could possibly include field verifications, witness testing, or site visits. Office ...

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Expert Witness Civil Engineer information

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$34K

$71.4K

$108K

How much do expert witness civil engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for expert witness civil engineer in the United States is $71,360.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,000.00 and $73,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Expert Witness Civil Engineer?

An Expert Witness Civil Engineer is a qualified civil engineer who provides specialized testimony and professional opinions in legal cases, typically related to construction, infrastructure, or engineering disputes. They analyze technical evidence, prepare reports, and may testify in court to help judges and juries understand complex engineering issues. Their expertise is often crucial in resolving lawsuits involving construction defects, safety concerns, or compliance with engineering standards. These professionals must possess strong communication skills and a deep understanding of both engineering principles and legal procedures.

What are some common challenges Expert Witness Civil Engineers face when preparing for court testimony?

Expert Witness Civil Engineers often encounter challenges such as translating complex technical information into clear, understandable language for judges and juries. They must also remain impartial and objective, even when retained by one party, and be prepared for rigorous cross-examination by opposing counsel. Additionally, balancing casework with ongoing professional engineering duties and meeting tight legal deadlines can be demanding. Staying current with changing regulations and standards is also essential to maintain credibility in court.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Expert Witness Civil Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Expert Witness Civil Engineer, you need a solid background in civil engineering, professional licensure (such as PE), and significant experience in your specialty. Familiarity with legal procedures, technical report writing, and presentation tools, as well as certifications in forensic engineering or expert witness training, are commonly required. Exceptional analytical thinking, impartiality, and strong verbal and written communication skills help you convey complex technical information to legal professionals and juries. These skills ensure credibility, clear testimony, and effective support of legal proceedings involving engineering matters.

What is the difference between Expert Witness Civil Engineer vs Structural Engineer?

AspectExpert Witness Civil EngineerStructural Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, licensure, specialized knowledge in civil engineeringEngineering degree, licensure, specialization in structural design
Work EnvironmentLegal settings, courtrooms, consulting for legal casesDesign offices, construction sites, project planning
Employer & Industry UsageLaw firms, insurance companies, government agenciesEngineering firms, construction companies, architectural firms
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding role in legal cases, qualifications, and expertiseDesign, analyze, and oversee structural projects

The main difference is that an Expert Witness Civil Engineer provides specialized civil engineering knowledge in legal cases, often testifying in court, while a Structural Engineer focuses on designing and analyzing structures for safety and compliance. Both roles require engineering credentials, but their work environments and industry applications differ significantly.

Infographic showing various Expert Witness Civil Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,360 per year, or $34.3 per hour.

Construction Site Safety Expert (Testifying Expert)

Pete Fowler Construction Services, Inc.

San Juan Capistrano, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday


Job description

Intro / Job Brief

The Construction Site Safety Expert (Testifying Expert)ย supports attorneys and insurance carriers by providing professional opinions and testimony on complex technical matters within the construction and building industries. This person plays a critical role in offering insights into technical aspects, potential liabilities, causation, and damages in construction disputes.

The Construction Site Safety Expert ย has extensive experience in some aspect of construction or buildings (general contractor, trade contractor, architect, engineer, cost estimator, scheduler, etc.), as well as proven experience serving as the designated expert for lawsuits and/or insurance claims. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative environment, possesses a passion for uncovering the root causes of construction issues, and is adept at presenting clear and cost-effective solutions.

General Objectives
  1. Build/Grow your Expert Witness "legacy" in the industry as part of the Pete Fowler Construction team.
  2. Serve as a key contributor to our team's vast knowledge and expertise.
  3. Manage a portfolio of projects ensuring both client and company objectives are met.
  4. Collaborate with other team members to solve the problem, act with integrity, and do awesome work (our corporate values).
  5. Maximize your portfolio's success by delegating work and mentoring others.
Specific Responsibilities
  1. Expert Witness Testimony
    1. Serve as the designated Expert Witness for lawsuits and insurance claims.
    2. Provide Expert Witness Testimony including deposition, arbitration, and trial.
  2. Marketing & Sales
    1. Collaborate with the Marketing & Sales team to develop an Expert marketing strategy and prepare all necessary documents including Resume/CV, Consultant Introduction, and Testimony List.
    2. Attend pre-project calls with clients to discuss project details and determine if required expertise is met.
  3. Building Inspection and Property Condition Assessment
    1. Attend site investigations to inspect structures and conditions relating to the construction.
    2. Rigorously document with photographs, notes, diagrams, and checklists.
    3. Prepare inspection summary narratives of what was discussed and observed.
  4. Document Analysis
    1. Review, analyze, summarize, and demonstrate understanding of:
      1. Construction documents (proposals, architectural drawings, contracts / subcontracts, schedules, change orders, daily logs, etc.)
      2. Legal documents (summons, complaints, motions, demands, depositions, expert reports, etc.)
    2. Conduct research and gather data on building codes, standards of care, construction best practices, etc.
    3. Utilize PFCS systems to organize analysis in a clear, concise, and verifiable manner.
    4. Prepare deliverable output of analyses for clients, as determined by project objective.
  5. Cost Estimating / Cost Analysis
    1. Prepare scopes of work and cost estimates.
    2. Prepare cost analyses and / or cost comparisons.
    3. Prepare requests for proposal as required.
  6. Preparation of Technical Reports
    1. Present site observations, document analysis, and cost estimates to Technical Experts.
    2. Hypothesize causes and utilize PFCS systems to organize and structure hypotheses in a clear, concise, and verifiable manner.
    3. Determine content and flow of reports according to project objective.
    4. Collaborate with Project Coordinators to deliver reports that adhere to PFCS standards.
  7. Client Meetings
    1. Attend meetings and mediations with clients and others to gather project information or present PFCS work.
    2. Document meeting notes and utilize PFCS systems to communicate actions as required.
  8. Billing
    1. Track time billed to clients on each and every project.
    2. Maintain billable hour targets, monthly goals.
  9. Professional Development
    1. Collaborate with management to set quarterly professional development goals aligned with departmental and company objectives.
    2. Actively pursue these goals within the designated time frame, ensuring acquired skills contribute to achieving company targets.
Qualifications
  1. Minimum of 10 years of construction experience or a blend of relevant education and field experience required.
  2. Bachelorโ€™s degree in construction management, civil engineering, architecture, or a related field (advanced degree or professional licensure preferred).
  3. Prior experience serving as a designated Expert Witness in construction-related litigation.
  4. Applicable licenses and certifications that support your expertise.
  5. A humble confidence in knowing you are an "expert" at what you do, and that you could go head-to-head with the best in your field.
  6. Strong ability to think critically, analyze problems effectively, and present actionable solutions based on findings.
  7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are crucial for conveying complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  8. Ability to perform the physical tasks required for conducting thorough on-site inspections.
Key Performance Indicators
  1. Projects As Expert
  2. Billable Hours: Individual
  3. Total Portfolio Billings
  4. Portfolio Realization
  5. Portfolio Contribution Percentage
  6. % of Portfolio Billings Billed by Expert
  7. % of Portfolio Billings Billed by Others

Pete Fowler Construction Services, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, 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 or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.