Forensic Engineering Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Compensation will be made up of a competitive base salary as well as bonus potential determined by your own individual performance and the performance of the organization overall.

About ESi

Engineering Systems Inc. (ESi) is a multidisciplinary engineering and scientific investigation and failure analysis firm. We primarily work with law firms, insurance companies, and manufacturers on small to large-scale projects to answer any technical questions they have. As a firm, our projects can entail investigating major transportation accidents, equipment failures, personal injury claims, and damage to residential or commercial structures. At ESi, you will have access to:

• A multidisciplinary team across engineering and scientific disciplines.
• Established relationships with law firms, insurers, and industry clients.
• Opportunities to work on complex, high-impact investigations.
• A platform to grow and scale your technical practice.

The variety and depth of our project work create a broad range of fulfilling roles at ESi. This role offers meaningful opportunities to expand your technical impact, grow your client relationships, and help shape the direction of our mechanical engineering practice.

About This Role:

ESi’s Mechanics group is seeking a recognized subject matter expert with experience in forensic engineering, litigation support, and client development. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in a defined area of mechanical engineering (e.g., rotating equipment, HVAC systems, power and energy systems, or industrial processes) and a demonstrated ability to apply that expertise in investigative and consulting contexts.

This role is intended for an individual who combines technical excellence, testifying experience, and business development capability, with clear opportunity to broaden influence and help grow a practice area within ESi. The successful candidate will lead complex investigations, develop expert opinions, and play a key role in expanding client relationships and revenue generation.

Individuals with a track record of success in consulting and/or experience working closely with legal and insurance professionals are encouraged to apply and may be considered for opportunities and levels reflecting their experience and established expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as a recognized expert within a specific technical discipline, with the ability to develop, support, and defend opinions in litigation and arbitration settings.
• Leads multidisciplinary teams in conducting forensic investigations for legal, insurance, and other clients by providing technical advice and resolution.
• Performs and directs field investigations, tests, engineering analysis, calculations, and research.
• Serves as a testifying expert in depositions, arbitration, and trial settings.
• Makes determinations to accept or decline projects based on relevant variables.
• Directs and coordinates activities of project personnel to ensure projects progress on schedule and within the prescribed budget.
• Builds and sustains a book of business, contributing to the growth of ESi’s mechanical engineering practice.
• Works with Business Development staff and independently identifies, develops, and secures new client engagements.
• Mentors and develops staff, contributing to the growth of ESi’s technical capabilities.

Education Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or an allied discipline from an ABET accredited university required with twelve years of diverse consulting and industry experience; or
• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or an allied discipline, or equivalent, with eight years of relevant professional experience; or
• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or an allied discipline with at least six years of relevant consulting experience.

Certifications Preferred

• Registered Mechanical Professional Engineer (P.E.) preferred; at minimum, the ability to become registered.

Experience Requirements

• Demonstrated depth of expertise within a defined specialty area of mechanical engineering.
• Proven ability to cultivate and sustain an established book of business, contributing to the firm’s growth.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with attorneys, insurers, or corporate clients in dispute or investigative contexts.
• Excellent technical and critical thinking skills.
• Senior‑level consulting experience with a proven record of client development.
• An existing portable book of business and the desire to further grow and expand service offerings within a multidisciplinary organization.

Skills Required

• Willingness and ability to testify in a court of law or arbitration; prior testifying experience is a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical topics to diverse audiences.
• Ability and interest in growing a forensic engineering practice, including developing new service offerings and client relationships.
• Advanced engineering skills within core areas of expertise (e.g., fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, heat transfer, machine design, manufacturing, maintenance, commissioning, and operation).
• Strong team-oriented work process skills.
• Ability and interest in growing a forensic engineering practice.
• Ability to assemble and lead multidisciplinary teams of professionals.
• Basic understanding of other engineering and technical disciplines for effective collaboration on multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated capacity for revenue generation in a consulting environment.
• Demonstrated ability and desire for career advancement.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, and sit. Site inspections may require that employees stand, walk, carry tools, and/or work from an elevated position for extended periods of time.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Noise levels at project sites are variable and may be loud enough to require hearing protection.

Some of the benefits we can offer you!

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Life Insurance/Voluntary Life Insurance/Universal Life Insurance
• 401k with employer match
• Annual Bonus
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) – encouraged to take at least 20 days of paid time off/year
• Pet Insurance
• Work/Life Balance
• 10 paid holidays (9 standard holidays and 1 floating holiday)
• Access to OnePass – provides unlimited access to a nationwide network of gyms
• Wellness Reimbursement
• Career Growth
• Professional Development investment
• Continuing education opportunities

To all recruitment agencies: ESi does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of ESi without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of ESi. Please, no phone calls or emails.

It is the policy of ESi, as an equal opportunity employer, to attract and retain the best qualified individuals available, without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. ESi is committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting people with disabilities, as well as veterans. If you need assistance with completing the electronic application, please email your request to employment@engsys.com