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Forensic Structural Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Corpartners

Forensic Structural Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site +1

Civil/Structural Engineers in the Bay area /Sacramento area- Opportunity Alert! We have an opportunity for a civil/structural engineer to join our forensic team in the greater Bay/Sacramento area ...

Envista Forensics, LLC

Structural Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$135K - $165K/yr

Forensic Consulting relies on scientific principles to investigate all types of failures impacting ... Civil/Structural Engineers in the Greater Los Angeles area - Opportunity Alert! We have an ...

Blueprint Hires

Structural Engineer

Palo Alto, CA

A multi-disciplinary architectural, engineering and construction firm is seeking a Structural Engineer for forensic construction defect litigation, to help them provide exceptional support solutions ...

Corpartners

Structural Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$135K - $165K/yr

Forensic Consulting relies on scientific principles to investigate all types of failures impacting ... Civil/Structural Engineers in the Greater Los Angeles area - Opportunity Alert! We have an ...

Blueprint Hires

Structural Engineer

Hayward, CA

A full-service consulting firm specializing in forensic investigative services is seeking a Structural Engineer to branch out from typical design work and investigate to determine the cause of ...

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All JobsForensic Structural Engineer JobsForensic Structural Engineer Jobs in California

Forensic Structural Engineer information

See California salary details

$42.9K

$113.9K

$165.3K

How much do forensic structural engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic structural engineer in California is $113,938.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,700.00 and $132,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by forensic structural engineers when investigating building failures?

Forensic structural engineers often encounter challenges such as limited access to damaged or hazardous sites, incomplete or missing construction records, and the need to differentiate between original construction flaws and damage caused by external factors like weather or accidents. Collaborating with legal teams, insurance adjusters, and other engineering specialists is common, requiring excellent communication and documentation skills. The role frequently involves balancing investigative rigor with tight deadlines, especially when findings will be used in legal or insurance contexts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forensic Structural Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Structural Engineer, you need a solid background in civil or structural engineering, typically with a bachelor's or master's degree and a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with structural analysis software, building codes, and forensic investigation tools is crucial for accurately evaluating failures. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualifications are essential for accurately diagnosing structural issues, presenting findings clearly, and ensuring safety and accountability in the built environment.

What Is the Job of a Forensic Structural Engineer?

A forensic structural engineer handles the investigation and inspection of building structures to ensure compliance with industry regulation and discover reasons for failure. Your primary responsibilities in this career have you analyzing damage to structures, identifying causes of structural failures, and preparing reports on your findings. Your duties may also include developing protocols for dealing with compliance issues, reviewing photos and site information, and researching code specifications. A forensic structural engineer often works on multiple projects, visits various field sites, and collaborates with several team members.

What are forensic structural engineers?

Forensic structural engineers are professionals who investigate and analyze structures that have failed, been damaged, or are performing unsatisfactorily. Their work involves determining the causes of structural failures, such as building collapses, material degradation, or design errors, often as part of legal or insurance cases. They use engineering principles, site inspections, material testing, and historical research to identify problems and provide recommendations for remediation or legal proceedings. Forensic structural engineers often serve as expert witnesses in court and help prevent similar failures in the future by sharing their findings.

What is the difference between Forensic Structural Engineer vs Structural Engineer?

AspectForensic Structural EngineerStructural Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, PE license, specialized training in failure analysisEngineering degree, PE license, design and analysis certifications
Work EnvironmentInvestigations, courtrooms, consulting firmsDesign firms, construction sites, consulting
Industry UsageLegal cases, failure investigations, insurance claimsBuilding design, construction projects, infrastructure

While both roles require engineering credentials and involve structural analysis, forensic structural engineers focus on investigating structural failures and providing expert testimony, whereas structural engineers primarily design and analyze structures for new projects. The forensic role is more investigative and often involves legal or insurance contexts, while the structural engineer role is centered on construction and design.

More about Forensic Structural Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in California? For Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Forensic Structural Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Forensic Structural Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in CA? For Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Forensic Structural Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensic Structural Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,938 per year, or $54.8 per hour.

Forensic Structural Engineer

Envista Forensics, LLC

Sacramento, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Inspiring People - Impactful Experiences
If there was one common theme to describe what our team members get from a career with Envista Forensics, it's: An Experience. Envista prides itself on being One Company/One Team.
Forensic Consulting relies on scientific principles to investigate all types of failures impacting service, people, and business production- from minor to catastrophic. It's our job to analyze and determine why it happened.
We're always looking for great professionals, in all disciplines and locations - contact us for more information about other opportunities.
We're looking for someone who:
  • Is Passionate. You have a genuine passion to problem solve.
  • Is motivated and cultivates innovation. You're driven to be the very best. You challenge yourself to grow and learn every day and are encouraged by other team members.
  • Is collaborative. You're excited to work with others throughout a global organization to help foster a superior workplace and culture. You are constantly thinking of new ways to make Envista successful.
  • Wants to make an impact to drive results. You're looking to do amazing work. You're all about helping our clients both internally and externally.
  • Operates with integrity and instills trust. You always conduct yourself with honesty and operate ethically in everything you do.

Job Description
Civil/Structural Engineers in the Bay area /Sacramento area- Opportunity Alert!
We have an opportunity for a civil/structural engineer to join our forensic team in the greater Bay/Sacramento area - this is a work from home role when you're not doing field investigations - If you want the opportunity to escape the the Computer Screen, this role is in the field doing inspections and investigations 30-40% of the time!
The work you'll do as the Project Engineer- Civil/Structural in our Forensics group will support delivering excellent project results and stellar client experience.
We're always looking for great professionals, in all disciplines and locations - contact us for more information about other opportunities.
Your areas of responsibility:
  • Investigates the origin and cause of failures, damages, or defects in the civil/structural fields within residential, commercial, and industrial sites.
  • Analyzes the failure of building systems, determines the cause of failures, evaluates the quality of construction or reviews design or maintenance procedures.
  • Performs field investigations, leads multi-party examinations and documentation of damaged property.
  • Research failure modes and code requirements as needed, prepare recommendations for repair and/or remediation as appropriate.
  • Prepares reports and letters outlining the origin and cause of the damages to our clients.
  • Manages/works with multi-disciplinary teams on large and complex assignments.
You will gain a lot of experience in this role but before you do, you should have:
  • Bachelor of Science in Civil/Structural Engineering or a related discipline is required.
  • PE is preferred - EIT may be considered
  • 5-7 years' experience in design in combination of residential, commercial, and industrial setting preferred
  • Experience working in the field is a benefit.
  • 25 - 30%+ travel
  • Ability to work in inclement weather and various environmental conditions
  • Ability to work in high areas such as roofs or scaffolding, requiring physical agility, balance, and resistance to acrophobia.
  • Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing along strict timelines.

The pay range for this position in California is 130,000 to 160,000 annually; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A quarterly bonus is also offered based on revenue and productivity. A sign-on bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. This information is provided and is based on market location.
One Company/One Team is not just one of our 5 Guiding Principles, it's we how separate ourselves from our competitors. We learn together, we win together and through our team members voices, we bring certainty to an uncertain world.
At Envista Forensics, we recognize that our potential team members come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a role. We strive to reflect the communities and clients we serve to drive innovation, excellence, and meaningful work-We want you to bring your authentic self to Envista. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.
Envista Forensics embraces diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives
Envista Forensics believes that Veterans arrive with not only translatable skills and technical expertise but in addition come with the intangibles; leadership and values that we believe align with our 5 Guiding Principles. Simply put, these qualities enable our success, so we encourage all Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans to consider Envista as their next career destination.

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