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Forensic Structural Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Structural Engineer III/IV

Durango, CO · On-site

$89K - $115K/yr

Experience with Structural Condition assessments and forensic structural engineering * Building Construction experience * Civil Engineering experience * Construction project administration and ...

An industry-leading construction and forensic consulting firm is seeking a Structural Engineer to help them design major projects including steel, concrete, masonry and/or timber structures at their ...

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Structural Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

THE JOB Are you a structural engineer with diverse work experience that has a passion for ... Our work spans everything from foundation forensics and structural assessments to repair plans and ...

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Structural Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

THE JOB Are you a structural engineer with diverse work experience that has a passion for ... Our work spans everything from foundation forensics and structural assessments to repair plans and ...

Structural Engineer (Hybrid)

Denver, CO · On-site +1

$80K - $120K/yr

Quetica is seeking a full-time, licensed Structural Engineer in Colorado with 5+ years of ... Quetica offers comprehensive professional engineering design solutions, forensic engineering and ...

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Forensic Structural Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$45.7K

$121.4K

$176.1K

How much do forensic structural engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic structural engineer in Colorado is $121,397.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,000.00 and $141,400.00 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.

What job categories do people searching Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in CO? For Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Forensic Structural Engineer job openings in Colorado as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,397 per year, or $58.4 per hour.
Forensic Structural Engineer, Colorado II

Forensic Structural Engineer, Colorado II

Salas O'Brien, Inc.

Denver, CO • On-site, Remote

$90K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Salas O'Brien rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

262nd of 352 rated engineering


Job description

Forensic Structural Engineer, Colorado II

At Haag, a Salas O’Brien company, we’ve been a trusted leader in forensic engineering and consulting since 1924, helping clients solve complex, high-stakes problems when it matters most. We’re known for technical excellence, integrity, and clear, defensible conclusions. We’re equally committed to building a career environment where talented engineers can do their best work, grow their expertise, and make a real impact.

In June2024, Haag merged with Salas O’Brien, expanding what’s possible for our team. Haag remains focused on forensic engineering, and we now offer the added strength of a broader, employee-owned organization. This brings deeper technical resources, expanded collaboration, and more opportunities to build your career across a wide range of disciplines and industries.

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We are engineered for impact, and we bring that same commitment to our people as we do to our projects. We live our values every day: Inspire, Achieve, and Connect, as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for energy, manufacturing and industrial process, data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more. Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to deliver outstanding client outcomes and build long-term careers.

Job Summary: We’re seeking a Forensic Structural Engineer in the Denver, CO area. In this remote/home office role, you will investigate and evaluate the cause and extent of structural damage resulting from storms, natural disasters, fires/explosions, construction/design defects, accidents, foundation movement, and more.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Forensic Investigations: Conduct site inspections to determine the cause, origin, and extent of structural damage; evaluate failure modes and contributing factors.
  • Analysis & Reporting: Develop clear, well-supported conclusions and produce high-quality technical reports, documentation, and deliverables.
  • Client Communication: Provide timely, professional updates to clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders; proactively close communication gaps and manage expectations.
  • Collaboration & Independence: Work independently from a home office while leveraging internal experts and resources; build long-term relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners.
  • Project Ownership: Drive issues to resolution with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring deliverables meet or exceed customer expectations and applicable standards.
  • Continuous Improvement: Contribute ideas that strengthen processes, tools, and customer outcomes; help others navigate change and adopt improvements.

Qualifications and Experience

Experience:

  • 1+ years’ forensic engineering experience preferred.
  • Must be able to work independently and with a cross-functional team of experts.
  • Strong technical writing skills are required; the ability to write effective reports is critical. Strong verbal communication skills are necessary; you should be an effective communicator in face-to-face interactions.
  • The ability to provide the utmost in customer service to our clients is a must.
  • Technical proficiency with computers, phones, cameras, etc.
  • Expert Witness experience is preferred.
  • You must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship or any restrictions.

Licensure:

  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in Colorado is required, or eligible by reciprocity.

Physical & Travel Requirements:

  • Ability to perform fieldwork, including confined spaces and roof inspections.
  • Must be able to carry ladders and operate required equipment.
  • Willingness to travel locally, regionally, and nationally by vehicle or plane as needed.
  • Some overnight travel will be required. However, most investigations can be done without overnight travel.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Civil or Structural Engineering or a closely related degree from an ABET-accredited university required.
  • Master of Science Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering preferred.

Location:

  • Remote (home office) – Denver, CO area

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Base salary range: $90,000 – $130,000
  • In addition to the base salary, the compensation plan includes additional, nondiscretionary compensation based on billable productivity above a minimum threshold. Employees may elect at any time to transition to a model based primarily on a higher percentage of their billable rate applied to all billable hours worked. In practice, most employees choose to transition between approximately one and three years, once their billable hours support consistently higher earnings under this model.”

This role is also eligible for a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and company holidays
  • Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
  • Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, 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/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Third-Party Agency Notice
We do not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.