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Forensic Structural Engineer Jobs in Louisiana (NOW HIRING)

Forensic Structural Engineer information

See Louisiana salary details

$37.2K

$98.7K

$143.2K

How much do forensic structural engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic structural engineer in Louisiana is $98,724.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are 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 key skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a forensic structural engineer?

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 does a forensic structural engineer do?

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 is a forensic structural engineer?

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 Louisiana look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in Louisiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in LA? For Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in LA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Forensic Structural Engineer job openings in Louisiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,724 per year, or $47.5 per hour.

Professional Engineer - Structural Forensics (Chicago, IL) (56841)

ATS FAMILY

Metairie, LA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$100K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

U.S. Forensic, LLC, an ATS Family of Companies, assists commercial and industrial clients by performing forensic evaluations, reporting, and expert witness testimony. The firm's capabilities include accident reconstruction; structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering; fire origin and cause; and environmental services. U.S. Forensic tailors its consulting engineering services to meet each client's unique needs, and its experienced forensic engineers and investigators support a wide range of industries. As part of the ATS family, the company also offers expanded capabilities in testing, inspection, and calibration when a broader scope of services is required.
Applied Technical Services, LLC (ATS) is a leading provider of critical testing, inspection, certification, and compliance services. ATS serves clients across a diverse set of large and stable end markets, including manufacturing, power generation, aerospace, medical, and defense. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Marietta, GA. Today, ATS employs nearly 2,100 team members across more than 95 locations throughout the United States.
Together, U.S. Forensic and ATS are driven by a shared purpose to create a safe and reliable world, delivering assurance through precise technical and professional services.
Job Title: Professional Engineer - Forensic (Structural)
Position Type: Full-Time
Location: Ideal candidate will sit in the Chicago, IL area
Job Overview: U.S. Forensic is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Professional Engineer specializing in Structural Forensics. The successful candidate will play a key role in investigating and analyzing structural failures, construction defects, and other forensic engineering matters. This position requires a strong background in structural engineering and the ability to provide expert testimony when necessary.
Responsibilities:
  • Conduct detailed forensic investigations of structural failures, collapses, and construction defects.
  • Perform site inspections and gather relevant data to support forensic analysis.
  • Utilize engineering principles and practices to analyze and assess structural issues.
  • Prepare clear and concise technical reports outlining findings and conclusions.
  • Provide expert testimony in legal proceedings when required.
  • Stay current with industry trends, codes, and standards related to structural engineering.
  • Other duties as assigned.

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
  • Seeking a Licensed Civil or Structural Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Illinois. Structural Engineer (S.E.) licensure is preferred (other state licensure is a plus!).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and meet deadlines.
  • Experience with expert testimony in legal proceedings is a plus.

EOE/AA/M/F/Vet/Disability
Applied Technical Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.
U.S. Persons Only
A requirement of this position is access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"). Accordingly, the company will consider only "U.S. Persons" for this position. A "U.S. Person" includes (a) U.S. citizens or nationals; (b) U.S. lawful permanent residents (i.e., "green card" holders); (c) persons granted refugee status; or (d) persons granted asylum in the United States. This information is collected solely for purposes of complying with U.S. export control requirements and will not be used to unlawfully discriminate in the hiring process.
Please note, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party agencies. Resumes submitted without an active agreement and prior coordination with our Talent team will not be eligible for placement fees.