ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Forensic Structural Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Donan

Forensic Engineer Contractor

Chicago, IL · On-site

We are currently seeking a 1099 Independent Contractor professional Civil or Structural Engineer in ... Must have or obtain necessary equipment to perform assigned and accepted forensic projects.

K2N CREST

Structural Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

... design for new and existing buildings, forensic investigations, restoration, and ... Education Requirements * BS or MS in Civil or Structural Engineering Experience & Skills Required

K2N CREST

Structural Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

... design for new and existing buildings, forensic investigations, restoration, and ... Education Requirements * BS or MS in Civil or Structural Engineering Experience & Skills Required

W3Global Inc.

Senior Structural Engineer

Chicago, IL

$120K - $190K/yr

Conduct forensic investigations of structural distress, failures, or damage caused by age ... Professional Engineer (PE) license required (Structural Engineering license/SE in Illinois)

GEI Consultants

Structural Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$80K - $85K/yr

... forensic engineering. * Support evaluation and design efforts for structural steel, reinforced concrete, dams, excavation support systems, foundations, and other above and below grade structures ...

GEI Consultants

Structural Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

... forensic engineering. * Support evaluation and design efforts for structural steel, reinforced concrete, dams, excavation support systems, foundations, and other above and below grade structures ...

GEI Consultants

Structural Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

... forensic engineering. * Support evaluation and design efforts for structural steel, reinforced concrete, dams, excavation support systems, foundations, and other above and below grade structures ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsForensic Structural Engineer JobsForensic Structural Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Forensic Structural Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$44.8K

$118.9K

$172.6K

How much do forensic structural engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic structural engineer in Chicago, IL is $118,930.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,900.00 and $138,600.00 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 Chicago, IL? For Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Structural Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Forensic Structural Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensic Structural Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,930 per year, or $57.2 per hour.
Civil/Structural Forensic Engineer

Civil/Structural Forensic Engineer

Keystone Experts + Engineers

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Contractor

Posted yesterday

Job description

When answers matter most, Keystone Experts & Engineers deliver. Keystone specializes in forensic engineering and investigative services for commercial and residential structures, vehicles, and products. Our multi-disciplinary team includes highly experienced engineers, architects, fire investigators, contractors, and industry experts strategically located across the country to serve a national client base.
Keystone provides streamlined, fact-based forensic consulting services designed to meet our clients' needs with clarity, accuracy, and timeliness. Our reports are tailored to client specifications and backed by expert analysis, ensuring clear, defensible conclusions and industry-leading turnaround times.
The Keystone Way is more than a process: it's our commitment to excellence, innovation, integrity, honesty, accuracy, timeliness, and accountability. These values guide every project we undertake. By combining top-tier expertise, open communication, and dependable service, we go beyond industry standards to deliver results our clients can trust.
About the role
We are seeking licensed (PE) Civil and Structural Engineers with experience completing forensic investigations to determine the cause and origin of various site issues; including design and construction defects, and weather-related damage to residential, commercial and industrial properties.
This is a fully remote, part-time, 1099 contracted position.
The ideal candidate will have experience...
  • performing site evaluations, field analysis, and assessments of structural and architectural systems, low/steep-slope roofing systems, and foundation systems.
  • providing evaluations for failures as a result of hail damage, wind damage, moisture intrusion, flooding, building envelope failures, and general construction failures.
  • providing general recommendations for remediation and repair, and performing structural failure analysis, and evaluation of damage from hurricanes, tornados, ice/wind/snow, fires, explosions, blasting, construction vibrations, and differential foundation movement.

What you'll do
  • Conduct investigations of accidents or disasters to determine causes and contributing factors
  • Evaluate structural or water damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, wind events, hail storms or floods
  • Ensure proper maintenance & construction of affected building components & systems
  • Safely access roofs, attics & crawl spaces to photo document areas of interest
  • Identify and interview witnesses and/or other key parties involved
  • Prepare & submit findings and recommendations that can be used to resolve insurance claims or litigation matters

Qualifications
  • Active Professional Engineering license(s) required
  • Degree in civil or structural engineering or similar field
  • Well-versed in building materials, codes, construction methods & common modes of failure
  • Ability to access roof, attic and crawl space areas
  • Ability to adhere to tight deadlines
  • Availability to readily accept assignments and perform site inspection within 5-7 days
  • Tech-savvy across multiple software platforms, tools / equipment & investigative techniques
  • Outstanding written & verbal communications skills
  • An analytical mind and strong problem-solving ability

Apply