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Forensics Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Integral Forensics

Legal Analyst

El Segundo, CA · On-site +1

$60K/yr

Company Description Integral Forensics applies systematic engineering methods to evaluate environments and conditions, identifying root causes, mechanisms of failure, and preventative measures. Our ...

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All JobsForensics Engineer JobsForensics Engineer Jobs in California

Forensics Engineer information

See California salary details

$42.9K

$113.9K

$165.3K

How much do forensics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensics 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 engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or software engineering with senior roles and advanced skills can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities, typically in high-demand industries or companies. Compensation may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options.

What are some common challenges Forensics Engineers face when working on complex investigations?

Forensics Engineers often encounter challenges such as collecting and preserving digital or physical evidence without contamination, navigating rapidly evolving technologies, and working under tight deadlines when incidents occur. Collaboration with legal teams, law enforcement, and other technical experts is frequent, requiring strong communication and documentation skills. Staying current with industry standards and forensic tools is essential to ensure the integrity and admissibility of findings in legal proceedings.

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

To thrive as a Forensics Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, investigative techniques, and a relevant engineering degree, often complemented by professional licensure. Familiarity with specialized analysis software, digital forensics tools, and industry-standard reporting systems is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication enable professionals to interpret evidence and present findings clearly. These skills are crucial for accurately determining causes of failures or incidents and providing reliable expert testimony in legal or insurance contexts.

What do you do as a forensic engineer?

A forensic engineer investigates failures, accidents, or safety issues related to engineering systems, often analyzing evidence to determine causes. They use technical knowledge, testing, and documentation to support legal cases or safety improvements, frequently working with tools like CAD software and adhering to industry standards. The role requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail, often involving report writing and expert testimony.

What is the difference between Forensics Engineer vs Forensic Scientist?

AspectForensics Engineer
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in forensic engineering
Work EnvironmentInvestigates structural, mechanical, or electrical failures, often on-site or in labs
Employer & IndustryEngineering firms, insurance companies, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonTechnical investigations, failure analysis, accident reconstruction

Forensics Engineers focus on analyzing failures and accidents from an engineering perspective, often working on-site or in labs. Forensic Scientists typically handle crime scene analysis and evidence processing. While both roles involve investigation and evidence, Forensics Engineers emphasize technical failure analysis, whereas Forensic Scientists focus on criminal evidence. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career or service provider.

What is the highest paid job in forensics?

The highest paid roles in forensics are often senior forensic scientists, forensic laboratory managers, or forensic directors, with salaries reaching six figures. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and leadership skills, and may involve overseeing multiple laboratories or specialized forensic disciplines.

What does a Forensics Engineer do?

A Forensics Engineer investigates failures, accidents, or defects in materials, structures, or products to determine their causes. They often analyze physical evidence, review documents, and use scientific principles to reconstruct events leading up to an incident. Their work can involve anything from car crashes to building collapses, helping to provide clarity for legal cases, insurance claims, and safety improvements. Forensics Engineers may also serve as expert witnesses in court, explaining their findings to judges and juries.

Are forensic engineers in demand?

Forensic engineers are in steady demand due to their role in investigating failures, accidents, and structural issues across various industries. Employment opportunities are often available in government agencies, consulting firms, and insurance companies, with success often requiring specialized training and certifications. The field is expected to grow as infrastructure and safety regulations increase.
Forensics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensics Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Nights. 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.
Forensics Engineer/Project Manager - Diagnostics

Forensics Engineer/Project Manager - Diagnostics

Walter P Moore

San Francisco, CA

$100K - $133K/yr

Other

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Responsibilities

Walter P Moore has an immediate opening for a Forensics Engineer/Project Manager to join our dynamic Diagnostics Group. The qualified candidate will have relevant experience acquiring Structural Diagnostics business with either an industrial or commercial structure focus. Project Management experience is required.

The Forensics Engineer/Project Manager will take on the responsibility of managing the technical production and contractual aspects of multiple projects within the office with focus on restoration, rehabilitation, renovation, and forensics related work. This engineer will also assist in marketing, business development and growth of the Diagnostics Group. The engineer should have experience and interest in the area of restoration, rehabilitation, renovation, water infiltration, building envelope issues in addition to forensic engineering work.

The qualified candidate should also possess a high energy level and be a self-motivated project manager who can work within a strong team environment, serving clients on major projects throughout the United States and internationally. Technical specialization, proactivity and assertiveness when meeting client and project needs, are required.

Qualifications
  • Master's Degree in Civil Engineering with focus in Structures preferred.
  • 7+ years of relevant experience with proven growth.
  • P.E. license is required.
  • Litigation/ forensics experience and attorney/insurance client relationships.
  • Microsoft Office (WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT).
  • Strong technical, written and verbal communication including strong people management skills and customer service focused.
  • Ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines.
  • Strong customer service focus.

Walter P Moore is an equal employment opportunity employer, and provides equal employment opportunities (including offering competitive compensation and benefit packages) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Pay Transparency Disclosure Statement:

This position has an annual salary range as stated below and is, in good faith, an estimate. The actual offered salary will be dependent on the candidate's knowledge, skills abilities, geographic location, industry experience and internal equity. Walter P Moore reserves the right to offer more or less than the posted range based on the criteria previously stated and will do so in a manner that does not discriminate against a candidates protected status per local, state and federal law.

$110K - $130K in San Francisco

Overview

Walter P Moore is an international company of engineers, architects, innovators, and creative people who solve some of the world's most complex structural and infrastructure challenges. Providing structural, diagnostics, civil, traffic, parking, transportation, enclosure, WPM technology and construction engineering services, we design solutions that are cost- and resource-efficient, forward-thinking, and help support and shape communities worldwide. Founded in 1931 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, our 1000+ professionals work across 26 U.S. offices and 8 international locations.

Employment Type: OTHER

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