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Forensics Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Donan

Forensic Engineer Contractor

Chicago, IL · On-site

Forensic Engineer, Civil Engineer, Design Engineer, Structural Engineer, Construction Management, Residential Construction, Residential Design. To learn more about us visit donan.com

Envista Forensics, LLC

Senior Electrical Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$110K - $144K/yr

Forensic Consulting relies on scientific principles to investigate all types of failures impacting ... As a Senior Project Electrical Engineer at Envista Forensics, you will play a crucial role in ...

All

IL

$103K - $140K/yr

Founded in 1954, Halliwell Engineering Associates is one of the nation's leading forensic engineering, architectural, and construction consulting firms dedicated to providing independent and expert ...

All

IL

$103K - $140K/yr

Founded in 1954, Halliwell Engineering Associates is one of the nation's leading forensic engineering, architectural, and construction consulting firms dedicated to providing independent and expert ...

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All JobsForensics Engineer JobsForensics Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Forensics Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$42.2K

$111.9K

$162.3K

How much do forensics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensics engineer in Illinois is $111,873.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,000.00 and $130,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 structural failures, accidents, and other technical issues in legal and insurance cases. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as infrastructure projects increase and the need for expert analysis expands, often requiring knowledge of engineering principles, accident reconstruction, and certification in relevant fields.
Forensics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensics Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,873 per year, or $53.8 per hour.

Senior Structural Forensic Engineer

CTL Group

Mount Prospect, IL • On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Located in Austin, Texas.

About the job:

We are seeking a senior-level structural engineer to join our Structural Engineering & Evaluation team. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with a track record of investigating and analyzing structural failures, performance issues, and defects in buildings and other structures. This role involves conducting forensic engineering assessments to determine the root causes of structural issues, providing expert opinions, and offering recommendations for remediation and repair. The candidate will be expected to assist with growing CTLGroup’s legal and insurance client base and will require a deep understanding of structural engineering principles, construction materials, and failure analysis. While a senior-level candidate is our preference, outstanding candidates for all ranks will be considered and are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Conduct thorough on-site inspections to assess structural damage, failures, or defects.
  • Collect and analyze data related to structural condition, materials, and construction practices.
  • Perform structural analysis and modeling to evaluate the integrity of buildings and structures.
  • Apply engineering principles and analytical methods to determine root causes of structural problems.
  • Develop recommendations for the repair or retrofit of structures based on forensic findings.
  • Prepare detailed engineering reports documenting observations, analyses, findings, and recommendations.
  • Serve as an expert witness, as needed, in legal proceedings, depositions, and court hearings.
  • Manage and oversee forensic engineering projects, ensuring deadlines and budget constraints are met.
  • Stay abreast of advancements in structural engineering, materials science, and forensic analysis.
  • Explore markets in area of expertise and participate in business development activities toward meeting personal productivity expectations and contributing to group profitability.
  • Proactively participate in professional development and thought leadership activities.
  • Mentor and coach junior staff.

Qualifications/Competencies:

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree (BS) in Civil or Structural Engineering required; Advanced degree (MS / PhD) preferred.
  • Experience: 10+ years of experience in structural engineering, with a focus on forensic investigations.
  • Licensure: Professional licensure is a requirement, either Professional Engineer (PE) or Structural Engineer (SE).
  • Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, especially in presenting complex technical information.
  • Analytical Skills: Strong background in first principles of structural engineering and mechanics. Proficient with engineering tools for structural evaluation and analysis.
  • Project Management: Experience managing and leading forensic engineering projects.
  • Business Development: Experience with client engagement, development of project scopes and budgets, and proposal preparation.

Physical and Travel Demands:

  • Position may require some work to be completed in a field or laboratory environment, including possible work from heights or in confined spaces.
  • Role may require working additional hours.
  • Up to 40% travel may be required for this position.

Who we are:

We are CTLGroup, a team of engineers, architects, scientists, and consultants who are seasoned technical experts with deep experience and knowledge in structures and materials. Our integrated team is supported by one of the most advanced commercial structural and building materials laboratories in the United States. Whether providing technical consultation, conducting laboratory studies, performing failure investigations, or offering expert testimony, we aim to solve our clients' problems and helping them achieve their objectives. More than delivering mere data, we provide our clients with a foundation of confidence upon which they can build.

*This job description describes the general nature of the position. The above declarations are not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities, skills and abilities required to do the job. CTLGroup provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, 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 or local laws.