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Forensics Engineer Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

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Forensics Engineer information

See Texas salary details

$40.5K

$107.6K

$156.1K

How much do forensics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensics engineer in Texas is $107,559.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,400.00 and $125,300.00 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.
Infographic showing various Forensics Engineer job openings in Texas as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,559 per year, or $51.7 per hour.
Technical Lead - Forensic Electrical Engineering

Technical Lead - Forensic Electrical Engineering

Salas O'Brien, Inc.

Sugar Land, TX

$200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 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

259th of 352 rated engineering


Job description

Technical Lead – Forensic Electrical Engineering

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: You will build, grow, and lead an electrical consulting team completing complex investigations into electrical system failures, fires, and explosions across residential, commercial, and industrial environments. This role requires strong leadership skills, technical expertise, ability to mentor and grow staff, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Serve as technical lead on all forensic electrical investigations.
  • Direct root cause analysis and damage assessments for electrical systems and components.
  • Provide expert guidance and mentoring to engineers and consultants.
  • Author detailed forensic reports and ensure technical accuracy.
  • Deliver expert witness testimony in depositions and trials.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and clients to define scope and deliverables.
  • Maintain high standards for safety and quality during field inspections.
  • Work closely with Business Development Managers and the Sales & Marketing team to:
    • Build and maintain strong client relationships.
    • Identify opportunities to grow service offerings.
    • Support proposal development and client presentations.
    • Provide technical input for marketing materials and campaigns.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • 10+ years of experience with electrical systems design or analysis.
  • Minimum 5 years in forensic engineering.
  • Proven experience in electrical failure investigations, fire, and explosion analysis.
  • Expert witness experience strongly preferred.
  • Strong technical writing and communication skills.
  • Ability to travel regionally and nationally.
  • Proficiency with industry software and tools.
  • Certifications such as CFEI (NAFI), CFI preferred.
  • NCEES Record preferred for multi-state licensing.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Licensure:

  • Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Texas or eligible by reciprocity. Multi-state licensure preferred.

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.

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Base salary range: up to $200,000 per year.
  • 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.
  • Relocation assistance is available.

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.