Vapor Shop Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Department: Building Science

Lerch Bates is seeking a Building Envelope Consultant to join our Building Science team. This role supports both existing building repair and rehabilitation projects as well as new building enclosure design, engineering, construction consulting, and commissioning projects. As a trusted advisor, you will help clients evaluate building performance, solve complex enclosure challenges, mitigate risk, and deliver high-performing building enclosure systems throughout the building lifecycle.

As a Building Envelope Consultant, you will lead multiple projects while serving as the primary technical resource for owners, architects, developers, contractors, and project teams. You will perform building assessments, lead enclosure design reviews, support commissioning efforts, oversee construction quality assurance activities, and provide practical solutions related to roofing, waterproofing, facades, fenestration, and air, water, vapor, and thermal control systems.

This position is ideal for experienced building enclosure professionals who enjoy combining technical expertise, project leadership, client interaction, and problem-solving to improve the performance and durability of both new and existing buildings.

Become an Employee-Owner

One of the biggest advantages of working at Lerch Bates is that we are 100% employee-owned through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Unlike many companies that offer only a salary and retirement plan, eligible employees receive company-funded ESOP shares at no cost to them as part of their long-term retirement benefits.

As Lerch Bates grows, employee-owners share in the company's success. For many employees, the ESOP becomes one of the most valuable financial benefits of their career by helping build meaningful long-term wealth in addition to their salary and traditional 401(k).

When you join Lerch Bates, you are not just building better buildings. You also have the opportunity to build your financial future alongside the company's success.

About Lerch Bates:

Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP. That means when the company succeeds, our employee-owners share in that success. It's more than a retirement benefit—it's an ownership mindset backed by the opportunity to build long-term financial value while helping shape the future of the company. 

What You’ll Do:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.

Building Assessments & Investigations

• Conduct on-site investigations and evaluations of existing building enclosure systems.
• Review construction documents, historical records, and related documentation to understand original construction and identify areas of risk.
• Evaluate roofing, waterproofing, facade, fenestration, air barrier, vapor barrier, and wall systems for performance concerns.
• Identify sources of water infiltration, air leakage, condensation, and other enclosure-related deficiencies.
• Perform condition assessments and develop recommendations for repair, rehabilitation, and long-term asset management strategies.

Building Enclosure Design & Consulting

• Serve as a technical lead for building enclosure consulting services on new construction and major renovation projects.
• Participate in pre-design meetings, design charrettes, and building enclosure strategy discussions with project teams.
• Perform technical peer reviews of architectural drawings, specifications, and enclosure designs.
• Support development of Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) documents, Basis of Design (BOD) narratives, and project specifications.
• Provide recommendations that improve enclosure performance, constructability, durability, and long-term building resilience.

Construction Administration & Quality Assurance

• Conduct on-site quality assurance observations during construction to verify compliance with design intent, specifications, manufacturer requirements, and industry best practices.
• Review shop drawings, product submittals, RFIs, and construction documents for conformance with project requirements.
• Participate in pre-construction and construction phase meetings to address enclosure-related concerns and coordinate project activities.
• Evaluate enclosure installation quality and identify potential risks that may impact project performance or schedule.
• Prepare detailed field reports documenting observations, findings, and recommendations.

Building Enclosure Commissioning & Testing

• Support building enclosure commissioning efforts for new construction and renovation projects.
• Develop and review quality control procedures, inspection plans, testing requirements, and commissioning documentation.
• Participate in field performance testing activities including water penetration, air infiltration, enclosure mock-up, and whole-building performance testing.
• Coordinate and evaluate enclosure testing programs and review results for compliance with project objectives.
• Document findings and provide recommendations to project teams and clients.

Project Management & Leadership

• Lead multiple projects simultaneously while managing scope, budget, schedule, resources, and deliverables.
• Provide technical review, guidance, and mentorship to designers, specialists, engineers, technicians, and other project team members.
• Review reports and technical deliverables for quality, accuracy, and consistency.
• Facilitate project meetings and maintain clear communication with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with Lerch Bates quality standards.

Client Development & Relationship Management

• Serve as a trusted advisor to building owners, architects, developers, contractors, consultants, and project stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through responsive communication and technical excellence.
• Present findings, recommendations, and technical reports to clients and project teams.
• Identify opportunities to expand services and support additional client needs.
• Maintain proactive communication regarding project status, risks, schedules, and key decisions.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Building Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in building enclosure consulting, architecture, engineering, construction, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of building enclosure systems, including roofing, waterproofing, facades, fenestration, and air/water/thermal/vapor barriers.
• Experience with both existing building investigations and new construction enclosure consulting preferred.
• Knowledge of building science principles related to moisture management, thermal performance, durability, and enclosure design.
• Experience reviewing construction documents, technical specifications, and shop drawings.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent technical writing, report preparation, and presentation skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with clients, contractors, architects, engineers, and project teams.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical issues and develop practical, solutions-oriented recommendations.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Revit, WUFI, THERM, or similar industry software preferred.
• Experience with project budgeting, invoicing, and resource management preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect (RA/AIA), Registered Roof Consultant (RRC), Registered Exterior Wall Consultant (REWC), or similar professional credential preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing building enclosure commissioning (BECx) services.
• Experience conducting enclosure field testing and performance evaluations.
• Previous consulting experience within the architecture, engineering, or construction industries.
• Experience with rehabilitation, restoration, and modernization projects involving existing buildings.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop junior technical staff.

Why Work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive base salary, based on experience, qualifications, and location
• Annual performance-based bonus opportunity, with target incentive levels varying by position and based on individual and company performance.
• 100% Employee-Owned ESOP (company-funded retirement benefit that allows eligible employees to share in the company's long-term success)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) with 6% employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

Core Values

Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism

Working Environment:

This position is performed in a combination of office, remote, client, and field environments. Regular travel to project sites is required and may include commercial buildings, occupied facilities, active construction sites, industrial locations, rooftops, and other environments where building evaluations, testing, or construction observations are performed. Work may occur indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Physical Demands:

This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, climb stairs and ladders, and navigate active construction sites and existing buildings. Employees may be required to access rooftops, traverse uneven terrain, work at elevated heights, and enter confined or restricted spaces as project conditions require. Frequent use of computers, keyboards, measuring equipment, and handheld devices is required.

Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of equipment and materials weighing up to 40 pounds may be required. Employees must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety footwear, hearing protection, and fall protection when applicable.

Travel by automobile and occasional air travel may be required.

Mental Demands:

This position requires strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills. Employees must be able to interpret construction documents, building codes, technical specifications, engineering data, and field observations while exercising sound professional judgment.

The role requires managing multiple projects, balancing competing priorities, meeting deadlines, and adapting to changing project conditions. Effective written and verbal communication, technical report writing, client presentations, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and attention to detail are essential.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.