Civil/Structural/Mechanical/Electrical (Forensic) Engineer

Full-time, home-based forensic engineering role serving the Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area with hybrid flexibility. Stephens Engineering Consultants, Inc. supports PE-licensed engineers through on-the-job training and provides the structure, standards, and team communication needed to produce clear, defensible findings. You will work on residential, commercial, and industrial investigations with opportunities to drive deep problem solving while maintaining more time at home and reducing daily commuting.

This position is based in Chicago, IL 60634 (home-based). Daily office reporting is not required, and travel to site inspections is handled as part of the role, including potential travel within the surrounding states.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forensic (investigative) evaluations of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, including (but not limited to) storm-related roof and exterior cladding damage, moisture intrusion, impact damage (tree, vehicle, etc.), foundation settlement, and construction defects.
• Electrical and mechanical engineers will also perform forensic evaluations on electrical/mechanical systems.
• Produce accurate, precise and unbiased written reports based on field inspections and research, aligned with company standards and guidelines.
• Communicate daily with clients, the engineering team, and the home office to support assigned projects.
• Maintain customer service and team orientation with professional, timely updates to clients.
• Stay flexible with scheduling, daily work, and quality control, meeting expectations and deadlines, especially during heavy workload periods.
• Provide depositions and expert testimony as necessary on assigned work.
• Complete additional duties assigned by management.
• Work additional hours during peak demand as deemed necessary.
• Serve as a self-starter able to work with minimal supervision.
• Park a company vehicle at your residence.
• Adapt to inevitable changes in company policy and procedures.

Requirements

• Prior forensic engineering experience not required because STEPHENS provides on-the-job training.
• Minimum Bachelor of Science in Civil, Structural, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Maintain an active Professional Engineer (PE) license in the state of employment, or the ability to become licensed within two months.
• NCEES Record preferred.
• Valid driver’s license with no travel-time restrictions, and the ability to be insured to use company vehicles.
• Residence in the Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area is required; daily reporting to an office will not be required.
• Ability to perform physical tasks associated with forensic investigations, including extended standing, walking, driving, climbing stairs/ladders/scaffolding, walking on pitched roof slopes (some over two stories), crawling in confined spaces (attics/crawlspaces), working outdoors in heat or cold, and lifting/moving objects weighing 50 to 100 lbs.
• Accurately type 30 wpm and be knowledgeable with Microsoft Office, particularly MS Word.
• Proficient writing skills using correct English spelling and grammar.

Compensation and Work Details

• Job type: Full-time
• Salary: From $125,000.00 per year
• Overtime is supported as part of a competitive salary with overtime and a yearly bonus; overtime compliance is required during periods of heavy workload.

Benefits

• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Benefits of a Career in Forensic Engineering

• Not being confined to an office all day
• Getting out and seeing new things
• Regularly meeting new people
• No daily commute
• Problem solving and providing expert opinions
• More time with family

Travel Requirements

• This is a home-based position with residence in the Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area required; daily office reporting is not required.
• Willingness to work from home or a remote location, particularly when traveling.
• Travel to and from site inspections provided by the home office; some inspections may be located in surrounding states.
• Extended travel times may be required depending on investigation locations.
• Be willing to drive long distances, which occasionally may require longer than 8-hour days.
• Overnight travel may be required depending on location and number of sites.
• Up to 50% of the time may be required for regular travel in your assigned region.

Technologies: Microsoft Office, MS Word

Application questions: Can you work overtime if necessary? Please provide the URL to your LinkedIn profile if it is not listed on your resume (required for further consideration).