Department: Building Science
Lerch Bates is seeking a Building Enclosure Specialist to join our building science consulting team. This role supports building enclosure testing, quality assurance observations, field investigations, and building performance evaluations on both new construction and existing building projects.
As a Building Enclosure Specialist, you'll spend much of your time in the field evaluating how buildings perform in real-world conditions. You'll conduct specialized testing such as Electronic Leak Detection (ELD), air barrier testing, water penetration testing, and infrared thermography while helping project teams identify and solve building enclosure challenges involving roofing systems, waterproofing assemblies, exterior facades, glazing systems, and air and weather barriers.
Working closely with consultants, engineers, architects, contractors, and building owners, you'll play a key role in projects involving construction quality assurance, building enclosure commissioning, investigations, repairs, and rehabilitation. This position is ideal for professionals with construction, roofing, waterproofing, facade, building envelope, testing, inspection, or quality assurance experience who enjoy problem-solving, field work, and technical challenges.
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.
Field Testing, Assessments & Investigations
- Perform specialized building enclosure testing and building performance evaluations, including:
- Electronic Leak Detection (ELD)
- Air barrier testing
- Water penetration and performance testing
- Infrared thermography scanning
- Conduct field investigations and condition assessments on both new and existing buildings.
- Perform construction quality assurance (CQA) observations to verify compliance with project requirements, installation standards, and design intent.
- Evaluate roofing systems, waterproofing assemblies, facade systems, glazing systems, weather barriers, and air barrier installations.
- Identify construction deficiencies, moisture intrusion issues, deterioration, and other building performance concerns.
- Support roof assessments, facade evaluations, waterproofing investigations, enclosure commissioning activities, and rehabilitation projects.
- Apply sound judgment and technical knowledge to evaluate field conditions and assist project teams in developing solutions.
Technical Documentation & Reporting
- Prepare clear, accurate, and timely field reports documenting observations, testing results, existing conditions, and recommendations.
- Document construction quality, installation practices, and building enclosure performance findings.
- Maintain documentation in accordance with company standards and reporting requirements.
- Follow established templates and quality processes to ensure consistency and accuracy.
- Support consultants and project teams in the development of technical recommendations and project documentation.
Project Coordination & Client Support
- Review shop drawings, submittals, and project documentation on a limited basis.
- Identify work that may fall outside project scope and communicate findings appropriately.
- Communicate professionally with clients, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and project teams.
- Support project coordination across new construction, repair, rehabilitation, and existing building assessment projects.
- Help maintain strong client relationships through responsive communication and quality service.
Team Collaboration
- Support training and development of field technicians and team members as applicable.
- Contribute to a collaborative team environment while working independently in the field.
- Participate in knowledge sharing and continuous improvement efforts.
- Work closely with consultants, engineers, architects, and project managers to support successful project outcomes.
What You’ll Bring:
- 5+ years of experience in construction, building enclosure consulting, roofing, waterproofing, facade systems, commissioning, quality assurance, testing, inspections, or related industries.
- Strong understanding of commercial, institutional, and residential construction practices and building enclosure systems.
- Experience evaluating field conditions and relating observations to building performance, durability, water management, and moisture-control issues.
- Experience with construction observations, field investigations, quality assurance inspections, commissioning, leak detection, building performance testing, or condition assessments preferred.
- Knowledge of roofing systems, waterproofing assemblies, exterior wall systems, curtain walls, glazing systems, weather barriers, air barriers, and vapor barriers preferred.
- Familiarity with repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and renovation projects is a plus.
- Strong technical writing, communication, and documentation skills.
- Ability to work independently in the field while effectively collaborating with project teams and clients.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, accuracy, and attention to detail.
- Proficiency with Bluebeam and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
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 4% employer match
- Paid parental leave
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement
- Employee assistance and wellness programs
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.
Core Values
Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism
Application Information
Applications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis. This posting will remain open until the position is filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply at any time while the position remains posted.
Working Environment:
This position is primarily performed on active construction sites and existing buildings, with occasional office work for reporting and project coordination. Work regularly occurs outdoors and may expose employees to varying weather conditions, temperature extremes, dust, noise, and uneven terrain.
Project assignments frequently require travel throughout the assigned region.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Physical Demands:
This position requires frequent standing, walking, climbing, kneeling, bending, reaching, crawling, and lifting throughout the workday. Employees must safely navigate active construction sites, climb ladders and scaffolding, access rooftops, and work at elevated heights.
The role requires the ability to carry testing equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds and wear required PPE, including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, fall protection, and safety footwear.
Frequent travel between project sites is required.
Mental Demands:
This position requires strong observational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to accurately document field conditions. Employees must follow testing procedures, identify deficiencies, interpret construction documents, communicate effectively with project teams, and prepare clear technical reports.
The ability to adapt to changing site conditions while managing multiple assignments and deadlines is 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.
