As a Specialist, you are a technical authority with more than 15 years of building enclosure, building science, and forensic engineering experience, leading investigations and analysis of complex building performance failure and defect claims and litigation matters with a high degree of independence. You bring demonstrated practical investigation experience and are comfortable serving as an expert witness, developing defensible technical opinions, and communicating findings through reports, depositions, and testimony.
In this role, you help strengthen and grow RDH’s forensic and litigation practice while providing technical and peer leadership to an established and evolving team with regional, national, and international experience. You guide investigation strategy, mentor staff in rigorous forensic methods, support client and legal-team relationships, and help teams move complex matters forward with sound judgment, clear communication, and responsible stewardship.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead investigations of complex building performance defects, failures, defects, damage, and performance concerns, with particular emphasis on dispute resolution and litigation-related matters.
- Develop investigation strategies and oversee field work, including failure triage, site assessment, evidence documentation, photo documentation, testing, and analysis.
- Formulate clear, technically defensible opinions regarding causation, origin, responsibility, repair, and performance based on field evidence, design information, codes, standards, and engineering principles.
- Serve as an expert witness on litigation matters, including preparation of expert reports and participation in depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and trial testimony as required.
- Review drawings, specifications, construction records, technical documentation, codes, and other evidence to evaluate building enclosure and structural performance and identify contributing factors.
- Serve as a senior technical reviewer and trusted advisor to project teams, clients, attorneys, insurers, and other stakeholders on complex forensic and litigation matters.
- Mentor and develop junior and intermediate staff in the fundamentals of forensic investigation, documentation, technical analysis, report writing, and expert practice.
- Support the continued growth of RDH’s forensic practice by strengthening client relationships, contributing to business development, and helping teams deliver high-quality work efficiently and collaboratively.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Building Science, Structural Engineering, or a related field from an accredited university
- Extensive relevant experience in forensic engineering, failure investigation, building enclosure, and/or structural assessment, including significant litigation support experience
- Professional Engineer (PE) registration; registration in Massachusetts and/or New York is highly desirable, with ability to obtain registration in additional Northeast jurisdictions as needed
- Demonstrated experience serving as an expert witness, including development of expert opinions and reports and participation in deposition and/or testimony
Skills and Competencies
- Deep technical expertise in forensic building enclosure and structural failure investigation
- Strong practical investigation skills, including evidence preservation, photo documentation, triage, field assessment, testing, and technical analysis
- Ability to synthesize complex evidence and develop clear, independent, and defensible technical opinions
- Expert-level written and verbal communication, including technical reports, presentations, deposition, and testimony
- Sound judgment and credibility when working with attorneys, clients, opposing experts, insurers, and other stakeholders
- Strong mentorship and coaching capability, with the ability to develop others in forensic investigation and litigation work
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and move complex, high-stakes matters forward
- Client relationship management and business development acumen within forensic, claims, and litigation services
- Advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and systems-level thinking
- High integrity, professional independence, collaboration, and commitment to responsible stewardship
Benefits & Perks
The base salary range for this position is $180,000 - $230,000 annualized for a full-time role. Salary is dependent on various factors, including qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location. You may also be eligible for discretionary incentives and share ownership.
We offer a robust benefits package to support the well-being of our employees. This includes: GRSP/401K contributions, Health and Dental coverage, Primary Caregiver benefits, Vacation and Sick Time, Statutory Holiday substitutions, and a learning fund of $1,000 per year for education or career goals.
About RDH
A role with RDH is a career commitment to learn and grow alongside inspiring and dedicated people who care deeply about making buildings better.
We are an employee-owned consulting firm with 300+ employees in 11 offices across North America. Our core area of business is the integration of building science engineering, architecture, and construction management to optimize the performance of the building enclosure (walls, windows and roofs). Since our beginnings in 1997, we have become industry leaders in North America and continue to grow as we focus on technical excellence and delivering high-quality projects.
We offer a positive workplace with incredible teams, opportunities for professional growth, development and ownership. As well as your background, we seek alignment with RDH’s core values: 1) commit to excellence, 2) act with integrity, 3) work as a team 4) do what it takes, and 5) always learn.
