Associate Engineer

About the role

We’re seeking a part-time Associate Engineer in the Dallas, TX area. In this hybrid role, you will assist engineers in field engineering inspections and testing procedures as requested. Such inspections can include weather-caused damage, foundations, equipment evaluations, structural detailing, inspection and detailing of in-situ collapse debris, fire and explosion scene inspections, vehicular accident scene evaluations, and more.

Haag, a Salas O’Brien company, has been a trusted leader in forensic engineering and consulting since 1924, helping clients solve complex, high-stakes problems. In June 2024, Haag merged with Salas O’Brien, expanding resources and opportunities while remaining focused on forensic engineering. Salas O’Brien, founded in 1975, is an employee-owned firm providing integrated engineering and consulting services across industries such as energy, manufacturing, data centers, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Weather-related evaluations:
  • Measuring roof areas
  • Inspecting roof coverings
  • Assisting engineers to ensure safety
• Foundation inspections:
  • Measuring and diagraming buildings
  • Assisting during crawlspace inspections to ensure safety
  • Surveying building areas
  • Collecting soil samples
• Fire and explosion scene inspections:
  • Measuring and diagraming damaged buildings
  • Assisting in debris removal and inspection procedures
  • Collecting debris samples for analysis and laboratory examination
• Vehicular accident scene evaluations:
  • Diagraming and dimensioning accident scenes
  • Assisting during on-site inspections
• Equipment evaluations:
  • Identifying and listing involved equipment models and manufacturers
  • Defining equipment conditions
  • Locating replacement equipment, both new and reconditioned
  • Finding equipment repair specialists
• In-situ collapse debris detailing:
  • Diagraming and photographing collapsed structural elements
  • Locating positions of fallen structural elements
  • Preparing plat diagrams locating fallen components
• Field testing:
  • Setting up, calibrating, and operating various test equipment
  • Monitoring data acquisition
• Additional duties:
  • Interviewing witnesses, property owners, and owner’s representatives
  • Preparing drawings and survey plots
  • Contacting equipment manufacturers and suppliers
  • Coordinating shipments of equipment and engineering samples
  • Calibrating, maintaining, acquiring, and using electrical and mechanical instruments
  • Assisting with preparation of written reports
  • Aiding the research department in developing test program methodology, design, assembly, and procedures
  • Procuring materials and test equipment
  • Performing and documenting experimental testing procedures
  • Maintaining test assembly storage
  • Calibrating test equipment and maintaining equipment records

Good writing and communication skills are required for contacts with clients, property owners, and others. Some travel will be required, including overnight stays, and personal vehicle use. For the retrieval of job samples, ownership of a light truck might be useful. Occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BS) in engineering from a four-year college or university
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistics, algebra, calculus, differential equations, plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, and engineering economics
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with concrete variables in situations of limited standardization
• Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, and schedule forms

Physical Demands

The vast majority of job assignments involve inspections under physically challenging circumstances and conditions. Essential physical tasks include:

• Climbing ladders, stairs, and roofs
• Lifting and setting ladders and scaffolds
• Working in hot, humid, arid, extremely cold, wet, icy, noisy, and otherwise difficult conditions
• Working while suited in protective gear of various types
• Walking considerable distances over irregular terrain while carrying engineering equipment
• Tolerating the inconveniences and demands of travel

Vision must be correctable to a level sufficient for automobile driver’s license registration. Good peripheral vision and depth perception are also essential.

Location

Hybrid role based in the Dallas, TX area.

Pay

Competitive hourly rate.

Benefits

This role is eligible for benefits commonly offered to part-time employees.