Forensic Architect

About the role

m2e Consulting Engineers is seeking a highly experienced and credentialed Forensic Architect to lead complex architectural forensic investigations and serve as a key expert witness in legal settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct high-stakes and complex architectural forensic investigations involving both existing and new structures.
• Serve as the primary architectural expert witness, providing testimony in depositions, arbitrations, and trials.
• Develop and deliver technical deliverables, including expert reports, repair specifications, and life safety plans.
• Ensure consistency and technical excellence across architectural deliverables.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary internal and external teams, legal counsel, condominium associations, and clients to provide clear, defensible expert opinions.
• Stay up to date with the Florida Building Code and national standards related to design, construction, and forensic investigation.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to the technical development of the architectural forensic team.
• Contribute to business unit and company-wide objectives, participate in knowledge-sharing and training initiatives, and engage in industry-related professional organizations, conferences, and technical committees.
• Perform detailed research and analysis, then put the results into action (e.g., gather, review, summarize literature and data).
• Audit own work products and those of others to assure quality.

Requirements

• Minimum Professional Qualifications: Bachelor's/master’s degree in architecture or a closely related field, or documented combination of education and experience.
• Active Florida Architect License.
• Valid State of Florida Driver's License and reliable transportation required.
• Proven experience developing and delivering expert testimony in legal settings, including case list with case names and numbers.
• Extensive knowledge of Florida Building Code and forensic methodologies.
• Strong technical writing and editing skills for developing expert reports.
• Experience assisting with data gathering activities, including document review and supervision.
• Demonstrate creativity and learn to efficiently use relevant software tools, analytical methods, and computer models to develop solutions.
• Gain experience developing and maintaining electronic databases, spreadsheets, and other files as dictated by project needs.

Experience

• 15+ years of professional experience in architecture, including design, construction, and forensic investigations.
• Proven experience in preparing expert reports and providing expert testimony in legal settings.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams and complex forensic architectural projects.
• Experience working with the Florida Building Code and conducting forensic evaluations of both existing and new structures.
• Prior involvement in litigation, mediation, or arbitration processes preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Technical Communication and English Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in technical writing and reporting, adhering to company standards to ensure accuracy and timely documentation.
• Fluent in speaking, reading, interpreting, and writing English to enable clear and effective communication in all professional contexts.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Comfortable operating independently and making critical decisions.
• Highly organized and deadline driven.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Participate in a positive team environment and work hard to meet client deadlines and quality expectations.

Physical Demands

• Necessary to perform assigned duties safely and effectively.
• Ability to sit with back at a 90-degree angle for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to look at a computer for up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to stand upright for up to 8 hours per day.
• Bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, laying, crawling, and twisting required up to 30% of the time in this role.
• Must be able to access and navigate job sites and construction areas (uneven terrain, exposure to outdoor weather elements).
• Must be able to ride in a hoist and/or swing stage.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds at times.
• Must be able to use right and left foot for repetitive movements such as in operating controls or levers.
• Full dexterity of wrists and fingers required with repetitive motions.
• Must be able to see near, in the distance, color, depth, and range.
• Safety equipment, including but not limited to hard hat, OSHA approved footwear, safety glasses and safety vests, is always required while performing job functions on active construction sites.
• Safety gloves, ear plugs, and safety harness will be issued when appropriate.
• Riding in a hoist and/or in a swing stage to be performed under strict adherence to the OSHA standards.
• Climbing ladders and scaffolds to be performed under strict adherence to the OSHA standards.