Forensic Engineer - Commercial Vehicle Accident Reconstruction

Please read the job posting carefully and follow the application instructions, it is the first part of the interview! Salary will be based on experience (and can go higher than the range) - no experience necessary but commercial vehicle reconstruction experience compensated!

What is accident reconstruction? Technically, accident reconstruction is the application of math, physics, and engineering principles to the study of collision events. More simply, we study car wrecks, whether those involve passenger vehicles, heavy trucks, motorcycles, people, or bicycles, and answer questions about them. How fast was the Dodge traveling prior to impact? Could the driver of the Infiniti observe the pedestrian before impact, and was their reaction in the collision appropriate? Is there any electronic data on the Kenworth tractor that can help us determine whether the driver fell asleep? This is a job post – a calling, actually – for curious and motivated engineering candidates who want to learn the fascinating and dynamic field of commercial vehicle accident reconstruction.

Forensic Rock is hiring for the role of a Commercial Vehicle Accident Reconstructionist and Forensic Engineer. This role is like an apprenticeship. That is, you learn how to become an expert in the field of commercial vehicle accident reconstruction by working underneath a more experienced recon who shows you what and how they have learned. Then, you both learn more together.

This role is specific to our growing Heavy Truck group, and an interest in big trucks and getting dirty is a must. In this role, you will learn the field by:

• Traveling to vehicle and heavy truck inspections and assisting with 3D scanning, flying drones, vehicle documentation, and photographs of the vehicle;
• Learning how to download Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders (black boxes) and other electronic data sources in heavy trucks;
• Learning how to review collision files and summarize materials like police reports, depositions, photographs, discovery, and more;
• Assisting with written reports by providing supporting reconstruction analyses;
• Obtaining a Part 107 sUAS Drone License and learning how to document vehicles and sites using DJI drones;
• Obtaining a CDL and learning how to drive, operate, and inspect heavy vehicles;
• Traveling to remote parts of this country to get dirty and learn the fascinating world of Heavy Vehicle accident reconstruction.

We are looking for engineers who have the ability to learn – scratch that – the intense desire to keep learning and growing and those who are not afraid to fail and get up again. To learn through research, through doing, through reading, through testing and repeating and failing and modifying again and again and again. We are a firm whose clients hire us because of our technical acumen and continue to work with us because of our ability to communicate our opinions honestly, objectively, and authoritatively. We are invited and honored to present the newest research in the field of accident reconstruction to our peers at national summits. We are hired by top law firms for both the Plaintiff and Defense. We are proud of our heritage and clientele but quick to put our heads down, keep working, and continually try to improve.

Your experience level is irrelevant. We will fully train you – over the course of years – to learn, grow, and maximize your strengths while identifying and working on your areas of growth. Years down the road, you will be able to face down withering cross-examination in the toughest adversarial courtroom environments while remaining calm, collected, and in complete control of the jury. We are very busy and the work is fast-paced.

How will we teach you? In the same way we have successfully identified and developed young reconstructionists throughout the years. We learn through doing. Together. Through seeing different cases (commercial vehicles versus pedestrian, motorcycle, bicycle, passenger vehicles, and more), physically getting our hands on heavy trucks, and conducting novel testing that we present to our peers.

We strike the important balance between humility and confidence. Over time, we teach you how to conduct inspections, review files, write expert reports, communicate expert opinions, and eventually testify at depositions and at trials. This isn’t a months-long process. This is learning a lifelong learning process. Please follow the instructions below regarding the application process; this is our first opportunity to evaluate your writing ability and interest in the position.

This is not a typical engineering job. In fact, most engineers don’t even know this career field exists. We are looking for the engineering unicorn; a sharp technical mind married to an ability to come down to Earth and communicate confidently and coherently to non-technical laypeople. You may be raw – we understand that – but we are searching for the best and most talented engineers to join Forensic Rock. Loving the learning process is paramount. Self-starters that receive guidance and then sprint off to learn on their own are who we are looking for.

This position can involve significant travel and flexible working hours due to the 24/7 nature of the job. Sometimes, we get called out to the scene of a collision immediately after it occurs. On average, travel can take up about a week or two out of the month, with overnight and three-day trips common. We provide our clients with national service, but long drives (two to seven hours one-way) are the most common mode of transportation. This is a position with some physical requirements; the ability to lift about 50 pounds is required.

We offer fully paid medical, dental, vision, life, long-term, and short-term disability benefits. In addition, we offer paid vacation, sick, and holiday time, and we will fully pay for your accident reconstruction training. Your starting salary will be based on your experience level. Our physical office is based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and that will be where you work. Inspections will begin at this location.

We are committed to diversity. We encourage candidates from all cultures and backgrounds to apply. A Bachelor's in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering is preferred, although other engineering and scientific disciplines (physics, computer, software, civil, etc.) will be evaluated. All levels of experience will be considered. You are applying to a company that is growing quickly, organically, and has a start-up culture and vision. We do not sacrifice quality, however, for rapid growth. You will need to hit the ground running to help us manage our busy workload.

What can you expect in the interview process? One, don’t bother applying without a cover letter (generic cover letters don’t cut it). This is the first step in the application process and allows us to evaluate your persuasive writing ability (convince us you are the right candidate for the job!). Then, a Zoom interview if your resume and cover letter are interesting. Pass that round? An in-person interview at our HQ in Doylestown, so we can get acquainted and mutually see if this is the right fit.

Your future manager and mentor has identified a few things that would be helpful for the applicant to consider:

• Do you manage stress, or does stress manage you? Candidates who have skill sets for the former are encouraged to apply;
• Plays well with others in stressful group settings (not from adversarial people, rather, adversarial scenarios such as power issues with wrecked trucks, mysterious air leaks, Copart’s that close at 4:23 PM, time zone confusion, etc.);
• Can be a solo adventurer when needed (i.e. you can kayak solo happily as well as row a boat in sync with others);
• If you haven’t gotten the message, we are detail-oriented and like to turn over as many stones as our bandwidth allows. That should excite you;
• Positivity is a must. We build culture first and success subsequently flows, not the other way around. “Nothing kills momentum on a long inspection faster than a bad apple among the bunch.” And someone at Forensic Rock absolutely loves apples.

We are excited to meet you.