Structural Project Engineer (Forensic)

NOVA Engineering is seeking a motivated Structural Forensic Engineer to join our growing Forensics Engineering team in Buford, Georgia. This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer with approximately 3-7 years of structural engineering experience who is looking to expand their expertise beyond traditional design work and develop specialized skills in forensic investigations, restoration engineering, and failure analysis.

In this role, you'll work on a diverse range of projects involving distressed structures, structural failures, building envelope evaluations, restoration design, and advanced field investigations. You'll gain hands-on exposure to real-world engineering challenges while collaborating with experienced forensic engineers who are committed to mentoring and professional development.

Our projects range from targeted evaluations and repair designs to large-scale restoration efforts with construction values reaching $2 million. You'll be empowered to take ownership of projects, interact directly with clients, and build a rewarding career in a highly specialized and growing field of engineering.

At NOVA, we foster a collaborative, flexible work environment where professional growth, technical excellence, and work-life balance are valued.

Responsibilities and Duties:

The responsibilities for the position include, but are not limited to:

• Investigate buildings, structures, and construction systems to evaluate damage, deterioration, and performance issues
• Perform field assessments and site inspections to identify structural concerns and determine root causes of failures
• Conduct and oversee materials testing and sampling, including concrete and masonry investigations
• Utilize advanced nondestructive testing technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and other investigative tools
• Perform structural analysis, calculations, and modeling to evaluate existing structural systems
• Develop practical repair and restoration solutions for a wide variety of structures
• Prepare construction documents, including plans, sections, details, and technical specifications
• Participate in construction administration activities, including field observations, shop drawing reviews, and RFI responses
• Prepare clear, concise, and defensible engineering reports and technical findings
• Support building envelope investigations involving water intrusion, façade performance, and building condition assessments
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and client communications from proposal through final deliverables
• Collaborate with senior engineers while progressively taking on greater technical and project leadership responsibilities
• Mentor and support junior engineers and technical staff as your experience grows

Why This Role Is Different:

This position offers a unique opportunity to:

• Work on challenging forensic and restoration projects rather than repetitive production design
• Develop expertise in structural failures, investigations, and root-cause analysis
• Gain extensive field experience and hands-on exposure to existing structures
• Learn directly from seasoned forensic engineers and industry experts
• Take ownership of projects early in your career
• Build technical expertise that can accelerate your path toward professional licensure and leadership opportunities
• Enjoy a balance of office-based engineering, field investigations, and client interaction

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Architectural Engineering
• Approximately 3-7 years of structural engineering experience
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification
• Experience performing structural analysis and engineering calculations
• Strong technical writing and communication skills
• Proficiency with AutoCAD
• Working knowledge of IBC, IRC, and related building codes
• Ability to work independently in office and field environments
• Willingness to perform site investigations, climb ladders, and work in various field conditions as needed

Preferred Experience:

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or active pursuit of licensure
• Experience with forensic engineering, structural investigations, restoration, or rehabilitation projects
• Familiarity with existing building assessments, failure investigations, or condition evaluations
• Experience with materials testing, core sampling, and nondestructive testing methods
• Knowledge of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) or similar investigative technologies
• Experience with Revit
• Familiarity with building envelope assessments, water intrusion investigations, or façade evaluations
• Experience preparing repair documents and providing construction-phase support

Perks and Benefits:

In addition to our welcoming company culture and competitive compensation packages, our employees enjoy the below benefits:

• Use of take-home Company Vehicle for daily travel to work sites
• Comprehensive group medical insurance, including health, dental and vision
• Opportunity for professional growth and advancement
• Certification reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Company-observed paid holidays
• Company paid life insurance for employee, spouse and children
• Company paid short term disability coverage 
• Other supplemental benefit offerings including long-term disability, critical illness, accident and identity theft protection 
• 401K retirement with company matching of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions 
• Wellness program with incentives
• Employee Assistance Program

NOVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. NOVA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

About NOVA:

Established in 1996, NOVA was originally founded to provide Environmental Consulting, Geotechnical Engineering, and Construction Materials Testing and Inspection services to the design and construction community, largely in the southeastern United States.  Since our founding, NOVA has added additional service lines such as Facilities and Building Envelope, Forensics, Municipal and more. We are dedicated to providing a wide variety of projects and services with an emphasis on collaboration and safety. We offer a stimulating and inspiring work environment where our employees are recognized for their efforts and achievements and are mentored for professional growth.

Currently, NOVA employs 650 personnel in 20 offices serving clients throughout the southeastern United States and beyond. Our firm has professional and administrative support staff that includes registered professional engineers, registered professional geologists, environmental scientists, registered roof observers, LEED accredited professionals, soil/foundation engineers, laboratory specialists, materials technicians, ICC-certified inspectors, NICET-certified technicians, and AWS-certified welding inspectors. NOVA’s facilities include AASHTO-accredited laboratories in soils, concrete, aggregate and hot-mix asphalt testing/inspection. We also have CCRL-inspected laboratories for concrete sampling, curing, and testing.  NOVA will continue to expand its reach and reputation as a leader in the testing, inspection, and consulting fields with a strong legacy of quality and integrity by promoting our best internal resources and recruiting a diverse culture of valued and exceptional talent.