Forensic Mechanical Engineer - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Overview

Provides failure analysis and forensic consulting services requiring mechanical engineering expertise. Investigates and evaluates injury, equipment, and property damage claims caused by alleged issues with products, automobiles, heavy equipment, machines, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, and other mechanical systems. Provides oral and written reports of findings, technical guidance to clients, and expert testimony.

• Investigates how and why an incident occurred, including identifying the origin, failure mechanism, and root cause of the incident, as well as the role of the mechanical system.
• Inspects sites, products, equipment, and systems; performs electronic data retrieval and analysis of equipment; documents site/product conditions and determines cause and origin of damage; performs site surveys using advanced data collection equipment including the latest in 3D scanning technology.
• Performs mechanical engineering calculations and orders and evaluates required laboratory testing and performs analyses.
• Reviews and interprets relevant codes, standards, drawings, specifications, technical manuals, peer‑reviewed literature, data logs, and other documentation to evaluate the compliance of the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the subject mechanical system.
• Conducts various analyses including, but not limited to, industrial safety and accidents; equipment and machinery design and failure, product liability; and design and safety.
• Provides support on fire and explosion investigations involving mechanical systems, products, and equipment.
• Provides clients with the results of their investigations in both oral and written report format. Signs and seals their written reports after internal technical review.
• Works as both a seller and a doer of our consulting services. By providing industry‑leading customer service and comprehensive technical investigations develops long‑term relationships with our insurance and attorney clientele.

• B.S. Mechanical Engineering degree or closely related engineering discipline.
• Florida P.E. required or ability to obtain a Florida P.E. within 3 months of hire.
• 2‑10+ years of experience, including knowledge of products, machine design, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression systems, and/or other mechanical equipment/systems/processes.
• Project Management and/or Field Investigation experience required; strongly preferred.
• Vehicle Accident Reconstruction experience desired.

• Ability to work independently and manage own investigative assignments and clients with minimal supervision in a commercially minded manner.
• Must have high level of analytical skill. Work requires continual attention to detail with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Must be able to interact and communicate with clients.
• Must have strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Must have knowledge of a variety of computer software applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Applications, and the ability to learn new systems needed for specific forensic assignments.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific, technical reports or journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to clearly and coherently write scopes‑of‑work, budget estimates, schedules, reports of findings, proposals, general correspondence, and other technical documents.
• Must have a high degree of professional integrity and must have the ability and desire to participate in the adversarial legal process where work product receives intense scrutiny.

• Physical Demands:
  Work is performed both in an office setting and at outside locations. Employee must be able to stand, walk, sit, climb, bend, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, and drive a motor vehicle to incident sites. May lift up to 50 pounds. Must be focused and alert during inspections and client interactions. Clear vision and depth perception required.
• Overtime:
  Position is salaried with exempt FLSA status. Regular hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with one hour lunch. Consultants may set own schedules within client needs. Occasional odd hours may be required.
• Travel Requirements:
  Up to 25% travel overnight; local inspections predominant.

Rimkus is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and will make all employment‑related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT FOR EMPLOYMENT OR A GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.