Director, Forensic Geotechnical Consulting

About this role

HKA is a global leader in risk mitigation, dispute resolution, and expert witness services. We tackle complex challenges with our multi-disciplinary expertise. As trusted consultants and advisors, we deliver solutions in uncertain and disputed situations, ensuring the best outcomes for clients worldwide. Our experts have testified globally on major cases spanning across a wide range of industries and sectors. As part of the HKA team you can expect: Exposure to complex, high-value disputes involving transportation, infrastructure, energy, tunneling, dams, airports, and other major construction projects. Mentorship from nationally recognized geotechnical and forensic engineering experts with experience serving as technical and testifying experts in litigation and arbitration matters. The opportunity to develop expertise in forensic engineering, expert witness consulting, and dispute resolution while working on some of the industry's most challenging technical investigations. The Opportunity HKA is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Engineer to support forensic investigations, develop technical opinions, prepare expert reports, and assist with complex claims, arbitration, and litigation matters. This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile disputes involving major transportation, infrastructure, energy, water, underground construction, and heavy civil projects throughout North America and internationally. Working alongside nationally recognized experts, you will investigate complex geotechnical and construction issues involving differing site conditions, foundations, earthwork, slope stability, groundwater, retaining structures, and standard of care matters while building expertise in forensic engineering and dispute resolution. Responsibilities Conduct forensic investigations involving geotechnical, geologic, civil, and construction-related issues. Analyze project documents, geotechnical reports, plans, specifications, construction records, schedules, and testing data. Assist in determining the cause of failures, defects, cost overruns, delays, differing site conditions, and construction disputes. Perform geotechnical engineering analyses involving foundations, settlement, slope stability, retaining structures, seepage, shoring, and underground works. Support field investigations, site inspections, testing programs, and root cause evaluations. Develop technical findings and assist in forming expert opinions. Prepare forensic engineering reports and technical memoranda. Support attorneys, insurers, owners, contractors, and other clients involved in claims, arbitration, mediation, and litigation. Review engineering standard of care, construction practices, and compliance with applicable codes and industry standards. Communicate technical findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Skills & Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related field. Professional Engineer (PE) license. 1+ years experience serving as a testifying expert witness in litigation, arbitration, mediation, or other dispute resolution proceedings. 1+ years experience preparing expert reports, supporting attorneys, and working within litigation, claims, or dispute resolution environments. 6+ years of geotechnical engineering experience, preferably in a consulting function. Experience performing geotechnical investigations, engineering analyses, and technical report preparation. Strong understanding of foundations, earthwork, slope stability, retaining structures, groundwater, and related geotechnical issues. Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills. Preferred Master's degree or above in Geotechnical Engineering or a related discipline. Experience evaluating differing site conditions, construction defects, geotechnical failures, or professional standard of care matters. Experience with transportation, infrastructure, heavy civil, utility, energy, tunneling,

Skills and categories