Forensic MEP Engineer

Role Overview

• Lead forensic investigations involving failures, deficiencies, and performance disputes associated with building MEP systems.
• Evaluate causation related to HVAC systems, electrical distribution, emergency power, lighting, plumbing, fire protection, and life safety systems.
• Determine responsibility associated with design intent, construction practices, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.
• Prepare independent, litigation-ready expert reports suitable for use in arbitration, mediation, and court proceedings.
• Provide expert witness testimony under oath at deposition, arbitration, and trial, including experience under cross-examination.
• Consult directly with legal counsel, insurers, owners, and developers on dispute strategy, evidentiary issues, and remediation options.
• Review and analyze drawings, specifications, calculations, commissioning records, test reports, and maintenance documentation.
• Conduct site inspections, system testing, and performance evaluations.
• Assess compliance with applicable Canadian codes and standards (CSA, National Building Code of Canada, provincial amendments).
• Develop technically sound remediation and repair recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Systems Engineering; advanced degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) license in at least one Canadian province required; eligibility for registration in additional provinces preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive MEP engineering experience, including significant involvement in design, construction administration, commissioning, and system troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated experience investigating failures and deficiencies in HVAC, electrical power and distribution, emergency power, plumbing, fire protection, and life safety systems.
• Demonstrated forensic engineering and dispute consulting experience, including preparation of independent expert opinions for contested matters.
• Minimum 1+ year of experience serving as an Expert Witness, with formal experience providing testimony in depositions, arbitration, and/or court proceedings.
• Proven ability to draft clear, defensible expert reports suitable for judicial and arbitral scrutiny.
• Strong client delivery and relationship management experience, including direct interaction with legal counsel, insurers, developers, and asset owners.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent assignments while meeting litigation-driven deadlines.
• Demonstrated contribution to business development activities, including proposal support, maintaining and expanding client relationships, participation in industry events, and identification of follow-on work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate for client presentations, expert testimony, and cross-examination.
• Willingness to travel for site investigations, hearings, and client meetings.

Benefits

• A strong collaborative culture with a mutual pursuit of your success alongside the success of our teams.
• The opportunity to solve problems creatively, contribute to our innovative direction, and be valued as an individual.
• The ability to leverage HKA’s strong network and presence in various industries and reputation for exceptional expert witnesses to accelerate career development and connections.