Investigate failures and disputes involving treatment plants, conveyance systems, pump stations, and utility infrastructure throughout the United States.
Lead forensic investigations involving water and wastewater infrastructure, including treatment facilities, pump stations, pipelines, storage, valves, and collection/distribution systems.
Conduct site inspections and evidence collection following failures, service disruptions, flooding events, equipment malfunctions, and construction or operational disputes.
Determine cause, origin, extent, and contributing factors, including assessment of design intent, construction practices, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and lifecycle performance.
Prepare independent, litigation-ready expert reports (and supporting exhibits) for arbitration, mediation, and court proceedings, addressing causation, standard of care, and responsibility.
Provide expert witness testimony in depositions, arbitration, and/or court, including testimony under cross-examination.
Collaborate with attorneys, insurers, owners, contractors, and other technical experts to develop coordinated expert opinions and respond to opposing expert positions.
Advise clients on remediation options, risk mitigation, operational changes, and dispute resolution strategy.
Review and analyze drawings, specifications, calculations, O&M manuals, SCADA/controls records, commissioning documentation, maintenance logs, and incident/failure history.
Evaluate hydraulic performance and capacity constraints (e.g., HGL issues, surge/water hammer considerations, pump curves, system head, I/I impacts) and identify design or operational deficiencies.
Assess treatment process performance and compliance considerations, including unit process selection, process control, reliability, and failure modes.
Perform or direct field diagnostics and data analysis, such as flow testing, pressure testing, CCTV/condition assessment, pump station performance evaluation, and equipment failure analysis.
Develop technically sound repair and mitigation recommendations, including prioritization of corrective actions and constructability considerations.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering; advanced degree preferred.
Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
10–15+ years of water and/or wastewater engineering experience, including treatment, conveyance, or utility operations.
Experience with plant design, hydraulic analysis, and system performance evaluation.
Demonstrated forensic engineering and dispute consulting experience.
Minimum 1+ year of experience serving as an Expert Witness, with formal testimony provided in depositions, arbitration, and/or court proceedings.
Strong client delivery and relationship management experience.
Experience contributing to business development, proposal support, and client relationship expansion.
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.