Surety Engineer II

Liberty Mutual Surety™ is focused on providing solutions for surety bond disputes and claims. The Surety Engineer II is responsible for technical engineering analyses, overseeing claims resolution, and evaluating contractor controls related to construction management.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for technical and construction analyses of performance, payment and surety bond disputes and claims
• Evaluates the Surety's loss exposures on bond defaults. Role includes site inspections of projects, evaluation of contract plans and specifications, construction schedules, expert reports, and the preparation of cost-to-complete analysis. Manage consultants' investigation, analyses and preparation of reports, as needed. Provides recommendations as to choice of remedies (default, cure, takeover or relet) and participates in establishing loss and expense reserves. Assists with the management of tenders, takeovers, and project completion by consultants and or completion contractors
• As needed, assist Counsel with engineering and construction management issues which may include pre-trial preparation, mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. Responsibilities include conducting technical research, interviewing claimants, and serving as an expert witness on construction contracts and bond claims
• Acts as a resource to the surety claims team and in coordination with counsel in resolution of performance, payment and bond disputes and defaults, including monitoring workflows and quality and quantity of work. Utilize management reports, surveying claim files and communicating with customers. Identify problems and ensure implementation of corrective action
• As needed, visits contractors to evaluate internal controls, job cost systems and reporting capabilities and management oversight of business activities. This includes reviewing contracts, schedules, estimates, job cost reports, cost-to-complete schedules and interviewing key personnel. If needed, prepare a written report outlining key deficiencies with suggestions to improve the operations
• Review project bid-spreads when significant variance is identified. Procedures may involve securing estimating and bid documentation, contract/RFPs (including drawings and specifications) and interview of estimator
• Provide pre-bid technical analysis when the prospective project has unusual and/or atypical elements within the bonded scope of work
• Together with Surety Counsel and Sr Surety Claims Specialists, supports corporate internal audit program to ensure accuracy and adherence to corporate policy and accounting procedures

Requirements:

• BA/BS Degree in engineering or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of construction management experience
• Proven analytical ability to evaluate and judge claim files
• Ability to simplify complex analyses and information into clear written or spoken instructions
• Experience evaluating construction disputes and legal process
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills required in dealing with claimants, outside counsel, consultants and members of senior management
• Must be willing to travel
• Manage workload efficiently and professionally
• 5-7 years of proven surety claims management experience