Forensic Engineers

Employers

There are more than 1.7 million engineers in the United States, but only a small percentage specialize in forensic engineering. Engineers may classify themselves as aeronautical, aerospace, electrical, industrial, or mechanical engineers and also provide forensic engineering-related consulting services.

Forensic engineers work for large corporations, small engineering firms, independent consultants, insurance companies, law firms, and local, state, and federal government agencies. Some federal employers of engineers include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, and Transportation. Other possibilities for engineers can be found in academia as instructors or researchers or as writers for engineering-oriented publications. Many forensic engineers are self-employed. They work part time as forensic engineering consultants and the remainder of the time as educators or as engineers in traditional engineering disciplines, such as mechanical engineering.

Starting Out

No one starts out in their career as a forensic engineer. Instead they begin as traditional engineers in their chosen discipline and gain job skills and experience that will eventually allow them to advertise their services as forensic engineers.

College and graduate school programs can help newly degreed engineers locate jobs. These schools are often in touch with prospective employers that are in need of engineers. Conferences, trade shows, and engineering career fairs can also be good places for new engineers to begin meeting employers and setting up interviews. College graduates can contact these societies to find out about obtaining employment in the field, calendars of events such as conferences or fairs, and other job-search and professional development resources.