Forensic Water/Wastewater Engineer

1w1 week ago

HKA

US · Full-time · $150,000 – $220,000

About this role

HKA is a global leader in risk mitigation, dispute resolution, and expert witness services, tackling complex challenges with multi-disciplinary expertise. We seek a Forensic Water/Wastewater Engineer to investigate failures and disputes involving treatment plants, conveyance systems, pump stations, and utility infrastructure throughout the United States. This role applies operational and design expertise in consulting and expert witness capacity.

You will work directly with legal counsel and utility owners to assess causation, standard of care, and responsibility in contested matters. Conduct site inspections, evidence collection, and analysis following failures, service disruptions, and operational disputes. Determine cause, origin, extent, and contributing factors across design, construction, operations, and maintenance.

Lead forensic investigations and prepare independent, litigation-ready expert reports for arbitration, mediation, and court. Provide expert witness testimony in depositions, arbitration, and court under cross-examination. Collaborate with attorneys, insurers, owners, contractors, and technical experts to develop coordinated opinions.

Join a strong collaborative culture pursuing your success alongside team success. Solve problems creatively, contribute to innovative direction, and be valued as an individual. Leverage HKA’s strong network, industry presence, and reputation for exceptional expert witnesses to accelerate career development.

Requirements

Technical depth in water and wastewater systems including treatment plants, conveyance systems, pump stations, and utility infrastructure
Experience investigating failures and disputes in water/wastewater infrastructure
Knowledge of hydraulic performance, HGL issues, surge/water hammer, pump curves, and I/I impacts
Expertise in treatment process performance, unit process selection, process control, and failure modes
Proficiency in field diagnostics such as flow testing, pressure testing, CCTV/condition assessment, and equipment failure analysis
Ability to assess design, construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and lifecycle performance
Familiarity with preparing litigation-ready expert reports and providing expert witness testimony
Understanding of standard of care, causation, and responsibility in contested matters

Responsibilities

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, assessing 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
Provide expert witness testimony in depositions, arbitration, and court, including under cross-examination
Collaborate with attorneys, insurers, owners, contractors, and other technical experts to develop coordinated expert opinions
Review and analyze drawings, specifications, calculations, O&M manuals, SCADA records, and maintenance logs
Evaluate hydraulic performance, capacity constraints, treatment process performance, and develop repair recommendations

Benefits

Strong collaborative culture with mutual pursuit of your success alongside team success
Opportunity to solve problems creatively, contribute to innovative direction, and be valued as an individual
Ability to leverage HKA’s strong network, industry presence, and reputation for exceptional expert witnesses