About

SE&I’s engineers enjoy a flexible work environment and a dynamic work experience with exposure to a wide variety of construction and existing conditions. We specialize in the investigation of structural distress and construction defects in residential and light frame commercial construction. We cover every facet of a technical investigation including feasibility studies, destructive investigation, construction defect evaluation, cause / origin determination, damage assessment, and repair / replacement specifications.

Primary Duties:

• Perform investigations at residential and commercial building sites to gather data, observe and document evidence, and evaluate existing conditions to determine if distress is caused by structural damage or deficiency, improper installation of materials or other construction defects.  Typical investigations require accessing crawlspaces, accessible attics, and occasionally low sloped roof areas.
• Evaluate damage resulting from environmental events such as windstorms, hail, tornadoes, floods, and soil movement.
• Interview available parties that have knowledge of, or may have been involved with, the failure, damage or defect.
• Perform technical research concerning the methods of construction, structural materials, finishes and other materials involved in the construction.
• Follow established policies, procedures and processes in preparing reports, exercising sound engineering judgment in application to potentially unusual or complicated situations and conditions.
• Prepare accurate, clear, thorough, and concise reports and letters outlining the cause and origin of the damages to the client in a timely manner and in accordance with client expectations.
• Interact with clients such as realtors, homeowners, home buyers, contractors, architects, attorneys, warranty representatives, or insurance claims specialists on a regular basis. Establish trusting, working relationships based on knowledge, experience and integrity.
• Interact, coordinate and communicate with staff engineers, field technicians, project coordinators and other office personnel on a daily basis to coordinate projects, execute the defined scope of work and deliver the work products to our clients.
• Travel to the project site for inspections, destructive investigations, client meetings, trial/expert witness requirements, and marketing events.  The vast majority of travel is limited to the Middle Tennessee area with occasional travel into East / West Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and South / West Kentucky.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in Civil or Structural Engineering from an accredited university.
• Previous experience in residential / light frame commercial building design using wood, concrete, masonry, steel and cold-formed steel framing materials.
• Previous experience with technical report writing and forensic investigations is preferred but not required.
• Previous expert witness testimony experience preferred but not required.
• Skills in analysis, research, observation and investigation. Ability to interpret and report pertinent information related to often complex and unusual construction methods.
• Proficient with word processing, spreadsheets, and structural design software.
• Well organized, self motivated, ability to work efficiently with little supervision to deliver work products in a timely manner.
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license is preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently required to be standing for prolonged periods of time.
• Frequently required to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to operate a motor vehicle.
• Frequently required to access and maneuver around construction sites.
• Frequently required to work outdoors during peak summer and winter weather conditions.
• Frequently required to ascend and descend stairs, ramps, etcetera.
• Frequently required to use hands to grab, finger, handle or feel.
• Frequently required to sit at a desk and look at a computer screen.
• Occasionally required ascend and descend ladders or otherwise climb onto low slope roof areas.
• Occasionally required to ascend and descend ladders / scaffolding or ride within mechanical lifts to access and evaluate elevated areas of exterior walls or windows.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 Lbs.

SE&I’s residential building inspectors enjoy a flexible work environment and a dynamic work experience with exposure to a wide variety of residential and light frame commercial construction. We specialize in performing “third-party” and “In-lieu-of” code compliance inspections for new construction, renovations, and additions. We cover every facet of structural related inspections including footing, foundation, basement & retaining wall, free-floating & monolithic slab, and framing inspections.

Primary Duties:

• Perform code compliance inspections at residential and light frame commercial sites to verify compliance with local building code requirements.
• Interview parties that have knowledge or were involved with the construction preparations.
• Obtain and review Code-Approved construction plans to verify compliance with design specifications.
• Obtain construction documents required for designs performed by engineering staff.
• Perform any necessary code research concerning the construction and materials involved.
• Follow established policies, procedures and processes in preparing information, exercising sound judgment in review of potentially unusual or complicated construction.
• Prepare accurate, thorough, and concise reports and letters outlining the observations made at the construction site in a timely manner and in accordance with client expectations.
• Interact with clients such as home builders, subcontractors, homeowners, and realtors on a regular basis. Establish trusting, working relationships based on knowledge, experience and integrity.
• Interact, coordinate and communicate with staff engineers, building inspectors, field technicians, project coordinators and other office personnel on a daily basis to coordinate projects, execute the defined scope of work and deliver the work products to our clients.
• Travel to the project site for code compliance inspections, destructive investigations, client meetings, and marketing events.  The vast majority of travel is limited to the Middle Tennessee area with occasional travel into East / West Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and South / West Kentucky.

Qualifications:

• Associate or Bachelor degree in geology, construction management, building science, or engineering related fields is preferred but not required.
• Previous experience in residential / light frame commercial construction is preferred.
• Previous experience with report writing is preferred but not required.
• Proficient computer skills using word processing, spreadsheets, and similar software is required.
• Well organized, self motivated, work efficiently with little supervision and ability to deliver work products in a timely manner.
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record is required.
• International Code Council – Residential Building Inspector certification preferred but not required.
• Engineering Intern (EI) registration is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently required to be standing for prolonged periods of time.
• Frequently required to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to operate a motor vehicle.
• Frequently required to access and maneuver around construction sites.
• Frequently required to climb or step down into shallow earth excavations, maneuver around steel reinforcement, use a steel probing rod and pocket penetrometer to probe and evaluate subgrade soil conditions.
• Frequently required to work outdoors during peak summer and winter weather conditions.
• Frequently required to ascend and descend stairs, ramps, etcetera.
• Frequently required to use hands to grab, finger, handle or feel.
• Frequently required to sit at a desk and look at a computer screen.
• Occasionally required ascend and descend ladders or otherwise climb onto low slope roof areas.
• Occasionally required to ascend and descend ladders / scaffolding or ride within mechanical lifts to access and evaluate elevated areas of exterior walls or windows.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 Lbs.

SE&I’s summer interns enjoy a flexible work environment and a dynamic work experience with exposure to a wide variety of construction and existing conditions.  As a summer intern you will have the opportunity to be involved and assist with projects that will expose you to the process of residential and light frame commercial construction and evaluation of existing conditions.

We provide new construction services in which we perform “third-party” and “In-lieu-of” code compliance inspections for new construction, renovations, and additions. We cover every facet of structural related inspections including footing, foundation, basement & retaining wall, free-floating & monolithic slab, and framing inspections.  

We provide forensic engineering services related to the investigation of structural distress and construction defects in residential and light frame commercial construction. We cover every facet of a technical investigation including feasibility studies, destructive investigation, construction defect evaluation, cause / origin determination, damage assessment, and repair / replacement specifications.

Primary Duties:

• Assist with investigations at residential and commercial building sites to gather data, observe and document evidence, and evaluate existing conditions to determine if distress is caused by structural damage or deficiency, improper installation of materials or other construction defects.  Typical investigations require accessing crawlspaces, accessible attics, and occasionally low sloped roof areas.
• Assist with evaluating damage resulting from environmental events such as windstorms, hail, tornadoes, floods, and soil movement.
• Assist with interviewing available parties that have knowledge of, or may have been involved with, the failure, damage or defect.
• Assist with performing technical research concerning the methods of construction, structural materials, finishes and other materials involved in the construction.
• Learn to follow established policies, procedures and processes in preparing reports, exercising sound engineering judgment in application to potentially unusual or complicated situations and conditions.
• Assist with preparing accurate, clear, thorough, and concise reports and letters outlining the cause and origin of the damages to the client in a timely manner and in accordance with client expectations.
• Assist with interacting with clients such as realtors, homeowners, home buyers, contractors, architects, attorneys, warranty representatives, or insurance claims specialists on a regular basis. Establish trusting, working relationships based on knowledge, experience and integrity.
• Interact, coordinate and communicate with staff engineers, building inspectors, field technicians, project coordinators and other office personnel on a daily basis to coordinate projects, execute the defined scope of work and deliver the work products to our clients.
• Travel to the project site for inspections, destructive investigations, client meetings, trial/expert witness requirements, and marketing events.  The vast majority of travel is limited to the Middle Tennessee area with occasional travel into East / West Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and South / West Kentucky.

Qualifications:

• Currently a junior or senior pursuing an associate or bachelor degree in Civil Engineering, Geology, Building Science, or Construction Management from an accredited university.
• An interest in residential / light frame commercial building construction and / or design using wood, concrete, masonry, steel and cold-formed steel framing materials.
• Skills in analysis, research, observation and investigation. Ability to interpret, document, and report pertinent information related to construction methods.
• Proficient with word processing, spreadsheets, and similar software.
• Well organized, self motivated, and ability to work well with others.
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently required to be standing for prolonged periods of time.
• Frequently required to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to operate a motor vehicle.
• Frequently required to access and maneuver around construction sites.
• Frequently required to climb or step down into shallow earth excavations, maneuver around steel reinforcement, use a steel probing rod and pocket penetrometer to probe and evaluate subgrade soil conditions.
• Frequently required to work outdoors during peak summer and winter weather conditions.
• Frequently required to ascend and descend stairs, ramps, etcetera.
• Frequently required to use hands to grab, finger, handle or feel.
• Frequently required to sit at a desk and look at a computer screen.
• Occasionally required ascend and descend ladders or otherwise climb onto low slope roof areas.
• Occasionally required to ascend and descend ladders / scaffolding or ride within mechanical lifts to access and evaluate elevated areas of exterior walls or windows.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 Lbs.