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About AEI

Founded in 2005, AEI Corporation (Advanced Engineering Investigations) is a worldwide leader in forensic engineering and consulting. Headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, the company’s team is made up of licensed engineers, fire investigators, and industry experts with extensive combined experience in forensic analysis and investigation, covering areas such as fires and explosions, electrical and mechanical failures, carbon monoxide and chemical incidents, materials forensics. AEI provides investigation support and expert testimony for our clients, including law firms, insurance companies, utilities, energy industry stakeholders, product manufacturers, and a variety of fortune 500 companies.

From the beginning, AEI’s mission has been to deliver objective, technically sound answers for clients facing complex engineering and standard of care questions. Our work spans the full lifecycle of the forensic investigation — from on-site examination and artifact collection to laboratory testing, analysis, technical report preparation, and expert testimony.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Position Summary

AEI Corporation is seeking an Electrical Engineer to join our professional staff. The successful candidate will conduct forensic investigations involving electrical failures, fires, explosions, electrocutions, electrical shocks, and product failures. The position includes field investigations, laboratory examinations and testing, engineering analysis, code and standards research, technical report preparation, and expert testimony.

The engineer will also participate in multidisciplinary investigations involving appliances, HVAC systems, machinery, plumbing components, propane and natural gas systems, and petrochemical equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct field and laboratory investigations and evaluate electrical systems, equipment, components, and evidence to determine the origin and cause of incidents.
• Perform engineering analysis, testing, technical research, and applicable code and standards review.
• Prepare clear, thorough, and technically accurate reports for clients.
• Manage projects with a level of oversight appropriate to experience, including scheduling, client communication, invoicing, collections, and evidence handling.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, consultants, and investigators and provide technical assistance and professional opinions when requested.
• Provide deposition and expert witness testimony when required.
• Maintain applicable licenses and certifications and complete discipline-appropriate continuing education.
• Prepare and deliver professional presentations and author technical articles, papers, and marketing materials.
• Participate in conferences, trade shows, client events, marketing initiatives, client development, and cross-marketing of the company’s professionals and services.
• Consistently demonstrate a collaborative, team-oriented, and company-focused approach.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an accredited institution.
• Professional Engineer license or demonstrated progress toward obtaining professional licensure.
• Thorough understanding and practical application of electrical engineering principles, theories, codes, and standards.
• Strong analytical, organizational, written communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex engineering concepts.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness and ability to travel to investigation sites, laboratory examinations, conferences, and other professional events.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including extended walking; navigating uneven, unstable, or debris-covered surfaces; climbing; lifting; bending; balancing; kneeling; and crouching.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel 70%+ of the time by vehicle or airline
• Ability to travel internationally
• Ability to maneuver in and around job/incident sites including incident scenes and confined spaces
• Extended walking/standing on uneven terrain, climbing, lifting, bending, kneeling, crouching
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to carry/transport equipment to and from job/incident sites
• Ability to drive to site locations in all conditions
• Ability to visually inspect job sites and relevant artifacts
• Communicate effectively and professionally, both oral and written
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment as necessary
• Must be able to pass a pulmonary function test and wear a respirator

Compensation

Competitive base salary of $90k – $175k (based on experience and education) plus performance bonus with significant earning potential of 50%+ of base salary (or more) depending on individual performance

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MATERIALS SCIENTIST

Position Summary

AEI is currently seeking a materials scientist/metallurgist to join our professional staff. The candidate hired will conduct forensic investigations involving field work, laboratory examinations, testing, and research. The ideal candidate will have experience in the following areas:

• Fracture & failure analysis of metals, plastics, polymers, and elastomers
• Corrosion science
• Metals & alloys
• Plastics, polymers, elastomers & other composite materials
• Metallurgical examination techniques including radiography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), metallographic weld examination, and chemical analysis, hardness, and tensile testing
• Plastic, polymer, and elastomer examination techniques
• Forensic investigative protocol/experience, or forensic investigations
• Technical report preparation
• Expert testimony

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, materials engineering, metallurgical engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• At least five years of relevant experience in materials analysis, failure analysis, laboratory testing, or industrial investigations.
• Strong understanding of material properties, manufacturing processes, and failure mechanisms, including fracture, fatigue, corrosion, wear, and thermal degradation.
• Experience investigating failures involving metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, composites, or other engineered materials.
• Proficiency in optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), including interpretation of results.
• Experience with specimen preparation, metallography, fractography, and mechanical testing.
• Ability to develop testing protocols, evaluate competing failure hypotheses, and reach conclusions supported by physical evidence and scientific analysis.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, material specifications, manufacturing records, and applicable technical standards.
• Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to prepare clear, well-supported reports and explain complex findings to nontechnical audiences.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail, including accurate laboratory records, photographic documentation, and evidence tracking.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work independently and collaboratively with engineers and investigators.
• Commitment to scientific objectivity, professional ethics, laboratory safety, and proper evidence preservation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in materials science, metallurgy, or a related discipline.
• Prior experience in forensic consulting, litigation support, product liability investigations, or insurance-related failure analysis.
• Experience determining whether material damage occurred before, during, or after a fire or other loss event.
• Experience with additional analytical methods, such as FTIR, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, chemical analysis, or nondestructive testing.
• Familiarity with ASTM standards and other relevant testing and industry standards.
• Experience preparing technical opinions for litigation and providing deposition or trial testimony.
• Professional Engineer licensure, or eligibility to obtain licensure, where applicable to the candidate’s education and responsibilities.
• Experience developing client relationships, preparing proposals, and estimating investigation and testing costs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel 50%+ of the time by vehicle or airline to conduct investigations at sites and laboratories, including occasional overnight travel.
• Ability to travel internationally
• Ability to be physically at office/in lab when not on an investigation or at a lab.
• Work in laboratory, office, and field environments, including industrial facilities and sites affected by fire, structural damage, or equipment failure.
• Stand and walk for extended periods during inspections, evidence examinations, and laboratory testing.
• Bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and climb stairs or ladders as required to access and examine evidence.
• Navigate uneven terrain, debris, and restricted work areas during site inspections.
• Lift, carry, and position evidence, specimens, tools, and testing equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, using assistance or lifting equipment for heavier items.
• Perform precise specimen preparation and operate microscopes, laboratory instruments, and hand tools requiring manual dexterity.
• Observe and distinguish material features, fracture surfaces, corrosion, and other physical conditions using appropriate corrective lenses, magnification, or imaging equipment.
• Wear required personal protective equipment, which may include gloves, safety glasses, protective clothing, hearing protection, and respiratory protection.
• Work safely around dust, soot, chemicals, sharp materials, and other laboratory or site hazards using established protective measures.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions as assignments require.
• Perform computer-based analysis, documentation, and report preparation for extended periods.

Compensation

Competitive base salary of $85k – $150k plus performance bonus with significant earning potential of 50%+ of base salary (or more) depending on individual performance

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