Forensic Civil Structural Engineer

Experience Aviva
Individually we are people, but together we are Aviva. Individually these are just words, but together they are our Values – Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence.
At Aviva Canada, we put people first, our employees, our customers, and our communities. We’re proud of a culture built on care, inclusion, and collaboration, where your voice matters and your growth is supported. We’re not just about insurance;
we’re about making a real difference by protecting what matters most.
The opportunity
Are you a passionate engineer eager to make a meaningful impact on a bigger scale? Aviva is thrilled to announce a new innovative role that offers an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future of engineering services for our customers and claims team. This is an exciting chance to build key strategies and initiatives as part of a growing team.
Aviva recognizes the importance of being flexible and the benefits of being together, this role will behybrid– the best of both worlds.
In this role, you will serve as an internal technical resource for Aviva, providing expert evaluation and guidance on matters related to structural integrity, design, and failure analysis on commercial and residential buildings. This role will focus on supporting claims by assessing damage to buildings, bridges, and other structures, determining root causes of structural failures, and advising on repair feasibility and compliance with building codes and industry standards. You will collaborate closely with claims professionals, underwriters, and risk management teams to deliver accurate assessments that inform claim decisions, loss mitigation strategies, and underwriting guidelines. Additionally, you will be conducting site inspections, reviewing engineering reports, and preparing technical documentation to support claim resolution, subrogation efforts and litigation processes.
What you’ll do
In this in-house consulting role, your expertise and experience are required to:
Perform building and structural failure investigations and determine the root and cause of failure and damage to commercial and residential buildings, foundations, structures, and building envelope mechanisms.
Support our claims professionals, independent adjusters and customers by investigating losses to determine the origin and cause of failures, damages or defects within residential, commercial and industrial sites as well as product, equipment and material failures. You will investigate losses through on-site inspection and forensic evaluation to support claims handling, coverage determination and recovery efforts against third parties.
Analyze the failure of building systems, determine the cause of failures, evaluate the quality of construction or review design or maintenance procedures.
Assess the physical damage to building components, systems and materials including determination of the extent of damage and required remediation. This includes applying engineering judgment to distinguish between damage due to the loss and unaffected or pre-existing damage in order to recommend repair versus replacement considerations.
Research failure modes and code requirements as needed and prepare recommendations for repair and/or remediation as appropriate.
Conduct field investigations of structural failures, documenting your work and collecting all necessary evidence, including capturing data, photographs, videos, and interviewing parties and associated with the incident.Safely secure evidence for further analysis, and presentation.
Perform Provincial Code and Standards compliance analysis and reviews.
Provide engineering opinions and technical guidance to Claims Professionals, leadership and other key stakeholders to support decision-making. This includes preparing reports and letters outlining your opinions in a clear, concise manner adapting to a non-technical audience.
Guide the technical direction of investigations, including determining when external specialty expertise is required or reviewing external forensic opinions, including conducting peer reviews of external investigations and opinions.
Interact with customers to explain the investigation process, gather relevant information, coordinate site access, and communicate findings clearly and professionally without making coverage decisions.
You will use your expertise to make decisions on (1) the most plausible reason for a failure based on data;
(2) whether the design,installation or maintenance met industry standards or, if appropriate, building codes;
(3) whether the loss was due to design error, manufacturing defect, improper maintenance or external factors.
Contribute to engineering expertise including multi-disciplinary initiatives or emerging risk areas, as required.
Collaborate with other groups on multidisciplinary projects to provide solutions on complex losses and failures.
Provide guidance to internal and external partners on operationalizing strategies for engineering services.
What you’ll bring
At least a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree in civil/ structural engineering and P. Eng. designation.
Minimum 8 years of experience of failure and damage analysis, design, construction, maintenance of structures and building envelope mechanism of commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial buildings and infrastructure.
Strong understanding of structural design principles, load analysis, material properties, and failure mechanisms.
Proven ability to effectively and concisely communicate complex technical conclusions clearly to non-technical stakeholders through verbal explanation and written technical reports, including the ability to interpret complex engineering data and provide clear, actionable recommendations.
Experience reviewing and assessing external forensic or specialty expert opinions for technical accuracy.
Experience with commercial buildings is preferred
Familiarity with property and casualty insurance, claims processes, and risk assessment methodologies is preferred.
Experience applying relevant legislation and related documents such as the Health and Safety Act, and relevant Building Code and local regulations.
Strong understanding of structural materials (steel, concrete, wood, masonry) and relevant design codes.
Valid Canadian driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
Experience testifying in court and previous qualification as an expert is preferred.
Strong ability to work independently.
Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) with data management/analysis skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to articulate clearly, concisely and simply the results of your investigations and assessments to the Claims Professional or other stakeholders
Critical thinking skills with strong analytic and problem-solving skills with the ability to analyse and interpret complex technical data.
Experience analyzing trends to support operational performance.
Experience working in the field.
Ability to handle multiple investigations simultaneously while prioritizing work along strict timelines. Ability to work in inclement weather and various environmental conditions.
Ability and willingness to work in high areas such as roofs or scaffolding, requiring physical agility, balance, and resistance to acrophobia.
Ability and willingness to travel throughout the province of Ontario on short notice.
What you’ll get
The salary band for this position ranges from $105,000 to $154,400. Please note that individual salary is determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills and experience, as well as internal equity.
Compelling rewards package including base compensation, eligibility for annual bonus, retirement savings, share plan, health benefits, personal wellness, and volunteer opportunities.
Hybrid flexible work model.
Outstanding career development opportunities.
We’ll support your professional development education.
Competitive vacation package with the option to purchase 5 extra days off per year.
Employee-driven programs focused on gender, LGBTQ+, origins, diversity, and inclusion.
Corporate wellness programs to support our employees’ physical and mental health.
This job advertisement is for an existing vacancy which has been posted both internally & externally.
Aviva Canada may use AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to assist us throughout the recruitment process to screen, assess or select applicants for a position.
Aviva Canada welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and has a process in place to provide accommodations for persons with disabilities at all stages of the hiring process and during employment. If you require accommodation during the interview or hiring process, please contact your Aviva Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged.
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