At a Glance
- Tasks: Investigate major incidents like fires and explosions, providing expert analysis and testimony.
- Company: Leading international consulting firm with over 50 years of experience in forensic investigations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, extensive holiday, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with unpredictable hours and travel, perfect for those seeking an exciting challenge.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on justice and safety while solving complex engineering challenges.
- Qualifications: MSc/MEng required; strong foundational engineering knowledge and exceptional communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Ever wondered what caused that bridge collapse? That explosion? That catastrophic mechanical failure? This could be your career.
A world-leading international partnership of consulting scientists and engineers (50+ years investigating major incidents) is seeking an exceptional Mechanical Engineer to join their Glasgow-based forensic investigation team. This isn’t a desk job. This is CSI meets Mechanical Engineering.
THE REALITY
You’ll investigate fires, explosions, structural collapses, and engineering failures for legal, insurance, and commercial clients. One day you’re examining a failed pressure vessel in an industrial plant. The next, you’re providing expert witness testimony in court. The day after, you’re investigating a construction site incident.
You’ll travel extensively, respond at short notice, and work on cases where your findings genuinely matter—to families, businesses, justice systems, and public safety.
WHAT MAKES THIS UNIQUE
No forensic experience required. They’ll train you from the ground up in their investigation methodologies, report writing, and expert witness protocols. You’ll be mentored by seasoned forensic engineers with decades of experience.
Genuine career progression. From Graduate Engineer to Partner. Your advancement depends on your ability and attitude, not arbitrary timelines.
Intellectual challenge. You’ll combine rigorous academic thinking with hands-on investigation—dismantling failed machinery, interpreting metallurgical evidence, reconstructing failure sequences, and translating complex engineering failures for judges and juries.
YOUR BACKGROUND
Academically rigorous: MSc/MEng minimum (PhD highly desirable). Chartered or working towards CEng with IMechE.
But here’s what really matters: Exceptional foundational engineering knowledge. You must have deep, demonstrable command of core engineering theories—thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, materials science, structural analysis. You don’t need to be an expert in all of them (you might specialise in one or two), but your foundational grasp across the discipline must be excellent. If you learned it for exams and forgot it after graduation, this isn’t for you.
Theory into practice. You don’t just have "exposure" to RCA, FMEA, or FMECA—you can actually apply academic principles and theory to develop hypotheses, test them rigorously, and present fact-based empirical evidence. You’re comfortable moving from "what happened?" to "why did it happen?" using first principles thinking.
Prepared to be tested. You’ll be examined extensively on engineering academia and theory throughout the recruitment process and your career. If that prospect makes you uncomfortable, or if your theoretical knowledge has atrophied, this role isn’t right for you.
Exceptional written communication. This role involves extensive report writing—detailed, illustrated technical reports that must be tailored for vastly different audiences (solicitors, insurers, judges, technical experts from opposing parties). You must be genuinely comfortable writing at length, adapting your style and technical depth to your audience, and presenting your findings publicly in meetings and court.
You’re intellectually curious, comfortable with ambiguity, and genuinely excited by work that matters. You understand that incidents can involve serious consequences, sometimes loss of life, and approach your work with appropriate empathy and professionalism.
THE PACKAGE
Starting salary that reflects the calibre they’re seeking | Company car | 5 weeks holiday | Contributory pension | Medical insurance | Life assurance | Permanent health insurance | Relocation support available | Future international secondment opportunities | Partnership track
THE CATCH
This demands flexibility. Unpredictable hours. Short-notice travel across the UK and beyond. Court appearances. Working in sometimes challenging environments. Managing complex investigations from site attendance through to litigation support.
If you want 9-5 predictability, this isn’t it. If you want a career where every case is different, where your work directly influences justice and safety outcomes, and where your engineering expertise is genuinely valued—keep reading.
INTERESTED?
This is a rare opportunity to enter a profession that most engineers don’t even know exists. If you’re ready for an exceptional challenge that will test and develop you in ways a conventional engineering role never could, let’s talk.
Forensic Engineer in Liverpool employer: Solutions Driven
Join a world-leading international partnership of consulting scientists and engineers in Manchester, where your work as a Forensic Engineer will have a profound impact on justice and public safety. With extensive training provided, a clear path for career progression, and a dynamic work culture that values intellectual curiosity and hands-on investigation, this role offers a unique opportunity to apply your engineering expertise in real-world scenarios. Enjoy competitive benefits including a company car, generous holiday allowance, and the potential for international secondments, all while being part of a team that genuinely cares about making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Forensic Engineer in Liverpool
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Solutions Driven.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Solutions Driven love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Solutions Driven and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Forensic Engineer in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Solutions Driven and the Forensic Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solutions Driven
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Solutions Driven.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Solutions Driven.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Solutions Driven, making you a more appealing candidate.
