Associate-Level Mechanical Engineer/Scientist (Ph.D.)

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients' most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges.

Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability.

Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you'll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team!

Key statistics:

950+ Consultants
• 640+ Ph.D.s
• 90+ Disciplines
• 30+ Offices globally

We are currently seeking an Associate-Level Mechanical Engineer/Scientist for our Mechanical Engineering Practice in Houston, TX. In this role, you will apply engineering/scientific principles, hands-on problem solving, and analytical methods to investigate failures, evaluate the performance of mechanical/structural systems, and support expert analysis in disputes, investigations, and other high-consequence technical matters. This position is well suited for candidates with strong experimental, field, or other practical experience who are interested in forensic engineering, consulting assignments involving claims and failures, and long-term growth toward client development, expert-facing consulting work, and eventual expert roles.

• Performing technical evaluations, calculations, and analysis to solve complex, real-world problems
• Performing forensic engineering evaluations and failure analyses in support of litigation, arbitration, and other dispute-related engagements
• Executing hands-on testing, field inspections, and other investigative activities
• Supporting senior consultants and experts in technically complex consulting assignments involving claims, failures, and investigations
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop technically rigorous opinions and communicate findings effectively
• Communicating technical findings clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Preparing clear, well-supported written reports, technical memoranda, presentations, and other work product for internal teams, clients, and other audiences
• Contributing over time to business development, client relationships, and professional growth toward eventual expert roles and expert-facing consulting work

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Aerospace Engineering, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering or applied science field
• Experience with experimental methods, field investigations, full scale and small scale testing, or hands-on mechanical work preferred
• Strong data analysis skills and demonstrated experience with Python
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex technical information and communicate it clearly to audiences with a range of technical backgrounds
• Demonstrated interest in forensic engineering, failure analysis, and technical investigations involving disputes, claims, or other high-consequence matters
• Interest in developing client relationships, and business development capabilities
• Willingness to travel occasionally for inspections, testing, and other project needs
• Ability and desire to become a Licensed Professional Engineer
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States. No immigration sponsorship or processing required.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) with publications (feel free to include publications that are in review or pending) [not restricted to 1 page].

To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, please visit the following links:
https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent
https://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact

Attracting, inspiring, developing, and rewarding exceptional people with diverse backgrounds and expertise are central to our corporate culture. Our diverse team allows us to provide better value to our clients and enjoy an enriched work environment.

Our firm is committed to offering a variety of programs and resources to support health and well-being. We believe that providing competitive benefits as well as compensation and recognition programs empowers our staff to do work that makes a difference.

At Exponent, we have found that in-person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development, for realizing the full potential of our talented and diverse teams, and for building a more inclusive workplace where all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment. Our consultants engage in-person in the office unless they are traveling for client work or other business activities.

We value the rich lives our colleagues enjoy outside of work and understand that work/life balance is critical to our employees and their well-being. Consultants have the autonomy to balance their work and personal schedules so you can meet with clients, visit inspection sites, attend conferences, and make time for priorities outside of work, too. It is this flexible, agile work style and working hours that allow our teams to drive innovation and results in their own ways, while meeting the needs of clients. #LI-Onsite

Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Associate and Senior Associate level, total compensation includes base salary, bi-weekly bonuses for high-intensity efforts, annual bonus and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

The base salary range for this position is dependent on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process.