Mechanical Engineer

Knott Laboratory LLC•Nashville, TN

9d•$110,000 - $140,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Knott Laboratory is seeking a licensed Mechanical Engineer (P.E.) to join its Premises Liability team in Nashville, Tennessee, or Chicago, Illinois. This hybrid role investigates workplace injuries, accessibility-related incidents, and other accidents on commercial, industrial, and public premises. The engineer evaluates equipment, walking-working surfaces, access systems, building components, maintenance practices, and site conditions to determine how incidents occurred and whether applicable codes, standards, or accepted engineering practices were met. The role develops clear, objective, and defensible technical opinions supporting clients in complex claims and litigation. Work combines home-office analytical work with field investigations, project-site visits, laboratory or testing activities, client meetings, and courtroom testimony. Field settings may include active construction sites, industrial facilities, exterior environments, uneven terrain, stairs, ladders, confined areas, weather, and operating equipment. Travel and field work may reach 40%, with daytime, evening, overnight, or occasional weekend commitments based on case needs. Appropriate training and personal protective equipment are provided for field conditions. The position offers a salary of $110,000–$140,000, based on experience and credentials, along with benefits and support for professional development, licensure, technical growth, and expert witness work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited program.
Active Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with ability and willingness to obtain additional state licensure as business needs require.
Five or more years of relevant engineering experience in forensic engineering, safety, mechanical design, facilities, industrial operations, accident investigation, or a related field.
Experience conducting field inspections, documenting physical evidence, and evaluating accidents, failures, or safety conditions.
Working knowledge of mechanical systems, workplace safety principles, codes, standards, and technical documentation.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, maintenance records, standards, and regulatory requirements.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and technical writing skills.
Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly, objectively, and professionally.
Ability to travel and perform field work in commercial, industrial, and public environments, including occasional evening or weekend assignments based on case needs.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet company travel requirements.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in forensic engineering, premises liability, workplace injury investigation, litigation support, insurance claims, or expert consulting.
Experience evaluating ADA accessibility, walking-working surfaces, stairs, ramps, handrails, guardrails, ladders, loading areas, machinery, doors, gates, or fall-protection systems.
Familiarity with OSHA requirements, accessibility standards, building and property maintenance codes, and relevant ANSI, ASME, ASTM, or other consensus standards.
Experience with slip, trip, and fall analysis, coefficient-of-friction testing, human factors, biomechanics, accident reconstruction, failure analysis, or safety engineering.
Experience preparing expert reports and providing deposition or trial testimony.
Ability to translate technical findings into clear, client-friendly language while maintaining objectivity and professional independence.

Responsibilities

Conduct site inspections and field investigations of workplace injuries and premises liability incidents, including slips, trips, falls, ladder and stair incidents, falls from elevation, struck-by or caught-between events, and incidents involving facility or mechanical systems.
Investigate accessibility-related incidents and assess site conditions against applicable ADA accessibility requirements, adopted building codes, and other relevant accessibility standards.
Evaluate the design, installation, operation, inspection, maintenance, and condition of equipment, building systems, walking-working surfaces, and access or egress features.
Analyze physical evidence, measurements, photographs, video, drawings, maintenance and inspection records, policies, incident documentation, and witness information to identify causal and contributing factors.
Apply mechanical engineering principles to assess forces, motion, component performance, failure modes, guarding, friction, stability, loading, and other incident-related technical issues.
Research and evaluate applicable OSHA regulations, consensus standards, manufacturer instructions, safety practices, building codes, and industry guidance in light of each matter’s facts and jurisdiction.
Perform engineering calculations, testing, modeling, or demonstrative analyses as appropriate to the assignment.
Prepare technical reports, exhibits, and presentations that clearly communicate methodology, findings, and opinions to technical and nontechnical audiences.
Collaborate with clients, attorneys, claims professionals, property representatives, and multidisciplinary experts throughout investigations and litigation.
Manage multiple projects, including scope, schedule, documentation, client communication, and deadlines.
Provide deposition and trial testimony as qualified and needed.

Benefits

Matching 401(k).
Company Profit Sharing Plan.
Health insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Paid Time Off.
Paid holidays.
Professional Development Assistance.
Tuition reimbursement up to $5,200 per year.
Support for certifications, licensure, continued technical development, and expert witness growth.