Principal Engineer - Vehicle Engineering (MS/PhD)
About The Position
Exponent is seeking a Principal Engineer for its Vehicle Engineering Practice. The role applies engineering and scientific methods to analyze incidents involving passenger and commercial vehicles, construction and industrial machines, and to conduct root-cause and failure analysis. The Principal Engineer will lead technical analyses and teams, build relationships with existing clients, identify business opportunities, and contribute to the growth of the practice. The position is based at one of the listed Exponent offices in the United States and involves likely domestic travel. Consultants generally work in person at the office when not traveling for client or other business activities, within a flexible and agile work style. The work includes leading failure-analysis, root-cause-analysis, product-development, and expert-witness projects; conducting engineering calculations and analyses; performing laboratory experiments and analytical or computational modeling; and planning and executing testing programs. The role also includes managing multidisciplinary teams, project management, client relationship development, business development, and preparing reports, proposals, and presentations. Assignments often require gathering information from and communicating technical conclusions to people in engineering, law, business, and industry.
Requirements
- Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
- Practical and theoretical understanding of on-road and/or off-road vehicles, dynamics, and vehicle testing.
- Presently legally authorized to work in the United States; no immigration sponsorship or processing is provided.
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensure is required.
- 10+ years of full-time work experience related to or in the automotive industry, vehicle design, occupant protection systems, vehicle safety, or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
- Prior experience testifying as an expert witness is required.
- Deep and fundamental knowledge of dynamics and mechanics.
- Significant demonstrated experience generating business and managing client relationships.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to gather information from and convey technical conclusions to individuals in engineering, the legal profession, business, and industry.
Nice To Haves
- Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV that includes publications, including publications in review or pending.
Responsibilities
- Lead projects involving failure analysis, root-cause investigations, product development, and expert-witness engagements in areas of expertise.
- Identify and pursue business-development opportunities.
- Manage multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with experts in other technical disciplines.
- Manage projects and build client relationships.
- Perform engineering calculations and analyses.
- Perform laboratory experiments and analytical or computational modeling.
- Plan and execute testing programs.
- Prepare written reports, proposals, and presentations.
- Gather information from and communicate technical conclusions to people in engineering, the legal profession, business, and industry.
- Travel domestically as required.
Benefits
- Competitive benefits, compensation, and recognition programs.
- At the Manager level and above, total compensation includes base salary, annual bonus, and a 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
