Principal Engineer - Vehicle Engineering (MS/PhD)

Exponent • Menlo Park, CA

1d • $212,500 - $280,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Exponent is seeking a Principal Engineer for its Vehicle Engineering Practice. The role applies fundamental engineering and scientific techniques to analyze incidents involving passenger and commercial vehicles, construction and industrial machines, and to conduct traditional root-cause and failure analysis. The Principal Engineer will cultivate existing client relationships, identify new business opportunities, lead teams performing technical analyses, and contribute to the growth of the practice.

The work includes leading failure-analysis and root-cause investigations, product-development projects, and expert-witness engagements in the engineer’s areas of expertise. The role also involves managing multidisciplinary teams, project management, client relationship building, engineering calculations and analyses, laboratory experiments, analytical or computational modeling, testing programs, and preparation of written reports, proposals, and presentations. Domestic travel will likely be required. Assignments commonly involve gathering information from and conveying technical conclusions to people in engineering, law, business, and industry.

The position is based in one of the listed Exponent offices. Consultants generally work in person at the office unless traveling for client work or other business activities. The firm describes the work environment as supportive, collaborative, dynamic, and multidisciplinary, with flexible and agile working hours that allow consultants to balance client and personal commitments.

Exponent’s compensation plan rewards technical and business contributions. For Manager level and above, total compensation includes base salary, annual bonus, and a 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary. The stated base salary range for this position is $212,500 to $280,000 per year, depending on experience and capabilities.

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.
• Present legal authorization to work in the United States; immigration sponsorship or processing is not available.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensure.
• 10 or more 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.
• Deep, 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 people in engineering, the legal profession, business, and industry.

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 convey technical conclusions to people in engineering, the legal profession, business, and industry.
• Travel domestically as required.

Benefits

• Annual bonus for Manager level and above.
• 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary for Manager level and above.
• The company describes offering competitive benefits and programs and resources supporting health and well-being; specific benefit details are available through its Life@Exponent page.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal