Senior Consultant, Mechanical Engineering

Rimkus•Seattle, WA

2d•$124,900 - $187,300•Remote

About The Position

Provides forensic consulting services requiring mechanical engineering expertise to insurance, legal, industrial, and other clients. Evaluates injury and property damage claims involving commercial products, heavy equipment, machinery, and improperly functioning HVAC/plumbing systems. Investigates incidents, determines causes and origins of damage or failure, and delivers oral and written findings, opinions, and expert testimony when needed. The role conducts field investigations and engineering analyses, including site and equipment inspections, electronic data retrieval, documentation of conditions, mechanical calculations, sketches, laboratory testing oversight and analysis, and review of historical documentation. The consultant prepares scopes of work, budgets, schedules, reports, and other technical documents; manages multiple projects; coordinates with other experts and support staff; and maintains client relationships. The position may also involve supervising or evaluating associate team members and checking that procedures and safety features are followed.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or higher.
Professional Engineer (P.E.) license required.
2–10 years of experience, including knowledge of machinery and equipment.
Project management and/or field investigation experience required.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
High analytical ability and continual attention to detail, including the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to communicate and interact with clients and fellow consultants at all levels, internally and externally.
Knowledge of computer software, including Microsoft Office applications and computer-assisted engineering and design software.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical reports, journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
Ability to respond to inquiries from internal and external clients.
Ability to effectively present information to top management, clients, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Responsibilities

Perform forensic assignments within mechanical engineering expertise according to an agreed scope of work and budget.
Investigate incidents to determine how and why they occurred and whether mechanical or system-related factors caused them.
Inspect sites, products, and equipment; retrieve and analyze electronic data; document conditions; and determine the cause and origin of damage.
Conduct site surveys using total station survey equipment, perform mechanical engineering calculations, prepare CAD-based and manual sketches, and arrange and evaluate laboratory testing.
Conduct analyses involving industrial safety and accidents, equipment and machinery/system design and failure, product liability, and design and safety.
Initiate, develop, and maintain mutually beneficial client relationships.
Study and determine the cause and origin of construction defects or mechanical and structural failures through field investigations.
Prepare oral and written reports documenting failure causes, extent of loss, repair scope, and recommended remediation; provide opinions and expert testimony in litigation matters.
Manage multiple projects and coordinate with other experts and support staff to deliver client reports in a timely manner.
Ensure procedures are followed and check project safety features while work is being completed.
Use relevant equations, applications, figures, testing devices, design software, and land surveying techniques; follow land use laws and regulations.
Gather photographic evidence, document on-site conditions, oversee field testing, and review historical documentation.
May supervise and/or evaluate associate team members.
Write scopes of work, budget estimates, schedules, reports of findings, proposals, correspondence, and other technical documents.