Thermal Sciences Associate - Chemical Engineer (MS/PhD)
About The Position
Exponent is seeking a Thermal Sciences Associate – Chemical Engineer for its Thermal Sciences Practice in Natick, MA. This role involves analyzing chemical, mechanical, and electrical systems and processes, and participating in the investigation and reconstruction of failures related to battery systems, combustion systems, consumer products, appliances, and more. The ideal candidate will apply their expertise in thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction kinetics, electrochemical systems, and experimental analysis to solve complex, multidisciplinary problems. Backgrounds in battery failure analysis, fire and explosion investigation, chemical industry process safety, thermal management, or the safety assessment of flammable and/or toxic gas releases are particularly encouraged. The role includes proactive work with OEMs to analyze products and assess potential failure modes and risks to end users.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
- Presently legally authorized to work in the United States. No immigration sponsorship or processing required.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience, and outstanding mechanical abilities and engineering intuition to assist in failure root-cause analysis
- Strong technical background in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, combustion, measurement systems, and error analysis
- Hands-on experience in managing and executing experimental programs, including troubleshooting experimental test setups
- Familiarity with process safety and risk assessment
- Experience with electrochemical systems, electrocatalysis, battery testing or characterization, sustainable energy technologies, or industrial electrochemical processes
- Experience using rigorous experimental methods to analyze complex chemical-engineering systems, including process design, historical process data, techno-economic analysis, or process optimization
- Outstanding verbal and written communications skills
- Desire and flexibility to tackle a wide variety of problems within and outside their direct area of expertise
Nice To Haves
- Backgrounds in battery failure analysis, fire and explosion investigation, chemical industry process safety, thermal management, or the safety assessment of flammable and/or toxic gas releases are especially encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
- Preparing proposals, budgets, and planning test programs
- Designing and constructing test apparatuses, including designing and implementing measurement approaches and systems
- Executing tests and demonstrations, writing reports, preparing presentations, and presenting the results to clients
- Performing analysis and calculations
- Applying chemical engineering principles, including thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, and electrochemical systems analysis, to evaluate product performance, process safety, and failure mechanisms
- Supporting investigations involving battery fires and failures, vehicle fires and explosions, consumer product safety, chemical plant operations, dust hazards, and releases of flammable or toxic gases
- Conducting field work such as off-site testing or attending evidence inspections
- Reviewing and summarizing background information pertaining to failure events
- Identifying and marketing to internal and external clients
Benefits
- 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary
- Bi-weekly bonuses for high-intensity efforts
- Annual bonus
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
