Mechanical Engineer (Ph.D.)

About Exponent Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients’ most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges. Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability. Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you’ll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team!   Key statistics: 950+ Consultants 640+ Ph.D.s 90+ Disciplines 30+ Offices globally Our Opportunity We are currently seeking a Mechanical Engineer for our Mechanical Engineering Practice in our Boston area office in Natick, MA. In this role, you will be responsible for analyzing a wide variety of mechanical and material failures, often by designing and building custom mechatronic test systems to replicate real-world incidents or assess long-term product reliability. Your work will support a diverse range of products, from consumer electronics and medical devices to emerging applications in robotics and physical AI. You will be expected to grow in the key aspects of consulting, including technical expertise and effective spoken and written communications, to develop a consulting practice serving clients both within and outside the firm. You will be responsible for Conducting hands-on analyses of mechanical equipment failures to understand what happened and the cause of the failure in collaboration with experts in other engineering disciplinesCreating written reports and presentations and presenting these communications to both technical and non-technical clientsSupporting an expansive internal client base that works collaboratively to solve complex, real-world problems associated with various types of mechanical equipmentDesigning, building, and validating custom mechatronic test fixtures for incident recreation, durability, and reliability studies. This includes programming controllers, integrating sensors and actuators, and developing closed-loop control systems to produce robust, regulatory-grade data.Interpreting and clearly communicating the results of complex computational analyses (e.g., FEA/CFD) to clients, legal teams, and regulatory bodies.Applying mechanical engineering principles to assess the reliability and safety of robotic and automated systems, including those in physical AI workflows.Performing calculations and analyses, creating written reports and presentations, and performing field inspections You will have the following skills and qualifications Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with an emphasis on mechatronics, robotics, physical AI, or control systemsCompletion of formal coursework in machine design, mechanics of materials, and control systemsFamiliarity with regulated environments (e.g., for medical devices or consumer products) and an understanding of the verification and validation required to generate regulatory-grade experimental dataExperience performing failure analysis and/or fatigue analysisStrong aptitude for interpreting results from computational platforms (e.g., FEA, CFD) and a working knowledge of associated numerical analysis tools such as MATLAB or PythonDemonstrated hands-on experience designing and building electromechanical or mechatronic systems, including specifying components like motors and load cells and utilizing platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or LabVIEW for data acquisition and controlExperience with engineering drawings and/or CADExperience with mechanical designHands-on work or research experienceWilling to work in new technical areasExcellent verbal and written communications skillsAbility to work within project teamsPotential for technical and project managerial leadershipInterest in developing a client baseWillingness to travelPresently legally authorized to work in the United States. No immigration sponsorship or processing required. Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) with publications (feel free to include publications that are in review or pending) [not restricted to 1 page]. Life @ Exponent To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, please visit the following links: Attracting, inspiring, developing, and rewarding exceptional people with diverse backgrounds and expertise are central to our corporate culture. Our diverse team allows us to provide better value to our clients and enjoy an enriched work environment. Our firm is committed to offering a variety of programs and resources to support health and well-being. We believe that providing competitive benefits as well as compensation and recognition programs empowers our staff to do work that makes a difference. Work Environment At Exponent, we have found that in-person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development, for realizing the full potential of our talented and diverse teams, and for​ building a more inclusive workplace where all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment. Our consultants engage in-person in the office unless they are traveling for client work or other business activities. We value the rich lives our colleagues enjoy outside of work and understand that work/life balance is critical to our employees and their well-being. Consultants have the autonomy to balance their work and personal schedules so you can meet with clients, visit inspection sites, attend conferences, and make time for priorities outside of work, too. It is this flexible, agile work style and working hours that allow our teams to drive innovation and results in their own ways, while meeting the needs of clients. #LI-Onsite Compensation Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Associate and Senior Associate level, total compensation includes base salary, bi-weekly bonuses for high-intensity efforts, annual bonus and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.The base salary range for this position is dependent on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process. Salary Range USD $140,000.00 - USD $160,000.00 /Yr. Benefits you will enjoy Access benefits information on our View email address on click.appcast.io page: Exponent is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may email us at View email address on click.appcast.io. Job Locations US-MA-Natick Job SummaryLocation: US-MA-NatickPractice: Mechanical EngineeringPosition Type: Full-timePosted Salary Range: USD $140,000.00 - USD $160,000.00 /Yr.Workplace Type: On-Site