Exponent

Mechanical Engineer (Ph.D.)

Exponent$140K — $160K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with focus on mechatronics, robotics, or control systems.
  • Formal coursework in machine design, mechanics of materials, and control systems completion.
  • Experience in failure analysis and/or fatigue analysis.
  • Strong interpretation skills for computational results with tools like FEA, CFD, MATLAB, or Python.
  • Hands-on background in designing and building electromechanical or mechatronic systems using platforms such as Arduino or LabVIEW.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct hands-on analyses of mechanical equipment failures, collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering experts.
  • Create and present detailed reports to technical and non-technical clients.
  • Support various teams to solve complex mechanical issues collaboratively.
  • Design and validate custom mechatronic test fixtures for reliability studies, including programming and integration of controllers and sensors.
  • Interpret and communicate complex computational analysis results to clients, legal teams, and regulatory authorities.
  • Apply mechanical principles to evaluate reliability and safety in robotic and automated systems.
  • Perform calculations, analyses, and field inspections while documenting findings.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on diverse projects, from consumer electronics to advanced robotics.
  • Collaborative work environment to solve real-world problems with experts in various engineering fields.
  • Growth potential in consulting and client relationship development.
  • Hands-on opportunity for design and testing of mechatronic systems.
  • Exposure to innovative applications in physical AI and robotics.
Full Job Description
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 disciplines
  • Creating written reports and presentations and presenting these communications to both technical and non-technical clients
  • Supporting an expansive internal client base that works collaboratively to solve complex, real-world problems associated with various types of mechanical equipment
  • Designing, 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 systems
  • Completion of formal coursework in machine design, mechanics of materials, and control systems
  • Experience performing failure analysis and/or fatigue analysis
  • Strong aptitude for interpreting results from computational platforms (e.g., FEA, CFD) and a working knowledge of associated numerical analysis tools such as MATLAB or Python
  • Demonstrated 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 control
  • Experience with engineering drawings and/or CAD
  • Experience with mechanical design
  • Hands-on work or research experience
  • Willing to work in new technical areas
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills
  • Ability to work within project teams
  • Potential for technical and project managerial leadership
  • Interest in developing a client base
  • Willingness to travel
  • Presently 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].

Job LocationsUS-MA-Natick

About Exponent

Exponent is a multi-disciplinary engineering and scientific consulting firm that brings together more than 90 different disciplines to solve engineering, science, regulatory, and business issues facing our clients. The company has been providing solutions to complex problems for more than 50 years and has a reputation for technical expertise, objective analysis, and clear communication. Exponent's services include analysis and testing, engineering and design, human factors, environmental and health sciences, and regulatory consulting. The company serves clients in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, consumer products, energy, healthcare, and technology.
Learn more about Exponent
Size
1,215 employees
Market Cap
$5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$82.5 million
Founded
1967
5 Year Trend
+8.2%
Revenue
$399.9 million
NASDAQ

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