Principal Engineer - Thermal Sciences (MS/PhD)
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 13, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 6, 2026.
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 Principal Engineer for our Thermal Sciences Practice in Menlo Park, CA; Natick, MA; Chicago, IL Metro Area; Atlanta, GA; Seattle, WA; Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Houston, TX; New York, NY; Washington DC Metro Area; Philadelphia, PA; Tampa, FL;or Phoenix, AZ. This position will involve applying fundamental engineering and scientific techniques to real-world problems in failure analysis, risk mitigation, and product development. As a Principal Engineer, you will cultivate relationships with existing clients, identify new business opportunities, lead teams to perform leading-edge technical analyses, and contribute to the growth of our Thermal Sciences Practice.
You will be responsible for
- Leading projects for failure analysis, root cause analysis investigations, product development and expert witness engagements in requisite areas of expertise
- Identifying and pursuing business development opportunities
- Managing multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with experts in other technical disciplines
- Project management and building client relationships
- Performing engineering calculations and analyses
- Performing laboratory experiments and analytical or computational modeling
- Planning and executing testing programs
- Preparing written reports, proposals, and presentations
- Domestic and international travel will likely be required
- Most assignments will require the ability to gather information from, and convey technical conclusions to, individuals in engineering, the legal profession, business and industry
You will have the following skills and qualifications
- Ph.D. or Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, or a related field, with a practical and theoretical understanding of combustion, heat transfer and fluid mechanics
- Presently legally authorized to work in the United States. No immigration sponsorship or processing required.
- 10+ years of relevant technical consulting experience in area(s) such as fires and explosions; product safety; process safety and risk assessment; fire protection engineering; plant engineering design, commissioning and maintenance; alternate energy generation; energy storage; and/or electrochemistry
- Prior experience testifying as an expert witness is required
- Significant demonstrated experience generating business and managing client relationships
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) Licensure is required
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills
- Ability to gather information from, and convey technical conclusions to, individuals in engineering, the legal profession, business and industry
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:https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponenthttps://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact
We value and encourage diversity, equity and inclusion across all facets of our firm. Having a team built of people with different backgrounds, skills and perspectives 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 Manager level and above, total compensation includes base salary, annual bonus, and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.
The base salary range for this position is depending on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process.
Salary Range
USD $241,000.00 - USD $294,500.00 /Yr.Benefits you will enjoy
Access benefits information on our Life@Exponent page: https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent
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 [email protected].