Forensic Mechanical Engineer - Cleveland

Rimkus Consulting Group; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care plan

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Paid time off

Family leave

Disability coverage

Training & development

Work From Home

Job summary

Rimkus Consulting Group in Cleveland, OH seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to provide failure analysis and forensic consulting for insurance, legal, and industrial clients. You will investigate incidents, perform CAD sketches, 3D documentation, and coordinate testing with travel up to 25%.

Requires a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 2–10+ years of experience, and Ph.D. or P.E. forensic credentials. This full-time role offers growth and diverse opportunities.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering required; Ph.D. or P.E. forensic experience preferred.
• 2–10+ years of mechanical engineering and forensic experience.
• Experience with products, machine design, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform failure analyses for forensic assignments within mechanical engineering scope.
• Investigate origin, failure mechanism, and root cause of incidents.
• Inspect sites/equipment; perform data retrieval; prepare CAD sketches; order tests.
• Review codes and specs to evaluate design and maintenance compliance.
• Conduct analyses including safety, machinery design, and product liability.
• Support fire and explosion investigations involving mechanical systems.
• Develop and maintain client relationships.

Skills

Analytical skills

Client communication

CAD software

Technical writing

Data analysis

Education

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Ph.D. or Forensic experience with P.E.

Tools

Total Station

3D Scanners

Drones

CAD software

MS Office

Job description

Join Rimkus and unlock your potential with endless opportunities for growth, learning, and making a difference!

Rimkus (www.rimkus.com) is a worldwide leader in Engineering and Technical Consulting. Rimkus experts specialize in building envelope engineering, forensic consulting, dispute resolution, construction management services, and solutions built for the environment.

NOW IS THE TIME to join this growing and stable company! We offer our full-time employees a competitive salary, bonus opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, employer-matching 401(k) plans, and opportunities for advancement.

Overview

Provides failure analysis and forensic consulting services requiring mechanical engineering expertise for insurance, legal, industrial, and other clients. Evaluates injury, equipment, and property damage claims caused by alleged issues with products, heavy equipment, machines, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, and other mechanical systems. Provides oral and written reports of findings, technical guidance to clients, and, when needed, expert testimony.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs failure analysis for forensic assignments within the field of mechanical engineering expertise based on a scope of work and budget prepared by the consultant and agreed upon by the client before performing the work.
• Investigates how and why an incident occurred, including identifying the origin, failure mechanism, and root cause of the incident, as well as the role of the mechanical system in question.
• Inspects sites/products/equipment/systems; performs electronic data retrieval and analysis of commercial and non-commercial equipment; documents site/product conditions and determines cause and origin of damage; performs site surveys with total station survey, scanners, drones, and other means of 3D documentation; performs mechanical engineering calculations; prepares CAD-based and manual sketches as required; orders and evaluates needed laboratory testing and performs analyses.
• Reviews and interprets relevant codes, standards, drawings, specifications, technical manuals, peer-reviewed literature, data logs, and other documentation to evaluate the compliance of the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the subject product, equipment, or system.
• Conducts various analyses, including, but not limited to, industrial safety and accidents; equipment and machinery design and failure; product liability; and design and safety.
• Provides support on fire and explosion investigations involving mechanical systems, products, and equipment.
• Initiates, develops, and maintains mutually beneficial client relationships.

Required Education and Certifications

• B.S. Mechanical Engineering degree or higher.
• Ph.D. or Forensic experience with P.E. required.
• 2-10+ years of experience, including knowledge of products, machine design, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression systems, and/or other mechanical equipment/systems/processes.
• Project management and/or field investigation experience is required.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Must have a high level of analytical skill. Work requires continual attention to detail with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Must be able to interact and communicate with clients at all levels (e.g., internal and external).
• Must know a variety of computer software applications, including but not limited to Microsoft Office applications and computer-assisted engineering and design software.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical reports or journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to clearly and coherently write scopes of work, budget estimates, schedules, reports of findings, proposals, general correspondence, and other technical documents.
• Ability to respond to inquiries from internal and external clients.
• Capable of effectively presenting information to top management, clients, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Physical Demands, Overtime, and Travel Requirements

• Physical Demands- Work is performed in both office settings and at outside locations (e.g., accident sites). The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb, bend, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, and drive a motor vehicle to job sites. Employees may lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Employees must be sharp, focused, and alert when conducting site inspections, speaking and interacting with clients, preparing written reports of findings, and testifying in depositions or trials. Clear vision and depth perception are also necessary.
• Overtime- This position is classified as salaried with an exempt FLSA status. Regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a one-hour lunch break. There will be periods when overtime will be required, which the employee must comply with to meet the demands of the position.
• Travel Requirements- This position requires up to 25% travel. Some out-of-area and overnight travel may be required. This position is located in Cleveland, OH.

At Rimkus, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. We are committed to creating a work environment that supports and celebrates the unique perspectives and experiences of all employees. If you share our commitment to diversity and inclusivity and are excited about joining a welcoming and supportive team, we encourage you to apply for our open positions.

Rimkus is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT FOR EMPLOYMENT OR A GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Work From Home