Principal

Exponent; Philadelphia, Northern (Philadelphia County, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life@Exponent Benefits

Flexible work environment

In-person collaboration

Job summary

Exponent, a premier engineering and scientific consulting firm, seeks a Principal in Biomedical Engineering & Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, provide technical leadership on medical devices, diagnostics, and lifecycle management, and guide projects from development through commercialization and regulatory matters.

You will build client relationships, mentor staff, and drive new business opportunities while upholding rigorous quality and compliance

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related scientific or engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of leadership experience in the medical device, diagnostics, life sciences, or related healthcare industries.
• Demonstrated executive leadership in engineering, R&D, technical operations, product development, manufacturing, quality, or commercialization in highly regulated industries.
• Experience navigating FDA, global regulatory, quality, and compliance requirements for medical devices, diagnostics, and combination products.
• Strong communication skills; ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex client engagements and develop new client relationships in life sciences and healthcare.
• Mentor technical staff and grow future leaders within a multidisciplinary team.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic insight across medical devices and diagnostics programs.
• Oversee projects involving design, manufacturing scale-up, quality systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Drive business opportunities and ensure high-quality, timely project delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Mentorship

Team management

Education

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or related

Tools

Regulatory knowledge (FDA)

Quality systems

Product development lifecycle

Job description

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.

We are committed to engaging multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower our 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 an accomplished leader for a Principal position in our Biomedical Engineering & Sciences Practice in Philadelphia, PA. In this role, you will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide technical leadership and strategic guidance on projects involving medical devices, diagnostics, combination products, biologics, manufacturing systems, product development, quality, regulatory compliance, and patient safety. You will leverage your expertise to help clients address complex challenges across the product lifecycle, from early-stage innovation and development through commercialization, post-market performance, and regulatory matters.

As a Principal, you will lead complex client engagements, develop new client relationships, expand existing partnerships, mentor technical staff, and build new business within the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Drawing upon extensive leadership experience solving complex technical and business challenges, you will help clients make informed, science-based decisions while contributing to the continued growth of Exponent's Biomedical Engineering & Sciences Practice.

You will be responsible for

• Leveraging deep expertise in medical devices, diagnostics, combination products, manufacturing systems, and product development to address complex technical, regulatory, quality, and commercialization challenges across diverse client sectors.
• Identifying, pursuing, and securing new client engagements by understanding emerging industry needs and building long-term strategic partnerships.
• Maintaining and growing trusted relationships with existing clients by consistently delivering high-quality work, anticipating future needs, and serving as a trusted thought partner.
• Building, managing, and empowering multidisciplinary teams while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and scientifically rigorous culture that values technical excellence, innovation, and integrity.
• Providing guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities to technical staff, supporting their growth into future leaders and subject matter experts.
• Leading projects involving medical device design and development, manufacturing scale-up, quality systems, regulatory compliance, risk management, product performance, lifecycle management, and commercialization.
• Ensuring successful project execution through effective planning, resource allocation, and budget management, while maintaining high standards of quality, responsiveness, and timeliness.
• Providing technical leadership and strategic insight to clients across the life sciences and healthcare industries, helping them address critical business and product development challenges.
• Enhancing the firm's visibility and credibility through publications, conference presentations, client seminars, industry leadership activities, and participation in technical and professional organizations.

You will have the following skills and qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related scientific or engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of leadership experience in the medical device, diagnostics, life sciences, or related healthcare industries.
• Demonstrated track record of executive leadership in engineering, research and development, technical operations, product development, manufacturing, quality, or commercialization within highly regulated industries.
• Experience navigating FDA, global regulatory, quality, and compliance requirements associated with medical devices, diagnostics, and combination products.
• Strong understanding of product development, new product introduction, manufacturing scale-up, lifecycle management, and commercialization processes.
• Proven track record of developing business opportunities, growing strategic relationships, and identifying innovative solutions to address complex client challenges.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to scientific, business, regulatory, and legal audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex technical issues and develop practical, science-based solutions.
• Outstanding reputation among clients, colleagues, and the broader scientific and engineering community for integrity, leadership, responsiveness, and technical excellence.
• Adept people management abilities coupled with extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams and successfully executing complex projects and programs.
• Strong commitment to mentorship, talent development, and fostering an engaging, high-performing team culture.
• Active involvement in professional societies, industry organizations, scientific publications, patents, speaking engagements, or other thought leadership activities is preferred.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV 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-exponent

https://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact

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

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 [e-mail].

Job Locations

US-PA-Philadelphia