Principal

Exponent; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 230,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401(k) employer contribution of 7%

Career growth support

Job summary

Exponent seeks a Principal for their Construction Consulting Practice in Washington, DC. This role involves leading complex data center projects and advising clients on portfolio management and risk optimization. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of experience and a relevant advanced degree.

Additionally, the position offers a competitive salary ranging from $230,000 to $320,000 annually, along with comprehensive benefits supporting career growth and well-being.

The company values in-person interactions to foster collaboration and offers a flexible work style to balance client engagements with personal priorities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in construction management and project advisory.
• Significant experience in construction advisory, including risk management and performance monitoring.
• Proven business development and client management track record.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to complex data center projects.
• Grow the construction consulting business through new client relationships.
• Serve as the main liaison between clients and Exponent.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor staff.

Skills

Construction management

Project advisory

Data analytics

Client management

Business development

Education

M.B.A. or M.S./M.S.E. in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or Business Administration

Job description

Position

Principal – Construction Consulting Practice (Washington, DC) – Full-time – Salary: USD $230,000.00 – USD $320,000.00 per year.

Overview

We are seeking a Principal for our Construction Consulting Practice in Washington, DC. In this role, you will work as part of a dynamic and diverse team advising and assisting clients on large and complex construction projects and issues, including data center projects. You will also help lead Exponent’s efforts to address clients’ critical challenges in the data center space, applying multidisciplinary expertise to improve portfolio management, reliability, mitigate risk, and support high‑performing, resilient facilities across the full lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to complex data center projects and programs by advising clients on portfolio management, reliability, risk identification, and performance optimization across planning, design, construction, and operations.
• Grow our construction consulting business by developing and managing new client relationships, collaborating with other practices in the firm.
• Provide strategic planning to identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities and promote Exponent’s service offerings and brand.
• Generate significant revenue to help build a profitable team of consultants.
• Serve as the main liaison between clients and Exponent.
• Oversee performance of Exponent’s team and the quality of our services and deliverables.
• Advise and assist clients in areas of construction advisory, including portfolio, program, and project management; project controls and scheduling; process improvements; governance; risk and performance management; data analytics and information management; change management; and dispute avoidance.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor staff in the areas of construction advisory consulting.
• Promote Exponent’s expertise in construction advisory by meeting with potential clients, presenting at conferences, writing thought leadership articles and white papers, and conducting seminars.

Qualifications

• M.B.A. (any discipline), or M.S./M.S.E. in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or Business Administration.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in construction management and project advisory.
• Significant experience in construction advisory, including portfolio, program, and project management; project controls and scheduling; risk management and performance monitoring; process improvements; data analytics and information management; change management; dispute avoidance; and other areas of construction consulting services.
• Experience supporting or advising on mission‑critical infrastructure (e.g., data centers, energy systems, or large‑scale industrial facilities), with familiarity with reliability, risk assessment, or performance optimization challenges.
• Proven business development and client management track record, and the ability to attract projects to support full‑time staff.

Benefits

Our benefits and compensation packages are competitive and designed to support career growth and well‑being. For detailed benefits information, visit https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent.

Exponent is a proudly 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 contact [e-mail].

Compensation

Base salary range: USD $230,000.00 – USD $320,000.00 per year, dependent on experience and capabilities assessed during the interview process.

Total compensation includes base salary, annual bonus, and a 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

Work Environment

At Exponent, in‑person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development and collaboration. Consultants engage in‑person unless traveling for client work or other business activities. We value a flexible, agile work style and support a healthy work/life balance, allowing consultants to balance client engagements with personal priorities.

Location

US‑Washington, DC