Senior Vehicle Engineer: Auto Tech & Accident Analysis

Exponent; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Exponent is seeking Senior Vehicle Engineers to join our Vehicle Engineering Practice across Natick, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Phoenix, AZ; Tampa, FL; Farmington Hills, MI; and Austin, TX. You will analyze and reconstruct transportation and heavy-equipment accidents, investigate failures, research vehicle structures, and evaluate design and safety of consumer and industrial products.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams, manage projects, and develop specialized expertise in

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (M.S. or M.Eng.) or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a closely related field. At least one degree must be in Mechanical Engineering.
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States; no immigration sponsorship required.
• For master’s-level candidates, at least four years of relevant industry experience in automotive engineering.
• For Ph.D.-level candidates, at least three years of relevant industry experience in automotive engineering.
• Knowledge of automotive systems, vehicle technology, and vehicle/mechanical‑system performance.
• Hands-on garage/field/lab experience with ground vehicles, instrumentation, testing, measurement, troubleshooting, repair, or disassembly.
• Experience with motorsport teams (Formula SAE, Baja SAE, EcoCar, etc.) is highly desired.
• Strong foundation in statics, dynamics, mechanics, and mechanical design.
• Experience with CAD tools (AutoCAD/SolidWorks/Rhino) and technical programming is a plus.
• Strong technical writing skills; prior theses/dissertations/papers/testimony preferred.
• Strong verbal communication and leadership skills for diverse audiences.
• PE license or willingness to obtain licensure.
• Versatile, collaborative, and team-oriented, with commitment to quality and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical engineering analyses of accidents involving various vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Conduct first-hand field investigations and inspections of sites, scenes, vehicles, and components.
• Plan and execute field and lab test programs including crash, sled, and handling tests.
• Apply testing and measurements to refine or validate analyses.
• Analyze mechanical failures and evaluate design and safety of products and vehicle technologies.
• Identify research needs and conduct original research advancing accident reconstruction and automotive tech.
• Manage projects from initiation to completion and communicate status to teams and clients.
• Prepare clear technical reports and present findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Conduct vehicle inspections, with some travel within the U.S.
• Develop specialized expertise and contribute to business development.

Skills

3D CAD

Engineering analysis

Field investigations

Technical writing

Project management

Laboratory testing

Vehicle systems knowledge

Clear communication

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Rhino 3D

Job description

Exponent is seeking Senior Vehicle Engineers to join our Vehicle Engineering Practice across Natick, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Phoenix, AZ; Tampa, FL; Farmington Hills, MI; and Austin, TX. You will analyze and reconstruct transportation and heavy-equipment accidents, investigate failures, research vehicle structures, and evaluate design and safety of consumer and industrial products.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams, manage projects, and develop specialized expertise in