Sr. Forensics Materials Engineer - Mooresville, NC

Rimkus Consulting Group

Mooresville (NC)

On-site

USD 100,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental &amp

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

Job summary

Rimkus Consulting Group in Mooresville, NC, is seeking a senior materials consultant with lab experience to lead forensic materials investigations and root‑cause analyses for clients across motorsports, aerospace, and industrial sectors.

You will oversee laboratory examinations (SEM/EDS, fractography, metallography) and field investigations, producing technical reports and potentially providing deposition testimony. Strong project management and client‑facing skills are essential.

Qualifications

S. in metallurgy or Materials Science & Engineering; Ph.D. preferred.
Professional Engineering license or ability to achieve licensure.
Ideally 10+ years of materials laboratory testing experience; proficiency with ferrous, nonferrous, polymeric, ceramic and composite materials.
Hands-on experience with optical/digital microscopy and SEM/EDS; fractography, metallography, mechanical and corrosion testing.
Project management and field investigation experience.
High level of analytical skills, problem-solving, and attention to detail for client success.
Strong written and verbal communication; ability to interact with clients and teams.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; experience providing expert witness testimony is desirable.

Responsibilities

Performing material science and engineering work within agreed scope and budget.
Overseeing laboratory investigations and analyses (SEM‑EDS, FTIR, DSC, OES, TGA, fractography, metallography, x-ray, mechanical testing).
Conducting field investigations to determine origin and cause of material defects or damage.
Gathering data from tests and analyses for reports and opinions.
Using relevant codes and standards for design, fabrication and testing of products and materials.
Providing legal deposition and testimony as needed.
Producing written technical reports detailing findings and causes of defects, corrosion and damage.
Managing multiple projects and coordinating with team members to deliver client reports on time.

Skills

Metallurgy

Materials Science & Engineering

Laboratory testing

SEM/EDS

Fractography

Project management

Expert witness experience

Communication

Analytical thinking

Client relations

Education

S. in Metallurgy or Materials Science & Engineering

Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Optical/Digital Microscopy

SEM/EDS

Fractography

Metallography

Mechanical testing

Corrosion testing

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 buildingenvelope, 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 full benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, disability, employer‑matching 401(k), and opportunities for advancement!

Overview

The Materials Laboratory, located in the Mooresville, NC area, is seeking a senior‑level forensic materials consultant with laboratory experience. The company is firmly established as a recognized leader in failure/root cause analysis, corrosion damage assessment, materials testing, and consulting engineering. Our clients are typically from the commercial, industrial, manufacturing, and forensic workspaces from a wide range of industries, including performance (motorsports, aerospace, marine, automotive/transportation), industrial (power generation and utilities, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, pulp and paper), and forensics (insurance and litigation support).

This position is located within the Rimkus Materials Testing and Investigation Laboratory located in Mooresville, NC. This role will provide expert consulting services on matters requiring materials science and engineering knowledge and expertise for a host of clients in the industries listed above. The job includes performing root cause/failure analyses, corrosion investigations, welding evaluations, and materials characterization of a variety of materials, components, and processes. Additionally, this role will provide technical leadership and oversight of the materials lab staff.

We produce data and analysis that are provided to our clients through verbal and written technical reports, presentations, and testimony (when required). This position has significant autonomy and is responsible for project management and technical oversight of multiple concurrent projects; reviewing and evaluating design and field engineering changes; ensuring work quality and adherence to procedures; and performing other related duties as assigned.

Our full‑time employees enjoy a benefits package including PTO, medical, dental and vision insurance, disability insurance, life insurance; company‑matching 401K, and quarterly performance incentive opportunities.

Responsibilities

Performing assignments within the field of materials science and engineering expertise based upon a scope of work and budget prepared by the consultant and agreed upon by the client in advance of performing the work.
Conducting or overseeing laboratory investigations: Leading and participating in laboratory examinations, including SEM‑EDS, FTIR, DSC, OES, TGA, fractography, metallography, x‑ray, and mechanical testing.
Performing field investigations: Studying and determining the origin and cause of materials‑related defects and/or damage.
Gathering data for analysis from various sources and means including: test results, materials characterization, and root cause/failure analysis techniques.
Using national and international codes and standards related to the design, fabrication, and testing of various products and materials.
Provide legal deposition and testimony as necessary.
Producing written technical reports of findings detailing the origin and cause of materials‑related defects, corrosion, and/or damage.
Managing multiple projects, working in conjunction with other team members (including technical/peer reviewers) to produce client reports in a timely manner.
Building and maintaining working relationships with clients.
Educating materials technicians, technologists, engineers, and consultants on the proper use of materials science/engineering to answer complicated, multi‑disciplinary questions.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will need:

S. in metallurgy or Materials Science & Engineering; Ph.D. preferred.
Professional Engineering license or ability to achieve licensure.
Ideally 10+ years of materials laboratory testing experience; experience and proficiency with ferrous, nonferrous, polymeric, ceramic, glass, and composite materials is a plus.
Hands‑on experience with optical/digital microscopy and SEM/EDS. Working knowledge of fractography, metallography, mechanical and corrosion testing.
Project management and field investigation experience
High level of analytical skills, critical thinking, and creative problem‑solving. Client success requires continual attention to detail with the ability to define problems, collect data, and generate conclusions and opinions.
The ability to interact and communicate effectively both internally and externally.
Knowledge of a variety of computer software applications, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Applications
Experience providing expert witness testimony is highly desirable.

Necessary Language and Writing Skills

Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical reports, technical journals, product data sheets, industry specifications, financial reports, and some legal documents.
Ability to write proposals clearly and coherently, scopes-of-work, develop budget estimates and schedules, reports of findings, general correspondence, and other technical documents.
Ability to respond to inquiries from internal and external clients with the capability of effectively presenting information to top management, clients, public groups and/or boards of directors.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work is performed both in an office/laboratory setting and occasionally at outside field locations (i.e., client’s office; laboratory; industrial, construction, and/or residential sites; etc.). Investigations require the ability to stand, walk bend, climb inside structures, crawl under structures, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, and drive a motor vehicle. You will also be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Clear vision and depth perception are necessary.
Some travel will be required with occasional overnight travel.

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.

Rimkus works with a limited number of approved recruiting partners. All agency submissions must be made through our designated submission process. Unsolicited resumes will not be recognized.