Thermal Sciences Associate - Chemical Engineer (MS/PhD)

Exponent; Natick (MA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Exponent is seeking a Thermal Sciences Associate - Chemical Engineer (MS/PhD) in Natick, MA. The role focuses on analyzing chemical, mechanical, and electrical systems and investigating failures in batteries, fires, and related processes.

The candidate will apply thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, and electrochemical analysis to multidisciplinary problems, with field and client-facing responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering required.
• US work authorization without sponsorship.
• Hands-on experience with failure root-cause analysis and experimental programs.
• Strong background in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and electrochemical systems.

Responsibilities

• Prepare proposals, budgets, and test plans.
• Design and build test apparatus and measurement systems.
• Run tests, write reports, and present results to clients.
• Perform analysis and calculations on product performance and safety.
• Apply thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and electrochemical principles to evaluate failures.
• Support investigations involving battery fires, vehicle fires, and toxic gas releases.
• Conduct field work and attend evidence inspections.
• Review background information on failure events.
• Identify and market to internal and external clients.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Fluid mechanics

Experimental methods

Electrochemical systems

Failure analysis

Technical communication

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Battery testing

Instrumentation

Job description

Thermal Sciences Associate - Chemical Engineer (MS/PhD)

• Location: US-MA-Natick
• Practice: Thermal Sciences
• Position Type: Full-time
• Posted Salary Range: USD $140,000.00 - USD $160,000.00 /Yr.
• Workplace Type: On-Site

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.

Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower 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 a Thermal Sciences Associate - Chemical Engineer for our Thermal Sciences Practice in Natick, MA. In this role, you will work as part of a team responsible for analyzing chemical, mechanical, and electrical systems and processes and participating in the investigation and reconstruction of failures involving battery systems, combustion systems, consumer products, appliances, and more.

The ideal candidate will be interested in applying their experience in thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction kinetics, electrochemical systems, and experimental analysis to complex, multidisciplinary problems. Candidates with backgrounds in battery failure analysis, fire and explosion investigation, chemical industry process safety, thermal management, or the safety assessment of flammable and/or toxic gas releases are especially encouraged to apply. You will work proactively with OEMs to analyze products and assess potential failure modes and risks to end users.

You will be responsible for

• Preparing proposals, budgets, and planning test programs
• Designing and constructing test apparatuses, including designing and implementing measurement approaches and systems
• Executing tests and demonstrations, writing reports, preparing presentations, and presenting the results to clients
• Performing analysis and calculations
• Applying chemical engineering principles, including thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, and electrochemical systems analysis, to evaluate product performance, process safety, and failure mechanisms
• Supporting investigations involving battery fires and failures, vehicle fires and explosions, consumer product safety, chemical plant operations, dust hazards, and releases of flammable or toxic gases
• Conducting field work such as off-site testing or attending evidence inspections
• Reviewing and summarizing background information pertaining to failure events
• Identifying and marketing to internal and external clients

You will have the following skills and qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States. No immigration sponsorship or processing required.
• Demonstrated hand-on experience, and outstanding mechanical abilities and engineering intuition to assist in failure root-cause analysis
• Strong technical background in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, combustion, measurement systems, and error analysis
• Hands-on experience in managing and executing experimental programs, including troubleshooting experimental test setups
• Familiarity with process safety and risk assessment
• Experience with electrochemical systems, electrocatalysis, battery testing or characterization, sustainable energy technologies, or industrial electrochemical processes
• Experience using rigorous experimental methods to analyze complex chemical-engineering systems, including process design, historical process data, techno-economic analysis, or process optimization
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills
• Desire and flexibility to tackle a wide variety of problems within and outside their direct area of expertise
• Domestic travel is likely required

Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) 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.

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

Compensation

Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Associate and Senior Associate level, total compensation includes base salary, bi-weekly bonuses for high-intensity efforts, annual bonus and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

The base salary range for this position is dependent on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process.

Salary Range

USD $140,000.00 - USD $160,000.00 /Yr.

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-MA-Natick