Thermal Sciences Associate (Ph.D.)

Exponent; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Exponent is seeking a Thermal Sciences Associate or Senior Associate in Los Angeles, CA to apply fundamental engineering and scientific techniques to interdisciplinary problems in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and combustion. You will grow expertise and deliver solutions to clients while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes building technical consulting skills, effective communication, and project leadership with opportunities for travel and growth

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Chemical Engineering with a practical and theoretical understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics.
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States. No immigration sponsorship or processing required.
• Experience in development of experimental design, construction of experimental apparatus, instrumentation, data acquisition and data analysis.
• Strong desire and ability to conduct hands-on laboratory and field work.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and proven ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel, sometimes on short notice (>15%), and to work from the office in Los Angeles, CA.

Responsibilities

• Planning experimental investigations and executing laboratory tests.
• Researching published literature.
• Conducting field inspections.
• Performing engineering calculations and analysis and distilling complex data.
• Preparing proposals and technical reports, and presenting findings to clients.
• Managing projects and maintaining efficiency under deadlines.
• Communicating effectively with team members and clients.
• Gathering information from and conveying technical conclusions to diverse audiences.

Skills

Hands-on lab work

Field work

Leadership

Communication skills

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Client engagement

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Chemical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

R

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.

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 or Senior Associate for our Thermal Sciences Practice in Los Angeles, CA. In this role, you will work as part of a team, applying fundamental engineering and scientific techniques to solve challenging, interdisciplinary problems involving fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and combustion. You will be expected to grow in the key aspects of technical consulting, including effective verbal and written communication and the establishment of deep areas of technical expertise, and to serve clients effectively.

You will be responsible for

• Planning experimental investigations and executing laboratory tests
• Researching published literature
• Conducting field inspections
• Performing engineering calculations and analysis and distilling complex data
• Preparing proposals and technical reports, and presenting findings to clients
• Managing projects and maintaining efficiency under deadlines
• Communicating effectively with team members and clients
• Gathering information from and conveying technical conclusions to individuals with various backgrounds including engineering, the legal profession, business and industry

You will have the following skills and qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or similar fields, with a practical and theoretical understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States. No immigration sponsorship or processing required.
• Experience in development of experimental design, construction of experimental apparatus, instrumentation, data acquisition and data analysis
• Strong desire and ability to conduct hands‑on laboratory and field work
• Demonstrated leadership skills and proven ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to travel, sometimes on short notice (regional, out-of-state, and occasional international travel is estimated at >15%)
• Must be willing and able to work from the office in Los Angeles, CA
• Strong desire and ability to tackle a wide variety of engineering problems within and outside your direct areas of specialization
• Interest in developing a client base

Other preferred but not required qualifications

• A background in turbomachinery and/or combustion
• Familiarity with Process Critical documents and equipment (e.g. PFDs, P&IDs, turbomachinery, heat exchangers, etc.)
• Capable of using coding languages/packages such as MATLAB, Python or R to conduct data analysis
• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g. API, ASME, ASTM and NFPA standards)

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.

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-CA-Los Angeles