Vehicle Mechanical Engineer (MS/PhD)

Exponent; Natick (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Exponent is seeking a Vehicle Mechanical Engineer (MS/PhD) in Natick, MA to analyze transportation accidents, crashes, and product performance. You will join a multi-disciplinary team to build automotive expertise and contribute to challenging consulting projects.

The role is full-time and on-site, offering opportunities to lead test programs, develop specialized automotive knowledge, and advance within Exponent’s consulting practice.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree (M.S. or M.Eng.) in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering with 1+ year relevant work experience
• Familiarity with automotive systems and an interest in vehicle technology is preferred
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; no sponsorship required
• Experience writing technical papers or reports is preferred
• Hands-on garage, workshop, field, or lab experience with vehicles or instrumentation
• Field and/or lab measurement experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of dynamics, mechanical design, and 3D CAD (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Rhino3D)
• P.E. license or willingness to obtain one
• Willingness to travel and work overtime
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to quality and accuracy

Responsibilities

• Managing projects from initiation to completion
• Communicating project updates to team members, clients, and staff
• Ensuring timely delivery and high-quality work
• Identifying business development opportunities
• Setting up and executing test programs, including full-scale vehicle tests
• Developing automotive expertise and analyzing transportation accidents

Skills

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Automotive knowledge

Education

Ph.D. or MS in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

3D CAD

Job description

Vehicle Mechanical Engineer (MS/PhD)

Id: 2026-2305

Location: US-MA-Natick

Practice: Vehicle Engineering

Position Type: Full-time

Posted Salary Range: USD $110,000.00 - USD $140,000.00 /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 Vehicle Mechanical Engineer for our Vehicle Engineering Practice in Natick, MA. In this role, you will work as part of a team to support existing consulting projects that involve the analysis of transportation accidents, mechanical failures, and the design of consumer and industrial products. You will have the opportunity to ultimately develop your own consulting practice and grow professionally within Exponent. We expect you to ultimately develop specialized expertise in the automotive field such as the design and performance of existing or emerging automotive technology, or analysis and reconstruction of transportation accidents.

You will be responsible for

• Managing projects from initiation to completion
• Communicating project updates to other team members, clients, and administrative staff
• Ensuring that Exponent meets its deadlines and produces exceptional work product
• Identifying business development opportunities
• Setting up and executing various test programs, including full-scale vehicle tests (crash, sled, and handling tests) and component or control systems evaluations
• Developing specialized expertise in the automotive field such as the design and performance of existing or emerging automotive technology, or analysis and reconstruction of transportation accidents

You will have the following skills and qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree (M.S. or M.Eng.) in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering with 1+ year relevant work experience; Internship or co-op experience may count toward required work experience
• Familiarity with automotive systems and an interest in vehicle technology are preferred
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States; no immigration sponsorship or processing required
• Demonstrated experience of technical or scholarly writing is required; a record of authoring published research or technical papers is preferred
• Hands-on experience in garage, workshop, field, or laboratory environment required; ideally involving vehicles or engineering instrumentation
• Field and/or lab measurement experience
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of dynamics, mechanical design, and 3D CAD (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Rhino3D preferred)
• P.E. license or the willingness and ability to obtain a P.E. license
• Versatile, team-oriented, willing to work overtime and travel when required
• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to synthesize technical information and present it to specialists and non-specialists alike
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Proven dedication to quality and accuracy

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. #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 $110,000.00 - USD $140,000.00 /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