Senior Managing Scientist

Overview

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 a diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. 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

Senior Managing Scientist, Polymers & Chemistry Practice. This position is open across all U.S. office locations. You will lead interdisciplinary project teams that investigate and solve complex problems related to the specification, development, testing, and end-use performance of polymeric materials used in life sciences, consumer products, building and construction applications, infrastructure systems, and automotive components. Candidates must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to convey scientific concepts credibly to diverse audiences.

Some travel is required; collaboration with scientists and engineers from other Exponent offices and practices is expected. The successful candidate will have at least 5–10 years of scientific or engineering consulting experience with an existing client base. The ideal candidate will cultivate relationships with existing clients, identify new business opportunities, and contribute to the continued growth of the Polymers & Chemistry Practice.

• Leveraging deep knowledge in polymer science to address a wide range of complex challenges across diverse client sectors, delivering scientifically rigorous and impactful solutions.
• Identify, pursue, and secure new client engagements by understanding emerging needs and building long-term partnerships.
• Maintain and grow trusted relationships with existing clients by delivering high-quality work, anticipating future needs, and serving as a strategic advisor.
• Build, manage, and empower multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and inclusion that values diverse perspectives and scientific integrity.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities to technical staff.
• Ensure successful project execution through planning, resource allocation, and budget management while maintaining quality and timeliness.
• Offer high-level scientific and strategic advice to internal and external stakeholders, contributing to thought leadership and client impact.
• Enhance firm visibility by publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at industry conferences, leading seminars, and participating in expert committees.
• Inspect, test, and analyze polymeric materials to assess specifications and reliability across applications and industries.
• Perform root cause investigations on failing or underperforming materials/components in construction, medical devices, consumer electronics, and automotive contexts.
• Analyze information and convey technical conclusions to engineering, business, law, and industry audiences and justify testing rationales in product development and IP disputes.

• PhD in Polymer Science or Materials Science with a focus on structure-property-performance relationships.
• Minimum of 5 years of consulting experience in polymer science or materials science.
• Proven track record of business generation and attracting new and repeat clients or funding.
• Exceptional verbal and written…