Principal Scientist

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!

• 950+ Consultants
• 640+ Ph.D.s
• 90+ Disciplines
• 30+ Offices globally

We are seeking an experienced consultant for a Principal Scientist position in our Polymers & Chemistry Practice. This position is open across all U.S. office locations. In this role 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.

The candidate must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to convey scientific concepts in a credible manner to diverse audiences. This position requires some travel and will involve collaborating with scientists and engineers from other Exponent offices and practices. The successful candidate will have at least 10 years of scientific or engineering consulting experience with an established book of business.

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.
• Identifying, pursuing, and securing new client engagements by understanding emerging needs and building long‑term partnerships.
• Maintaining and growing trusted relationships with existing clients by consistently delivering high‑quality work, anticipating future needs, and serving as a strategic advisor.
• Building, managing, and empowering multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and scientific integrity.
• Providing guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities to technical staff, supporting their growth into future leaders and experts.
• Ensuring successful project execution through effective planning, resource allocation, and budget management, while maintaining high standards of quality and timeliness.
• Offering high‑level scientific and strategic advice to both internal stakeholders and external clients, contributing to the firm’s thought leadership and client impact.
• Enhancing the firm’s visibility and credibility by publishing in peer‑reviewed journals, presenting at industry conferences, leading seminars, and participating in expert advisory or technical committees.
• Inspecting, testing and analyzing various polymeric materials to assess their specifications and/or reliability in a variety of applications across industries.
• Performing root‑cause investigations on failing or underperforming materials/components by scientifically examining the development, manufacturing or end‑use environment of products used in the construction, medical device, consumer electronics, and automotive industries.
• Analyzing information and…