Provides failure analysis and forensic consulting services requiring mechanical engineering expertise for insurance, legal, industrial, and other clients. Evaluates injury, equipment, and property damage claims caused by alleged issues with products, heavy equipment, machines, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, and other mechanical systems. Provides oral and written reports of findings, technical guidance to clients, and, when needed, expert testimony.
Essential Job Functions
Performs failure analysis and forensic assignments within the field of mechanical engineering expertise based on a scope of work and budget prepared by the consultant and agreed upon by the client in advance of performing the work.
Investigates how and why an incident occurred, including identifying the origin, failure mechanism, and root cause of the incident, as well as the role of the mechanical system in question.
Inspects sites/products/equipment/systems; performs electronic data retrieval and analysis of commercial and non-commercial equipment; documents site/product conditions, determines cause and origin of damage; performs site surveys with total station survey, scanners, drones, and other means of 3D documentation; performs mechanical engineering calculations; prepares CAD-based and manual sketches as required; orders and evaluates required laboratory testing and performs analyses.
Reviews and interprets relevant codes, standards, drawings, specifications, technical manuals, peer-reviewed literature, data logs, and other documentation to evaluate the compliance of the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the subject product, equipment, or system.
Conducts various analyses including, but not limited to, industrial safety and accidents; equipment and machinery design and failure; product liability, and design and safety.
Provides support on fire and explosion investigations involving mechanical systems, products, and equipment.
Initiates, develops, and maintains mutually beneficial client relationships.
Required Education and Certifications
BS. Mechanical Engineering degree or higher.
PE. required.
Experience, including knowledge of products, machine design, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression systems, and/or other mechanical equipment/systems/processes.
Project Management and/or Field Investigation experience required Strongly preferred.
Required Skills and Abilities
Must be able to interact and communicate with clients at all levels (e.g., internal and external).
Must have knowledge of a variety of computer software applications including but not limited to, Microsoft Office Applications and computer-assisted engineering and design software.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical reports or journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
Ability to clearly and coherently write scopes-of-work, budget estimates, schedules, reports of findings, proposals, general correspondence, and other technical documents.
Ability to respond to inquiries from internal and external clients.
Capable of effectively presenting information to top management, clients, public groups and/or boards of directors.
Travel Requirements - This position requires up to 25% travel. Some out-of-area and overnight travel may be required.