Talent.com
Principal Scientist

Principal Scientist

ExponentChicago, IL, United States
6 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
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

Opportunity

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.

You will be responsible for

  • 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 conveying technical conclusions to individuals in engineering, business, law, and industry, as well as communicating testing rationale in the context of product development, product defect claims, and intellectual property disputes.
  • You will have the following skills and qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Polymer Science or Materials Science with a focus on polymer structure–property–end‑use performance relationships.
  • Minimum of 10 years of consulting experience in the polymer science or materials science space.
  • Proven track record of business generation and attracting new and repeat clients or funding.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed recommendations in your scientific field.
  • Outstanding reputation among clients and the scientific community for integrity, responsiveness, and technical expertise.
  • Adept people‑management abilities coupled with extensive experience in successfully overseeing and executing complex projects.
  • Strong commitment to professional development.
  • This is a revenue‑generating role with substantial sales expectations. Must demonstrate a proven track record of managing an active client portfolio that consistently generates at least $1 million in annual revenue within industrial sectors or law firms (excluding revenue derived from government funding for academic research projects).
  • Life at Exponent

    To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, visit https : / / www.exponent.com / careers / life-exponent and https : / / www.exponent.com / company / our-impact.

    We value and encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion across all facets of our firm. Having a team built of people with different backgrounds, skills and perspectives 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, 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 everyone has a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multidisciplinary 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

    Base salary range : USD $225,000 – $275,000 per year. Total compensation includes base salary, annual bonus, and a 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary. At the Manager level and above, total compensation includes base salary, annual bonus, and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

    USD $225,000.00 – USD $275,000.00 / Yr.

    Benefits You Will Enjoy

    Access benefits information on our Life @ Exponent page : https : / / www.exponent.com / careers / life-exponent.

    Job Locations

    US-CA-Menlo Park; US-GA-Atlanta; US-TX-Austin; US-CA-Los Angeles; US-IL-Chicago; US-MD-Bowie; US-MA-Natick; US-AZ-Phoenix; US-CO-Denver; US-PA-Philadelphia; US-WA-Seattle.

    Equal Opportunity Employer

    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 HR-Accommodations@exponent.com.

    Applicants

    Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) with publications (feel free to include publications that are in review or pending). Not restricted to one page.

    #J-18808-Ljbffr

    Create a job alert for this search

    Principal Scientist • Chicago, IL, United States

    Related jobs
    • Promoted
    Principal Data Scientist - Identity

    Principal Data Scientist - Identity

    Early Warning®Chicago, IL, United States
    Full-time
    Principal Data Scientist – Identity.Early Warning® seeks a senior technical leader to join its Data Science team, focused on risk and fraud. This role is based in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago,...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Principal Data Scientist - Identity

    Principal Data Scientist - Identity

    Early Warning Services LLCChicago, IL, United States
    Full-time
    Principal Data Scientist - Identity page is loaded.Principal Data Scientist - Identity.Apply locations New York City Chicago Scottsdale time type Full time posted on Posted Yesterday job requisitio...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Principal Data Scientist, Quantitative Analysis and Strategy

    Principal Data Scientist, Quantitative Analysis and Strategy

    BMO U.S.Chicago, IL, United States
    Full-time +1
    Principal Data Scientist, Quantitative Analysis and Strategy.Principal Data Scientist, Quantitative Analysis and Strategy. Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.Uses advanced...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Principal Medical Science Liaison

    Principal Medical Science Liaison

    Johnson & Johnson MedTechChicago, IL, United States
    Full-time
    Join Johnson & Johnson MedTech as a.Principal Medical Science Liaison.We believe health is everything, and our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases ...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) - Microbiology

    Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) - Microbiology

    Endeavor HealthArlington Heights, IL, US
    Full-time +1
    The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors.Position : Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) - Microbiology.Location : Northwest Com...Show moreLast updated: 5 days ago
    • Promoted
    Associate Market Clinical Director

    Associate Market Clinical Director

    ChenMedOak Lawn, IL, US
    Full-time
    We’re changing lives every day.For both our patients and our team members.Are you innovative and entrepreneurial minded? Is your work ethic and ambition off the charts? Do you inspire o...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Associate Chief Medical Officer

    Associate Chief Medical Officer

    ChenMedOak Lawn, IL, US
    Full-time
    We’re changing lives every day.For both our patients and our team members.Are you innovative and entrepreneurial minded? Is your work ethic and ambition off the charts? Do you inspire o...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

    Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

    Endeavor HealthArlington Heights, IL, US
    Full-time +1
    The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors.Position : Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS). Location : Northwest Community Hospital...Show moreLast updated: 16 days ago
    • Promoted
    Principal Scientist

    Principal Scientist

    Tropicana Brands GroupChicago, IL, United States
    Full-time
    Tropicana Brands Group is a $3B startup aiming to revolutionize the beverage category.Formed in 2022 as a joint venture between PAI Partners and PepsiCo, our portfolio includes iconic brands like T...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    ADME / PK Senior / Principal Scientist

    ADME / PK Senior / Principal Scientist

    TalentCraftChicago, IL, United States
    Full-time
    We are seeking an experienced scientist in ADME / PK to join our growing research team.This role is crucial for driving the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of our therapeutic candidates, with a focus...Show moreLast updated: 3 days ago
    • Promoted
    CT Technologist I - Multiple Locations

    CT Technologist I - Multiple Locations

    Endeavor HealthHighland Park, Illinois, US
    Full-time +1
    The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors.Not specific to one campus! hiring at multiple locations •.CT Technologist openings ...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Medical Lab Scientist - Multiple Campuses

    Medical Lab Scientist - Multiple Campuses

    Endeavor HealthNaperville, IL, US
    Full-time +1
    The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors.Medical Lab Scientist openings across our system. Locations available may include : .W...Show moreLast updated: 17 days ago
    • Promoted
    Remote Finance Director - AI Trainer ($50-$60 / hour)

    Remote Finance Director - AI Trainer ($50-$60 / hour)

    Data AnnotationGary, Indiana
    Remote
    Full-time +1
    We are looking for a finance professional to join our team to train AI models.You will measure the progress of these AI chatbots, evaluate their logic, and solve problems to improve the quality of ...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Teddy Jacobi Dean of the College of Business

    Teddy Jacobi Dean of the College of Business

    InsideHigherEdHammond, Indiana, United States
    Full-time
    Teddy Jacobi Dean of the College of Business.With its vision to cultivate leaders, inspire excellence, and impact our world, Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites nominations and applications f...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Principal Scientist (M.D. or D.O.)

    Principal Scientist (M.D. or D.O.)

    ExponentChicago, IL, United States
    Full-time
    Principal Scientist – 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, unpreced...Show moreLast updated: 6 days ago
    • Promoted
    Principal Scientist

    Principal Scientist

    Newly Weds Foods- CorporateChicago, IL, United States
    Full-time
    The Principal Scientist is responsible for performing and leading research, development and problem-solving projects relating to NWF in order to accelerate and enable new product and new process de...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Chief Medical Officer

    Chief Medical Officer

    ChenMedOak Lawn, IL, US
    Full-time
    We’re changing lives every day.For both our patients and our team members.Are you innovative and entrepreneurial minded? Is your work ethic and ambition off the charts? Do you inspire o...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    CT Technologist

    CT Technologist

    Saint Mary of Nazareth HospitalHighland Park, IL, US
    Full-time
    Full Time 11 : 30a-8p, rotating weekends and call 5-7 times per month.Prime St Mary of Nazareth Hospital.The CT Technologist works collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and is responsible ...Show moreLast updated: 1 day ago