Forensic Mechanical Engineer - Fort Lauderdale, FL

About the role

Rimkus (www.rimkus.com) is a worldwide leader in Engineering and Technical Consulting. Our experts specialize in multi-disciplinary forensic engineering and consulting. We provide answers to our clients' most complex questions during dispute resolution processes such as insurance investigations, mediations, arbitrations, and as expert witnesses.

Responsibilities

• Investigates and evaluates injury, equipment, and property damage claims caused by alleged issues with products, automobiles, heavy equipment, machines, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, and other mechanical systems.
• Provides oral and written reports of findings, technical guidance to clients, and expert testimony.
• 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.
• Performs mechanical engineering calculations and 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 mechanical 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.
• Supports fire and explosion investigations involving mechanical systems, products, and equipment.
• Provides clients with the results of their investigations in both oral and written report format. Signs and seals their written reports after it has been internally technically reviewed.
• Works as both a seller and a doer of our consulting services. Develops long-term relationships with our insurance and attorney clientele.

Requirements

• B.S. Mechanical Engineering degree or closely related engineering discipline
• Florida P.E. required or ability to obtain a Florida P.E. by comity within 3 months of hire
• 2-10+ years of 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
• Vehicle Accident Reconstruction experience desired

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work independently and manage investigative assignments and clients with minimal supervision in a commercially minded manner
• High level of analytical skill with continual attention to detail and ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of a variety of computer software applications including but not limited to, Microsoft Office Applications
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret 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
• Professional integrity and ability to participate in the adversarial legal process

Physical Demands, Overtime, And Travel Requirements

• Physical Demands - Work is performed both in an office setting and at outside locations (i.e. incident sites). Frequent standing, walking, sitting, climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, talking, hearing, driving a motor vehicle to incident sites. Lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds. Must be sharp, focused, and alert when conducting inspections, speaking and interacting with clients, preparing written reports of findings, and testifying in deposition or trial. Clear vision and depth perception are also necessary.
• Overtime - Salaried with an exempt FLSA status. Defined regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with one hour for lunch. Occasional odd working hours may be required in order to complete technical investigations.
• Travel Requirements - Up to 25% travel overnight out of area travel as most inspections are completed locally.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Work From Home