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Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and/or similar fields ... Our contracts with the United States Government for this position require proof of U.S. citizenship ...

Mechanical Engineer (Ph.D.)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and/or similar fields ... Our contracts with the United States Government for this position require proof of U.S. citizenship ...

My name is Mahalakshmi, and I'm reaching out from Intellectt Inc. regarding an exciting contract opportunity for an Exterior Mechanism Engineer based in Irvine, CA, onsite at one of our prestigious ...

Posted today

This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of ... Take responsibility for construction contract administration requiring field inspections and ...

This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of ... Take responsibility for construction contract administration requiring field inspections and ...

Sr Mechanical Engineer - Federal Experience

Orange, CA · On-site

$111K - $147K/yr

S. citizenship due to federal contract/security requirements Preferred Requirements * Professional Engineer (PE) * 1 0+ years of experience in mechanical design of HVAC and Plumbing systems

New

Sr Mechanical Engineer - Federal Experience

Orange, CA · On-site +1

$111K - $147K/yr

S. citizenship due to federal contract/security requirements Preferred Requirements * Professional Engineer (PE) * 1 0+ years of experience in mechanical design of HVAC and Plumbing systems

New

Showing results 21-40

Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$47.5K

$107.3K

$173.7K

How much do contract forensic mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract forensic mechanical engineer in Riverside, CA is $107,329.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $132,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some of the typical challenges faced by a contract forensic mechanical engineer when working on multiple cases simultaneously?

As a Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer, managing several cases at once can be challenging due to varying deadlines, the need for meticulous documentation, and the complexity of each investigation. Balancing site visits, report writing, and collaboration with legal teams or insurance companies requires strong organizational and time management skills. Additionally, adapting to different client expectations and ensuring objectivity in your analysis are critical for maintaining credibility and delivering thorough, unbiased findings.

What is a contract forensic mechanical engineer?

A Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer is a professional who is hired on a temporary or project basis to investigate mechanical failures, accidents, or disputes. They apply engineering principles to determine the causes of malfunctions in machinery, vehicles, or building systems, often providing expert analysis for legal cases or insurance claims. Their work may involve site inspections, failure analysis, preparing technical reports, and sometimes testifying as expert witnesses in court. Contract roles allow companies to access specialized expertise as needed for specific cases or projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract forensic mechanical engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, failure analysis, and a degree in mechanical engineering (often with a Professional Engineer license). Familiarity with CAD software, finite element analysis (FEA) tools, and technical report writing is typically required, along with knowledge of relevant industry standards. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you investigate incidents thoroughly and present findings clearly to clients or in legal settings. These competencies are critical for accurately determining causes of mechanical failures and providing credible expert opinions in litigation or insurance cases.

What is the difference between Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer vs Contract Mechanical Engineer?

AspectContract Forensic Mechanical EngineerContract Mechanical Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, forensic certification (if applicable)Engineering degree, relevant mechanical engineering certifications
Work EnvironmentLegal cases, accident investigations, forensic labsDesign, manufacturing, or maintenance settings
Industry UsageLegal, insurance, forensic consultingManufacturing, construction, product design

The Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer specializes in investigating mechanical failures and accidents for legal or insurance purposes, often working in forensic labs or legal settings. In contrast, the Contract Mechanical Engineer focuses on designing, developing, or maintaining mechanical systems in industrial or manufacturing environments. While both roles require mechanical engineering credentials, the forensic engineer emphasizes investigative skills and legal knowledge, whereas the general mechanical engineer concentrates on engineering design and implementation.

What job categories do people searching Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Contract Forensic Mechanical Engineer job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,329 per year, or $51.6 per hour.

Mechanical Engineer (Ph.D.)

Exponent Inc.

Irvine, CA

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

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 

We are currently seeking a Mechanical Engineer for our Mechanical Engineering Practice in Irvine, CA. In this role, you will be expected to grow in the key aspects of consulting, including technical expertise and effective spoken and written communications, to develop a consulting practice serving clients both within and outside the firm.


  • Communicating effectively with other engineers, managers, clients, and administrative reports
  • Conducting hands-on failure analysis
  • Planning and executing laboratory tests
  • Performing calculations and analysis
  • Creating written reports and presentations
  • Performing field inspections

  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and/or similar fields with an emphasis on fluid mechanics and/or heat transfer
  • Specialized knowledge/experience in building mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, piping, etc.) preferred but not required
  • Working knowledge of experimental methods for measuring air flow, temperature and humidity
  • Demonstrated experience in other areas of mechanical engineering and ability to come up to speed quickly in new subject areas
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills
  • Excellent project ownership characteristics
  • Ability to work within project teams with strong desire to contribute, have potential for technical and project managerial leadership, as well as desire to seek new client relationships to grow a client base
  • Must be able to convey complex technical information to individuals in engineering, business, legal, and related industries
  • Must be willing to travel, sometimes on short notice and for longer periods of time
  • Our contracts with the United States Government for this position require proof of U.S. citizenship 

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 1 page].


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

Attracting, inspiring, developing, and rewarding exceptional people with diverse backgrounds and expertise are central to our corporate culture. Our diverse team 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. 


At Exponent, we have found that 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 all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi-disciplinary 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. #LI-Onsite


Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Associate and Senior Associate level, total compensation includes base salary, bi-weekly bonuses for high-intensity efforts, annual bonus and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

The base salary range for this position is dependent on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process.


USD $140,000.00 - USD $160,000.00 /Yr.

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

 
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. 


US-CA-Irvine