Director, Forensic Mechanical Engineering

HKA is seeking a forensic mechanical engineering expert witness to consult and testify on complex engineering and technical disputes across the United States. The Director will lead forensic investigations and client engagements, develop and defend expert opinions, and work with attorneys and clients throughout litigation, arbitration, and trial.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a mechanical engineering expert witness in litigation, arbitration, and other dispute proceedings
• Lead forensic investigations involving mechanical equipment and systems, failures, defects, performance issues, and other disputed technical matters
• Conduct site investigations and analyze physical evidence, engineering documents, testing, operating data, maintenance records, and other evidence to determine causation and responsibility
• Develop independent expert opinions and prepare clear, defensible expert reports, rebuttals, and exhibits
• Provide and defend expert testimony in depositions, arbitration, and trial, including under cross-examination
• Work directly with attorneys, clients, and other experts on technical case issues and opposing expert opinions
• Evaluate mechanical design, equipment specification, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance where relevant to an investigation
• Provide expertise involving rotating machinery and mechanical equipment, including turbines, compressors, pumps, motors/drives, fans, blowers, and related systems
• Build client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of HKA’s forensic mechanical engineering practice

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience, including experience with rotating equipment and the design, specification, testing, commissioning, operation, or maintenance of mechanical systems
• Experience across power, oil and gas, chemical/process, manufacturing, water/wastewater, or other industrial facilities
• Experience in forensic engineering and litigation consulting, including technical investigations and development of independent expert opinions
• Expert witness experience, including live testimony in at least one court trial within the past four years. Deposition testimony, expert reports, trial preparation, or designation as an expert without trial testimony do not satisfy this requirement
• Experience working directly with attorneys and clients on complex litigation and dispute matters
• Experience developing client relationships and contributing to business development