Exponent Inc. is a multidisciplinary engineering and scientific consulting firm that has operated for more than five decades since its founding as Failure Analysis Associates in 1967. The company brings together 950+ consultants across over 90 technical disciplines to investigate accidents, analyze failures, and solve complex technical challenges for clients spanning automotive, aviation, chemical, construction, consumer products, and environmental sectors. With a global presence and state-of-the-art testing facilities, Exponent applies rigorous analytical methods to questions where technical precision determines outcomes - from product safety assessments to forensic investigations of catastrophic failures.
The firm's approach centers on data-driven analysis combining engineering expertise with scientific investigation. Teams include engineers, scientists, physicians, and business experts who work collaboratively on problems requiring deep technical knowledge across discipline boundaries. When systems fail, products malfunction, or environmental incidents occur, Exponent's consultants reconstruct events, test hypotheses in controlled conditions, and deliver findings that inform litigation, regulatory compliance, and safer product development. The work sits at the intersection of technical truth and high-stakes consequences - where understanding material properties, failure modes, and environmental factors translates directly to legal outcomes, safety standards, and operational decisions.
Under CEO Catherine Ford Corrigan's leadership, Exponent positions itself as a consulting firm where technical professionals tackle real-world problems that demand both specialized expertise and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The company's structure enables consultants to engage with complex investigations requiring expertise in materials science, structural analysis, chemical engineering, biomechanics, environmental science, and related fields. For professionals interested in applying technical skills to consequential problems - whether that involves analyzing crash dynamics, investigating industrial accidents, or assessing emerging product risks - Exponent offers exposure to work where technical accuracy carries significant weight.