Joe Palazzolo Joins Exponent's Vehicle Engineering Practice

New senior manager expands capabilities in automotive propulsion and drivetrain systems.

We are pleased to announce that Joe Palazzolo has joined the firm as a new senior manager in the Vehicle Engineering practice. Mr. Palazzolo brings more than 30 years of experience in vehicle propulsion and power distribution systems development, electric and hybrid vehicle engineering, and engineering leadership. He has helped develop and refine all-wheel-drive systems, electric vehicle systems, internal-combustion propulsion systems, hybrid systems, power transfer units, and torque-management devices.

Mr. Palazzolo has worked with major automotive component manufacturers to strategize and manage their transition to electric drive systems, leading teams and developing programs to help them meet emerging automotive trends and to develop cutting-edge technology. He has also worked directly with and advised automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), tier suppliers, off-highway OEMs, and construction equipment manufacturers. Mr. Palazzolo has assisted with intellectual property (IP) validity and infringement cases for law firms.

Exponent's Vehicle Engineering practice drives vehicle engineering into the future, conducting rigorous research on the safety and performance of every type of transport — whether powered by an internal combustion engine, electricity, hydrogen, or the next cutting-edge technologies. For more than 50 years, our multidisciplinary teams have helped the biggest names in the automotive industry develop safer, better-performing, more sustainable vehicles through failure analysis, as well as design review and development consulting.

"I'm excited to join Exponent and for the opportunity to explore a wide variety of challenges in the vehicle landscape. I look forward to being able to share my diverse experience in vehicle propulsion and power distribution systems and help our clients develop the next generation of transportation solutions." 

— Joe Palazzolo, Senior Manager, Vehicle Engineering

Exponent's Vehicle Engineering services include:

• Support for product evaluations 
• Component and vehicle testing and development 
• End-use consultation and evaluations and analysis of component and system failures
• Accident investigations, data collection, and reconstruction analyses
• Support for manufacturers facing issues of litigation or product recall

"We are very excited to have Joe join our team to help usher in the next phase of vehicle development," said Exponent Vehicle Engineering Principal James Williamson. "He brings a wealth of experience in vehicle powertrain and power transfer technology and will help our clients develop and fine-tune their driveline systems, whether they be electric, hybrid, or internal combustion."

Mr. Palazzolo is a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Fellow (Class of 2013), a current SAE Master Instructor for drivetrain and all-wheel drive systems, and an author of award-winning books on axles with CarTech. He is the lead editor for the AWD Design Manual and has authored multiple chapters for the Automotive Engineering Encyclopedia with J.W. Wiley & Sons. He was the recipient of the SAE McFarland Award in professional development and has been an ASE Certified Master Technician & Undercar Specialist. He is a certified Engineer in Training through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

Connect with Joe Palazzolo.