Brian Shen

Exponent is an exciting place to be. It is rewarding to work with clients to address critical needs, especially in the battery space. We investigate root causes of failure in consumer electronic devices and also regularly blow up batteries in clients' devices for us to understand and help mitigate risk to a potential consumer.

Exciting Projects for Interesting Clients

I attended the University of Rochester, where my thesis was heavily involved in lithium-ion battery research. I studied high energy-dense battery electrodes as well as impact-resistant battery electrolytes for batteries that can double as body armor or prevent short circuits during high impact collisions in electric vehicle applications.

I did a bit of consulting work in my previous job, although the client was the government. In that role, I helped qualify flight batteries for national defense satellites. The timeline of projects was much longer than what I work on these days.

It was an easy transition for me at Exponent. There's so much variety in my day. Now that my clients are often consumer electronics companies, the product cycles are much faster, and that makes the work even more exciting. We're able to provide insights to our clients on products that might hit the market in as little as a year from now, or help clients make improvements to existing products.

There's variety here that keeps me stimulated and entertained.

Collaboration and Communication is Key 

The battery team often collaborates with other groups, such as the Thermal Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering & Sciences practices. We work together to understand the best approach for a project, identify the nuances of the problem or client request, and communicate our science-backed insights to the client. These collaborations may include understanding how to best assist a client in improving their products, or to drive at a root cause of failure, especially for legal clients. It's very easy to collaborate with people who have expertise outside of my own.

We are unique in that we pull together experts from all different practices to collaborate on some of the biggest challenges. And we must explain our scientific insights in clear language. Consulting is such a people-oriented business and developing communication skills is key to succeeding in this line of work.

Clients Respect Our Scientific Opinions

Clients are very keen to hear our insights on how to improve their products. I do see improvements being made based on our expert opinions, and I have confidence that we are helping make consumer products safer and more sustainable for the world.

Exponent Supports Professional Growth

It's one thing to work on theoretical projects in a graduate research lab, but quite another to see practical, real-world applications — and to be supported by great colleagues and mentors on that journey. At Exponent, you can build off your technical foundation and have stimulating opportunities to discover new things that you truly love to do. And it's even better when great colleagues want to see you succeed.

People are so friendly at this company. Ask anybody for advice, and you'll get it. People look out for each other here.

There are many mentorship opportunities at Exponent. For example, Exponent has a buddy system for new consultants. Someone more senior to you can teach you about navigating the company through regular check-ins and provide support when you need it. No matter how busy people are, they're willing to pause and take time to answer a question. I'm always looking to expand my knowledge. I feel comfortable approaching anyone and talking about my career trajectory, tackling work-life balance, and professional development opportunities.

It's very easy to work here. It's a diverse workplace, where there's not a lot of cliques or politics or pressure. We get along and can easily get together outside the workplace. There are so many employee networking groups within the company, and all are inclusive. Everyone is welcome.