Senior Staff Consultant (Safety & Risk Assessment)

Engineering Systems, Inc. (ESI)
life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Aurora
Jun 03, 2026
About ESi Engineering Systems Inc. (ESi) is an engineering and scientific investigation and failure analysis firm. We are frequently retained by law firms, insurance companies, and manufacturers to answer complex technical questions on projects ranging from small, focused investigations to large-scale, high-profile losses. Our work spans a wide range of challenges, including major transportation accidents, equipment and product failures, personal injury claims, and damage to residential, commercial, and industrial structures. The variety, complexity, and real-world impact of our projects create deeply fulfilling and intellectually engaging careers for our consultants. At ESi, you'll have the opportunity to shape your own path while being supported by a collaborative culture, national expertise, and industry-leading resources. Why ESi ESi's Safety team conducts multidisciplinary analyses to investigate incidents, determine root causes, and support litigation, while proactively identifying hazards and assessing risk. The team evaluates human factors and safety across products and environments, ensuring compliance with applicable standards in a collaborative, growth-focused setting. Key Responsibilities Evaluates root causes in equipment, consumer products, and recreational accidents, including issues regarding human factors, risk reduction, warnings and instructions, and engineering controls. Identifies and reviews existing media (e.g., photographs, video, witness statements, depositions, police and accident reports) to develop preliminary conclusions and plan further investigation. Conducts inspections of accident scenes and of involved or exemplar machines, safety equipment, consumer products, and other items as needed. Locates, assesses pertinence of, and applies consensus safety standards, scientific literature, existing test data, and governmental regulations. Designs and conducts testing and/or develops models to obtain and evaluate product performance or human factors data. As part of a team, conducts risk assessments or job safety analyses for a variety of products and industrial machines. Prepares written reports and verbal presentations of findings in clear, concise, and easy-to-understand terms. Provides legal testimony in a variety of venues, including courtroom settings. Manages client projects including collaboration with and delegation of tasks to other engineers and support staff. Works with Business Development to identify potential clients and strategies to build client base. Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications Education / Certifications / Licenses Required Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field required; Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred. Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Certified Safety Professional (C.S.P.) preferred. Experience Required 3-10 years of experience in engineering and/or safety, including consumer product evaluations, risk assessment, or product design reviews (and/or equivalent academic experience). Experience working in product testing or design evaluations, forensic engineering, teaching, and/or in-depth knowledge of human factors or risk assessment methodology. Track record authoring high-quality technical reports and/or peer-reviewed publications. Experience providing expert testimony desirable; preferred experience in the consulting industry. Other Technical & Non-Technical Skills Full competency in Office productivity software; advanced skills in technical computing environments and statistical software. Ability to interact with clients in a professional manner and develop business both internally and externally. Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing. Must be available to travel occasionally as part of the national practice. What We Can Offer You We believe great work happens when people feel supported, challenged, and trusted. Some of the benefits we offer include: Medical, Dental & Vision Life Insurance/Voluntary Life Insurance/Universal Life Insurance 401k with employer match Pet Insurance Competitive salary with merit-based or annual bonus programs Flexible Time Off (FTO) - encouraged to take 20 days of paid time off/year 10 paid holidays (9 standard holidays and 1 floating holiday) Work/Life Balance in a collaborative working environment Wellness Reimbursement Career Growth & Continuing education opportunities The pay range listed reflects a good-faith estimate of the compensation we expect to offer most candidates for this role. Total compensation includes a competitive base salary and bonus opportunity, with final pay determined by job-related factors such as experience, qualifications, individual performance, and overall company performance. After internal discussions and market research, the current pay band for this opportunity is $110,000 to $140,000. Physical Demands: This role requires frequently sitting or standing for extended periods of time and occasionally lifting and/or moving items weighing up to 50 pounds, with infrequent lifting up to 75 pounds. The work regularly requires bending, twisting, kneeling, crouching, and maintaining balance. This position frequently requires handling and operating specialized tools and equipment and working in a variety of physical positions, including occasionally accessing tight or confined spaces. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Work Environment: Work is performed in both office and field environments, including active construction sites, industrial settings, and damaged or compromised structures. The work environment may include exposure to varying noise levels, weather conditions, uneven terrain, and site-specific hazards. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required depending on site conditions. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. To all recruitment agencies: ESi does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of ESi without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of ESi. Please, no phone calls or emails. ESi is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining the most qualified individuals based on merit, experience, and skills. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. In accordance with applicable laws, ESi actively supports the employment of veterans and individuals with disabilities.