Exponent Associate Interview Questions
& Process

I had three interview rounds, two video calls with a senior and a managing scientist, then an onsite interview. The onsite was poorly organized, with the schedule changing last minute and the meeting location set during a snowstorm, making travel difficult. Most meetings were still virtual. The location was also confusing, not the office I applied to or where the team usually works. Even my host and another scientist had to travel. The HR interview was weird; I was asked technical questions about my research and to repeat application details, even though they said they had all the info. It felt like an HR interview but was very technical.

The interview process begins with a 30-minute video call with one or two team members from the biomechanics group, not the hiring manager. This chat is to check if you and Exponent are a mutual fit. Next, there's another 30-minute video conference with a hiring manager to dive deeper into your background, experience, and interests. The final stage is an in-person interview at the Exponent office, which includes about six one-on-one meetings with different team members focusing on various behavioral or technical skills. You'll also give a 45-minute technical presentation during this day. After the onsite, the hiring manager might ask for transcripts and check your references. A decision should be made within a few weeks.

The interview/hiring process was probably the longest I have ever experienced. A few phone interviews were followed by a formal interview on site. As requested, I was prepared to give a one hour technical presentation to a committee of interviewers. To my dismay, on the day of the interview I was never asked to present. Perhaps some people would be relieved, but I had spent considerable time preparing, so I thought that was a little rude. I spent about 30-45 minutes with four separate interviewers ranging from mid to senior level. They treated me to a nice social lunch following the individual discussions. The group I met was very pleasant and I am sure I would have enjoyed working with them. I never toured the offices or laboratory areas. The following week the recruiter told me an offer was being prepared. The offer was presented approximately a week or so later. By then, I already had two other offers in hand from other firms, one of which I had already visited a second time. Ultimately, the Exponent offer was the highest in salary of the three, but vaguest in terms of my exact assignments.