Commercial Buildings Research Engineer - Building Science and Energy Modeling

Golden, CO, United States

Posting Title

Commercial Buildings Research Engineer - Building Science and Energy Modeling

Location

CO - Golden

Position Type

Regular

Hours Per Week

40

Working at NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you'll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you'll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL's critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

The Communities and Urban Sciences Research Group in the Building Technologies and Science Center at NREL conducts leading research on the integration of systems for optimized energy consumption, generation, and storage in the built environment at multiple scales. Our research focuses on efficiency, decarbonization, resiliency, affordability of energy systems, and equitable deployment across the United States and the world.

Communities and Urban Sciences Research Group at NREL is hiring a Building Science Researcher who will work on district energy system modeling, commercial building energy modeling, and urban-scale modeling and model development. The successful applicant will be responsible for research-level energy analyses, with a focus on district thermal energy modeling and whole building research relevant to the commercial buildings sector. Work will consist primarily of using EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, and URBANopt to develop and analyze building energy models from individual buildings to campus/district scales. Work will include using as-built drawings, trend data, and other information to build and calibrate models of existing buildings. The successful applicant will work collaboratively to identify planning, design and operational strategies that allow buildings to operate as efficient, grid-integrated resources, and will work with industry to advance the next generation of highly efficient commercial buildings and districts.

The role requires a candidate who has knowledge of building science, building and community energy systems, buildings industry, utility programs, and government entities. The successful applicant will be expected to publish relevant research outcomes in peer-reviewed scientific journals and must be comfortable working across interdisciplinary teams to develop integrated solutions that address complex challenges and unique opportunities in buildings, districts and communities. There is the opportunity to engage with external stakeholders and demonstrate expertise in strategies for achieving energy efficient and decarbonized buildings.

The Communities and Urban Science Research Group is excited to welcome our new team members. We are committed to fostering a creative, curiosity-driven, diverse, inclusive workplace, and to supporting and mentoring research staff as they progress from task execution to principal investigator and beyond.

Basic Qualifications

Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Strong understanding of building science principles, theories, and concepts, including thermodynamics and heat transfer

Industry or practical experience with modeling, design, commissioning, and operation of commercial building HVAC systems

Exposure to modeling such as EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, and URBANopt

Strong technical writing skills

General knowledge and application of engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques

Training in team, task or project leadership responsibilities

Beginning experience in project management

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Interest and ability to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team environment

This position requires an in person hybrid work arrangement and is not open to individuals wishing to work remotely.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with all-electric, high performance building and district HVAC systems

Industry experience with building retrofits for electrification

Experience with building energy modeling such as EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, and URBANopt or other NREL modeling work product like ComStock and ResStock.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300

NREL takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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