Posting TitleCommercial Buildings Research Engineer – Building Science and Energy Modeling

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypeRegular

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELThe 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.

Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the world’s energy future through cutting-edge research and innovation. From our vision to our NREL community, we are unique in the research community. We are focused on impact. From our work in basic sciences to systems engineering, analysis, demonstration, and deployment, we are focused on solving market-relevant problems that result in advanced, secure, reliable, and affordable energy systems. We are trusted clean energy leaders, developing cost-saving solutions that make U.S. industries more competitive, and support job creation and economic growth across rural and urban communities.

At NREL, we offer a unique, mission-driven work environment with cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary research teams. NREL's environment offers strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories, as well as professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package for employees.

Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.

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.

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Basic QualificationsRelevant Master's Degree . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2 or more years of experience . General knowledge and application of engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques. Training in team, task or project leadership responsibilities. Intermediate abilities and knowledge of practices and techniques. Beginning experience in project management. Good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required QualificationsStrong understanding of building science principles, theories, and concepts, including thermodynamics and heat transferIndustry or practical experience with modeling, design, commissioning, and operation of commercial building HVAC systems,Must have Industry or practical experience modeling, commercial building energy modeling, urban-scale modeling and model development experience. Exposure to modeling such as EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, and URBANoptStrong technical writing skillsGeneral knowledge and application of engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniquesTraining in team, task or project leadership responsibilitiesBeginning experience in project managementGood interpersonal and communication skillsInterest and ability to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team environment  

Preferred QualificationsFamiliarity with all-electric, high performance building and district HVAC systemsIndustry 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.

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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 II / Annual Salary Range: $74,900 - $123,600

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 SummaryBenefits 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

Badging RequirementNREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

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.

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Equal Opportunity 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.

Reasonable Accommodations

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