Building Performance Intern (Summer 2027)

dbHMS • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The DataBased+ Studio team in our Chicago office is seeking a Building Performance Intern. This role will support the engineering of systems for a variety of projects creating designs for all kinds of spaces. Our dynamic work environment provides the perfect opportunity to advance your career while developing and fine-tuning your skills along with offering a supportive office culture, diverse workforce, flexible work schedules, and regular social events. At dbHMS, you will find everything you need for an exciting, challenging, and rewarding career. dbHMS is committed to a diverse workforce and to providing a safe, accessible workplace. Most duties will be performed in an office environment. dbHMS currently operates with both hybrid and remote-only work policies. The remainder of the duties will be performed in a combination of office environment and construction/field environment which will involve occasional trips to projects sites. The Building Performance Intern will support Building Performance Analysts and Specialists in the modeling of building performance by using a wide range of tools to analyze a variety of building performance and human-centered outcomes while employing sound scientific principles. In the DataBased+ studio within dbHMS, Building Performance Analysts ask and answer questions that lead to design decisions that improve indoor air quality and thermal comfort, minimize cost, and maximize resource efficiency of buildings, campuses, neighborhoods, or regions. Every new building, major renovation, or community planning project at DataBased+ has a Building Performance Analyst and Building Performance Specialist as part of the design team which forms the backbone of our approach to delivering the best built environment for our clients. Analysts have the ability to innovate and work with clients and design teams, both internal and external, to identify, implement, and document high performance building strategies that deliver best in class system performance.

Requirements

• Enrolled in 4-year Engineering program or be a graduate from a 4-Year Engineering Program with less than one year of experience (Mechanical, Electrical, and Architectural Engineering preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in one of the following building performance analysis software: Open Studio/Energy Plus, Grasshopper plug-in and associated programs, DesignBuilder, TRNSYS, TRACE 3-D, 700, IES.
• REVIT, BIM360, or similar building information modeling software.

Responsibilities

• Analyzing building performance data and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Applying concepts of passive and active engineered systems to make recommendations about building components and design elements.
• Communicating effectively in spoken, written, and visual presentation across disciplines.
• Using industry standard and state of the art software tools to analyze the resource use of engineered building systems and their components at all scales from the system level up through and including the regional grid level, and accurately predict their impact on human health and environmental sustainability.
• Reading and understanding construction documents, floor plans, specifications, and details.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern