Building Systems Research Engineer

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•UNAVAILABLE, UNAVAILABLE

About The Position

The Building Systems Research Engineer will join PNNL’s Buildings Systems Group in the Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division. The group conducts applied research to improve the energy and water efficiency, occupant productivity, and resilient operation of buildings and their connected energy and water systems. Its capabilities include building performance evaluation, building control system optimization, measurement, validation and demonstration of building technologies, and site-level energy and water resilience assessment and planning. The position focuses on analyzing and communicating building science and technology concepts, products, and techniques, particularly those related to building systems and energy efficiency in residential and commercial settings. The work includes understanding building technology performance, structures, barriers, supply-chain opportunities, and how consumers, manufacturers, utilities, and product supply chains interact with and value energy-efficient performance. The engineer will develop and execute field research plans, measure building-system performance, analyze results, and communicate findings. The role also includes installing and operating building science sensors and measurement equipment and collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders and research partners. The position involves occasional travel to conferences and forums to present results, and may require travel to conduct field or laboratory research in commercial and residential buildings. PNNL offers health insurance and flexible work schedules, alongside the benefits described in the posting.

Requirements

BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience, or an MS/MA, or a PhD.
Relevant experience includes a degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Architectural Engineering with relevant experience in building sciences.
Demonstrated experience in test planning and performance, data acquisition, sensor selection and installation, data analysis, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and/or communication; or demonstrated experience with building science, building construction, and building energy-savings technologies and construction techniques.
Solid analytical skills and strong communication skills, including writing, editorial, and training skills.
Ability to work in teams with federal agencies, states, regional energy-efficiency organizations, trade groups, utilities, and other program providers.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Architectural Engineering or a related field.
Experience in the construction industry.
Demonstrated experience building residential buildings, working with contractors, and addressing and solving residential building construction issues and challenges.

Responsibilities

Analyze and communicate building science and technology concepts, products, and techniques related to building systems and technologies.
Assess building systems and energy-efficiency technologies serving residential and commercial sectors.
Evaluate building technologies and systems, including their operations, strengths, structures, barriers, and supply-chain opportunities.
Consider how consumers, manufacturers, utilities, and product supply chains interact with and value energy-efficient performance.
Develop and execute field research plans to test and measure building-system performance.
Analyze research results and publish and communicate conclusions and findings.
Select, install, and operate building science sensors and measurement equipment.
Collaborate and communicate with stakeholders including manufacturers, supply-chain businesses, trade groups, utilities, buyers’ groups, energy-efficiency organizations, policymakers, and consumers.
Work with federal agencies, states, regional energy-efficiency organizations, trade groups, utilities, program providers, national laboratory scientists and managers, consultants, academics, manufacturers, and other organizations.
Occasionally travel to conferences and forums to present work, and travel as needed to conduct building-related field or laboratory research.