Research Engineer IV

TRC Companies, Inc. • Oakland, CA

38d • $95,014 - $100,235

About The Position

TRC's Research and Consulting (R&C) team, within the Advanced Energy practice, is focused on developing and deploying decarbonization and clean energy solutions for our clients - utilities, non-profits, local governments, and state and federal agencies. R&C is a multi-disciplinary research-based consulting team that helps internal and external clients develop and optimize scaled clean energy solutions grounded in technological, economic, policy, market, and customer insights. Our research consulting projects are focused on how advanced energy solutions like energy efficiency, demand management, distributed energy resources, emerging tech, microgrids, storage, and electrification can help drive the clean energy transformation. R&C's Research Engineers help address clients' needs through discrete, funded projects focused on advanced energy solutions. This includes designing, implementing, and communicating insights from a wide range of research and analysis approaches, drawing upon industry subject matter expertise, and often empowering clients to implement these insights. Lead Research Engineers are analysts a few years into their careers who work side by side with more experienced consulting staff to learn about the clean energy industry, learn new analytic skills, engage in complex research projects, and participate in the evolution of our business. No project is the same, and Lead Research Engineers get exposure to lots of different types of work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Lead Research Engineers will work on multiple tasks across multiple teams, including managing tasks and/or small projects. This position requires the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate with internal technical team members and external customers. Primary Work Areas: Building Codes and Standards Technical Market Research

Requirements

• PhD with 1+ year of experience, Masters degree with 3+ year of experience, or Undergraduate degree with 4+ year experience
• Applicable degrees include Architectural Engineering, Engineering, or other relevant fields focused on building or technology design, research, or policy.
• Demonstrated competency and experience in building science, energy codes and standards, distributed energy resources, and/or applied technical research (in years of experience corresponding to degree, as listed above)
• Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of research methods and design.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and can-do attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Capable of maintaining a high energy level to handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload.
• Knowledge of existing building energy codes, including applications and limitations
• Demonstrated attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Practical experience in any of the following:
• Energy codes and/or appliance standards
• Building energy code development, advocacy, consulting, and/or research.
• Building engineering or energy system design, especially those related to electrification such as heat pumps
• Building energy audits and/or measure development
• Retrocommissioning or energy system management
• Familiarity with utilities or the clean energy sector, such as:
• Building science and/or clean transportation
• Energy efficiency, demand management, and/or other distributed energy resources
• Utility programs and regulation
• Research experience with methods including one or multiple of the skills below:
• Cost-effectiveness analysis methods
• Literature review
• Research presentation
• Surveys or in-depth interviews
• Data analysis and statistics
• Other structured research methods
• Proficiency in one or more of the following software:
• Microsoft Office Suite
• EnergyPlus, CBECC, Modelkit, or other building energy modeling
• R or Python

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute standard research, data collection, and analysis project tasks in coordination with senior team members, with minimal oversight.
• Perform increasingly complicated research, data collection, and analysis project tasks with limited oversight from senior team members.
• Provide oversight to more junior staff members for the execution of standard project tasks.
• Perform assigned work within budget allocated and scheduled needs for deliverables of project.
• Manage time across multiple projects, proactively seeking support when needed to understand/troubleshoot tasks or balance competing priorities.
• Policy development and advancement
• Develop building energy code cost-effectiveness reports, including literature review, measure development, cost data collection, engaging with the building energy simulation data, financial analysis, and report writing
• Interview subject matter experts and seeking stakeholder feedback from various sources
• Support the drafting of building energy codes and local energy code ordinances
• Develop presentations and engagement tools related to adoption of building energy codes
• Primary research
• Identify and recruit organizations and individuals to include in research studies through online searches, data mining, cold calls and/or utilizing networks and client lists
• Support the design and implementation of surveys alongside customer research expert team members
• Stay informed about technical research methods and the clean energy industry through technical reading and participation in local and national professional organizations
• Research synthesis and communication
• Communicate research results verbally, via written reports, and graphically
• Synthesize information across multiple data sources
• Translate results of research projects into actionable recommendations for clients
• Energy analysis
• Compile, clean, and manage quantitative data
• Analyze technology and building energy use from building simulation data or field projects using established measurement & verification methodologies
• Develop and implement calculations to estimate savings, carbon emissions reductions, and cost-effectiveness
• Project management
• Manage the delivery (scope, schedule, and budget) of small research consulting projects, with oversight
• Delegate project tasks to team members, as needed
• Communicate project status and findings to client, with oversight

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• 401k package that includes both traditional and Roth IRA options and Company match.
• Paid time off contingent upon full time or part time status and level of seniority (ranging from 15 to 25 days per year).
• All full-time employees enjoy a minimum of 8 Paid Holidays per year.
• TRC ensures that all employees, including those that work part-time, receive paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of their state of residence.
• These benefits are applicable to US employees depending on their employment status (full time, part time, or temporary). TRC offers jurisdiction specific benefit packages for International and Puerto Rico employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Administrative and Support Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree