Building Operations & Controls Engineer 2

Summary

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a research institution focused on science, technology, and solutions for national energy and environmental challenges. The Building Operations and Controls Engineer 2 will improve building energy and water efficiency and resilience through building controls research, systems integration, data analysis, technology demonstrations, and HVAC optimization. The role also leads technical projects and products, supports proposals, presents findings, and mentors junior staff and students.

Responsibilities

• Project Managers and/or Task leads for performing assigned roles, following applicable project and field procedures, and performance of assigned tasks on time and within budget
• The Buildings Systems Group Leader and Team Leader for staff development, performance evaluation, and operational discipline (e.g., safe operations)
• The individual will provide guidance on assignments to more junior staff and develop technical approaches to solve building controls and HVAC-related research challenges
• Leads development of technical products, such as technical reports and journal articles, and presents at national conferences and technical forums
• Defines and leads projects/tasks, reporting results on time and on budget
• Provides leadership to proposals for new work
• Teams with staff across the group and division to share resources and optimize approaches
• Mentors junior staff and/or students

Skills

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD
• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Science, Architectural Engineering, or a related field
• Experience analyzing building- or campus-scale energy and water systems to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for energy and water efficiency improvements (e.g., ASHRAE Level II)
• Experience using whole-building energy modeling and simulation tools (e.g., eQUEST, EnergyPlus)
• Experience analyzing building automation system (BAS) or building control system data to evaluate HVAC system performance and identify operational improvement opportunities
• Experience supporting experimental research, technology demonstrations, or pilot projects
• Experience using programming or scripting languages (e.g., Python, R) for data analysis, automation, or visualization
• Experience supporting research or engineering projects at Department of Defense (DoD) installations or other federal facilities
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary and geographically distributed teams
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly through written reports, presentations, and interactions with project sponsors and stakeholders. A technical writing sample will be requested during the interview process
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and commitment to continuous learning in building energy systems, energy efficiency, and resilience
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% to support field work, technology demonstrations, sponsor engagements, and other project-related activities

Qualifications

Must Haves

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

Nice to Haves

• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Science, Architectural Engineering, or a related field
• Experience analyzing building- or campus-scale energy and water systems to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for energy and water efficiency improvements (e.g., ASHRAE Level II)
• Experience using whole-building energy modeling and simulation tools (e.g., eQUEST, EnergyPlus)
• Experience analyzing building automation system (BAS) or building control system data to evaluate HVAC system performance and identify operational improvement opportunities
• Experience supporting experimental research, technology demonstrations, or pilot projects
• Experience using programming or scripting languages (e.g., Python, R) for data analysis, automation, or visualization
• Experience supporting research or engineering projects at Department of Defense (DoD) installations or other federal facilities
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary and geographically distributed teams
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly through written reports, presentations, and interactions with project sponsors and stakeholders. A technical writing sample will be requested during the interview process
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and commitment to continuous learning in building energy systems, energy efficiency, and resilience
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% to support field work, technology demonstrations, sponsor engagements, and other project-related activities

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Flexible work schedules
• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Robust telehealth care options
• Several mental health benefits
• Free wellness coaching
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending accounts
• Basic life insurance
• Disability insurance*
• Employee assistance program
• Business travel insurance
• Tuition assistance
• Relocation
• Backup childcare
• Legal benefits
• Supplemental parental bonding leave
• Surrogacy and adoption assistance
• Fertility support
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan*
• May enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year
• May receive ten paid holidays per year
• * Research Associates excluded.
• **All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.