Building Performance Intern (Summer 2027)

dbHMS; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

dbHMS’s DataBased+ Studio in Chicago is seeking a Building Performance Intern for Summer 2027 to support engineers in modeling building performance across projects. The role will help develop designs for various spaces, improving indoor air quality, cost efficiency, and resource use.

The internship targets undergraduates or recent graduates. You will work in a hybrid environment with opportunities to engage with project teams and clients, gaining hands-on exposure to performance analysis tools

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a 4-year engineering program or recent graduate with <1 year of experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs.
• Ability to read and interpret construction documents and plans.

Responsibilities

• Analyze building performance data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Apply passive and active engineered system concepts to design elements.
• Communicate effectively across disciplines (spoken, written, visual).
• Use industry-standard software to analyze building systems and predict impact on health and sustainability.
• Read and understand construction documents, floor plans, specifications.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Time management

Education

4-year engineering program

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position:Building Performance Intern (Summer 2027)

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Id:1365

# of Openings:0

Building Performance Intern (Summer 2027)

Firm Overview

Do more than just build! At dbHMS, we are a collection of doers and thinkers. We combine our passion for engineering with our client’s vision to realize successful construction projects in our community and worldwide. Together with our clients, we are dedicated to leaving a legacy of stewardship and innovation through our impact on the built environment. Our staff of talented individuals and unique characters are united in their dedication to deliver high-performance, efficient, and sustainable buildings worldwide.

Our 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 kind 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 project sites.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, and frequently is required to walk. The work typically requires the use of hands to type, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand and perform work in the field. The typical week consists of five, eight-hour shifts.

The position is temporary, having a start and end date in the offer. Upon completion of the internship, the position may be reevaluated for continued employment, or for rehire at a later date.

Position Overview

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.

Essential Job Functions

• 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.

Please note that this position is open to undergraduates and recent graduates. Those pursuing advanced degrees should apply for the Building Performance Fellowship.

Requirements

• Minimum Education: 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.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Personal Qualities, Other Skills/Abilities

• Takes pride in one’s work and cares about the outcomes,
• Self-motivated,
• Desire to love what you do,
• Ability to give and receive feedback in a positive manner,
• Passionate about performing analysis to optimize buildings and building systems and improve the built environment,
• Ability to communicate novel or complex concepts and related facts in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner in any format (e.g. written, oral, presentation),
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, maturity, credibility, confidence, and integrity,
• Strong critical and innovative thinking skills,
• Strong time-management skills and experience managing multiple priorities at once.