Building Systems Science Development Engineer/Scientist
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Buildings Systems Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is seeking a Building Systems Science Research & Development Scientist/Engineer to advance energy efficiency and building performance research.
You will work with software developers, building scientists, engineers, researchers, and project managers to deliver robust, maintainable software solutions and data tools that support DOE programs and national energy goals.
Qualifications
- BS/BA with 5+ years of relevant work experience, or MS/MA with 3+ years, or PhD with 1+ year
- Graduate degree in mechanical engineering, buildings sciences, electrical engineering, or related field
- Experience developing software applications or analytical tools for building energy efficiency, building performance, utilities, or energy programs
- Experience with whole-building modeling tools (e.g. eQUEST, Energy Plus) to identify retrofit opportunities
- Experience developing REST APIs, data services, relational databases, or cloud-based applications
- Experience with building energy data standards and formats such as BuildingSync, HPXML, or related schemas
- Experience with automated testing, CI/CD, and modern software engineering practices
Responsibilities
- Develop technical solutions that support building energy analysis and energy efficiency programs
- Lead development of technical products such as reports and journal articles
- Mentor junior staff and guide assignments
- Translate engineering requirements into robust software tools and interfaces
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Integrated Discovery Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
TheEnergy and Environment Directoratedeliversscience and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
TheElectricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy.
The Buildings Systems Group is seeking aBuilding Systems Science Research & Development Scientist/Engineer to join our team of building systems experts working to advance buildings science, help make buildings more energy and water efficient, test and demonstrate new technologies, and facilitate the adoption of energy/water efficient systems in federal and commercial facilities. This position offers a unique opportunity to provide technical leadership and support to DOE’s Home Energy Rebates Program by developing the national program database and Application Programming Interface (API), creating process workflows and user interface recommendations, and documenting tools that states, territories, and Tribes to implement the Home Energy Performance-Based, Whole-House Rebates program and the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program.
The candidate will contribute to the development, implementation, and advancement of software tools and data solutions supporting building energy efficiency and building performance research.
This position operates at the intersection of building science, data engineering and energy program implementation. The successful candidate will work as part of multidisciplinary teams of software developers, building scientists, engineers, researchers, and project managers to develop technical solutions that support building energy analysis, energy efficiency programs, and research initiatives.
The ideal candidate will bring strong understanding of building systems and energy performance along with systems development experience and will be able to translate engineering methodologies, technical requirements, and program needs into robust and maintainable solutions.
The candidate we are looking for is an individual who has a recognized reputation of applying building science and engineering principles and theories to proposing new research and solving buildings operations and controls challenges. The individual will provide guidance on assignments to more junior staff and develop technical approaches to solve building research challenges. The individual will lead the 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.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
- MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
- PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in mechanical engineering, buildings sciences, electrical engineering, or related field.
- Experience developing software applications or analytical tools for building energy efficiency, building performance, utilities, or energy programs.
- Practical experience analyzing building- or campus-scale energy and water systems, including design, commissioning, operations and maintenance, or auditing (e.g. ASHRAE level 2).
- Experience using whole-building modeling tools (e.g. eQUEST, Energy Plus) to identify retrofit opportunities.
- Analysis of building control system data to optimize HVAC performance and use of diagnostic and prognostic methods to enable more timely and proactive operation and maintenance of building systems.
- Experience with miscellaneous electric loads and consumer electronics power management, measurement and estimation, and power conversion.
- Experience with building energy data standards and formats such as BuildingSync, HPXML, or related schemas.
- Experience developing REST APIs, data services, relational databases, or cloud-based applications.
- Experience with automated testing, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and modern software engineering practices.
None
Not applicable.
“Referral Eligible”
This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.
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, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
USD $112,500.00/Yr.
USD $168,600.00/Yr.
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