California Based Graduate Intern - Building Energy Modeling and Analysis

National Laboratory of the Rockies; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) invites a California-based graduate intern for building energy modeling and analysis. The role focuses on evaluating rooftop and building energy upgrades, with emphasis on EnergyPlus/OpenStudio modeling, control design, and technoeconomic studies.

Hybrid work in the Los Angeles area is expected, with residence required in California. Ideal candidates are pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD studies in mechanical/electrical/systems engineering, with

Qualifications

• Completed bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical/ electrical/ systems engineering or related field
• Currently enrolled in a master’s or PhD program in these fields
• Must reside in California for duration of internship
• Experience in building sciences and energy systems is required

Responsibilities

• Perform Energy Plus building energy modeling of energy systems and storage
• Design control algorithms and run simulations under various utility rate structures
• Conduct data analytics and technoeconomic analysis
• Collaborate with project team and communicate research ideas and results

Skills

Building energy modeling

Energy systems

HVAC systems

Energy storage

Building controls

Python

MATLAB

Ruby

EnergyPlus

OpenStudio

Modelica

GitHub

Education

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Systems engineering

Master’s or PhD candidate

Tools

EnergyPlus

OpenStudio

Modelica

GitHub

Job description

Los Angeles, CA

Full time

R14264

Posting Title

California Based Graduate Intern - Building Energy Modeling and Analysis

.

Location

Remote

Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

Hours Per Week

40

Working at NLR

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'\'ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) leads research, innovation, and strategic partnerships to deliver integrated solutions for an affordable and secure energy future. This position will be within NLR’s Building Technologies and Science Center at its California location in Los Angeles. Our researchers are working with stakeholders to evaluate innovative electrical upgrades to Rooftop Unit (RTU) technologies that can enhance energy efficiency and reduce energy conversion losses.

This position is looking for a graduate student intern who has a solid engineering background in first-principle, building energy modeling and analysis of building energy systems.

This is a hybrid position based in the Los Angeles, CA metropolitan area. The successful candidate must reside in California for the duration of the internship.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Performing Energy Plus building energy systems, energy storage modeling, analyzing building energy systems and energy storage systems

• Designing control algorithms and conducting simulation studies under various utility rate structures

• Performing data analytics, and technoeconomic analysis

• Working independently and collaborating with the project team members.

Communicating research ideas, contributing towards technical documentation and/or the production of research publications

.

Basic Qualifications

Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.

Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.

Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.

Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.

Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.

*** Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.**

Additional Required Qualifications

• Completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering or related field, or currently enrolled in a master’s or PhD in these fields

• Must reside in California for the duration of the internship

• Demonstrated knowledge or experience in building sciences, building energy systems, HVAC systems, thermal and/or electrochemical energy storage, and building controls

• Experience in energy modeling, energy systems' simulation, and control of building energy systems

• Proficiency in Energy Plus and Open Studio building energy modeling and tools such as Modelica

• Demonstrated experience in programming languages (including Python, MATLAB Ruby), and version control (e.g., GitHub)

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong candidate will have prior research experience with DOE prototypical building models, EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, REopt, HVAC systems and controls and energy storage technologies including thermal and electrchemical

• Demonstrated track record of producing research publications

• Engineer in Training (EIT)

.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $44,500 - $71,200

NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

***** Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations (https://www.nlr.gov/careers/employment-policies)

E-Verify

E -Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here (http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08_01_2013.pdf) for English or here (http://www.justice.gov/crt/file/813271/download) for Spanish.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy.

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.