Energy Engineer

Metro Water Recovery; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro Water Recovery in Denver seeks an innovative Energy Engineer to shape the future of energy within a leading wastewater utility. You will develop and oversee energy assets, evaluate RNG, wastewater energy, and sustainability initiatives to support reliability, resilience, and cost optimization.

Collaborating across engineering, operations, finance, and regulatory affairs, you will lead pilots, track energy metrics, pursue grants, and communicate progress to the Board and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, economics, or energy management-related field required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee Metro’s comprehensive strategic energy program including energy optimization and emissions reduction.
• Monitor and report energy demand and supply metrics organization-wide; collaborate to implement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and resource optimization; run pilots and implement improvements based on results.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to build internal support for energy usage and sustainability opportunities.
• Track environmental attributes and certifications; pursue grants and funding for renewable energy and efficiency.
• Communicate progress and challenges of the energy program to Metro’s Board and stakeholders; coordinate with utilities.

Skills

Project management

Energy optimization

GHG management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic partnerships

Regulatory liaison

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, economics, or energy management-related field

Job description

Why It's a Great Opportunity

We are seeking an innovative and motivated engineer to help shape the future of energy at one of the nation's leading wastewater utilities. This position offers the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of projects involving renewable natural gas (RNG), wastewater thermal energy, renewable energy development, energy optimization, greenhouse gas reduction, and resource recovery.

As Metro continues expanding its enterprise energy program, you will play an important role in evaluating, developing, implementing, and optimizing energy-related infrastructure and initiatives that support the organization's strategic priorities. You'll work alongside other Metro departments, utilities, and industry partners to solve complex challenges and advance innovative solutions.

This is a unique opportunity to help build an emerging energy program rather than simply maintain an existing one. Your work will directly influence how Metro generates, recovers, manages, and commercializes energy while improving operational efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing resiliency, and creating long‑term value for the organization and its ratepayers.

Why It's a Great Department

The Energy Engineer is part of Metro's Technology & Innovation Department (TID), a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving Metro's operations through innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. TID works across the organization to identify practical solutions, evaluate emerging technologies, and support strategic initiatives that create long‑term value for Metro and the communities it serves.

Our department has built a culture centered on technical excellence, curiosity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning. Team members are encouraged to explore new ideas, work across disciplines, and take ownership of meaningful projects while receiving support for professional growth and development.

Because TID partners with nearly every department across Metro, this role provides broad exposure to organization operations, engineering, planning, finance, and executive leadership. It is an excellent opportunity for engineers who enjoy solving complex problems, working with diverse teams, and helping shape the future of a nationally recognized wastewater utility.

How to Be Successful in the Role

You will thrive in this role if you:

• Enjoy solving complex engineering and energy‑related challenges using sound technical judgment and data‑driven analysis.
• Can balance detailed technical work with project management and implementation.
• Are comfortable managing multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic, evolving environment.
• Communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Work collaboratively across departments to build consensus and advance shared objectives.
• Enjoy learning about emerging energy technologies and identifying opportunities to improve utility operations.
• Can work independently while recognizing when stakeholder engagement and collaboration are needed.
• Have strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Enjoy building relationships with utilities, consultants, regulators, technology providers, and other external partners.
• Are motivated by continuous learning and contributing to innovative solutions that benefit Metro and the communities we serve.

General Statement

Responsible for developing and overseeing energy assets and programs related to Metro’s operations. Develops, leads, or supports other departments who are leading the implementation of strategic energy initiatives and projects supporting the management of energy portfolio supply, reliability and resilience, costs, energy demand optimization, environmental sustainability, public health, and resource recovery. Collaborate and align with other departments to realize Metro’s vision and mission and strategic focuses on sustainability, greenhouse gas monitoring and reduction, resource optimization, and engagement and outreach. Act as the subject matter expert on energy issues and may lead projects and teams as needed. May supervise the work of TID staff as needed. This position reports to the Senior Energy Program Manager.

1. Responsible for the development, execution, and maintenance of Metro’s comprehensive strategic energy program. Prioritize energy optimization, carbon emissions reduction, energy recovery, cost optimization, and maintain or enhance energy supply reliability and resilience.
2. Monitor, analyze, visualize, report, and communicate energy demand and supply metrics for the organization. Collaborate organization‑wide to identify and help implement energy management initiatives, projects, and programs that contribute to a reduction in energy usage, environmental footprint, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while aligning with Metro’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
3. Monitor the cost‑effectiveness of thermal, biogas, and other energy assets. Identify various avenues and strategies for improved operation and the development of better sustainable practices.
4. Identify opportunities and provide recommendations for operational energy cost savings and resource optimization. May run pilots or tests to determine feasibility and effectiveness and make recommendations to implement improvements based on the results of those pilots and tests.
5. Collaborate with other departments, including but not limited to engineering, environmental services, operations and maintenance, strategic communications, to build internal support for strategic energy usage and sustainability opportunities. Guide and lead teams to a successful evaluation and implementation of selected initiatives.
6. Collaborate with the Environmental Services Regulatory Affairs Division to monitor and report greenhouse gas inventory, identifying opportunities for emissions reductions and decarbonization.
7. Collaborate with external partners, such as energy providers, regulatory bodies, current and future customers, and other stakeholders to identify, develop, and facilitate new technology and partnership opportunities in the field of energy sourcing and sustainability and strengthen community relationships and alternative revenue sources.
8. Track and manage environmental attributes and associated certifications on behalf of Metro.
9. Identify and secure grants and funding opportunities that align with sustainability and resource optimization goals by advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and zero‑/low‑emission vehicles. Monitor and review electric charging station reports.
10. Effectively communicate challenges, opportunities, progress, and successes of the energy program to Metro’s Board and internal and external stakeholders.
11. Serve as a key contact for energy utilities. Coordinate issues as appropriate between parties and responsible Metro departments regarding electric and gas meters, billing, accuracy, and other coordination items.
12. Support Metro’s Accounting, Budget, and Purchasing divisions in financial analysis, procurement cycles, and negotiations.
13. Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices regarding energy innovation, contributing to Metro’s continuous improvement and supporting Metro’s strategic focus on sustainability.
14. Performs other duties as needed.

Knowledge of

• Water and wastewater treatment systems as relevant to energy management
• Commercial and industrial energy infrastructure and equipment, including energy technologies associated with wastewater treatment such as cogeneration and biogas upgrading technologies
• Energy management best practices including utility‑level electricity demand and production monitoring
• Emerging sustainable energy technologies
• Environmental attributes, renewable energy certificates, and associated regional and international markets
• Thermal energy management

Skilled at

• Project management and program management
• Energy accounting and energy efficiency analysis
• Greenhouse gas management
• Managing disagreements, de‑escalating conflict and negotiating win‑win solutions

Ability to

• Direct, persuade and motivate others.
• Enhance the strategic direction for energy and sustainability by setting goals that align with the organization’s strategic direction, building internal and external support, prioritizing initiatives, and implementing standards and metrics to support decision‑making.
• Evaluate financial viability by identifying funding sources, performing lifecycle analysis, and offsetting investment with revenue‑generating initiatives.
• Collaborate effectively with other Metro departments and teams.
• Establish strategic partnerships by identifying opportunities for collaboration on energy projects (e.g., utilities, energy services companies, joint ventures, public‑private partnerships).
• Effectively support and engage in outreach efforts with the community, industry, regulators, and advocacy organizations
• Obtain either a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Colorado, or a Certified Energy Manager by the Association of Energy Engineers.

Education

Must possess a bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, economics, or energy management‑related field from an accredited college or university. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Typical Work Environment

Working on a variety of floor surfaces including tile, carpet, sidewalks; work in parking lots; uneven surfaces; slippery surfaces; wet surfaces; lighting conditions including natural light, fluorescent, head lamps, incandescent, and overhead lighting; inside environment; outside environment; vibration due to vehicle driving.

Body Position Demands

Reaching in front; standing; walking; balancing; object handling; typing; simple hand grasping; driving a vehicle; sitting; climbing stairs; stooping; kneeling; crouching; fine hand coordination; firm hand grasping.

Physical Demands

Max weight lifted: 40 lbs. Max weight carried: 20 lbs. Max force pushed: 3 lbs. Max force pulled: 3 lbs.

Sensory Requirements

Wide field of view; perception—spatial; olfactory (smelling); vision—near, far, depth perception; color discrimination; perception—form; feeling without seeing; speaking; hearing.