Project Engineer, HVAC Modeling

Brightcore Energy; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health, dental & vision benefits

401k with company match

EAP - Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Brightcore Energy is seeking a Thermal Modeling Engineer to accelerate modeling of geothermal heating and cooling systems and related data center applications. You will build and refine models, interpret results, and provide actionable recommendations to project teams.

The role involves cross-functional collaboration with engineering, design, and field teams, with emphasis on performance, efficiency, and innovative system configurations.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in thermal modeling.
• Strong grounding in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics.
• Experience with energy/load modeling tools and Excel-based models.

Responsibilities

• Perform geothermal modeling for core projects, including data center applications.
• Develop and enhance advanced thermal models for geothermal systems.
• Model integrated thermal systems combining borefields, dry coolers, chillers, and HVAC tech.
• Support modeling capabilities for data center applications, including high-density environments.
• Collaborate with engineering and project teams to apply insights to designs.
• Expand modeling capabilities to evaluate new technologies and configurations.
• Analyze results to identify opportunities to improve performance and energy efficiency.
• Translate modeling results into clear technical recommendations.
• Write automated scripts to size systems based on priorities.

Skills

Thermal modeling

Heat transfer

Fluid dynamics

Python

AI tools

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

TRNSYS

Modelica

EnergyPlus

eQuest

HAP

AutoCAD

Job description

Brightcore Energy provides end-to-end energy efficiency and clean energy measures to commercial, industrial, and institutional clients. We have the intellectual and financial capital to develop, implement, fund, operate, and maintain clean energy solutions. Our diverse solutions range from lighting, controls, geothermal heating and cooling, and other energy efficiency measures to renewable energy solutions such as solar and battery storage. We are about Building Energy Performance.

Summary/Primary Role:

This role will help Brightcore accelerate its ability to model the advanced thermal performance of geothermal heating and cooling systems, working as part of a team across all of our modeling efforts. That includes ramping up our modeling capability for data center thermal performance, combining geothermal borefields, dry coolers, and chillers into a single, optimized thermal system. The Thermal Modeling Engineer will help expand the range of solutions we can model and offer to customers, across both our core geothermal business and our growing data center product line.

(Management may amend or assign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time)

• Perform geothermal modeling for core business projects, including thermal performance modeling for data center applications that combine geothermal borefields, dry coolers, and chillers.
• Develop and enhance advanced thermal models for geothermal heating and cooling systems, with a focus on system performance, efficiency, and optimization.
• Model integrated thermal systems combining geothermal borefields, dry coolers, chillers, and other HVAC technologies.
• Support the development of thermal modeling capabilities for data center applications, including high-density and mission-critical environments.
• Collaborate with engineering, design, and project teams to apply modeling insights to real-world customer projects and system designs.
• Expand Brightcore’s modeling capabilities to evaluate new technologies, system configurations, and applications across the geothermal and data center markets.
• Analyze modeling results to identify opportunities to improve system performance, energy efficiency, and overall project economics.
• Help establish and improve modeling tools, methodologies, and processes to support scalable and consistent project development.
• Translate complex modeling results into clear technical recommendations for internal teams and customers.
• Build, run, and maintain models in Modelica and TRNSYS.
• Apply other geothermal-specific modeling tools, including EED (Earth Energy Designer) and pygfunction.
• Analyze model results and modify or calibrate models accordingly.
• Write automated scripts to optimally size systems based on different customer priorities or needs.
• Simulate fluid flow for large piping systems.
• Design hydraulic piping to meet flow and pumping power requirements.
• Model different control strategies and evaluate their impact on system performance.
• All other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in thermal modeling.
• Strong grounding in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics; comfort reasoning through equipment performance metrics (COP, EER, approach temperatures, heat transfer rates).
• Working proficiency with energy/load modeling tools (e.g., TRNSYS, Modelica, EnergyPlus, eQuest, HAP, or equivalent) and Excel-based engineering models preferred..
• Working proficiency, or ability to quickly come up to speed, with AutoCAD.
• Ability to carry ambiguous concept work — from first-light feasibility through prototype to product requirement — to a defensible, documented result without heavy supervision.
• Fluent with AI tools.
• Direct experience with EED and/or pygfunction for borefield design and analysis preferred.
• Experience modeling data center cooling systems preferred.
• Basic proficiency in Python, or ability to quickly come up to speed preferred.
• EIT certification or active progress toward PE licensure preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

Expected Hours of Work & Compensation:

An employee is expected to work a minimum of forty (40) hours per week. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable wage and hour laws, while exempt employees may be required to work additional hours as necessary to fulfill their job responsibilities. Overtime requirements will be determined based on the operational needs of the organization. The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining an employee’s base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, and internal equity). Brightcore also offers a comprehensive set of benefits to complement the base salary. The base annual salary range for this position is $100,000-$130,000 and is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus.

Travel Requirements:

• Office presence required at least three (3) days per week, unless otherwise agreed upon with final approval by direct supervisor.
• Office setting.

Physical Demands:

• This is not a safety sensitive position.

Drug & Alcohol-Free Workplace:

BrightcoreEnergyiscommittedtoasafeworkplacefreeofdrugsandalcohol.AllBrightcoreEnergypositionsrequireapre-employmentbackgroundcheckthatincludesprioremploymentverifications,acriminalhistorycheck,andapre-employmentdrugscreen.

InaccordancewithDOTregulations(49CFR§40.25),BrightcoreEnergyisrequiredtoobtainpriordrugandalcoholtestingrecordsforapplicants/employeesintendingtoperformsafety-sensitivedutiesforcoveredDepartmentofTransportationpositions.Ifanapplicant/employeerefusestoprovidewrittenconsentforBrightcoreEnergytoobtaintheserecords,theindividualwillnotbepermittedtoperformsafety-sensitivefunctions.

Office/Remote/Field Work:

Weofferavarietyofstructuredworkarrangements,includingremote,hybrid,andfield-basedassignments,alignedwithorganizationalneedsandrole-specificrequirements.Workarrangementsarerole-dependent,withguidelinesestablishedbasedonpositionrequirementsandbusinessneeds.ThispolicyissubjecttochangeatBrightcore'sdiscretion.

Brightcore offers a full slate of medical, dental, and vision benefits including options to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA).

401kPlan:

BrightcorecurrentlyoffersbothtraditionalandRoth401kplanswithadollar-for-dollarmatchofupto3%ofcontributionsand$0.50onthenext2%foratotalpotentialmatchof4%annually.

OtherBenefits&Perks:

• PTO
• FinancialWellnessBenefits
• BenefitConciergeProgramthroughHealthAdvocate
• EAP-EmployeeAssistanceProgram
• Disability,Life,&AD&DBenefits
• AccesstoMarketplaceforDiscountedGoods&Services

BrightcoreEnergyiscommittedtobringingtogetherindividualsfromdifferentbackgroundsandperspectives.

BrightcoreEnergyisanEqualOpportunityEmployer,providingequalemploymentandadvancementopportunitiestoallindividuals.Werecruit,hireandpromoteintoalljoblevelsthemostqualifiedapplicantswithoutregardtorace,color,creed,nationalorigin,religion,sex(includingpregnancy),parentalstatus,age,disability,geneticinformation,citizenshipstatus,veteranstatus,genderidentityorexpression,transgenderstatus,sexualorientation,marital,familyorpartnershipstatus,politicalaffiliationoractivities,militaryservice,domesticviolencevictimstatus,sexualorreproductivehealthdecisions,caregiverstatus,traitshistoricallyassociatedwithrace,includingbutnotlimitedtohairtextureandprotectivehairstylesoranyotherstatusprotectedunderapplicablefederal,stateandlocallaws.BrightcoreEnergyiscommittedtoprovidingequalemploymentopportunitiestoallaspectsofemployment,includingjobassignmentandcompensation.

WerespectthelawsenforcedbytheEEOCandarededicatedtogoingaboveandbeyondinfosteringdiversityacrossourcompany.

This job description provides a general overview of the expectations and basic duties of the job and is not a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. Brightcore Energy will assign additional duties and tasks that it deems necessary to meet the requirements of the position. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

We invite applicants to share their demographic background to better understand our current talent pool.

How would you describe your gender identity? (mark all that apply) Select...

How would you describe your racial/ethnic background? (mark all that apply) Select...

How would you describe your sexual orientation? (mark all that apply) Select...

Do you identify as transgender? (select one) Select...

Do you have a disability or chronic condition (physical, visual, auditory, cognitive, mental, emotional, or other) that substantially limits one or more of your major life activities, including mobility, communication (seeing, hearing, speaking), and learning? (select one) Select...

Are you a veteran or active member of the United States Armed Forces? (select one) Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Brightcore Energy’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.