Senior Specialist, Building Science and Analysis

Institute for Market Transformation; United States; Remote; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off

IRA matching

Professional development

Job summary

The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) seeks a Senior Specialist, Building Science & Analysis to lead building energy performance research and policy-support activities. You will translate technical work into practical recommendations for governments, owners, and advocates, guiding retrofit cost analyses and code‑related decisions.

You will apply expertise in energy modeling, standards engagement, and data analysis within a remote, full‑time capacity, reporting to the Associate Director,

Qualifications

• Academic degree in building science, engineering, architecture, energy systems, economics, data analytics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of cumulative relevant work experience with depth in building science, energy codes, or related work.
• Experience translating technical requirements into practical policy or program guidance.
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills with ability to synthesize complex information.

Responsibilities

• Lead quantitative and qualitative analyses of building energy performance using various data sources.
• Develop methodologies for setting building performance targets and energy savings goals.
• Assess retrofit costs, energy savings, lifecycle considerations, and implementation constraints.
• Identify high-leverage intervention points and develop technical content for policy engagement.
• Provide technical guidance to IMT staff and partners and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Support engagement with standards bodies and utility programs for policy alignment.

Tools

EnergyPlus

eQuest

IES

Job description

Full-Time Senior Specialist, Building Science and Analysis

• Cause Areas: Economic Development, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Policy

Description

Status: Full Time Exempt, Salaried

Working Conditions: Full-Time Remote, 35hrs/wk, Occasional Domestic Travel, Technical Setup Provided (Laptop, Monitor, Accessories)

Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Paid Time Off, Matching IRA Contributions, Professional Development Assistance

Reports to: Associate Director, Building Decarbonization

Team: Policy Engagement

Position Description

The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to equitably decarbonize buildings in this decade to improve the livability of our communities. Our partnerships with local communities, government leaders, and businesses provide unique insights into how to make this vision a reality.

The Senior Specialist, Building Science & Analysis will serve as a technical lead on building science, building energy performance, and analytical methods that support IMT’s policy, utility, and market-facing work. The Senior Specialist will lead research and analysis on building performance, retrofit strategies, energy and cost impacts, and technical feasibility, translating complex technical information into practical recommendations for governments, building owners, advocates, and other partners. The Senior Specialist will provide technical depth across IMT’s existing building performance policy programs, including performance target setting, technical policy and program design, evaluation of retrofit costs and technologies, review and development of proposed model energy code requirements, utility incentive program design, and engagement with engineering and analytical partners.

This position is housed within the Policy Engagement Team and will report to the Associate Director of Building Decarbonization.

Responsibilities

Building Performance Technical Analysis (60% of LOE)

In support of IMT’s building performance work, this position will:

• Lead quantitative and qualitative analysis of building energy performance using benchmarking, utility, building characteristics, audit, cost, modeling, and other relevant data.
• Develop, evaluate, and refine methodologies for setting building performance and energy savings targets, including approaches that account for building type, climate, existing performance, technical feasibility, available technologies, first costs, energy cost savings, and co-benefits.
• Collect, organize, and synthesize retrofit cost and performance data and assess tradeoffs among upfront costs, energy savings, operating costs, lifecycle considerations, and practical implementation constraints.
• Analyze building retrofit strategies to identify technically viable pathways for improving performance of commercial, multifamily, and institutional buildings.
• Interpret and critically review energy audits, energy models, engineering analyses, capital planning studies, cost estimates, and related technical work produced by consultants and partners; identify key assumptions, limitations, and implications for policy or program design.
• Develop repeatable analytical approaches, tools, and quality-assurance processes that allow IMT and its partners to apply building performance analysis more consistently across projects and geographies.
• Provide technical assistance and internal consultation to IMT staff and partners, translating complex technical information into practical recommendations and implementable policy and program decisions.
• Identify and prioritize high-leverage intervention points with potential for broad reach and impact, and develop the technical case and content for IMT engagement.

Codes, Standards, and Utility Analysis (20% of LOE)

• Develop technical content for Building Performance Standards (BPS), benchmarking requirements, and other existing-building policies and programs, including performance metrics, target-setting approaches, alternative compliance options, technical feasibility considerations, and implementation guidance.
• Provide technical analysis on building energy code development and adoption, including review of proposed model code provisions, and development of technical guidance for governments, advocates, and other partners.
• Support IMT’s engagement with select IECC, ASHRAE, and ISO standards and guidelines for energy performance of new and existing buildings, through meeting attendance, text drafting and review, public comment responses, and engagement with partners.
• Conduct targeted analysis of utility programs, incentives, data systems, and planning in support of energy code compliance, BPS implementation, grid interactivity, and broader market adoption of high‑performing buildings.
• Analyze interactions among existing‑building performance requirements, building energy codes and standards, incentives, financing, and utility programs to identify opportunities for stronger alignment and more effective implementation.

Technical Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination (20% of LOE)

Working across teams and projects, this position will:

• Support the management and coordination of engineering, analytical, and other technical consultants and partners, including defining scopes of work, reviewing methods and deliverables, and ensuring technical work is responsive to project objectives.
• Engage technical stakeholders, including code officials, engineers, utilities, regulators, governments, building owners, advocates, and standards bodies, to test recommendations and strengthen practical implementation.
• In partnership with the supervisor and other IMT staff, represent IMT in committees, working groups, conferences, workshops, and other external forums, and contribute thought leadership.
• Support development of new projects and funding opportunities by helping define technical scopes, deliverables, and partner roles.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Academic degree in building science, engineering, architecture, energy systems, economics, data analytics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of cumulative relevant work experience, with demonstrated depth in building science and engineering, building energy codes and standards development, or closely related building performance work.
• Demonstrated experience in working with energy code language, either in drafting energy code amendments and appendices, or in interpreting energy code requirements for building design and construction.
• Demonstrated experience with translating building science, operational, and market considerations into clear technical requirements and practical implementation approaches.
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills, with demonstrated ability to synthesize complex technical and regulatory information and communicate actionable conclusions to government, practitioner, advocate, or industry audiences.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative analysis of building, energy, cost, and program data.

Preferred:

• Experience with building performance policy design or implementation
• Demonstrated experience in building energy modeling and simulation (e.g., EnergyPlus, eQuest, IES, or similar tools) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with statistical analysis using Python, R, Stata, or other equivalent tools.
• Industry certifications relevant to building energy performance or engineering (e.g., CEM, PE, BEAP, LEED AP, or similar) preferred.

These competencies are identified by IMT leadership, and should be demonstrated by all employees. The following are our six organization-wide competencies and examples of how they manifest for this role.

• Demonstrates adaptability: Able to anticipate change, draw conclusions, make strong recommendations, and adapt to changing needs and conditions. Demonstrates ability to bring innovative solutions and work efficiently in a fast paced, rapidly developing environment.
• Builds Collaborative Relationships: Builds relationships based on trust and respect. Includes people with diverse knowledge, skills, and experiences to achieve results. Encourages others and promotes the team.
• Engages others externally and internally through clear communication: Understands audience and tailors communication so that it is clear and relevant. Demonstrates ability to synthesize the key takeaways from projects and work and tailors to different audiences.
• Develops strong professional leadership presence: Strong IMT representative through interpersonal skills, presence, gravitas, and networks. Thought leader in area(s) of expertise.
• Strives for excellence in execution: Seeks ways to improve personal and organizational effectiveness. Applies project and budget management best practices. Provides a superior level of customer service.
• Centers diversity, equity, and inclusion in role and approach: Prioritizes an environment where different lived experiences and backgrounds are valued. Fully participates in equity trainings and learning. Sets or supports IMT’s social equity strategies and goals through operations, project development, and interactions with IMT stakeholders.

This is a full-time remote position. Occasional domestic travel to in-person meetings and conferences will be required. The salary range for this position is $100,000-$115,000, commensurate with experience. IMT offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance and disability coverage. IMT also offers generous paid time‑off.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visas (e.g., H-1B, TN, etc.) now or in the future for this position.

About the Institute for Market Transformation

The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) is a trusted, non-partisan nonprofit organization that works to ensure that everyone in the U.S. benefits from high-performing buildings in all facets of their lives. IMT bridges the intersection of business, government, and community priorities to spotlight business practices and advance public policy to improve U.S. buildings. We do this by co-creating and deploying public policy and business practices that drive widespread market action toward improving how we collectively build, design, and operate the spaces where people live, work, learn, connect, and play. To learn more about our work, visit www.imt.org/about

Headquartered in downtown Washington, DC, we provide a vibrant, collaborative, and flexible workplace that brings together diverse expertise. IMT is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across our organization. We empower our staff to constantly learn while achieving big goals, and have fun along the way.

IMT is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.