Sustainable Design Engineer Leader, Mission Critical

HKS Inc; Atlanta (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

HKS Inc is seeking a Sustainable Design Engineer Leader to oversee whole-building energy simulations across multiple project types, guiding design decisions with advanced modeling and life cycle analyses. The role emphasizes leadership, mentorship, and ESG alignment across projects.

The position requires an accredited degree in a related field, licensure preferred, and extensive experience in energy modeling and sustainable design practices. Travel to various office locations may be required.

Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field.
• Professional engineering licensure preferred.
• Typically 10+ years of experience.
• Modeling credentials such as ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP), Building Energy Simulation Analyst (BESA), or equivalent preferred.
• Familiarity with design and energy modeling applications such as Rhino, Grasshopper, Radiance, DIVA, REVIT, AutoCAD, Sketchup, IES VE, Sefaira, Insight360, Energy Plus, EnergyPro preferred

Responsibilities

• Oversee the whole-building dynamic thermal and energy building simulation models for various building types and scales.
• Manage energy modeling services proposals and project delivery.
• Lead life cycle cost and life cycle analysis for design alternatives.
• Collaborate with design teams to advance integrative sustainable strategies.
• Produce technical reports and presentation materials for stakeholders.
• Support ESG initiatives and enterprise energy research efforts.

Job description

## Sustainable Design Engineer Leader, Mission CriticalApplylocations: Dallas: Atlanta: Chicago: Raleigh: Denvertime type: Full timeposted on: Posted 3 Days Agojob requisition id: 2026-03678**Overview:**A primary managerial position in whole-building dynamic thermal and energy building simulation models for various building types and scales and shares responsibility for project successes. Recognized ability to impact revenue and growth. Manages the firm’s resources (people, processes and tools) and assignments with proficiency, fluency and aptitude. Teaches and mentors staff and effectively embodies and expresses the firm’s values and mission. Advances enterprise level objectives for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).**Responsibilities:*** Oversees the whole-building dynamic thermal and energy building simulation models for various building types and scales, including advanced mechanical systems evaluations, architectural response to enhancing daylighting, lighting control systems and detailed thermal and moisture response of building façade components* Understands business constraints and opportunities when developing energy modeling related service proposals* Manages the detailed engineering analysis for the purpose of minimizing energy consumption and related greenhouse gas emissions related to a building’s architectural design, construction and operation* Manages the comfort studies, life cycle costs analysis, energy simulation, daylight simulations, solar shading analysis and renewable energy evaluation to provide analysis-based recommendations that inform design and operational decisions made by architects, engineers, contactors and operators* Supports DesignGreen team and Enterprise leadership to expand and further integrate design performance, building energy modeling and building operation modeling for all projects across the firm, including informing design decisions by predicting a building’s performance with respect to energy efficiency, passive and active design strategies, building massing, daylight availability, glare control, shading analysis, thermal comfort, natural ventilation, mechanical systems alternatives, loads analysis, renewable energy systems integration and similar design factors/elements throughout the project’s life cycle* Confidently predicts a building’s anticipated energy use and corresponding energy savings, as compared to a standard baseline by applying whole-building energy simulation and verify performance through industry standard calibration procedures for post-occupancy evaluations* Oversees the Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for design alternatives with a keen understanding of appropriate economic analysis parameters relevant to the project* Leads and/or assists design teams to promote integrative sustainable strategies and leverage complex data sets to support design decisions and research* Leads and/or assists with specialized project and enterprise research activities including but not limited to energy, environmental, carbon and general sustainability issues* Authors professional publications/journals (prime investigator) and identifies areas of opportunity (innovation) to increase energy efficiency by utilizing new or existing technologies, provide creative market transformation ideas, and/or innovative implementation strategies* Advances enterprise level Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts such as the AIA 2030 Commitment and the United Nations Global Compact* Oversees technical reports and presentation materials* May collaborate with HKS Research to lead and manage the development and use of indoor environmental sensors and instrumentation for the purposes of research, diagnostics, and post-occupancy evaluations* Participates in or leads team meetings to discuss project issues, technical issues and coordination with other disciplines* Travel may be required**Qualifications:*** Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field; advanced degree preferred* Professional engineering licensure preferred* Typically 10+ years of experience* Modeling credentials such as ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP), Building Energy Simulation Analyst (BESA), or equivalent preferred* Sustainable design accreditation preferred* Familiarity with design and energy modeling applications such as Rhino, Grasshopper, Radiance, DIVA, REVIT, AutoCAD, Sketchup, IES VE, Sefaira, Insight360, Energy Plus, EnergyPro preferred* Experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup and InDesign graphic software preferred* Proficiency in MS Office Suite preferred* Experience in LEED submission and regulatory compliance energy modeling* Familiarity with computational design and parametric modeling preferred* Familiarity with energy modeling preferred* Knowledge of sustainability and integrated design guidelines* Strong knowledge in interpreting and applying high-performance building standards such as ANSI, ASHRAE, IESNA and ASTM as well as building energy codes such as IECC and T24* Strong knowledge of architectural building systems* Working knowledge of building physics, energy transfer, mechanical design, system control strategies and economics is required* Knowledge of QA/QC and specification process* Knowledge of building codes and ability to research and apply/incorporate into technical documents* Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time* Ability to maintain existing client relationships and build new client relationships* Ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing* Ability to problem solve and apply innovative solutions* Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment* Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality