Sustainable Design Engineer - Mission Critical

HKS Inc; Texas; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HKS INC is seeking an experienced energy modeling specialist to advance high-performance building design. You will develop whole-building simulations, analyze energy performance, and advise on architectural systems and daylighting strategies.

Collaboration with design teams will drive energy-efficient outcomes across projects. The role emphasizes standardized modeling practices, post-occupancy evaluation, and support for ESG initiatives within the firm.

Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field.
• Professional licensure in engineering preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create whole-building dynamic energy simulations for diverse projects.
• Perform energy analyses to minimize energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Conduct daylighting, shading, and comfort analyses to inform design decisions.
• Support ESG initiatives and enterprise energy modeling standards.
• Prepare technical reports and presentation materials.

Skills

Energy modeling

Building performance analysis

Communication

Project coordination

Sustainable design knowledge

Education

Professional degree in Architecture/Engineering/Sustainable Design

Professional engineering licensure preferred

Tools

Rhino

Grasshopper

Radiance

DIVA

REVIT

AutoCAD

SketchUp

IES VE

Sefaira

EnergyPlus

EnergyPro

Job description

Overview

Exercises independent judgment in evaluation, selection and use of standard techniques for engineering analysis and models and solves problems when encountered. Possesses and applies a broad knowledge of sustainable high-performance building design principles, practices and procedures to complete assignments with originality and ingenuity. Anticipates job expectations and contributes to sustainable project and design solutions.

Responsibilities

• Prepares 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
• Performs 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
• Performs 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
• Provides 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
• Reviews professional publications/journals 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
• Creates content and facilitates enterprise wide internal training, education and knowledge sharing regarding building sciences fundamentals and energy analysis software applications
• Collaborates with 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
• Advances enterprise level Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts such as the AIA 2030 Commitment and the United Nations Global Compact
• Produces technical reports and presentation materials
• Participates in 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
• Professional engineering licensure preferred
• Typically 3+ 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 work on multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality

Company Culture

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran

HKS, Inc. provides reasonable accommodation in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities. Please use "Accommodation Request" as the subject line of your e-mail.

For more information on what the Equal Employment Opportunity law encompasses, please click on the following links: EEO is the Law and Supplement. The following link is the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination policy statement.

HKS, Inc. is a global firm of architects, designers, planners and advisors who create places noted for their beauty and performance. Our 1,600 people in 29 offices are united by the belief that an environmental, social and governance approach to design achieves design excellence. In 2023, we became a carbon neutral firm.

We value honesty, diversity and inclusion and we celebrate creative thinking. In partnership with our clients and collaborators, we craft powerful ideas and solutions. Together we create places that stand apart.