Sustainable Design Professional I

HKS Architects Ltd; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

HKS Architects Ltd is seeking a Sustainable Design Professional I in Seattle to focus on energy modeling and optimization of architectural designs to align with sustainability goals. The role involves detailed engineering analysis and collaborating with project teams to enhance green design initiatives, providing a path for recent graduates to engage in impactful work.

Qualifications

• 0-1 years of experience or internships in relevant field.
• Sustainable design accreditation (e.g., LEED GA) preferred.
• Familiarity with design and energy modeling applications is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Prepares dynamic thermal and energy simulation models for various building types.
• Performs energy simulation, daylight simulations, and renewable energy evaluations.
• Supports the DesignGreen team to enhance sustainability strategies.

Skills

Research

Communication

Problem Solving

Team Collaboration

Education

Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field

Tools

Rhino

Grasshopper

Revit

AutoCAD

Sketchup

IES VE

Energy Plus

Job description

Sustainable Design Professional I page is loaded

Sustainable Design Professional I

Apply locations Seattle time type Full time posted on Posted 2 Days Ago job requisition id 2025-02784

Overview:

This role will have a focus on building energy modeling on assisting building owners and design teams with optimizing their architectural, mechanical, and electrical designs to maximize a building's energy performance through building energy modeling in alignment with the 2030 Commitment. Additionally, support project teams using a wide range of developing architectural and engineering professional skills. Performs basic design and technical tasks requiring application of standard techniques and knowledge of sustainability while working under general supervision. Eager to learn, highly organized and willing to contribute creatively to the team.

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
• Collaborates with design teams to promote integrative sustainable strategies and leverage complex data sets to support design decisions and research
• Assists with specialized project and enterprise research activities including but not limited to energy, environmental, carbon and general sustainability issues
• 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
• 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

Qualifications:

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field
• 0-1 years of experience
• Sustainable design accreditation (e.g., LEED GA) preferred
• Familiarity with design and energy modeling applications such as Rhino, Grasshopper, Radiance, DIVA, REVIT, AutoCAD, Sketchup, IES VE, Sefaira, Energy Plus, EnergyPro preferred
• Experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup and InDesign graphic software preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite preferred
• Familiarity with energy modeling preferred
• Knowledge of sustainability and integrated design guidelines
• Familiarity 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
• Familiarity of architectural building systems
• Working knowledge of building physics, energy transfer
• Ability to research and apply/incorporate into technical documents
• 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 work and collaborate in a team environment
• Ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality
• Travel will be required

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.

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

Make Your Search Easier!

We recommend selecting the location and/or country before selecting a job title when performing a search.

Not Seeing the Job You Want?

Click on the link to drop your contact information and resume here so that your data becomes searchable for new positions!

About Us

HKS 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.

HKS, Inc. provides reasonable accommodation in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with HKS, Inc. and need assistance applying for a posted position due to your disability, you may email us. Please use " Accommodation Request" as the subject line of your e-mail.