Building Systems Research Engineer-Scientist (Thermal Systems)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

1d

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy.

Requirements

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering with 3-4 years of relevant experience.
• Experience leading tasks and small to medium size projects.
• Experience with conducting Field Testing and Research in residential/commercial buildings.
• Experience with HVAC and Water Heater systems and technologies.

Responsibilities

• The position requires solid analytical and strong communication skills (including writing, editorial, and training skills), and the ability to both lead and work in teams with federal agencies, states, regional energy efficiency organizations, trade groups, utilities, and other program providers.
• The position will also involve communication with leading scientists, engineers and managers at DOE and its national laboratories, with consultants and academics, at utility and market transformation organizations, with manufacturers and trade organizations, and with all facets of the supply chain and market, including consumers.
• The position requires solid analytical skills, knowledge and experience related to the analysis and communication of building science and technology concepts, products, and techniques that are focused on building systems and technologies:
• Experience with lab or field validation of HVAC and water heating systems servicing the residential/commercial sectors including energy efficiency technologies.
• Ability to understand new concepts and processes quickly, be comfortable taking many steps towards a goal independently, and also finds joy from working with others.
• Building technologies and systems associated with operations, energy efficiency, understanding technology strengths, structures, barriers, code limitations, supply chain opportunities, and demographics.
• Ability to support the development and execution of field research plans to test and measure building systems performance, analyze research results, assist with publishing and communication of conclusions and results.
• Ability to learn communication, interaction, and collaboration with a range of stakeholders including manufacturers, supply chain businesses, trade groups, utilities, buyers’ groups, energy efficiency orgs, and consumers.
• Occasionally travel to attend conferences and present results of work in a variety of forums, support relevant education in public forums and webinars, in meetings with DOE and other national laboratories, in PNNL internal meetings, or conferences, and in stakeholder meetings.

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree