About the position
TRC's Research and Consulting (R&C) team, within the Advanced Energy practice, is focused on developing and deploying decarbonization and clean energy solutions for our clients - utilities, non-profits, local governments, and state and federal agencies. R&C is a multi-disciplinary research-based consulting team that helps internal and external clients develop and optimize scaled clean energy solutions grounded in technological, economic, policy, market, and customer insights. Our research consulting projects are focused on how advanced energy solutions like energy efficiency, demand management, distributed energy resources, emerging tech, microgrids, storage, and electrification can help drive the clean energy transformation. R&C's Research Engineers conduct research and analysis to help address clients' needs through discrete, funded projects focused on advanced energy solutions. This includes designing, implementing, and communicating insights from building simulation and energy analysis to develop energy codes and decarbonization policy, support emerging technology market adoption, and help clients understand how to use these insights. Senior Research Engineers are mid-level analysts who can design and lead building simulation and energy analysis, with support from more experienced consulting staff. Senior Research Engineers engage in sophisticated research and consulting projects, help build our team's expertise in both technical research and the clean energy industry, and participate in the evolution of our business. No project is the same, and Senior Research Engineers get exposure to lots of different types of work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Senior Research Engineers will work on multiple tasks across multiple teams and are starting to manage tasks and/or small- and medium-sized projects. This position requires the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate with internal technical team members and external customers. Preference is for a candidate located near team hubs in Oakland, CA, or Seattle, WA, but candidates will be considered from across the United States.
Responsibilities
- Lead project teams on delivery of small- to mid-sized projects or multiple smaller projects within a portfolio, managing scope, timeline, and budget.
- Design and perform increasingly complicated building simulation modeling and research with limited oversight from senior team members.
- Provide oversight to more junior staff members for the execution of standard project tasks.
- Manage routine client interactions independently and bring in more senior team members for complex or sensitive client interactions.
- Develop increasing focus and specialization with industry area(s) of expertise in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
- Contribute to development of proposals and other business efforts.
- Support internal trainings and process improvements in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
- Manage time across multiple projects, proactively seeking support when needed to understand/troubleshoot tasks or balance competing priorities.
- Conduct energy analysis, design and conduct advanced building simulation modeling, and develop and implement calculations to estimate savings, carbon emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness, and other benefits of emerging technologies, programs, energy policies, and green building solutions.
- Conduct technical analysis in support of developing policy solutions such as building energy codes, appliance standards, and local building ordinances.
- Instruct and oversee junior team members in building simulation, energy use, and technical analyses.
- Research design and project planning, develop research approaches and project plans that will address clients' needs, in consultation with senior team members.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts from across organization to ensure that projects incorporate industry leading comprehensive, multi-disciplinary solutions.
- Manage the delivery (scope, schedule, and budget) of small research consulting projects, with oversight, and delegate project tasks to team members, as needed.
- Communicate project status and findings to client.
- Compile, clean, and manage quantitative data, conduct descriptive analyses via scripted coding syntax, and instruct and oversee junior team members in basic data management and analyses tasks.
- Communicate research results verbally, via written reports, and graphically, synthesize information across multiple data sources, and translate results of research projects into actionable recommendations for clients.
Requirements
- PhD with 2+ years of experience, or Masters degree with 4+ years experience, or Undergraduate degree with 5+ years experience.
- Applicable degrees include Architectural Engineering, Engineering, or other relevant fields focused on engineering research, building science, and/or energy systems.
- Demonstrated competency and experience in building energy modeling (in years of experience corresponding to degree, as listed above).
- Demonstrated expertise with at least one simulation engine.
- Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of research methods and design.
- Enthusiasm for learning new skills and can-do attitude.
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
- Capable of maintaining a high energy level to handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload.
Nice-to-haves
- Tangible experience in consulting and/or research.
- Excellent writing and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills.
- Familiarity with utilities or the clean energy sector, including one or more of the following: Building science and/or clean transportation, Energy efficiency, demand management, and/or other distributed energy resources, Utility programs and regulation, Clean energy technologies and/or building systems, The clean energy market, Energy codes and/or appliance standards.
- Research experience with methods including one or multiple of the skills below: Data analysis and statistics, Cost-effectiveness analysis methods, Research presentation.
- Proficiency in one or more of the software listed below: EnergyPlus, CBECC, Microsoft Office Suite, Smartsheet, R, PowerBI.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance
- 401k package that includes both traditional and Roth IRA options and Company match
- Paid time off contingent upon full time or part time status and level of seniority (ranging from 15 to 25 days per year)
- All full-time employees enjoy a minimum of 8 Paid Holidays per year
- Paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of their state of residence
