Sr Building Performance Engineer

HGA•San Francisco, CA

44d

About The Position

Help Shape the Future of Sustainable Building Performance at HGA as a Senior Building Performance Engineer on the West Coast! HGA, an award-winning architectural, engineering, and planning firm , is seeking a talented and ambitious Senior Building Performance Engineer to help lead and grow HGA’s Building Performance presence on the West Coast . If you are passionate about optimizing energy performance and ensuring sustainable, high-performing systems, this is the role for you. It is expected this role will focus on the energy performance of buildings throughout the design and post-construction phases. You will be integral in commissioning and optimizing HVAC systems , air and water distribution systems , building automation systems , electrical systems , plumbing systems , and other related equipment to ensure optimal performance across diverse, impactful projects. What You’ll Do: Lead the commissioning and optimization of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and automation systems Collaborate closely with architects , engineers , and construction teams to ensure designs meet energy efficiency and sustainability goals Conduct energy modeling , building assessments, and performance audits to recommend improvements Provide technical expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability to enhance building operations and reduce environmental impact Develop commissioning plans, oversee testing and functional performance, and document results Support and mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of learning and innovation within the team In this role you will: develop opportunities for future work, including meeting with clients, writing proposals, developing fees, preparing for and attending interviews and negotiating contracts; lead strategic client and design team engagements around decarbonization, energy efficiency, and optimization strategies at building and campus scales; serve as sustainability team leader/project manager, coordinating with interdisciplinary design team members and external consultants on projects in multiple sectors including Science & Technology, Higher Education, and Healthcare; serve as the lead commissioning authority and lead or perform commissioning tasks and responsibilities as outlined in ASHRAE Commissioning Guideline 0-2019; perform retro-commissioning services for existing buildings; and assist in the training and development of engineers. Additional Information: HGA is a place where you can do your best work. We believe that enduring, impactful design results from deep insight into the people and passions that animate each unique environment. We value empathy, are fueled by curiosity, and embrace the hard work that leads to innovation. Equally important is our commitment to creating a culture of inclusivity and diversity where we encourage your originality, respect the need for flexibility and work-life balance, and empower your desired career growth. HGA is a national award-winning interdisciplinary design firm rooted in architecture and engineering. Learn more about us here . Application Requirements & Instructions Please submit resume for consideration.

Requirements

BS and/or Masters degree in relevant Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical or other similar degree and demonstrated competencies)
15+ years of relevant experience
Great communication skills
Ability to connect and collaborate with peers across HGA offices on a regular cadence to coordinate workload and support as needed
Strong initiative/be a self-starter
Ability to identify opportunities and take action without direct supervision
Excellent interpersonal skills to be able to work with a variety of individuals
Demonstrated effectiveness in managing clients, project teams and project processes
Excellent written and verbal skills
Knowledge Microsoft Office Suite products
Highly motivated to learn more about sustainable practices and is passionate about sustainability and energy efficiency

Nice To Haves

PE, CEM or similar
LEED, WELL, and/or other relevant building certification accreditation(s)
A commissioning certification from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), the Building Commissioning Association (BCA), or the University of Wisconsin
Experience with automatic controls operation, and troubleshooting
Experience in optimizing HVAC systems for comfort, IAQ and energy efficiency.
General navigation knowledge of multiple types of Building Automation Systems, for example, Automated Logic WebCTRL, Distech EC, JCI Metasys, Tridium Niagara, and Siemens Apogee and Desigo
Knowledge of and experience with CxAlloy
Knowledge of current energy and Cx requirements in sustainable building rating systems (LEED, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard, etc.)
Familiarity with early design phase building performance simulation using software tools such as Climate Consultant, Ladybug and Honeybee for Grasshopper, DIVA for Rhino, COMFEN, WUFI, Therm, Insight 360, or Sefaira
Experience with advanced design phase energy modeling, such as Trane Trace, Open Studio, eQuest and IESVE
Familiarity with architectural production software: AutoCAD, Revit, Sketch-Up, Rhino and/or related software
Experience conducting Structural and Whole Building Life Cycle Assessments

Responsibilities

Lead the commissioning and optimization of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and automation systems
Collaborate closely with architects , engineers , and construction teams to ensure designs meet energy efficiency and sustainability goals
Conduct energy modeling , building assessments, and performance audits to recommend improvements
Provide technical expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability to enhance building operations and reduce environmental impact
Develop commissioning plans, oversee testing and functional performance, and document results
Support and mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of learning and innovation within the team
Develop opportunities for future work, including meeting with clients, writing proposals, developing fees, preparing for and attending interviews and negotiating contracts
Lead strategic client and design team engagements around decarbonization, energy efficiency, and optimization strategies at building and campus scales
Serve as sustainability team leader/project manager, coordinating with interdisciplinary design team members and external consultants on projects in multiple sectors including Science & Technology, Higher Education, and Healthcare
Serve as the lead commissioning authority and lead or perform commissioning tasks and responsibilities as outlined in ASHRAE Commissioning Guideline 0-2019
Perform retro-commissioning services for existing buildings
Assist in the training and development of engineers