Research Engineer 2 - Building Energy Modeling

Overview


Responsibilities

This position is in the Building Simulation and Design Group (BS&DG) within PNNL’s Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division. BS&DG conducts modeling and analysis to evaluate the impacts of building energy policies, codes, and standards; develops tools and workflows to support building research and decision making; and helps accelerate adoption of energy-efficient technologies. The group maintains core research capabilities in building energy simulation, building energy policy analysis, and tool development for building applications.

The BS&DG is seeking a Research Engineer II - Building Energy Modeling with strong knowledge of building energy systems, hands-on Energy Plus modeling expertise, programming and data analysis skills, and demonstrated ability to contribute to technical research. The selected candidate will serve as an individual contributor to project teams. They will contribute to developing technical approaches and conduct research to evaluate building energy performance, building technologies, and energy efficiency policies, codes, and standards, with particular emphasis on residential buildings. Responsibilities include developing and improving modeling tools and simulation workflows, collaborating with technical contributors, evaluating the technical quality of research results, contributing to publications and presentations, and communicating findings to project teams and collaborators. The candidate will also contribute to integrating AI-enabled methods into modeling and analysis workflows, with an emphasis on engineering accuracy, reproducibility, and practical value.

The successful candidate will be accountable to Project and/or Task Managers for performing assigned roles, following applicable project and field procedures, and completing assigned tasks on time and within budget. The candidate will also be accountable to the Group Leader and Team Leader for their own performance and professional development, operational discipline, and project execution.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Performing assigned roles under the direction of Project and/or Task Managers, following applicable project and field procedures, and completing assigned tasks on time and within budget.
• Applying engineering principles and contributing to the development of modeling and analytical approaches to address building performance challenges, including appropriate methods, assumptions, evaluation metrics, and study boundaries, with guidance on new assignments.
• Developing, modifying, and troubleshooting EnergyPlus models, representing the building envelope, HVAC, water heating, lighting, plug loads, controls, and operating schedules.
• Conducting and contributing to the design of simulation studies to evaluate building technologies, control strategies, codes, and standards, including parametric, sensitivity, and uncertainty analyses as appropriate.
• Developing tools and contributing to improvements in reproducible workflows for large-scale building simulation, including automated model generation, batch or parallel execution, model and data management, quality checks, and results analysis across building types, climate zones, and analysis scenarios.
• Applying model verification and results-review procedures, investigating simulation errors and unexpected behavior, and assessing physical consistency using engineering principles, reference cases, and measured data where available.
• Collaborating with relevant specialists to support the integration and evaluation of AI-enabled tools and methods for building modeling, data analysis, and workflow automation, including documenting accuracy, limitations, and reproducibility.
• Independently completing recurring assignments and defining and leading small tasks or projects, coordinating with contributors, and delivering technically sound results within assigned scope, schedule, and budget.
• Working with project teams and collaborators to understand research needs, contribute to technical approaches, and communicate progress, findings, and limitations.
• Contributing to technical reports, journal articles, and conference presentations, leading elements or sections of technical products, and presenting findings in project meetings and technical forums.
• Contributing research ideas and technical content to proposals for research and capability development opportunities.
• Collaborating across the group and division to share methods, strengthen research capabilities, and identify opportunities for related research.
• Maintaining accountability to Project and/or Task Managers, the Group Leader, and the Team Leader for assigned responsibilities, project execution, professional development, and operational discipline, including compliance with applicable procedures, training requirements, and quality, safety, and security expectations.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a full academic or research CV.

This position be based at a PNNL office in Portland, OR, Richland, WA, or Seattle, WA, with an on-site presence expected. Hybrid work arrangements may be available in accordance with laboratory policy, project needs, and team expectations. Remote work may be considered for candidates with strong technical expertise and demonstrated success working remotely.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA in mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, building science, or a related technical field, and 2 years of relevant programming and data analysis experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR- PhD in mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, building science, or a related technical field 
• Proficiency in developing building energy models using EnergyPlus or OpenStudio
• Demonstrated experience in programming and data analysis

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, building science, or a closely related field, with at least two years of relevant experience and evidence of growing independence in technical work and project contributions.
• Demonstrated advanced, hands-on proficiency in EnergyPlus, including developing and modifying models, representing building envelope and HVAC systems, control system, diagnosing simulation errors, and interpreting results using building science and engineering principles.
• Strong programming and data analysis skills for automating model preparation, simulation runs, and results processing. Experience modeling single-family or multifamily residential buildings, including envelope performance, air infiltration, duct systems, HVAC and water heating systems, and occupancy and operating schedules. Experience applying residential prototype models to energy code or technology evaluations is a plus.
• Experience with large-scale building energy simulation infrastructure, including automated model generation, batch or parallel execution, data management, and quality assurance across building types, climate zones, or code scenarios. Exposure to high-performance or cloud computing is a plus.
• Experience applying building energy codes and standards in building design or compliance evaluations, or analyzing their energy and cost impacts, is a plus.
• Experience applying AI-enabled tools or methods to building energy modeling, data analysis, or engineering workflow automation is strongly preferred. Familiarity with evaluating outputs for accuracy, physical consistency, and reproducibility using engineering principles, reference data, or trusted simulation results is a plus.
• Experience with collaborative software development, including version control, testing, and documentation for research tools and simulation workflows.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated through technical writing, publications or presentations, and effective collaboration across disciplines.

Additional Information

Not Applicable. 

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
 

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at [email protected].

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.  If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. 

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication.  The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

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.

* Research Associates excluded.

**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

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Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $89,300.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $131,200.00/Yr.