Mechanical Engineer Los Angeles, CA

Description

The Building Technologies and Science Center at NREL has an immediate need for a Mechanical Engineer who will lead research on energy efficient HVAC, Refrigeration, and thermal storage technologies.

The successful candidate will join a diverse team of researchers working to decarbonize the buildings through the development and deployment of novel technologies.

The successful candidate will work on cutting-edge projects that will include modeling, analysis, technology development, experimentation, and commercialization.

There will be opportunities to conduct business development and communicate technical work to enthusiastic audiences.

This position is part of a multidisciplinary team that works together to develop and deploy technologies that enable built environment decarbonization, resilience, and community sustainability.

Our work enables the NREL vision of a clean energy future for the world.

In addition to spanning the technical assistance, R&D, and deployment continuum, we develop and patent affordable and efficient building technologies, develop building software solutions, and use data science to statistically analyze power, energy consumption, and policy impacts.

The successful candidate will be based in NREL’s Los Angeles (LA), California location. They will have an office at LA’s La Kretz Innovation Campus to allow for creative engagement with important stakeholders with similar visions.

The day-to-day work includes research, engineering / building energy modeling, data analytics, developing resources, and pitching ideas.

There are opportunities to present at conferences, write peer-reviewed papers, meet with industry, universities, and other national laboratories, collaborate with the U.

S. Department of Energy.

This successful candidate will work on project teams with the opportunity to :

For a Researcher IV :

• Develop design of experiment for proof-of-concept characterization of novel HVAC and refrigeration technologies. (Must have expertise)
• Model buildings’ energy systems using EnergyPlus and OpenStudio
• Managing building decarbonization stakeholder working groups. Should have expertise managing decarbonization.
• Model vapor compression cycles and components for HVAC / R systems
• Model energy systems in engineering equation solver (EES), including the potential to conduct thermo-fluids modeling of system-level commercial refrigeration with thermal energy storage
• Conduct computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling (Ansys / Fluent) with a focus on refrigerated display cases
• Well versed with experience writing technical journal articles, conference papers, reports, and other resources
• Must have experience presenting to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Lead and work with the team to bid on funding proposals.

For a Researcher III :

• Develop design of experiment for proof-of-concept characterization of novel HVAC and refrigeration technologies
• Model buildings’ energy systems using EnergyPlus and OpenStudio
• Manage building decarbonization stakeholder working groups
• Model vapor compression cycles and components for HVAC / R systems
• Model energy systems in engineering equation solver (EES), including the potential to conduct thermo-fluids modeling of system-level commercial refrigeration with thermal energy storage
• Conduct computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling (Ansys / Fluent) with a focus on refrigerated display cases
• Write technical journal articles, conference papers, reports, and other resources
• Present to technical and non-technical audiences
• Work with the team to bid on funding proposals.

Basic Qualifications

For a Researcher IV :

Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience .

Applies extensive engineering technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Considered a technical resource.

Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects.

Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

For a Researcher III :

Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience .

Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field.

General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities.

Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or above in Mechanical Engineering or another relevant field
• Strong interpersonal and people skills
• Excellent technical writing skills and communication skills
• Strong heat transfer and fluid dynamics foundation and modeling experience. Knowledge of transient heat transfer and fluid dynamic model formulation
• Strong thermodynamics background. Proficient in analyzing and modeling vapor compression cycles and components for HVAC / R systems.
• Location is Los Angeles, CA.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or another relevant field
• Experience in Matlab / Python or similar scripting language for data analysis and experimental data reduction efforts
• Familiarity for Zero Energy / Carbon building concepts and design strategies for residential and commercial buildings
• Familiarity with advanced building energy efficiency, deep retrofits, beneficial electrification, distributed energy resources and load flexibility methods, and residential / commercial building decarbonization design strategies
• Familiarity with NREL suite of modeling tools, including ReOpt, URBANopt, PVWatt, SAM, OpenDSS, Modelica, PAT, EnergyPlus Python-plugin
• Knowledge of EnergyStar performance benchmarking
• Licensed Professional engineer
• Experience in designing HVAC / R systems
• Familiarity with decarbonized heating solutions and their design, including heat pumps for space and water heating
• Familiar with standards such as ASHRAE guideline 14 and California Title 24
• Engineering and energy consulting experience
• Demonstrable ability to read and understand building construction documents
• Understanding of business management and practices acumen
• Training in project management and leadership
• Interest and ability to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team environment
• Experience with modeling, design, commissioning, and operation of commercial building systems
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills.

This position will be located in Los Angeles, CA.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile : Researcher IV / Annual Salary Range : $95,500 - $171,900Job Profile : Researcher III / Annual Salary Range : $79,600 - $143,300

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees.

In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*;

life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*.

NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component.

Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

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Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana.

If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

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