Senior Distribution System Research Engineer

Description

We are looking for a senior research professional to join the Residential

Buildings Research Group (RBRG) in the Building Technologies and Science Center (BTSC). Our research staff contribute to an exciting portfolio of energy research & analysis, combining advanced modeling and analysis with laboratory and field research to explore and advance buildings-to-grid technologies and support the transition to a clean energy future.

We are researchers, engineers, software developers, modelers, physicists, economists, product managers, thought leaders, system thinkers, and life-long learners.

Our staff engage in exciting and interesting research projects and find ways to contribute based on our unique interests and skillsets.

The successful candidate for this position will bring electric utility perspectives to teams of building scientists and analysts working to develop and deploy efficiency and demand flexibility solutions for the built environment that support a clean electrical grid.

Research emphases include buildings-to-grid solutions that provide affordable, resilient housing and buildings while simultaneously reducing need for grid-side infrastructure investments.

The ideal candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team of experienced NREL researchers to lead projects in the area of grid edge with a focus on cost-effective solutions for transforming energy use in buildings.

Projects and tasks assignments will focus primarily on leading modeling, analysis, and laboratory and field research. Elements of the projects include providing strategic direction, leading the development of proposals and scopes of work, conducting and reviewing analyses, and / or establishing and maintaining utility partnerships.

Organizationally, this position resides in the Residential Buildings Research Group within the Building Technologies and Science Center.

BTSC and NREL are committed to fostering a creative, curiosity-driven, inclusive workplace, and to supporting and mentoring research staff as they progress from task execution to principal investigator and beyond.

A successful candidate will also serve as a liaison between BTSC and NREL research centers that are more fully focused on grid simulation and facilitate collaborative analysis across research centers.

We seek an exceptionally curious engineer with experience and background in utility distribution system planning, design, and maintenance.

Job duties and responsibilities may include :

• Developing buildings-to-grid strategies and initiatives.
• Developing and maintaining utility partnerships.
• Developing and reviewing funding proposals.
• Leading analytical research.
• Documenting research findings.

Basic Qualifications

Relevant PhD and 9 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 12 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 14 or more years of experience .

Apply advanced engineering technical principles, theories and concepts. Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts.

Considered a national subject matter expert. Demonstrates leadership in a number of areas including all team, task and / or project lead responsibilities (works independently).

Demonstrated management of complex and / or impactful projects. Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Strong background in engineering or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience working within, or consulting for, electric utilities, with focus on demand-side solutions and / or distribution system planning, design, and maintenance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to write technical reports and journal articles documenting research.
• Experience presenting technical information to wide range of audiences.
• Strong background in electrical grid’s distribution systems with experience in modeling and analysis of distribution systems.
• Strong knowledge base of electrification, building flexibility, and decarbonization practices in the distribution system.
• Experience with distributed energy resources planning, advanced distribution management systems (ADMS), and / or distributed energy resources management systems (DERMS) platforms
• Collaboration with other researchers, utilities, and vendors to advance building-to-grid solutions.

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 V / Annual Salary Range : $114,500 - $206,100

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

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

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.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified.

Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin / ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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