Description

We are seeking a Lead Engineer to oversee the design and management of evaluation and research projects while providing leadership and mentorship to our technical team. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned expert in both residential and nonresidential building technologies, as well as energy use. We’re looking for someone with extensive experience in program evaluation, exposure to program implementation, and a strong understanding of decarbonization and electrification, to offer strategic guidance on complex projects and strengthen our industry presence through external engagements. This role will involve hands-on support for technical project teams, particularly in addressing complex or novel cases. The Lead Engineer will advise on and make key methodological decisions, ensure quality control, and review and develop analytical outputs and report sections.

Responsibilities:

• Support embedded evaluation of nation-leading decarbonization/electrification programs: Provide technical expertise for heat pump technologies, electrical panel upgrades, and related research and surveys.
• Support evaluation and research projects conducting Codes and Standards analysis, deemed and custom program energy savings evaluation, transportation electrification (TE) studies, and decarbonization/electrification studies.
• Familiarity with program tracking data review and analysis and working with Project Managers to plan portfolio or sector-level evaluation approaches
• Perform technical reviews of research and reporting products to ensure technical accuracy and clarity and identify valuable insights and opportunities for clients
• Provide quality control of analytical results and reports to ensure client-ready technical deliverables
• Design and manage on-site M&V research, including the development of data collection protocols, management of data collection and analysis activities, and reporting research methods, findings, and recommendations
• Participate in client-facing and public discussions as an engineering Subject Matter Expert
• Support business development activities by developing technical methods for new project opportunities and demonstrating technical expertise and thought leadership
• Develop budgets and labor requirements for project proposals
• Provide technical guidance to junior analysts and technical teams to lead complex projects to completion
• Mentor, coach, and train junior engineering staff
• Coordinate with team lead on technical initiative prioritization and implementation

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, building science, physics, quantitative social science, or a related field 8+ years’ experience. Advanced degree in a related field may replace some experience depending on relevancy.
• Experience designing and managing CA-focused research and evaluation projects
• Experience operating as a technical leader working with project managers to plan evaluation approaches
• Experience successfully mentoring and training junior staff
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Excel and related tools
• Demonstrated writing proficiency
• Familiarity with building science – understanding how the physical behavior of the building as a system impacts energy use, greenhouse gas reductions, comfort, and indoor air quality.
• Proficiency with building energy codes including California’s Title 24, ASHRAE, and IECC
• Proficiency with methods for estimating and evaluating energy and demand savings including IPMVP and UMP protocols, building and equipment modeling (EnergyPlus and eQuest), weather and load bin analysis, trend data analysis, and on-site M&V for a variety of equipment and systems.
• Familiarity with CA compliance tools and evaluation protocols
• Familiarity with sample design for evaluation purposes
• Experience developing white papers and other technical content for clients and industry meetings