Research Engineer

Join Our Dynamic Research Team

We are looking for a full time Research Engineer to join our growing Research team The Research team is responsible for identifying and evaluating emerging and innovative energy efficiency approaches and technologies. The Research team provides the real work-, evidence- and science-based groundwork for CEE‘s mission. As a Research Engineer you will be responsible for leading research projects, leading proposal development, conducting data analysis, and the design and execution of data collection protocols for field studies. Responsibilities may also include technology assessments and energy modeling. This position provides a beneficial variety of exposure to many issues that shape energy efficiency, including the pragmatic technical training that comes with field work. The right candidate will have strong analytic capabilities, a sense of curiosity, and a desire to investigate energy systems and energy efficiency. The Research Engineer II mentors and may supervise other staff.

We are seeking a local candidate. Schedule will include 1-2 days on site in our Minneapolis office.

Who We Are

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a clean energy nonprofit with offices in North Loop of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We provide practical energy solutions for homes, businesses, and communities to cut energy waste and harmful emissions. We collaborate regularly with field peers and partners, and we employ curious people who enjoy learning and contributing to the Midwest‘s quality of life and economy. Recognized as one of Minnesota‘s top 200 workplaces by the Star Tribune, CEE is known for its open communication, respect for diverse perspectives, and commitment to work-life balance.

What We Offer

• Insurance Coverage Options: To ensure you and your family are well protected, we have got you covered with Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Health Saving Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Impact: We want to make the world a better and more energy efficient place. Our work and the decisions we make are rooted in this foundational desire.
• Future Planning: To help you secure your financial future, benefit from our retirement saving program. Reach your goal sooner with our immediate vesting and company contribution.
• Work/Life Balance: We recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and are dedicated to supporting our team members in various aspects of their lives. Our benefits include generous Paid Time Off (PTO), paid parental leave, and salary continuation for major medical events, ensuring that you have the support you need during significant life moments and personal challenges.
• Holidays: Our company provides ten paid holidays each year, offering you ample time to observe important occasions and enjoy personal time.
• Growth: We want everyone to grow and learn within their roles. We offer professional development opportunities and education assistance.
• Championing DEI: Our committed DEI Committee promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment by establishing clear goals and assessing progress throughout the organization.
  
  

What You‘ll Do

• Serve as the primary investigator and technical lead on research projects related to commercial buildings. Develop project budgets, staff allocations, and work scopes. With limited assistance from supervisor, review project actual to budgeted finances, invoices, agreements, staff requirements, and task completion to proposed timeline. Identify risks and develop approaches to alleviate risks. Provide quarterly staff allocation updates
• Provide technical consultation to Market Transformation, Program Development, and other CEE Departments for topics related to research projects and commercial buildings and the technologies used within them.
• Apply building science principles to the evaluation of building performance issues such as energy use, indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and envelope durability.
• Identify project objectives. Develop test procedures and analysis methods to achieve those objectives.
• Coordinate work of other research engineers, technicians, analysts, and/or interns assisting with these projects.
• Conduct literature reviews and technology assessments.
• Carefully document project work, track efforts, and manage multiple project priorities.
• Manage the diagnostic testing of building and energy system performance. Energy systems will include heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, service hot water, and solar systems.
• Develop and maintain energy and building system models to evaluate the energy performance of systems.
• Lead proposal ideation and development.
• Conceptualize, organize, and serve as primary author on technical research reports and journal articles.
• Staff who supervise other members will:
• Hold regularly scheduled meetings to review project responsibilities, task progress, workload, and priorities.
• Perform annual performance and mid-year Personal Development Plans reviews with assigned staff.
• Consult with director of research regarding salary adjustments and promotions.
• Assist with new staff interviews and hiring decisions.
• May perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

Skills & Knowledge We‘re Looking For

• Must meet one of the following requirements:
  • PhD in mechanical engineering or closely related technical field and at least one years‘ experience working in a technical field.
  • MS in mechanical engineering or closely related technical field and at least three years‘ experience working in a technical field.
  • BS in mechanical engineering or closely related engineering field and at least six years‘ experience working in a technical field.
  • BS in physics or a closely related technical field and at least nine years‘ experience working in a technical field.
• Demonstrated drive and motivation to lead research in the energy field.
• Experience evaluating building and energy systems. Energy systems include heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, service hot water, energy storage, and solar systems. Evaluation skills include:
• Experience adapting approaches, developing new methods, and leading building diagnostic testing or monitoring. Lead and conduct diagnostic testing.
• Leading and installing data acquisition systems for continuous measurements.
• Experience leading the development of field monitoring protocols, data processing procedures, and data analysis methods.
• Experience, training, and working knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics applied to complex energy systems.
• Experience with energy and/or building system models.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities and understanding of basic statistical methods.
• Extensive experience using Microsoft Excel to analyze large datasets and generate charts.
• Experience in programming and coding to process data and/or solve engineering equations. Experience with MATLAB, R, or similar.
• Ability to use engineering principles or practices to assist in the evaluation of the commercial potential for emerging energy technologies.
• Experience identifying promising concepts, ideas, and/or technologies and leading proposal ideation and development.
• Ability to assist with proposal ideation and lead proposal development.
• Self-motivated, responsible, efficient, and accurate. Excellent time-management and organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills:
  • Comfortable interacting with project participants including homeowners, renters, building operators, mechanical contractors, and facilities managers.
  • Experience documenting assumptions and technical observations.
  • Experience organizing and writing technical reports.
  • Ability to communicate relevant project information in team meetings.
  • Ability to identify presentation opportunities, submit abstracts, develop presentations, and conduct presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the core responsibilities listed, the research engineer role may have additional responsibilities. Multiple positions may be filled related to these additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Assessing the operation of building automation systems
• Experience developing or evaluating energy-saving strategies and technologies focused on connected, smart buildings, BAS, BMS, and lighting controls or related systems.
• Strong knowledge of lighting controls systems and their application in commercial buildings.
• Experience with IoT (Internet of Things) technologies and their application in building systems.
• Knowledge of relevant codes, standards, and regulations related to energy efficiency and building systems.
• Experience with integrated systems leveraging occupancy sensors to affect energy consumption from both HVAC and lighting systems.
• Familiarity with demand response strategies, load shedding, and peak demand of commercial buildings.

Compensation

Dependent on qualifications and experience, we expect the hiring rate for Research Engineer II will be around $120,000. We have a job family of Research positions; pay could vary depending on the level of Research title offered.