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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Building Science Consultant

💰 $ - $

Building ScienceEnergy EfficiencySustainabilityConsultingHVACBuilding Envelope

🎯 Role Definition

The Building Science Consultant is a subject-matter expert who diagnoses, models, and prescribes high-performance solutions for building envelope, HVAC, moisture, thermal comfort, and energy-efficiency problems across residential, commercial, and institutional portfolios. This role blends rigorous field diagnostics (blower door, thermography, duct testing), advanced simulation (EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, WUFI), and practical construction detailing to deliver measurable energy savings, durability improvements, and occupant comfort outcomes. The consultant works directly with owners, architects, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to scope projects, verify outcomes, and translate technical findings into clear business cases and compliance documentation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Energy Analyst / Energy Modeler
  • HVAC Design Engineer or Mechanical Engineer
  • Building Envelope Technician or Field Testing Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Building Science Consultant
  • Principal Consultant / Technical Lead, Building Performance
  • Director of Sustainability / Head of Energy Services
  • Commissioning & M&V Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Commissioning Agent (CxA)
  • Retrofit Project Manager
  • Passive House / Net Zero Consultant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead end-to-end building performance assessments including scoping, site inspections, diagnostic testing (blower door, duct blower, infrared thermography), and occupant interviews to identify energy, moisture, and comfort issues and prioritize retrofit strategies.
  • Develop and execute energy modeling and simulation workflows (EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, eQUEST, IES VE) to predict building energy use, compare retrofit scenarios, and support feasibility and life-cycle cost analyses.
  • Perform hygrothermal analysis using tools such as WUFI and provide moisture risk assessments and remediation plans for assemblies, foundations, roofs, and opaque wall systems.
  • Produce detailed building envelope retrofit designs and construction details that address air sealing, insulation upgrades, thermal bridging, fenestration replacement, and vapor control, ensuring constructability and cost-effectiveness.
  • Create comprehensive, client-facing technical reports that include baseline conditions, modeled savings, recommended measures, expected paybacks, M&V plans, and clear next-step implementation roadmaps.
  • Conduct measurement and verification (M&V) planning and execution in accordance with IPMVP, ASHRAE Guideline 14, or project-specific protocols; analyze metered data to validate actual energy savings.
  • Perform HVAC system diagnostics, including load calculations, ventilation effectiveness audits, commissioning of controls, and recommendations for efficient system selection, sizing, and controls integration.
  • Manage and execute retrofit pilot projects and field trials, coordinating contractors, owners, and trades to ensure installation quality, adherence to design details, and timely resolution of field issues.
  • Oversee continuous commissioning and building performance monitoring programs using BMS/EMS, IoT sensors, and analytics platforms to identify drift, tune controls, and capture operational energy reductions.
  • Provide regulatory, code, and utility program compliance support, preparing documentation for IECC, ASHRAE 90.1, local energy codes, utility rebate applications, and tax incentive programs.
  • Deliver Passive House, Net Zero, or deep-energy retrofit consulting including trade-off studies, airtightness strategies, mechanical ventilation design, and renewable integration planning.
  • Liaise with architects and structural engineers to integrate high-performance envelope details into schematic and construction documents while maintaining architectural intent.
  • Lead risk assessments related to condensation, mold, and durability for retrofit interventions and new construction assemblies; propose mitigation measures to reduce long-term maintenance costs.
  • Mentor junior engineers and technicians in field test protocols, energy modeling best practices, and client communication to raise team capability and consistency.
  • Prepare and present compelling technical and financial proposals and presentations to clients, stakeholders, and funding agencies to win projects and secure program funding.
  • Develop and maintain standardized modeling templates, testing protocols, reporting formats, and QA/QC checklists to ensure reproducibility and high-quality deliverables across projects.
  • Coordinate multi-disciplinary project teams and third-party vendors (testing labs, BPI/HERS raters, commissioning firms) to deliver integrated building performance solutions on schedule and budget.
  • Implement building science research and pilot initiatives (material testing, new assemblies, instrumentation) to advance company service offerings and inform product development.
  • Support dispute resolution and forensic investigations by providing objective technical analysis, annotated field documentation, and expert testimony when required.
  • Translate complex scientific results into simple, actionable recommendations for non-technical stakeholders, emphasizing cost, timeline, and risk trade-offs.
  • Track and report project KPIs such as modeled vs. measured energy savings, airtightness improvements (ACH50), humidity control, and occupant comfort metrics to demonstrate performance and inform continuous improvement.
  • Maintain up-to-date expertise in building science advances, codes, standards (ASHRAE, IECC), and incentive programs to inform client advisories and ensure compliant solutions.

Secondary Functions

  • Contribute to business development by drafting technical sections of proposals, preparing case studies, and supporting client meetings with tailored building science insights.
  • Develop and deliver training workshops for internal teams, contractors, and client maintenance staff on topics such as air sealing, commissioning, and energy-efficient HVAC operation.
  • Maintain a technical knowledge base and project library of test results, modeling cases, and construction details to streamline future work and enhance institutional memory.
  • Support product teams and manufacturers by evaluating and validating new materials, fenestration systems, or insulation products in real-world assemblies.
  • Participate in code committees, industry working groups, and utility program design meetings to advocate for evidence-based, practical building performance policies.
  • Assist program managers with grant writing, regulatory filings, and compliance reporting for public- and private-sector energy efficiency programs.
  • Coordinate data collection, management, and anonymization for portfolio analysis and large-sample research, ensuring data quality and privacy controls.
  • Provide ad-hoc support to marketing teams with technical content, white papers, and SEO-optimized thought leadership pieces that showcase building science competencies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient energy modeling with EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, eQUEST, IES VE, or equivalent tools to develop baseline and retrofit scenarios and produce credible savings estimates.
  • Practical experience with hygrothermal modeling tools (WUFI, Delphin) for moisture transport, condensation risk evaluation, and durability assessments.
  • Field diagnostic testing expertise: blower door testing (ACH50), duct leakage testing, infrared thermography, combi-meter/ventilation measurement, and data logger deployment.
  • Building enclosure design and detailing skills: air barrier systems, continuous insulation strategies, flashing, fenestration integration, and thermal bridging mitigation.
  • HVAC system diagnostics and optimization: load calculations, ventilation design, heat recovery ventilation (HRV/ERV), and controls tuning.
  • Measurement & Verification (M&V) planning and analysis experience, including IPMVP familiarity and metered data post-processing.
  • Knowledge of building codes, standards, and compliance pathways (IECC, ASHRAE 90.1, ASHRAE 62.1, local energy codes) and incentive program requirements.
  • Familiarity with Passive House principles, PHPP, or Net Zero design strategies and associated certification processes.
  • Competence with CAD, Revit/BIM for communicating envelope and mechanical details and integrating models into construction documents.
  • Experience with data analysis and visualization tools (Excel advanced, Python/R for analytics, Tableau/Power BI) to analyze metered performance and present results.
  • Understanding of materials science related to insulation, vapor retarders, cladding systems, and compatibility of inter-related building materials.
  • Experience preparing technical reports, construction specifications, scope documents, and RFP responses with clear deliverables and acceptance criteria.
  • Familiarity with indoor environmental quality (IEQ) metrics, thermal comfort modeling, daylighting analysis, and occupant health considerations.

Soft Skills

  • Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication tailored to technical and non-technical audiences; ability to produce polished client deliverables.
  • Client-facing advisory skills: ability to translate technical complexity into business cases, ROI analysis, and prioritized implementation plans.
  • Strong project and time management, with experience coordinating multi-stakeholder schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
  • Critical thinking and diagnostic problem-solving; methodical approach to root-cause analysis in complex building systems.
  • Collaborative team player who can work with architects, engineers, contractors, and facility teams to drive constructible solutions.
  • Mentorship and training aptitude to upskill junior staff and field technicians.
  • Adaptability to balance field work, desk modeling, and stakeholder engagement across multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to QA/QC processes to ensure reliable, reproducible results.
  • Business acumen for developing proposals, cost estimates, and persuasive technical justifications for investments in efficiency and resilience.
  • Ethical judgment and professionalism when conducting inspections, reporting findings, and protecting client confidentiality.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Building Science, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in Building Science, Energy Engineering, Environmental Design, or related advanced degree.
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Building Performance Institute (BPI) certifications, HERS Rater, Passive House Consultant, LEED AP, or BEMP are strongly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Building Science and Envelope Engineering
  • Mechanical / HVAC Engineering
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Environmental / Energy Engineering
  • Physics or Applied Thermodynamics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8 years of progressive experience in building science, energy modeling, envelope diagnostics, or HVAC commissioning.

Preferred: 5+ years of demonstrated hands-on experience performing field diagnostics (blower door, thermography, duct testing), running energy models for commercial and/or residential projects, delivering retrofit specifications, and managing client-facing projects. Experience across multiple building types (single-family, multifamily, commercial) and familiarity with utility program delivery or incentive-funded projects is highly desirable.

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