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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Energy Engineer

💰 $85,000 - $125,000

EngineeringSustainabilityEnergyGreen TechnologyFacilities Management

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly motivated and analytical Energy Engineer to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be the driving force behind identifying, developing, and implementing innovative energy efficiency and sustainability projects. You'll analyze complex energy systems, conduct detailed audits, and develop data-driven strategies to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and help our organization or clients meet ambitious environmental and decarbonization goals. This is a unique opportunity to apply your engineering expertise to create a more sustainable future, blending technical prowess with strategic project management.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Mechanical or Electrical Engineer
  • Facilities Engineer or Coordinator
  • Sustainability Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Energy Engineer or Lead Energy Engineer
  • Energy Manager or Director of Energy Management
  • Director of Sustainability

Lateral Moves:

  • Building Commissioning Engineer
  • MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Project Manager
  • Renewable Energy Project Developer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive ASHRAE Level I, II, and III energy audits for a diverse portfolio of facilities, including commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, to identify and quantify energy conservation measures (ECMs).
  • Develop and execute detailed Measurement and Verification (M&V) plans in accordance with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) to accurately assess the performance of implemented energy projects.
  • Perform sophisticated energy modeling and simulations for new construction and existing buildings using software such as eQuest, TRACE 3D Plus, EnergyPlus, or IES-VE to predict energy consumption and optimize building design.
  • Analyze historical and real-time utility data (electricity, natural gas, water, steam) to establish baselines, identify anomalies, and track the financial and environmental impact of energy efficiency initiatives.
  • Evaluate the technical and financial feasibility of a wide range of ECMs, including HVAC upgrades, lighting retrofits, building envelope improvements, and the integration of advanced building automation systems (BAS).
  • Engineer and design renewable energy solutions, such as solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, and geothermal systems, including performing feasibility studies, system sizing, and performance estimates.
  • Prepare detailed technical reports, business cases, and presentations for senior management and clients, clearly communicating findings, proposed solutions, and return on investment (ROI) calculations.
    across various stakeholders.
  • Manage the full lifecycle of energy projects, from initial concept and design through procurement, installation, commissioning, and post-project M&V, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
  • Develop and implement building retro-commissioning (RCx) plans to investigate, analyze, and optimize the performance of existing mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
  • Provide technical expertise and support for LEED, ENERGY STAR, and other green building certification processes, including documentation and submission.
  • Review engineering and architectural drawings, specifications, and submittals to ensure energy efficiency and sustainability requirements are met in new construction and major renovation projects.
  • Collaborate with facilities management teams to optimize the operation of Building Automation Systems (BAS) and HVAC systems, implementing advanced control strategies to reduce energy waste.
  • Stay abreast of emerging energy technologies, federal/state/local energy codes, and utility rebate programs to continually identify new opportunities for energy savings.
  • Develop and deliver training programs for facility operators and occupants to promote energy-aware behaviors and ensure the persistent performance of implemented measures.
  • Perform on-site fieldwork, including data-logging, system testing, and inspections of mechanical and electrical systems to gather data for energy analysis.
  • Create and maintain a master list of energy projects, tracking progress, and reporting on portfolio-wide energy, cost, and carbon savings.
  • Develop corporate or facility-level decarbonization and carbon management strategies, creating roadmaps to achieve net-zero or other carbon reduction targets.
  • Investigate and recommend opportunities for participation in demand response programs and other grid-interactive efficient building initiatives.
  • Prepare and manage applications for energy rebates, grants, and incentives from utilities and government agencies to help fund energy efficiency projects.
  • Author and maintain corporate standards and specifications for energy-efficient equipment and construction practices.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover new insights into energy usage patterns.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting efforts.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate their operational needs and sustainability goals into tangible engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the project management or engineering team.
  • Mentor junior engineers and interns, providing guidance on technical analysis and project execution.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Energy Auditing: Proficiency in conducting ASHRAE Level I, II, and III energy audits and identifying a wide range of energy conservation measures.
  • Energy Modeling Software: Expertise in using building energy simulation tools such as eQuest, EnergyPlus, TRACE 3D Plus, or IES Virtual Environment (IES-VE).
  • HVAC Systems: Deep understanding of a wide variety of HVAC systems, including chillers, boilers, air handling units, VAV systems, and their associated control strategies.
  • Building Automation Systems (BAS): Experience with BAS platforms (e.g., Johnson Controls, Siemens, Schneider Electric) and the ability to analyze trends and optimize control sequences.
  • Measurement & Verification (M&V): Strong knowledge of M&V principles and the IPMVP framework for quantifying energy savings.
  • Utility Bill Analysis: Skill in analyzing complex utility rate structures and interpreting consumption data from electricity, natural gas, and water bills.
  • Renewable Energy Technologies: Familiarity with the design, feasibility, and financial analysis પોલીસof solar PV, geothermal, and other renewable systems.
  • Data Analysis: Ability to use tools like Microsoft Excel (advanced functions), Python, or R for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization.
  • Project Management: Competency in managing project scope, schedules, and budgets, particularly for technical or construction-related projects.
  • CAD/BIM Software: Familiarity with reading and interpreting technical drawings in AutoCAD or Revit.
  • Lighting Technologies: Knowledge of modern, energy-efficient lighting and control systems.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: A detail-oriented and investigative mindset with the ability to diagnose and solve complex problems in energy systems.
  • Communication & Presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to non-technical audiences.
  • Stakeholder Management: Adept at building relationships and collaborating effectively with clients, contractors, facility managers, and executive leadership.
  • Financial Acumen: Ability to develop business cases and calculate financial metrics such as Simple Payback, ROI, and Net Present Value (NPV).
  • Self-Motivation: A proactive and independent worker who can manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
  • Adaptability: Capacity to stay current with rapidly evolving technologies, codes, and industry best practices.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science in a relevant engineering field or a focus on energy systems or sustainable design.
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Professional Engineer (PE), or LEED Accredited Professional (AP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Energy Engineering
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Sustainable Building Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of direct experience in energy engineering, energy management, or building performance analysis.

Preferred:

  • Experience in an Energy Services Company (ESCO) environment or a consulting engineering firm.
  • Demonstrated track record of successfully identifying and implementing multi-million dollar energy savings projects.
  • Hands-on field experience with mechanical systems, electrical systems, and building controls.
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