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National Renewable Energy Laboratory Mechanical Engineer Los Angeles, CA in Los Angeles, California

Posting Title

Mechanical Engineer Los Angeles, CA

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NREL

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

The Building Technologies and Science Center at NREL has an immediate need for a Mechanical Engineer who will lead research on energy efficient HVAC, Refrigeration, and thermal storage technologies. The successful candidate will join a diverse team of researchers working to decarbonize the buildings through the development and deployment of novel technologies.

The successful candidate will work on cutting-edge projects that will include modeling, analysis, technology development, experimentation, and commercialization. There will be opportunities to conduct business development and communicate technical work to enthusiastic audiences.

This position is part of a multidisciplinary team that works together to develop and deploy technologies that enable built environment decarbonization, resilience, and community sustainability. Our work enables the NREL vision of a clean energy future for the world.

In addition to spanning the technical assistance, R&D, and deployment continuum, we develop and patent affordable and efficient building technologies, develop building software solutions, and use data science to statistically analyze power, energy consumption, and policy impacts.

The successful candidate will be based in NREL’s Los Angeles (LA), California location. They will have an office at LA’s La Kretz Innovation Campus to allow for creative engagement with important stakeholders with similar visions.

The day-to-day work includes research, engineering/building energy modeling, data analytics, developing resources, and pitching ideas. There are opportunities to present at conferences, write peer-reviewed papers, meet with industry, universities, and other national laboratories, collaborate with the U.S. Department of Energy.

This successful candidate will work on project teams with the opportunity to:

For a Researcher IV:

· Develop design of experiment for proof-of-concept characterization of novel HVAC and refrigeration technologies. (Must have expertise)

· Model buildings’ energy systems using EnergyPlus and OpenStudio

· Managing building decarbonization stakeholder working groups. Should have expertise managing decarbonization.

· Model vapor compression cycles and components for HVAC/R systems

· Model energy systems in engineering equation solver (EES), including the potential to conduct thermo-fluids modeling of system-level commercial refrigeration with thermal energy storage

· Conduct computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling (Ansys/Fluent) with a focus on refrigerated display cases

· Well versed with experience writing technical journal articles, conference papers, reports, and other resources

· Must have experience presenting to technical and non-technical audiences.

· Lead and work with the team to bid on funding proposals.

For a Researcher III:

· Develop design of experiment for proof-of-concept characterization of novel HVAC and refrigeration technologies

· Model buildings’ energy systems using EnergyPlus and OpenStudio

· Manage building decarbonization stakeholder working groups

· Model vapor compression cycles and components for HVAC/R systems

· Model energy systems in engineering equation solver (EES), including the potential to conduct thermo-fluids modeling of system-level commercial refrigeration with thermal energy storage

· Conduct computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling (Ansys/Fluent) with a focus on refrigerated display cases

· Write technical journal articles, conference papers, reports, and other resources

· Present to technical and non-technical audiences

· Work with the team to bid on funding proposals.

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Basic Qualifications

For a Researcher IV:

Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience . Applies extensive engineering technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Considered a technical resource. Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

For a Researcher III:

Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

  • Master’s degree or above in Mechanical Engineering or another relevant field

  • Strong interpersonal and people skills

  • Excellent technical writing skills and communication skills

  • Strong heat transfer and fluid dynamics foundation and modeling experience. Knowledge of transient heat transfer and fluid dynamic model formulation

  • Strong thermodynamics background. Proficient in analyzing and modeling vapor compression cycles and components for HVAC/R systems.

  • Location is Los Angeles, CA.

Preferred Qualifications

  • PhD in Mechanical Engineering or another relevant field

  • Experience in Matlab/Python or similar scripting language for data analysis and experimental data reduction efforts

  • Familiarity for Zero Energy/Carbon building concepts and design strategies for residential and commercial buildings

  • Familiarity with advanced building energy efficiency, deep retrofits, beneficial electrification, distributed energy resources and load flexibility methods, and residential/commercial building decarbonization design strategies

  • Familiarity with NREL suite of modeling tools, including ReOpt, URBANopt, PVWatt, SAM, OpenDSS, Modelica, PAT, EnergyPlus Python-plugin

  • Knowledge of EnergyStar performance benchmarking

  • Licensed Professional engineer

  • Experience in designing HVAC/R systems

  • Familiarity with decarbonized heating solutions and their design, including heat pumps for space and water heating

  • Familiar with standards such as ASHRAE guideline 14 and California Title 24

  • Engineering and energy consulting experience

  • Demonstrable ability to read and understand building construction documents

  • Understanding of business management and practices acumen

  • Training in project management and leadership

  • Interest and ability to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team environment

  • Experience with modeling, design, commissioning, and operation of commercial building systems

  • Demonstrable interpersonal skills.

This position will be located in Los Angeles, CA.

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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 IV / Annual Salary Range: $95,500 - $171,900

Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300

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

Badging Requirement

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

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.

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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.

EEO is the Law (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_English_unformattedESQA508c.pdf) | Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)

E -Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here (http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08_01_2013.pdf) for English or here (http://www.justice.gov/crt/file/813271/download) for Spanish.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).

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.

Please review the information on our Hiring Process (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/hiring-process.html) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NREL (https://www.nrel.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NREL) at the lab.

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