Sustainable Design Engineer

Overview:A technically skilled, outcomes-driven practitioner in building energy and performance modeling who helps project teams in making design decisions that improve people's lives through healthier, more resilient, lower-carbon buildings. Exercises independent judgment to develop whole-building simulations and engineering analyses across building types and scales, translating data into clear, actionable recommendations from early concept through delivery and post-occupancy verification. Brings broad knowledge of high-performance sustainable design principles and tools, contributes original solutions, and strengthens firmwide capability through collaboration, research, and knowledge sharing.Responsibilities:Develops whole-building dynamic thermal and energy simulation models across diverse building types and scales, including advanced mechanical systems evaluations and architectural-performance integration (daylighting strategies, lighting controls impacts, and façade thermal/moisture response)Performs detailed engineering analysis to reduce energy consumption and associated GHG emissions across design, construction, and operations, aligned with integrated project performance goalsExecutes comfort studies, energy simulation, daylight simulation, solar shading analysis, and renewable energy evaluations, and produces analysis-based recommendations that inform decisions by architects, engineers, contractors, and operatorsSupports DesignGreen and firm sustainability leadership by contributing modeling and analysis that integrates design-performance, energy-modeling, and operations-modeling practices across projectsPredicts building energy use and savings versus baseline using whole-building simulation with clear assumptions, and supports post-occupancy evaluation and performance verification using industry-standard calibration proceduresProvides Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for design alternatives, applying appropriate economic parameters and documenting tradeoffs tied to design and operational decisionsReviews professional literature to identify innovation opportunities that improve energy efficiency and building performance using new and existing technologies, and contributes market-relevant implementation ideasProduces technically rigorous, graphically clear reports, calculations summaries, and presentation materials that translate analysis into actionable design directionCollaborates with design teams and technical disciplines to promote integrative sustainable strategies and leverages complex datasets to support design decisions and research objectivesSupports specialized project and enterprise research on energy, environmental, carbon, and sustainability topics, and contributes to methods, data collection, and documentation as neededDelivers internal training content and knowledge sharing on building science fundamentals and energy analysis software applicationsParticipates in team meetings to coordinate project delivery, surface technical issues early, and align modeling work with project schedules, scopes, and performance outcomesQualifications:Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related fieldProfessional engineering licensure preferredTypically 3+ years of experienceModeling credentials such as ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP), Building Energy Simulation Analyst (BESA), or equivalent preferredSustainable design accreditation preferredFamiliarity with design and energy modeling applications such as Rhino, Grasshopper, Radiance, DIVA, REVIT, AutoCAD, Sketchup, IES VE, Sefaira, Insight360, Energy Plus, EnergyPro preferredExperience with Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup and InDesign graphic software preferredProficiency in MS Office Suite preferredExperience in LEED submission and regulatory compliance energy modelingFamiliarity with computational design and parametric modeling preferredFamiliarity with energy modeling preferredKnowledge of sustainability and integrated design guidelinesStrong knowledge in interpreting and applying high-performance building standards such as ANSI, ASHRAE, IESNA and ASTM as well as building energy codes such as IECC and T24Strong knowledge of architectural building systemsWorking knowledge of building physics, energy transfer, mechanical design, system control strategies and economics is requiredKnowledge of QA/QC and specification processKnowledge of building codes and ability to research and apply/incorporate into technical documentsStrong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same timeAbility to maintain existing client relationships and build new client relationshipsAbility to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writingAbility to problem solve and apply innovative solutionsAbility to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environmentAbility to effectively meet deadlines at expected qualityTravel may be requiredIf you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran