Sustainable Design Engineer Leader

Overview:

A recognized technical and people leader, and an expert in building energy and performance modeling, who helps project teams translate design ambition into measurable outcomes: healthier, more resilient, low-carbon buildings that improve people’s lives. Leads building simulation and engineering analysis across diverse project types and scales, shaping decisions from early concept through delivery and post-occupancy verification. Manages assigned resources (people, processes, and tools) with strong business awareness, mentors staff, and advances enterprise ESG commitments in alignment with the Director’s integrated, high-performance design strategy at HKS.

Responsibilities:

• Leads whole-building dynamic thermal and energy simulations and detailed engineering analysis to inform design, construction, and operations by optimizing energy use, enabling all-electric solutions within integrated performance goals, integrating renewables, reducing GHG emissions, and improving resilience, reliability, and operational cost outcomes
• Directs advanced mechanical systems evaluations and architectural-performance integration, including daylighting strategy, lighting controls impacts, and detailed thermal/moisture response of façade assemblies
• Guides design decisions across the lifecycle using analysis of energy efficiency, passive and active strategies, massing, daylight availability, glare and shading, thermal comfort, natural ventilation, mechanical system alternatives, and load conditions
• Manages delivery of comfort studies, energy simulation, daylight simulation, solar shading analysis, renewable energy evaluations, and performance-based recommendations that inform decisions by architects, engineers, contractors, and operators
• Predicts building energy use and savings versus baseline using whole-building simulation with clear assumptions, verify performance through post-occupancy evaluation using industry-standard calibration procedures
• Oversees Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for design alternatives, applying appropriate economic parameters relevant to project context and delivery decisions
• Supports DesignGreen and enterprise leadership, strengthening early-stage modeling impact on project outcomes and advancing integration of design-performance, energy-modeling, and operations-modeling practices across firmwide project delivery
• Prepares and oversees technically rigorous, graphically compelling reports and client-facing presentation materials that translate analysis into actionable design decisions
• Contributes to project pursuits by shaping energy-modeling scope, developing service proposals aligned with business constraints and opportunities, and differentiating teams through performance-based narratives
• Collaborates with firm research leadership to leverage complex datasets that support design decisions and research objectives, and lead or supports specialized research in energy, environmental, carbon, and sustainability topics
• Supports development and use of indoor environmental sensors and instrumentation for research, diagnostics, and post-occupancy evaluation in collaboration with research teams
• Leads technical and project coordination meetings, surfacing risks early and partnering with project leadership to manage performance, scope, and delivery risks tied to building systems outcomes
• Manages assigned project workload and staffing with the Director
• Contributes to resource planning, process improvements, and quality control across tools, templates, and methodologies
• Facilitates enterprise training and knowledge sharing on building science fundamentals and energy analysis software applications by developing and curating modeling content and best practices for consistent delivery
• Facilitates team self-evaluation to distill lessons learned and scale best practices across the firm in coordination with sustainability leadership
• Invests in staff development through mentoring, performance management, and career planning
• Supports the firm’s global practice by engaging perspectives from international offices and promoting consistent standards of integrated, high-performance design excellence

Qualifications:

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field; advanced degree preferred
• Professional engineering licensure preferred
• Typically 10+ years of experience
• Modeling credentials such as ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP), Building Energy Simulation Analyst (BESA), or equivalent preferred
• Sustainable design accreditation preferred
• Familiarity with design and energy modeling applications such as Rhino, Grasshopper, Radiance, DIVA, REVIT, AutoCAD, Sketchup, IES VE, Sefaira, Insight360, Energy Plus, EnergyPro preferred
• Experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup and InDesign graphic software preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite preferred
• Experience in LEED submission and regulatory compliance energy modeling
• Familiarity with computational design and parametric modeling preferred
• Familiarity with energy modeling preferred
• Knowledge of sustainability and integrated design guidelines
• Strong 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 T24
• Strong knowledge of architectural building systems
• Working knowledge of building physics, energy transfer, mechanical design, system control strategies and economics is required
• Knowledge of QA/QC and specification process
• Knowledge of building codes and ability to research and apply/incorporate into technical documents
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to manage conflict constructively and build a positive, supportive team environment
• Ability to maintain existing client relationships and build new client relationships
• Ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing
• Ability to problem solve and apply innovative solutions
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality
• Travel may be required

Base Salary Range: 110K - $130K annually – Chicago, Denver, New York, Seattle, Washington DC locations only

The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of candidates hired in the hicago, Denver, New York, Seattle, Washington DC locations only. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.  

HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package with health, dental, and vision care coverage, 401(k) plans, life & AD&D insurance, short/long term disability plans, paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation), and much more for benefits-eligible employees. To learn more about our benefits visit this page.

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran