Building Control, Operations and Commissioning Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Building Technology Urban Systems Division has an opening for a Building Control, Operations and Commissioning Researcher to join the team.

In this exciting role, you will be working in the energy management and information systems (EMIS) team within the Whole Building Systems (WBS) Department of the Building Technology and Urban Systems Division. The employee will be a key member of the team and will report to the team lead. 

The purpose of this position is to conduct complex applied research, demonstration and deployment related to improving the operational performance of commercial buildings. This includes smart technologies and best practices for existing building commissioning, fault diagnostics, specification of advanced/optimal control sequences for demand flexibility, and building decarbonization. Extensions of focus to transform the market and professional practices in residential and multi-family buildings as well as industrial facilities may also be pursued. 

The position requires excellent ability to think innovatively and independently, to explore, accomplish, test and demonstrate advances in (and the connections between) various aspects of mechanical systems operation and control, system and whole building performance monitoring and diagnosis, smart building technology offerings, and building operator and service provider professional practices.  

In LBNL’s Building Technology and Urban Systems Division we work closely with industry, government and policy makers to inform and develop solutions to increase energy efficiency, reduce emissions, save money, and improve health and safety for occupants. 

What You Will Do:

• In collaboration with commercial building domain scientists, engineers, and stakeholders, create methods, initiatives, and new knowledge to advance the state of the art and market adoption of commissioning, demand flexibility, optimal control, and fault detection and diagnostic tools   
• Partner with industry stakeholders to evolve technology and service offerings and business models, utility programs, and building operational practices
• Direct the development of complex analytical methods to test, and transfer to industry innovative operational practices and smart building technology advances 
• Design protocols to evaluate the as-operated performance of new control, analytics, and demand flexibility technologies
• Help develop new approaches to advance fault detection and diagnostics, and integrated building control
• Write or oversee the writing of  technical papers, guidance documents, presentations, and outreach materials for internal and external audiences
• Supervise and provide guidance to exempt and non-exempt staff
• Develop scopes of complex technical work and contribute to proposals for new funding for the EMIS team priority R&D topics
• Resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways
• Significantly contribute to the development of specific organization goals and objectives

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Collaborate with other researchers outside of LBNL
• Periodic travel for project site visits, stakeholder meetings, and outreach events
• Collaborate with PIs outside across the Division to develop collaborative scopes and responses to internal and external funding opportunities 

What is Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent knowledge) in engineering, computer science, architecture, physics or a related field and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in commercial building operations (employed by a building owner or providing services directly to building owners)
• Technical knowledge and experience in the following topics: commercial building HVAC design, control, operation and fault diagnostics; commercially available energy management and information systems and building automation products; commercial building operations and management practices; existing building commissioning processes.
• Familiarity with utility program design, participation, and administration.
• Demonstrated ability and desire to quickly learn new concepts and technologies. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, uncover problems, and identify and initiate appropriate actions for resolution.
• Effective ability to manage time across concurrent tasks within specified budgets
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to meet tight deliverable deadlines with high-quality results and adapt to rapidly changing work demands

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree/or equivalent experience in a related scientific field (e.g. engineering, computer science, architecture, physics).
• Hands-on experience with fault detection & diagnostics software application
• Experience leading or contributing to development of technical papers 
• Experience leading or contributing to efforts around energy equity and environmental justice (EEEJ) in the commercial buildings market
• Experience developing software and hardware specifications and requirements documents
• Experience programming building automation systems and control sequences
• Experience in energy simulation modeling
• Experience in networking and communications
• Familiarity with building energy management and O&M management processes and stakeholder needs

Want to learn more about Berkeley Lab's Culture, Benefits and answers to FAQs? Please visit: https://recruiting.lbl.gov/

Notes:

• This is a full time, 1 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
• The full salary range for this position is $137,292.00-$206,148.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $144,928.20-$160,183.80 skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and also aligned with the internal peer group.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

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