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 goals * Executes 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 operators * Supports DesignGreen and firm sustainability leadership by contributing modeling and analysis that integrates design-performance, energy-modeling, and operations-modeling practices across projects * Predicts 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 procedures * Provides 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 decisions * Reviews professional literature to identify innovation opportunities that improve energy efficiency and building performance using new and existing technologies, and contributes market-relevant implementation ideas * Produces technically rigorous, graphically clear reports, calculations summaries, and presentation materials that translate analysis into actionable design direction * Collaborates with design teams and technical disciplines to promote integrative sustainable strategies and leverages complex datasets to support design decisions and research objectives * Supports specialized project and enterprise research on energy, environmental, carbon, and sustainability topics, and contributes to methods, data collection, and documentation as needed * Delivers internal training content and knowledge sharing on building science fundamentals and energy analysis software applications * Participates in team meetings to coordinate project delivery, surface technical issues early, and align modeling work with project schedules, scopes, and performance outcomes Qualifications: * Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field * Professional engineering licensure preferred * Typically 3+ 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 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 collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment * Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality * Travel may be required 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

Created: 2026-04-02