HVAC Control Systems Engineer III

The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division of PNNL is accelerating the transition to a decarbonized, efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and in advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy.

This position reports to the Optimization and Control Group Leader within the Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division and involves providing technical leadership to the Laboratory’s research at the intersection of advanced controls, and optimization with an emphasis on building energy systems. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead interdisciplinary, world-class research efforts addressing the science and technology challenges of emerging complexity in modern energy systems with a significant number of distributed resources.

• Advances state-of-the-art technologies and concepts in HVAC control and optimization with an emphasis on technology deployment and demonstration.
• Drives organizational goals, including PNNL strategic planning and prioritizing research objectives.
• Builds strong multidisciplinary R&D teams able to impact the scientific and technological challenges in this area.
• Develops the strategy and manages day-to-day science and technology activities, providing scientific and technical authority, leadership and direction.
• Leads scoping, scheduling, and budgeting of complex interdisciplinary projects and programs. Involved in planning for long-term technical capabilities that deliver national impact.
• Publishes as primary or contributing author on technical publications or reports.
• Leads national and international professional activities and external collaborations.
• Mentors other Laboratory scientists and engineers and is technical resource to other staff members and assists in attracting top scientist/engineer talents to PNNL.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5 years of relevant work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 3 years of relevant work experience -OR-
• PhD with 1 year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of building systems and especially, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems is required.
• Strong knowledge of testing cold climate heat pumps in the laboratory and in the field.
• Expertise in fault-detection and diagnostics, measurement and verification, deployment and demonstration of advanced building control technology and building-grid integration is desirable.
• Serves as a principal investigator on multiple or complex projects or tasks.
• Strong data analysis skills and expertise in Python programming desirable.
• Generates new ideas and leads the development of significant new project opportunities and proposals.
• Recognized as a technical leader by the peer network. Must possess demonstrated record of scientific contribution to national/international endeavors in advanced controls science and/or engineering research (such as IFAC, IEEE, ACM, ASHRAE, ASME), strong leadership competencies, and the ability to build new research programs working collaboratively with others across a broad spectrum of disciplines to accomplish strategic goals.
• Leads the development of significant technical products, including technical reports and journal articles, and conference presentations, which are recognized by sponsors and collaborators for their technical impact.
• Leads cross-organizational teams to identify and promote new capabilities that advance PNNL’s energy research strategy. Mentors staff and peers across the directorate.

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
 

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.  If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. 

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential.  To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO)risk determination to maintain employment.  Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.  

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

* Research Associates excluded.

**Once eligibility requirements are met.

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PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Salary : $110,100 - $165,000