Scientific Engineering Associate

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts Division has an opening for a Scientific Engineering Associate (SEA) to join the team.

The Energy Efficiency Standards (EES) Department at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory supports the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Appliance and Equipment Standards Program. EES performs research, develops tools and analytical techniques, and assesses technological advancements to support DOE's mission to develop and promulgate energy conservation standards that would benefit U.S. consumers. These standards aim to achieve maximum energy efficiency improvement for regulated products through approaches that are technologically feasible and economically justified.

To fulfill its function, EES collects and analyzes data through scientific techniques while applying engineering concepts and skills. In this exciting role, you will directly support this core function of EES. You will utilize engineering concepts to evaluate and develop mechanical and electrical systems related to building heating and air conditioning equipment. You will provide technical and analytical support to various research projects designed to obtain up-to-date information that is field-representative and reflects new technologies adoption in the market. You will work with large databases and apply advanced statistical analysis tools to process and analyze data. Expanding on the results of these projects, the SEA will support EES activities in the development, review, and amendment of new or existing energy efficiency standards and test procedures for space heating, air conditioning, water heating, and other relevant products. You should have a technical background and experience in the field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) engineering and relevant data processing or programming skills.

What You Will Do:

• Create, evaluate, and customize energy and environmental measurement tools and data acquisition technologies for different building and equipment applications.
• Apply engineering concepts to develop data collection tools for large scale surveys and long-term measurements.
• Support research to obtain and process HVAC data from multiple sources, such as field measurements, equipment testing, surveys, and publicly available information.
• Investigate and develop analytical and computational methods to automate data mining process and statistical evaluation of large scale and complex data sets.
• Research market data, usage, and new technologies of products.
• Construct and maintain big data through database programming tools and create or customize interfaces that can be applied to various collection of data sets associated with different building and equipment categories.
• Develop technical reports from the HVAC equipment research.
• Conduct technical and economic analysis of issues associated with appliance standards, such as markets, shipments, and energy use.
• Perform technical review of test procedure documents and development.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Assist in reviewing research test plan and development of study protocol.
• Contribute in preparation of journals and conference presentations, and fulfillment of project deliverables.
• Support project activities by establishing communications with collaborators and preparing materials for technical meetings.
• Support project results dissemination efforts.
• Provide technical inputs to other relevant EES programs as workload allows.

What is Required:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, energy systems including HVAC, or related disciplines, with about two years of experience or other equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in working in research teams and performing tasks as described in the section above.
• Knowledge and skills in multi-disciplinary areas, analytical techniques and models, and computing tools required for energy and environmental analysis, including fundamentals of engineering, economics, and statistical techniques.
• Advanced proficiency and experience with quantitative modeling and analysis and management of large datasets and structure.
• Strong experience in fields related to heating, cooling, ventilation, air conditioning, and water heating equipment and technologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Python, R, VBA, and/or other advanced computer programming languages.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, such as ability to present technical results as reports or in presentations, and the ability to obtain information through interactions with experts.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively, providing, sharing and receiving creative and technical ideas and guidance.
• Experience in working in team settings to accomplish project goals.

Desired Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in mechanical engineering or related disciplines with experience in energy analysis of HVAC systems and evaluation of electrical and mechanical components, with two years of professional or relevant experience.
• Laboratory and field experience with products performance and efficiency assessment.
• Some understanding of energy policies development process.
• Proficiency with different database platforms, such as MongoDB, PostgreSQL.

For consideration, please include the following application materials in your online application:

• Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.

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 $78,732 to $132,912. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $93,537 to $103,383. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification and experience, including 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.

Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof that vaccination requirements have been met or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov for more information.

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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