Posting Title
Senior Distribution System Research Engineer
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Regular
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Hours Per Week
40
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Working at NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.
NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.
Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.
Job Description
We are looking for a senior research professional to join the Residential
Buildings Research Group (RBRG) in the Building Technologies and Science Center (BTSC). Our research staff contribute to an exciting portfolio of energy research & analysis, combining advanced modeling and analysis with laboratory and field research to explore and advance buildings-to-grid technologies and support the transition to a clean energy future.
We are researchers, engineers, software developers, modelers, physicists, economists, product managers, thought leaders, system thinkers, and life-long learners. Our staff engage in exciting and interesting research projects and find ways to contribute based on our unique interests and skillsets.
The successful candidate for this position will bring electric utility perspectives to teams of building scientists and analysts working to develop and deploy efficiency and demand flexibility solutions for the built environment that support a clean electrical grid. Research emphases include buildings-to-grid solutions that provide affordable, resilient housing and buildings while simultaneously reducing need for grid-side infrastructure investments.
The ideal candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team of experienced NREL researchers to lead projects in the area of grid edge with a focus on cost-effective solutions for transforming energy use in buildings. Projects and tasks assignments will focus primarily on leading modeling, analysis, and laboratory and field research. Elements of the projects include providing strategic direction, leading the development of proposals and scopes of work, conducting and reviewing analyses, and/or establishing and maintaining utility partnerships.
Organizationally, this position resides in the Residential Buildings Research Group within the Building Technologies and Science Center. BTSC and NREL are committed to fostering a creative, curiosity-driven, inclusive workplace, and to supporting and mentoring research staff as they progress from task execution to principal investigator and beyond. A successful candidate will also serve as a liaison between BTSC and NREL research centers that are more fully focused on grid simulation and facilitate collaborative analysis across research centers.
We seek an exceptionally curious engineer with experience and background in utility distribution system planning, design, and maintenance.
Job duties and responsibilities may include:
- Developing buildings-to-grid strategies and initiatives.
- Developing and maintaining utility partnerships.
- Developing and reviewing funding proposals.
- Leading analytical research.
- Documenting research findings.
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Basic Qualifications
Relevant PhD and 9 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 12 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 14 or more years of experience . Apply advanced engineering technical principles, theories and concepts. Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts. Considered a national subject matter expert. Demonstrates leadership in a number of areas including all team, task and/or project lead responsibilities (works independently). Demonstrated management of complex and/or impactful projects. Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
- Strong background in engineering or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience working within, or consulting for, electric utilities, with focus on demand-side solutions and/or distribution system planning, design, and maintenance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to write technical reports and journal articles documenting research.
- Experience presenting technical information to wide range of audiences.
- Strong background in electrical grid’s distribution systems with experience in modeling and analysis of distribution systems.
- Strong knowledge base of electrification, building flexibility, and decarbonization practices in the distribution system.
- Experience with distributed energy resources planning, advanced distribution management systems (ADMS), and/or distributed energy resources management systems (DERMS) platforms
- Collaboration with other researchers, utilities, and vendors to advance building-to-grid solutions.
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Job Application Submission Window
The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Researcher V / Annual Salary Range: $114,500 - $206,100
Benefits Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.
* Based on eligibility rules
Drug Free Workplace
NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Submission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
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EEO Policy
NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
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