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.
We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.
Job Description
A full-time job as a senior engineer and modeling tool developer supporting NREL’s marine energy numerical modeling portfolio is available in the Marine Energy R&D Group. NREL’s Marine Energy research is focused on developing numerical and experimental methods that accelerate the development of marine energy technologies towards commercialization. The NREL team works closely with other national labs and university and industry partners to support the development of the marine energy industry. The person hired for this position will work with a group of approximately 5-10 researchers who are focused on (1) developing numerical modeling tools for marine energy technologies and (2) using the tools to design, analyze, and optimize marine energy systems. Because numerical modeling projects are often closely tied with laboratory and in-water testing, the person hired for this role will also be expected to contribute to experimental and validation efforts. We are looking for an experienced researcher and code developer who has a demonstrated ability develop marine energy modeling tools, execute projects, write winning proposals, and provide strategic guidance across the numerical modeling portfolio. NREL’s Marine Energy Team is primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), and the person in this role will be expected to coordinate their work with WPTO, other national laboratories, and industry partners.
Job Duties - This researcher will contribute to NREL’s numerical modeling, simulation, and analysis efforts, including:
- Work with NREL and DOE leadership to develop and execute a marine energy modeling strategy that meets the needs of the industry and R&D community
- Develop existing and new modeling, simulation, and optimization tools for wave, tidal/river current, and other marine energy technologies.
- Lead and contribute to the design of marine energy technologies and systems with marine energy applications; including but not limited to, hydrodynamic design exploration, drivetrain designs, structural assemblies, mooring configurations, electric generator designs, and control system design
- Publish research in technical journals, present work at conferences, lead proposals, and being a subject matter expert to sit on workings groups such as IEC TC114, Ocean Energy Systems Modeling Groups, etc.
- Contribute to technoeconomic modeling of marine energy technologies by leveraging modeling tools
- Lead code development projects and mentor junior researchers
Basic Qualifications
Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience. Applies extensive engineering technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Considered a technical resource. Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
Additional Required Qualifications
- Excellent writing, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Experience coding within engineering coding languages (e.g., Python, Julia, C++, MATLAB/Simulink)
- Experience and/or knowledge of reduced order numerical modeling of marine energy systems using frequency domain approaches (e.g., WAMIT, Nemoh or AQWA) and time domain (i.e. Cummins Equation) simulation methods.
- Experience and/or knowledge of high-fidelity CFD methods and software tools (e.g., OpenFOAM, StarCCM+ ANSYS Fluent, or Smoothed-particle hydrodynamics models), particularly in the area of modeling of wave and floating body interaction.
- Demonstrated success at leading proposals and being awarded grants to pursue research
Preferred Qualifications
- Passion for renewable energy technology with a specific interest in marine energy technologies.
- Experience developing wave energy converter modeling and design tools
- Experience and/or knowledge on the development of control systems
- Experience with and/or knowledge of computer-aided design software (e.g., Autocad, Solidworks, Rhino)
- Experience and/or knowledge of modeling the fluid-structure interactions (e.g., offshore wind turbines, marine energy systems)
- Experience with the Project Chrono multi-physics modeling software
Job Application Submission Window
The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
