Sr. Sustainable Design Engineer

HKS is hiring a Sr. Sustainable Design Engineer in Detroit, MI, responsible for leading sustainability engineering analyses and models. The role includes managing energy simulations, conducting evaluations of mechanical systems and building designs, and promoting sustainable strategies. The engineer will mentor staff, oversee project budgets, and support enterprise-level ESG efforts. A strong understanding of sustainable design principles is essential for this position.
About the position

HKS is seeking an experienced Sr. Sustainable Design Engineer to join our firm. This role involves managing and leading engineering analysis and models for sustainability, ensuring that the firm's resources—people, processes, and tools—are utilized effectively. The successful candidate will teach and mentor staff while embodying and expressing the firm's values and mission. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of sustainable design principles and the ability to apply them across various projects. The Sr. Sustainable Design Engineer will manage whole-building dynamic thermal and energy simulation models for various building types and scales. This includes advanced evaluations of mechanical systems, architectural responses to enhance daylighting, and detailed thermal and moisture responses of building facade components. The engineer will also conduct detailed engineering analyses aimed at minimizing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building's architectural design, construction, and operation. In addition, the engineer will support the DesignGreen team and Enterprise leadership to expand and integrate design performance, building energy modeling, and building operation modeling across all projects. This involves predicting a building's performance concerning energy efficiency, passive and active design strategies, and renewable energy systems integration throughout the project's life cycle. The role also includes overseeing Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for design alternatives, leading design teams to promote integrative sustainable strategies, and conducting specialized research on energy and sustainability issues. The engineer will be responsible for authoring professional publications and identifying innovative opportunities to increase energy efficiency. They will also advance enterprise-level Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts, oversee technical reports, and participate in team meetings to discuss project and technical issues. Cultural responsibilities include endorsing the firm's values, managing internal training, and investing in the professional development of staff. Financially, the engineer will be responsible for project accounting processes and ensuring projects are delivered within defined budgets.

Responsibilities
• Manage whole-building dynamic thermal and energy building simulation models for various building types and scales.
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• Conduct advanced mechanical systems evaluations and architectural responses to enhance daylighting.
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• Perform detailed engineering analysis to minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
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• Manage comfort studies, life cycle costs analysis, energy simulation, daylight simulations, solar shading analysis, and renewable energy evaluation.
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• Support DesignGreen team and Enterprise leadership to integrate design performance and building energy modeling.
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• Predict a building's anticipated energy use and corresponding energy savings using whole-building energy simulation.
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• Oversee Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for design alternatives.
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• Lead and assist design teams in promoting integrative sustainable strategies.
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• Conduct specialized project and enterprise research on energy, environmental, carbon, and sustainability issues.
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• Author professional publications and identify areas for innovation to increase energy efficiency.
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• Advance enterprise-level Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts.
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• Oversee technical reports and presentation materials.
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• Participate in team meetings to discuss project and technical issues.

Requirements
• Proven experience in sustainable design engineering and energy modeling.
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• Strong knowledge of building energy simulation tools and techniques.
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• Experience in managing complex engineering analyses and models.
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• Ability to mentor and teach staff effectively.
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• Strong understanding of life cycle cost analysis and life cycle analysis.
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• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
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• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Nice-to-haves
• Familiarity with the AIA 2030 Commitment and the United Nations Global Compact.
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• Experience in authoring professional publications or journals.
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• Knowledge of advanced mechanical systems and renewable energy systems integration.

Benefits
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
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• 401k retirement savings plan with matching contributions.
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• Professional development opportunities and training programs.
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• Flexible scheduling options for work-life balance.