Managing Research Engineer (Hot Water Systems)

Groundbreaker. Game changer. Pioneer.

TRC has long set the bar for clients who require more than just engineering, combining science with the latest technology to devise innovative solutions that stand the test of time. From pipelines to power plants, roadways to reservoirs, schoolyards to security solutions, clients look to TRC for breakthrough thinking backed by the innovative follow-through of an industry leader.

TRC's professionals work with a broad range of commercial, industrial and government clients and the communities they serve. We deliver breakthrough solutions that address local needs -- so our clients can better succeed in an ever-changing world.

Working at TRC means tackling interesting, meaningful projects. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, entrepreneurial zeal and agile corporate structure. We recognize that the expertise of our staff is our strongest asset, so we generously reward employees for successful performance and invest in their careers through training and the development of new skills and certifications.

TRC's Research and Consulting (R&C) team, within the Advanced Energy practice, is focused on developing and deploying decarbonization and clean energy solutions for our clients - utilities, non-profits, local governments, and state and federal agencies. R&C is a multi-disciplinary research-based consulting team that helps internal and external clients develop and optimize scaled clean energy solutions grounded in technological, economic, policy, market, and customer insights. Our research consulting projects are focused on how advanced energy solutions like energy efficiency, demand management, distributed energy resources, emerging tech, microgrids, storage, and electrification with heat pumps can help drive the clean energy transformation.

The R&C Team is looking to hire a Managing Research Engineer with water heating system expertise to support our growing portfolio of service hot water and domestic hot water related projects. The role is best suited for someone with comprehensive knowledge of water heating systems, including design processes, distribution systems, heating equipment, and plumbing. We are looking for someone who ideally has a combination of application experience (design, commissioning, construction) and experience with applied research of new technologies and design solutions. The role requires bridging the gap between innovative emerging technologies and practical applications in new and existing buildings.

Managing Research Engineers are mid-level professionals who oversee technical projects and tasks, with support from more experienced engineering staff. Managing Research Engineers engage in sophisticated research and consulting projects, help build our team's expertise in both technical research and the clean energy industry and participate in the evolution of our business. No project is the same and Managing Research Engineers get exposure to lots of different types of work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Managing Research Engineers will work on multiple tasks across multiple teams, including managing medium- and large-sized projects and designing and overseeing increasingly sophisticated technical research and analytics. This position requires the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate with internal technical team members and external customers.

R&C's Research Engineers conduct research and analysis to help address clients' needs through discrete, funded projects focused on advanced energy solutions. This includes designing, implementing, and communicating insights from a wide range of research and analysis approaches, drawing upon advanced energy industry subject matter expertise, and helping clients understand how to use these insights.

Primary Service and Domestic Hot Water Project Work Areas:

• Emerging Technologies and Code Readiness Research
• Lab and Field Monitoring and Demonstrations
• Codes and Standards Development
• Technical Market Research
• Market Transformation and Technology Transfer

If you are interested in this role, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the requirements. We are open to considering candidates with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Preference for this position will be given to candidates based in California, but qualified candidates will be considered from across the United States.

Key Responsibilities (Duties):

This position involves responsibility for technical analysis and research on a wide array of hot water related energy projects:

• Lead project teams on delivery of mid- to large-sized projects or multiple projects within a portfolio, managing scope, timeline, and budget.
• Design and perform increasingly complicated research, data collection, and analysis project tasks with limited oversight from senior team members.
• Provide oversight to more junior staff members for the execution of standard project tasks as well as novel project tasks.
• Act as mentor and coach to develop internal talent for the future of the practice.
• Manage client interactions independently, proactively bringing in support from more senior team members for complex or sensitive client interactions.
• Develop increasing focus and specialization in hot water topics in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
• Contribute to development of proposals and other business efforts.
• Identify and implement internal trainings and process improvements in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
• Manage personal and project team's time across multiple projects, proactively seeking support when needed to understand/troubleshoot tasks or balance competing priorities.

While the focus will vary based on project needs, this role will focus on the following types of tasks, completed with minimal oversight under the direction of more senior team members:

• Research design and project planning
  • Develop research approaches and project plans that will address clients' needs, incorporating own subject matter expertise and with limited support from senior team members
  • Design field and/or lab data collection methodologies to collect data on performance of technologies, programs, energy policies, and green building solutions
  • Collaborate with other subject matter experts from across the organization to ensure that projects incorporate industry leading comprehensive, multi-disciplinary solutions
• Project management
  • Manage the delivery (scope, schedule, and budget) of research consulting projects or small portfolios, with limited to no oversight
  • Delegate project tasks to team members and monitor that tasks meet client expectations, as needed
  • Communicate project status to client and internal team
• Research Management
  • Instruct and oversee junior team members in the design and implementation of primary and secondary research:
    • Design and implementation of demonstration plans for emerging technology field and lab research
    • Design of M&V approach including translating research objectives and project requirements into data collection methodologies and detailed M&V plans
    • Site recruitment, contractor selection, and detailed specification of retrofit approach
    • Coordination with field and lab staff and contractors to ensure equipment retrofits and metering installations meets the intent of the test plan
    • Field data collection methodologies
    • Conduct quality control activities to ensure equipment installation, data gathering and results are correct
    • In-depth technical interviews and other observational research
    • Literature reviews and other secondary research
  • Instruct and oversee junior team members in analysis, including:
    • Analyzing hot water technology and building energy use using established M&V methodologies
    • Characterizing quantitative data in terms of hot water system parameters of interest, and interpreting results
    • Developing and implementing calculations to estimate savings, carbon emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness, and other benefits of emerging hot water technologies, programs, and energy policies
    • Conducting technical analysis in support of developing policy solutions such as building energy codes, appliance standards, and local building ordinances
    • Compiling, cleaning, coding, and basic data management
    • Basic statistical analyses and data visualizations, alongside data analytics expert team members
    • Basics of clean energy policies, energy use, technologies, and research methodologies
  • Coordinate with methodological and domain experts from across the organization to ensure quality of research
  • Develop and implement QA/QC procedures to ensure accuracy of analysis
• Research synthesis and communication
  • Communicate research results verbally, via written reports, and graphically
  • Synthesize information across multiple data sources
  • Inform clients of interim findings throughout the project
  • Translate results of research projects into clear, actionable recommendations for clients
• Industry Expertise
  • Stay informed about domestic hot water and service hot water engineering research methodologies, the plumbing industry, and the clean energy industry through technical reading and participation in local and national professional organizations
  • Instruct others in current engineering research methodologies and the clean energy industry
  • Identify new approaches to improve and expand our technical research expertise

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications are those an applicant must possess to be considered a candidate for the position.

• Masters degree with 5+ years experience, or Undergraduate degree with 6+ years experience, or PhD with 3+ year of experience
• Applicable degrees include Mechanical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or other relevant fields focused on engineering research, building science, and/or energy systems.
• Demonstrated competency and experience in engineering fundamentals (e.g. thermodynamics/heat transfer/fluid dynamics), building science, energy codes and standards, distributed energy resources, and/or applied technical research.
• Demonstrated experience in domestic with hot water and/or service hot water.
• Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of research methods and design.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and can-do attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Capable of maintaining a high energy level to handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications are not required for an applicant to be considered a candidate for the position.

• Prior experience as a plumbing designer including design of hot water systems.
• Experience with unitary and split heat pump water heaters
• Experience with hot water recirculation systems.
• Working knowledge of the California Energy and Plumbing Codes and plumbing design principles.
• Tangible experience in consulting and/or research.
• Authored hot water system research reports and presented findings at industry conferences
• Familiarity with utilities or the clean energy sector, including one or more of the following:
• Building science
• Energy efficiency, demand management, and/or other distributed energy resources
• Utility programs and regulation
• Clean energy technologies and/or building systems
• Building codes

• Experience with one or multiple of the skills below:
• Field monitoring experience - Water and Energy
• Data analysis and statistics
• Building energy modeling
• Surveys and in-depth interviews for research
• Cost-effectiveness analysis methods
• Literature review
• Research presentation
• Interpretation of building codes to support design, inspection, or commissioning of plumbing systems
• Program evaluation
• Other structured research methods
• Proficiency in two or more of the software listed below:
• Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Excel
• R,
• Python
• EnergyPlus
• CBECC
• Smartsheet

Our Mission

We understand our clients' goals, and embrace them as our own, applying creativity, experience, integrity and dedication to deliver superior solutions to the world's energy, environment and infrastructure challenges.

Our Vision

We will solve the challenges of making the Earth a better place to live - community by community.

TRC is ranked #16 on ENR's list of the Top 500 Design Firms in the United States.

Please watch the video below to learn more:

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Benefits*: TRC offers a competitive benefit package consisting of:

• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• 401k package that includes both traditional and Roth IRA options and Company match.
• Paid time off contingent upon full time or part time status and level of seniority (ranging from 15 to 25 days per year).
• All full-time employees enjoy a minimum of 8 Paid Holidays per year.
• TRC ensures that all employees, including those that work part-time, receive paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of their state of residence.

*These benefits are applicable to US employees depending on their employment status (full time, part time, or temporary). TRC offers jurisdiction specific benefit packages for International and Puerto Rico employees.

Compensation: In accordance with local law, the below salary range is applicable for the job and location associated with this requisition. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.

Other Compensation: Employee may be eligible for participation in the Company's annual Discretionary Bonus Program which is contingent on Company, Business Segment, and Individual performance against Key Performance Indicators which vary by year and employee.

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TRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The complete job description and application are available on TRC's career site.

TRC accepts applications for this position on an ongoing, rolling basis and reserves the right to cancel this posting at any time.