Energy Engineer - Energy Resources Center

Energy Engineer - Energy Resources Center

Hiring Department:
Energy Resources Center

Location:

Chicago, IL USA

Requisition

Posting Close Date:
Thursday, July 9, 2026

Salary:
The previously determined salary range for this position was $ to $.

Position Summary:

Under minimal supervision develops partnerships with private and public sector to develop research ideas and translate them into fundable projects to improve energy efficiency. Through energy audits, energy studies, and engineering analyses, the employee is responsible for identifying practical answers to energy problems in the industrial, commercial, institutional and/or residential markets. This employee is a project leader and has responsibilities leading engineering teams as assigned.

• Works with Energy Resource Center (ERC) project teams to identify and develop energy and environmental research ideas and assists in converting them into fundable projects (energy efficiency, energy use, energy conversion, energy storage, emission reduction). Provides technical and engineering expertise in energy efficiency technologies/measures/ concepts.
• Provides original ideas/concepts to technical proposals, contributing major sections to the proposals and working in the ERC project teams to complete all sections of the proposals (technical, budget, schedules, deliverables).
• Serves as principal investigator and point of contact on some projects and/or elements of ERC programs, directing tasks and taking responsibility for the results. Provides input/recommendation to sponsoring agency. Responds to inquiries. Responsible for providing final project deliverables (including reports, papers, presentations, etc.) on time and within budget.
• Applies engineering principles to projects, along with in depth technical knowledge of energy/environmental technologies and concepts, to specific energy and/or environmental research issues, opportunities and tasks (analysis, technical writing, independent technical research & judgment).
• Acts as technical project team member (work within technical teams of various disciplines). Provide technical guidance in areas of expertise as well as periodically leads engineering team activities in the field (site visits, energy assessments, commissioning & recommissioning). Approve and oversee project plans, timelines and cost structures. Review and approve final deliverables, ensuring the accuracy of data.
• Conducts independent and group research as appropriate.
• Encourages interdisciplinary program planning to develop new programs, insuring energy efficiency and environmental stewardship principles are included.
• Staff Management: plan, assign and review work of staff to ensure that group objectives are met. Hire, train, develop and manage staff to ensure that a qualified staff exists to meet group objectives.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (preferable mechanical, industrial, electrical, chemical, civil, energy or equivalent) with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in energy, manufacturing, utility, research or service industry.
• Alternatively, Masters degree in Engineering, Business or Finance with a minimum of one (1) year equivalent work or research experience in a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years experience in modeling heat pump technologies.
• Excellent technical written and verbal communications.
• Understanding of energy engineering principles (technical concepts, analysis techniques, energy-financing principals).
• Computer proficiency (MS Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Internet Research
  - Energy and any energy engineering software capabilities are a plus).

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.