Principal Utility Plant Modeling Engineer

Position: Principal Central Utility Plant Modeling Engineer
About Johnson Controls Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.  For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters.

Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.  Visit  for more information and follow @Johnson controls on social platforms. 

What you will do:

Open Blue Central Utility Plant (OB CUP) is an innovative software product that helps central energy facility managers and operators minimize carbon footprint and operational costs through the reduction of energy and water consumption. The Principal Central Utility Plant Modeling Engineer will develop, calibrate, and validate detailed engineering simulation models that drive plant optimization algorithms, support commissioning and user training activities, and perform Measurement & Verification (M&V) analyses to quantify energy savings and operational performance improvements.

This role combines deep expertise in central utility plant modeling, energy analytics, optimization, and customer engagement to maximize the value delivered through the Open Blue platform.

This is a remote position for US based candidates.

How you will do it:

Conduct site visits of central utility plants to analyze plant configuration, operation, performance, and optimization opportunities.

Gather, cleanse, and process data from various sources and utilize analytical tools and techniques to prepare data for OB CUP analysis and modeling.

Develop, calibrate, and validate energy and central plant simulation models to estimate potential savings from implementing OB CUP and other energy conservation measures.

Apply engineering judgment and problem-solving skills to validate simulation results and troubleshoot model performance.

Utilize advanced analytics, optimization techniques, and AI/ML-enabled capabilities within the Open Blue platform to improve plant operational efficiency and performance.

Following integration with plant automation systems, lead commissioning activities to ensure OB CUP algorithms are dispatching plant equipment optimally and in alignment with simulation models.

Troubleshoot plant automation systems and operational issues identified during commissioning.

Train and support plant managers and operators in the effective use of OB CUP software and analytics.

Perform savings Measurement & Verification (M&V) analyses, develop customer-facing reports, and communicate energy and operational outcomes.

Provide weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual customer analytics reports communicating to JCI leadership the overall effectiveness, savings, and customer impact of OB CUP by customer, local office, region, and global organization.

Collaborate with internal engineering, software, and product teams to continuously improve modeling methodologies and optimization performance.

Required:

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent professional/military experience.
10+ years of experience developing, calibrating, and validating energy, HVAC, or central utility plant simulation models.

Experience performing Measurement & Verification (M&V) analyses using industry-standard methodologies (e.g., IPMVP).5+ years of experience in HVAC design engineering and/or developing building energy savings projects.

Experience with the design and operation of central utility plants (chilled water, hot water, steam, thermal storage, etc.).Understanding of building cooling and heating loads, energy calculation methodologies, and the performance of building mechanical/electrical systems.

Knowledge of HVAC equipment including hydronic systems, steam/condensate systems, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, and related central plant equipment.

Experience calibrating simulation models with operational data and validating performance against measured system operation.

General understanding of HVAC controls, building automation systems, and central utility plant sequences of operation.

Understanding of basic business case analysis and lifecycle cost analysis…