Research Engineer II – AI Building Energy Systems

Overview

At Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), our core capabilities are divided among Directorates that focus on specific areas of scientific research or other functions. The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges, including modernizing the power grid, developing renewable energy, and addressing nuclear science and environmental management. Within this directorate, the Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division accelerates the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through research and advanced data analytics.

Research Engineer II – AI for Building Energy Systems (Building Simulation and Design Group)

Location:

Portland, OR;
Richland, WA; or Seattle, WA. On‑site presence required; hybrid arrangements may be available.

This role will contribute to AI‑enabled building energy systems research under DOE mission areas, including building energy modeling, code compliance checking, permitting, large‑scale performance data analysis, workflow automation, building controls and operations, workforce training, data mining, and AI‑enabled software tools.

• Conduct independent research and develop technical approaches in AI‑enabled building energy systems research under a given mission area, including generative AI, large language models, and agentic systems for building research applications.
• Develop, fine‑tune, test, evaluate, and apply generative AI, large language model, and agentic methods for building research applications, including data curation and technical evaluation.
• Develop and implement analysis methods, modeling workflows, tools, and prototypes for building research applications, including integration of AI methods into software tools and technical workflows.
• Contribute to mission‑relevant tools and technical products that support building research and decision‑making.
• Support and contribute to existing building research and engineering projects in these application areas, including projects with established workflows and projects transitioning toward AI‑enabled approaches.
• Lead defined technical tasks or project components with responsibility for assigned scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Work with project teams, collaborators, and stakeholders to understand technical needs and contribute to technical approaches.
• Work effectively across interdisciplinary teams and provide guidance to interns, students, or junior staff, as appropriate.
• Contribute technical ideas, analyses, and writing to proposal development.
• Contribute to technical reports, publications, and conference presentations, and present research results in project and technical meetings.
• Maintain awareness of relevant technical developments and emerging methods that support current and future research activities.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a full academic or research CV.

Minimum qualifications:

• BS/BA with 2 years of relevant experience
• MS/MA
• PhD

Preferred qualifications:

• PhD in architectural engineering, building science, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience beyond the PhD, with evidence of growing independence in technical work and project contributions.
• Experience analyzing building energy systems, including modeling, controls, or system performance analysis, with ability to develop and implement analysis approaches for technical tasks.
• Experience developing and applying AI or machine learning methods to building energy modeling, analysis, or engineering research problems.
• Strong programming skills for developing tools, scripts, or computational workflows supporting modeling and data analysis.
• Experience leading technical tasks or project components, supporting planning of scope and deliverables, and collaborating with team members.
• Experience contributing to proposal development, including technical writing, analysis support, or development of research ideas.
• Record of contributing to technical publications or presentations in building energy systems or related areas.
• Experience presenting research…