Low Carbon Fuel Systems Engineer

Job Description and Duties

The California Air Resources Board is seeking motivated and experienced applicants to work on a flagship greenhouse gas reduction program—the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). We are seeking an Air Resources Engineer to support the objectives of the LCFS, which are to promote alternative fuels and reduce emissions in California’s transportation sector. This position is part of a team responsible for providing support of fuel pathways involving dairy/swine digester projects producing renewable natural gas or electricity for transportation use and evaluating the project-based applications that will reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in conventional petroleum fuels supply chains, including innovative crude projects, refinery investment projects, renewable hydrogen refinery projects, and low complexity/low- energy-use refinery projects. The team is also responsible for co-processing of low-CI feedstock, as well as carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and direct air capture projects. Expertise in the team extends to life cycle assessment of conventional and alternative fuels production and supply chain using tools such as the California-modified Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (CA-GREET) model suites, and the Oil Production Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimator (OPGEE).

As an Air Resources Engineer, you will conduct modeling and life cycle analysis for fuel pathway and project-based crediting applications, contribute to the regulatory amendments, and use engineering principles to evaluate the technical accuracy and completeness of proposed fuel pathways (e.g. biomethane) and projects (e.g. carbon capture and sequestration) to ensure compliance with the LCFS regulation. You will analyze the role of transportation fuels-related policies in the context of California’s long-term climate goals, and produce briefings, white papers, and other documentation for the program. You will also communicate technical and policy analysis to both internal audiences and a broad set of external stakeholders, in common, easy-to-understand terminology that includes verbal discussions, reports and presentations. Demonstrating adherence to the regulation while maintaining good working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders is essential skill for this position. May require occasional travel up to five percent (5%) of the time for site visits, meetings and workshops.

*NOTE* This is an open advertisement and anyone can apply. The State of California requires applicants to take the Air Resources Engineer "exam" to get on the eligibility list for this position. The "exam" is not a test in the traditional sense; rather, it is designed to assess the candidates’ background, training and experience related to the needs of the position through an online self assessment of your knowledge and experience. Details on the exam can be found at: for the Air Resources Engineer position (Exame Code: 3PB06).

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required.

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.).  
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.
• Travel may be required.

Special Requirements

A concise one-page cover letter must be included to highlight your qualifications, experience, and demonstrate how you can effectively perform the expected duties and contribute to the program.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

We are particularly interested in candidates with technical expertise and/or professional experience in the following areas:

•  Life cycle analysis of transportation fuels, with preference given to candidates with expertise in LCA models such as OPGEE, PRELIM, and GREET

•  Process design and project development of petroleum refinery and hydrogen plant

•  Process design and project development of alternative fuels production, especially for renewable natural gas produced from various feedstock types

•  Carbon capture and sequestration or similar novel carbon reduction technologies

•  Co-processing of biogenic feedstock and conventional petroleum feedstock

•  Experience with LCFS, Renewable Fuel Standard, or other climate-related fuel standards

The successful candidate for this position will demonstrate initiative, have excellent written and oral communication skills, have the ability to understand technical and policy issues, have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, be motivated to grow in their career and willing to learn new skills, work effectively with other staff and interact with community, industry and government stakeholders, and have a track record of prioritizing multiple assignments while producing high quality work products under stringent deadlines. Applicants should also be able to work independently or in a team setting and have excellent interpersonal skills.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Nearby (third-party) Parking
• Convenient to public transportation
• Gym
• Daycare facility

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Other - Cover Letter