Associate Building & Lighting Research Engineer

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy.

Responsibilities

The Building Systems Group at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) seeks an Associate Building & Lighting Research Engineer to support the performance of research necessary to improve lighting in the built environment. Better understanding of the impacts of lighting intensity, spectrum, distribution, and timing is needed to save energy and support human well-being, safety, and comfort in indoor settings. In this position, the individual will support research on advanced lighting capabilities in the built environment, particularly in commercial building interiors. The successful candidate will be part of a team with other PNNL analysts, engineers, and scientists, as well as outside collaborators, conducting research on lighting technology and application advancements leading to energy savings, improved building performance, resiliency, and value. In this position, the candidate will support the analysis of data, prepare technical reports, contribute to scholarly papers in open literature, and participate in national-level research efforts. The individual will play an important role in several cutting-edge or interdisciplinary research projects at PNNL. Leadership and task management responsibilities will align with level of experience.

The Building Systems Group is composed of building systems scientists, engineers, and technical staff who are focused and passionate about transforming residential and commercial buildings with advanced technology and systems with the potential to conserve a significant amount of energy and water while improving the built environment. Our research is focused on emerging areas of building and lighting science, including energy savings, comfort, the visual effects of light on human perceptions of glare, flicker, and color; other physiological effects of light such as circadian and acute alerting effects; advanced lighting control and new features and functions enabled by lighting system connectivity.

This position will support the planning, execution, analysis, and reporting on lab-based and field studies documenting building systems, lighting, and controls performance, occupant response and preferences, system integration, and other factors

• Conduct literature review of relevant studies to inform PNNL research

• Use software modeling tools to simulate lighting performance in various space types for visual and photobiological purposes

• Co-author technical reports and present findings to internal and external stakeholders.

• Analyze data collected in laboratory and real-world settings, such as lighting, energy, and environmental measurements, control system and sensor data, occupant survey data

• Maintain and expand career with growing scientific\technical experience and credentials in the areas of lighting engineering and science, measurement and verification, & lighting related infrastructure

• Accountable to the Building Systems Group Leader for growing/developing technical expertise and communicating development and infrastructure needs.

• Accountable to Project Managers for performing project roles on time, within budget, and with attention to detail and quality.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA or higher

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in mechanical engineering, buildings sciences, or civil engineering.

• A passion for learning and innovation to advance building systems.

• Experience setting up and performing experimental research in the lab and in the field.

• A track record of using a collaborative approach to problem-solving and the ability to work well with geographically distributed and interdisciplinary teams.

• Experience interacting and communicating effectively with clients and project stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to write concisely and clearly.

• A real interest in creating healthy environments and working with technical staff to enable them to be able to do their very best work.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

none

Additional Information

Not Applicable.

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io .

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

• Research Associates excluded.

**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

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Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $80,500.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $108,200.00/Yr.