Research Engineer II

Location

Hybrid, 1-2 days/week in our Minneapolis office. Local candidates or those willing to relocate to the Twin Cities area are strongly preferred.

Join Our Dynamic Research Team

We are looking for a Research Engineer II to join our growing Research team! The Research team is responsible for identifying and evaluating emerging and innovative energy efficiency approaches and technologies. The Research team provides the real world-, evidence- and science-based groundwork for CEE's mission. As a Research Engineer, you will be responsible for leading research projects, leading proposal development, conducting data analysis, and developing and applying building stock models to evaluate energy use, electrification pathways, technology adoption, and market transformation opportunities across residential and commercial buildings. Responsibilities may also include the design and execution of field studies, technology assessments, and energy modeling. Approximately half of this position's work is expected to focus on building stock modeling and related analytical activities. This position provides a beneficial variety of exposure to many issues that shape energy efficiency, including opportunities to connect large-scale modeling efforts with field research and real-world building performance data. The right candidate will have strong analytic capabilities, a sense of curiosity, and a desire to investigate energy systems, building performance, and energy efficiency. The Research Engineer II mentors and may supervise other staff.

Who We Are

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a clean energy nonprofit with offices in North Loop of Minneapolis and Roseville, MN. We provide practical energy solutions for homes, businesses, and communities to cut energy waste and harmful emissions. We collaborate regularly with field peers and partners, and we employ curious people who enjoy learning and contributing to the Midwest’s quality of life and economy. Recognized as one of Minnesota's top 200 workplaces by the Star Tribune, CEE is known for its open communication, respect for diverse perspectives, and commitment to work-life balance.

What We Offer

• Insurance Coverage Options : To ensure you and your family are well protected, we have got you covered with Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Health Saving Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts. Please see our 2026 Benefit Summary.

• Impact: We want to make the world a better and more energy efficient place. Our work and the decisions we make are rooted in this foundational desire.

• Future Planning: To help you secure your financial future, benefit from our retirement saving program. Reach your goal sooner with our immediate vesting and company contribution.

• Work/Life Balance: We recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and are dedicated to supporting our team members in various aspects of their lives. Our benefits include generous Paid Time Off (PTO), paid parental leave, and salary continuation for major medical events, ensuring that you have the support you need during significant life moments and personal challenges.

• Holidays: Our company provides nine paid holidays each year, offering you ample time to observe important occasions and enjoy personal time.

• Growth: We want everyone to grow and learn within their roles. We offer professional development opportunities and education assistance.

• Championing DEI: Our committed DEI Committee promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment by establishing clear goals and assessing progress throughout the organization.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the primary investigator and technical lead on research projects related to commercial buildings. Develop project budgets, staff allocations, and work scopes. With limited assistance from supervisor, review project actual to budgeted finances, invoices, agreements, staff requirements, and task completion to proposed timeline. Identify risks and develop approaches to alleviate risks. Provide quarterly staff allocation updates
• Provide technical consultation to Market Transformation, Program Development, and other CEE Departments for topics related to research projects and commercial buildings and the technologies used within them.
• Apply building science principles to the evaluation of building performance issues such as energy use, indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and envelope durability.
• Identify project objectives. Develop test procedures and analysis methods to achieve those objectives.
• Coordinate work of other research engineers, technicians, analysts, and/or interns assisting with these projects.
• Conduct literature reviews and technology assessments.
• Carefully document project work, track efforts, and manage multiple project priorities.
• Manage the diagnostic testing of building and energy system performance. Energy systems will include heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, service hot water, and solar systems.
• Develop and maintain energy and building system models to evaluate the energy performance of systems.
• Lead proposal ideation and development.
• Conceptualize, organize, and serve as primary author on technical research reports and journal articles.
• Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.
• Staff who supervise others will:
  • Partner with HR to attract and select quality, diverse candidates; onboard, train, and build connections with employees.
  • Determine the relevant work priorities and expectations for the role and communicate to staff; evaluate and manage performance; determine interventions or corrective actions when needed.
  • Lead staff through regular one-on-ones, performance reviews, tailored development plans, and skill-building. Facilitate regular team meetings and implement feedback loops to boost morale and retention.
  • Demonstrate support for equal opportunity in hiring and employment decisions.
  • Demonstrate respect for different cultures, values, beliefs, and perspectives. Foster a culture of inclusiveness and incorporate diverse perspectives into decision-making processes.

Skills & Knowledge We’re Looking For

• Must meet one of the following requirements:
  • PhD in mechanical engineering or closely related technical field and one to three years’ experience working in a technical field.
  • MS in mechanical engineering or closely related technical field and three to six years’ experience working in a technical field.
  • BS in mechanical engineering or closely related technical field and six to nine years’ experience working in a technical field.
• Experience with developing, modifying, and running building stock modeling tools such as ResStock, ComStock, or similar modeling platforms.
• Experience integrating, cleaning, reconciling, and analyzing large datasets from multiple sources.
• Strong statistical and analytical skills, including experience applying statistical methods to large datasets and interpreting model outputs.
• Experience programming and developing reproducible analytical workflows using Python or R
• Self-motivated, responsible, efficient, and accurate.
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills:
  • Comfortable interacting with project participants including homeowners, renters, building operators, mechanical contractors, and facilities managers.
  • Experience documenting assumptions and technical observations.
  • Experience organizing and writing technical reports.
  • Ability to communicate relevant project information in team meetings.
  • Ability to identify presentation opportunities, submit abstracts, develop presentations, and conduct presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated drive and motivation to lead research in the energy field.
• Experience developing, applying, or evaluating building stock models to assess energy efficiency, electrification, technology adoption, load impacts, or market potential.
• Experience evaluating building and energy systems. Energy systems include heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, service hot water, energy storage, and solar systems. Evaluation skills include:
  • Experience adapting approaches, developing new methods, and leading building diagnostic testing or monitoring.
  • Leading and conduct diagnostic testing.
  • Leading and installing data acquisition systems for continuous measurements.
• Experience leading the development of field monitoring protocols, data processing procedures, and data analysis methods.
• Experience, training, and working knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics applied to complex energy systems.
• Experience with energy and/or building system models.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities and understanding of basic statistical methods.
• Extensive experience using Microsoft Excel to analyze large datasets and generate charts.
• Ability to use engineering principles or practices to assist in the evaluation of the commercial potential for emerging energy technologies.
• Experience identifying promising concepts, ideas, and/or technologies and leading proposal ideation and development.

Compensation

Dependent on qualifications and experience, we expect the pay range upon hire for this position will be $120k - $125k.