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Building Energy Modeling Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Building Energy Modeling information

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$17

$32

$52

How much do building energy modeling jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for building energy modeling in Virginia is $32.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.24 and $36.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily tasks and work environment for a building energy modeling professional?

As a Building Energy Modeling professional, your typical day involves gathering and analyzing building data, constructing simulation models, and running energy performance scenarios. You'll use specialized software to assess factors like HVAC systems, insulation, lighting, and occupancy patterns to recommend efficiency improvements. Most work is done in an office setting, collaborating closely with engineers, architects, and sustainability consultants, though occasional site visits may be required. The role offers opportunities to work on diverse projects, ranging from new construction to retrofits, and often involves presenting findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What is a building energy modeling?

A Building Energy Modeling (BEM) job involves using specialized software to simulate a building’s energy performance, assessing factors like heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation. Professionals in this field help optimize energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and ensure compliance with energy codes and green building standards. They work on new constructions, retrofits, and system upgrades to improve sustainability. Typical tasks include analyzing energy consumption, running simulations, and providing recommendations for energy-efficient design improvements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the building energy modeling position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Building Energy Modeling, you need a strong background in mechanical engineering, architecture, or a related field, combined with analytical skills and experience in energy simulation. Familiarity with specialized software such as EnergyPlus, eQUEST, IES VE, and relevant certifications like LEED or BEMP is highly valued. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are important soft skills for this role. These competencies help ensure accurate modeling, effective collaboration with project teams, and compliance with energy codes or sustainability goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Building Energy Modeling jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Building Energy Modeling jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Building Energy Modeling job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,708 per year, or $32.1 per hour.

Sustainable Design Engineer Leader, Mission Critical

Hksinc

Richmond, VA

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Overview:

A primary managerial position in whole-building dynamic thermal and energy building simulation models for various building types and scales and shares responsibility for project successes. Recognized ability to impact revenue and growth. Manages the firm's resources (people, processes and tools) and assignments with proficiency, fluency and aptitude. Teaches and mentors staff and effectively embodies and expresses the firm's values and mission. Advances enterprise level objectives for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).

Responsibilities:

  • Oversees the whole-building dynamic thermal and energy building simulation models for various building types and scales, including advanced mechanical systems evaluations, architectural response to enhancing daylighting, lighting control systems and detailed thermal and moisture response of building facade components
  • Understands business constraints and opportunities when developing energy modeling related service proposals
  • Manages the detailed engineering analysis for the purpose of minimizing energy consumption and related greenhouse gas emissions related to a building's architectural design, construction and operation
  • Manages the comfort studies, life cycle costs analysis, energy simulation, daylight simulations, solar shading analysis and renewable energy evaluation to provide analysis-based recommendations that inform design and operational decisions made by architects, engineers, contactors and operators
  • Supports DesignGreen team and Enterprise leadership to expand and further integrate design performance, building energy modeling and building operation modeling for all projects across the firm, including informing design decisions by predicting a building's performance with respect to energy efficiency, passive and active design strategies, building massing, daylight availability, glare control, shading analysis, thermal comfort, natural ventilation, mechanical systems alternatives, loads analysis, renewable energy systems integration and similar design factors/elements throughout the project's life cycle
  • Confidently predicts a building's anticipated energy use and corresponding energy savings, as compared to a standard baseline by applying whole-building energy simulation and verify performance through industry standard calibration procedures for post-occupancy evaluations
  • Oversees the Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for design alternatives with a keen understanding of appropriate economic analysis parameters relevant to the project
  • Leads and/or assists design teams to promote integrative sustainable strategies and leverage complex data sets to support design decisions and research
  • Leads and/or assists with specialized project and enterprise research activities including but not limited to energy, environmental, carbon and general sustainability issues
  • Authors professional publications/journals (prime investigator) and identifies areas of opportunity (innovation) to increase energy efficiency by utilizing new or existing technologies, provide creative market transformation ideas, and/or innovative implementation strategies
  • Advances enterprise level Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts such as the AIA 2030 Commitment and the United Nations Global Compact
  • Oversees technical reports and presentation materials
  • May collaborate with HKS Research to lead and manage the development and use of indoor environmental sensors and instrumentation for the purposes of research, diagnostics, and post-occupancy evaluations
  • Participates in or leads team meetings to discuss project issues, technical issues and coordination with other disciplines
  • Travel may be required

Qualifications:

  • Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field; advanced degree preferred
  • Professional engineering licensure preferred
  • Typically 10+ years of experience
  • Modeling credentials such as ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP), Building Energy Simulation Analyst (BESA), or equivalent preferred
  • Sustainable design accreditation preferred
  • Familiarity with design and energy modeling applications such as Rhino, Grasshopper, Radiance, DIVA, REVIT, AutoCAD, Sketchup, IES VE, Sefaira, Insight360, Energy Plus, EnergyPro preferred
  • Experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup and InDesign graphic software preferred
  • Proficiency in MS Office Suite preferred
  • Experience in LEED submission and regulatory compliance energy modeling
  • Familiarity with computational design and parametric modeling preferred
  • Familiarity with energy modeling preferred
  • Knowledge of sustainability and integrated design guidelines
  • Strong knowledge in interpreting and applying high-performance building standards such as ANSI, ASHRAE, IESNA and ASTM as well as building energy codes such as IECC and T24
  • Strong knowledge of architectural building systems
  • Working knowledge of building physics, energy transfer, mechanical design, system control strategies and economics is required
  • Knowledge of QA/QC and specification process
  • Knowledge of building codes and ability to research and apply/incorporate into technical documents
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
  • Ability to maintain existing client relationships and build new client relationships
  • Ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to problem solve and apply innovative solutions
  • Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment
  • Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran