Climate Data Science Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview

The Technical Fellow – Thermal Performance and Building Science will serve as the company’s foremost subject matter expert in thermal performance, building science, and model-based product strategy. The Technical Fellow will define how we understand, model, validate, and communicate total window R-value, including how each component contributes to whole-window performance. By combining thermodynamics, heat transfer, computational fluid dynamics, thermal modeling, real world measurement and verification, whole building energy analysis, and commercial insight, this individual will create the technical foundation that supports and strengthens our core value proposition, informs codes and standards, and enables the business to sell more effectively through data-driven financial return on investment analysis.

Position Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s subject-matter expert for bridging the entire thermal modeling value chain - material component characterization, heat transfer and modeling; whole-window characterization, heat transfer and modeling; whole building baselining, heat transfer, and modeling, and energy reduction/energy savings translating to a financial return on investment.

Material and Component Thermal Characterization

• Develop the thermal foundation of LuxWall products through material-level analysis.
• Responsibilities include characterize thermal conductivity of materials, develop effective thermal properties of composite materials, analyze conduction through edge seals, spacers, pillars, coatings, and frame interfaces, model conductive, convective, and radiative heat transfer mechanisms, evaluate vacuum performance effects, develop equivalent thermal resistance models, and validate analytical models with laboratory testing.

Window System Heat Transfer Modeling

• Develop detailed thermal simulations of complete glazing systems including center of glass, edge of glass, and framing.
• Responsibilities include build and maintain simulation libraries in THERM, develop glazing systems in WINDOW, model impacts of material properties and systems to achieve optimal thermal performance and financial payback, model for system issues such as thermal bridges and condensation resistance.
• Accurately predict R-value, U-factor, SHGC, visible transmittance, condensation resistance, and related performance metrics
• Optimize glazing configurations for multiple climate zones and building end use types.
• Own complete window thermal performance evaluation.
• Responsibilities include simulate complete window assemblies, evaluate commercial framing systems, support NFRC certification, develop custom frame libraries, and validate simulations against laboratory measurements.

Whole Building Energy Modeling

• Lead simulation of building-level performance using a quick turn model and a full fidelity model.
• Responsibilities include develop baseline building models, simulate retrofit and new construction projects, quantify heating, cooling, and peak demand reduction, determine applicable HVAC downsizing opportunities, and determine annual energy consumption, utility costs and carbon emissions.
• Solid working knowledge of industry standard tools including EnergyPlus, eQUEST, and OpenStudio.
• Translate engineering into business value by developing customer-facing analyses including energy cost savings, utility demand savings, glazing capital reduction, HVAC capital reduction, maintenance savings, utility incentive impacts, tax incentive impacts, and NOI improvements to arrive at an IRR and NPV for the investment.

Building Measurement and Verification

• Support validation of predicted building performance.
• Build a network of third-party installed measurement and verification companies to collect necessary data to validate Transparent Insulation impact.
• Responsibilities include develop M&V plans, support field monitoring with third-party vendors, analyze utility bills and compare modeled versus measured performance, evaluate weather normalization, and validate energy savings.

Sales and Customer Support

• Partner directly with commercial teams to close business opportunities.
• Responsibilities include develop project-specific energy models, create customer energy reports, support major sales opportunities, present technical findings to owners, architects, consultants, and engineers, respond to technical RFQs, develop climate-specific analyses, create comparison studies versus conventional glazing, and support utility rebate documentation.
• Partner directly with sales, brand marketing, and product marketing throughout the sales cycle, providing technical expertise for customer meetings, presentations, product demonstrations, case studies, and proposal development.
• Author technical reports, white papers, patent disclosures, position papers, presentations, and internal guidance that establish durable organizational knowledge.