Design Researcher Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Overview:

A technically skilled, outcomes-driven practitioner in building energy and performance modeling who helps project teams in making design decisions that improve people's lives through healthier, more resilient, lower-carbon buildings. Exercises independent judgment to develop whole-building simulations and engineering analyses across building types and scales, translating data into clear, actionable recommendations from early concept through delivery and post-occupancy verification. Brings broad knowledge of high-performance sustainable design principles and tools, contributes original solutions, and strengthens firmwide capability through collaboration, research, and knowledge sharing.

Responsibilities:

• Develops whole-building dynamic thermal and energy simulation models across diverse building types and scales, including advanced mechanical systems evaluations and architectural-performance integration (daylighting strategies, lighting controls impacts, and facade thermal/moisture response)
• Performs detailed engineering analysis to reduce energy consumption and associated GHG emissions across design, construction, and operations, aligned with integrated project performance goals
• Executes comfort studies, energy simulation, daylight simulation, solar shading analysis, and renewable energy evaluations, and produces analysis-based recommendations that inform decisions by architects, engineers, contractors, and operators
• Supports DesignGreen and firm sustainability leadership by contributing modeling and analysis that integrates design-performance, energy-modeling, and operations-modeling practices across projects
• Predicts building energy use and savings versus baseline using whole-building simulation with clear assumptions, and supports post-occupancy evaluation and performance verification using industry-standard calibration procedures
• Provides Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for design alternatives, applying appropriate economic parameters and documenting tradeoffs tied to design and operational decisions
• Reviews professional literature to identify innovation opportunities that improve energy efficiency and building performance using new and existing technologies, and contributes market-relevant implementation ideas
• Produces technically rigorous, graphically clear reports, calculations summaries, and presentation materials that translate analysis into actionable design direction
• Collaborates with design teams and technical disciplines to promote integrative sustainable strategies and leverages complex datasets to support design decisions and research objectives
• Supports specialized project and enterprise research on energy, environmental, carbon, and sustainability topics, and contributes to methods, data collection, and documentation as needed
• Delivers internal training content and knowledge sharing on building science fundamentals and energy analysis software applications
• Participates in team meetings to coordinate project delivery, surface technical issues early, and align modeling work with project schedules, scopes, and performance outcomes

Qualifications:

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design or related field
• Professional engineering licensure preferred
• Typically 3+ 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
• Travel may be required

Base Salary Range: $74K - $94K annually - Chicago, Denver, Richmond, New York, Seattle, Washington DC locations only

The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of candidates hired in the above locations only. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package with health, dental, and vision care coverage, 401(k) plans, life & AD&D insurance, short/long term disability plans, paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation), and much more for benefits-eligible employees. To learn more about our benefits visit this page.

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