Sustainability Grid

University of Virginia – Senior Energy & Sustainability Engineer

This is a hands-on engineering + sustainability execution role embedded within the University of Virginia’s Office for Sustainability.

By The Sustainability Grid Desk

Salary $110,000 – $118,000

Setting Hybrid (on-site required; not fully remote)

Location Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Type Full time

Deadline Open until filled

About the Role

You will work directly on real buildings, real systems, and measurable emissions reductions—not just policy or strategy.

The mission is concrete:
Help UVA achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and become fossil fuel-free by 2050.

What You’ll Do Project & Construction Management

Lead building efficiency projects from concept to completion
Define scope, budgets, timelines, and ROI (energy cost recovery)Manage contractors, permitting, and stakeholder coordinationOversee implementation and ensure delivery quality

Engineering & Technical Analysis

Conduct energy audits and retro-commissioning
Diagnose HVAC and building system inefficienciesDesign and implement energy conservation measuresPerform airflow, ventilation, and HVAC control calculationsDevelop lighting plans and system upgrades

Systems Optimization

Work with building automation systems (e.g., Metasys, WebCTRL)
Optimize energy use through controls and data analysisEnsure compliance with green building standards

Stakeholder Collaboration

Act as the technical point of contact for projects
Coordinate with campus stakeholders, occupants, and contractorsTranslate engineering insights into actionable decisions

About You

You are a technical problem-solver who likes seeing physical impact.

Strong candidates:

Have 7+ years of experience in HVAC, energy engineering, or building systems

Hold (or are close to) a Professional Engineer (PE) license

Understand building systems deeply (HVAC, controls, lighting)

Have experience with commissioning, energy audits, or performance contracting

Can manage projects while also doing technical analysis

Preferred Edge

• PE (strongly preferred)
• LEED Accreditation
• Commissioning certifications (BCxP, CCP)

Experience with:

• Labs or healthcare HVAC systems
• Energy modeling tools
• Building automation systems

What You’ll Gain

Direct, measurable climate impact (buildings, energy savings, emissions)

Ownership over projects affecting dozens of facilities

A strong compensation + benefits package (public sector + university perks)

A role blending engineering, sustainability, and project leadership

Compensation & Benefits Highlights

22+ days PTO + 13 holidays

Health coverage + wellness incentives

Why This Role Matters

Unlike policy or advisory roles, this position operates at the implementation layer:

• You reduce emissions by fixing systems
• You save energy through engineering decisions
• You create impact that can be measured in real time

UVA’s Building Efficiency Program has already:

• Upgraded 75+ buildings
• Saved $3.7M in one year alone

You would directly contribute to scaling that impact.