Managing Research Engineer

Groundbreaker. Game changer. Pioneer.

TRC has consistently set the standard for clients needing more than just engineering services by blending scientific expertise with cutting-edge technology to create innovative, enduring solutions. From pipelines to power plants, roadways to reservoirs, schoolyards to security solutions, clients look to TRC for breakthrough thinking backed by the innovative follow-through of an industry leader.

Our team works with a diverse range of commercial, industrial and government clients and the communities they serve. We are dedicated to delivering creative solutions that meet local needs, helping our clients thrive in a rapidly changing world. Together, we tackle challenges and strive to make the Earth a better place to live, community by community and project by project.

Joining TRC means engaging in interesting, meaningful projects. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, entrepreneurial zeal and agile corporate structure. We recognize that the expertise of our staff is our strongest asset, so we generously reward employees for successful performance and invest in their careers through training and the development of new skills and certifications. At TRC, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive. We offer a range of People Programs designed to support our employees' growth and well-being. Explore our programs here: TRC People Programs

At TRC, every voice is valued, every individual has the opportunity to make a difference, and together we shape a brighter, more sustainable future.

TRC's Research and Consulting (R&C) team, within the Advanced Energy practice, is focused on developing and deploying decarbonization and clean energy solutions for our clients - utilities, non-profits, local governments, and state and federal agencies. R&C is a multi-disciplinary research-based consulting team that helps internal and external clients develop and optimize scaled clean energy solutions grounded in technological, economic, policy, market, and customer insights. Our research consulting projects are focused on how advanced energy solutions like energy efficiency, demand management, distributed energy resources, emerging tech, microgrids, storage, and electrification can help drive the clean energy transformation.

R&C's Research Engineers conduct research and analysis to help address clients' needs through discrete, funded projects focused on advanced energy solutions. This includes designing, implementing, and communicating insights from a wide range of range of research and analysis approaches, drawing upon advanced energy industry subject matter expertise, and helping clients understand how to use these insights.

Managing Research Engineers are mid-level professionals who oversee technical projects and tasks, with support from more experienced consulting staff. Managing Research Engineers engage in sophisticated research and consulting projects, help build our team's expertise in both technical research and the clean energy industry and participate in the evolution of our business. No project is the same and Managing Research Engineers get exposure to lots of different types of work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Managing Research Engineers will work on multiple tasks across multiple teams, including managing medium- and large-sized projects and designing and overseeing increasingly sophisticated technical research and analytics. This position requires the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate with internal technical team members and external customers.

Primary Work Areas:

• Emerging Technologies Research and Demonstrations
• Market Transformation and Technology Transfer
• Technical Market Research
• Codes and Standards
• Utility Program Evaluation

Key Responsibilities (Duties):

The overall responsibilities of Managing Research Engineers are to:

• Lead project teams on delivery of mid- to large-sized projects or multiple projects within a portfolio, managing scope, timeline, and budget.
• Design and perform increasingly complicated technical analyses and project tasks with limited oversight from senior team members.
• Provide oversight to more junior staff members for the execution of standard project tasks as well as novel project tasks.
• Act as mentor and coach to develop internal talent for the future of the practice.
• Manage client interactions independently, proactively bringing in support from more senior team members for complex or sensitive client interactions.
• Develop increasing focus and specialization with industry area(s) of expertise in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
• Contribute to development of proposals and other business efforts.
• Identify and implement internal trainings and process improvements in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
• Manage personal and project team's time across multiple projects, proactively seeking support when needed to understand/troubleshoot tasks or balance competing priorities.

While the focus will vary based on project needs, this role will focus on the following types of tasks, completed with minimal oversight under the direction of more senior team members:

• Research design and project planning
  • Develop research approaches and project plans that will address clients' needs, incorporating own subject matter expertise and with limited support from senior team members
  • Collaborate with other subject matter experts from across organization to ensure that projects incorporate industry leading comprehensive, multi-disciplinary solutions
• Project management
  • Manage the delivery (scope, schedule, and budget) of small research consulting projects, with limited oversight
  • Delegate project tasks to team members, as needed
  • Communicate project status and findings to client
• Energy analysis
  • Develop methodologies for how team analyzes technology and building energy use using established M&V methodologies
  • Develop and implement calculations to estimate savings, carbon emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness, and other benefits of emerging technologies, programs, energy policies, and green building solutions
  • Conduct technical analysis in support of developing policy solutions such as building energy codes, appliance standards, and local building ordinances
  • Instruct and oversee junior team members in energy use and technical analyses
• Primary research
  • Design field and/or lab data collection methodologies to collect data on performance of technologies, programs, energy policies, and green building solutions
  • Instruct and oversee junior team members who are recruiting organizations and individuals to include in research studies through online searches, data mining, cold calls and/or utilizing networks and client lists
  • Work with customer research expert team members to incorporate surveys, in-depth interviews, and other customer research techniques into projects
  • Instruct and oversee junior team members in analyzing and interpreting primary data
• Secondary research
  • Identify opportunities to use secondary research to inform and supplement projects
  • Instruct and oversee junior team members in researching clean energy policies, program designs, technologies, and research methodologies
• Data analysis
  • Instruct and oversee junior team members in basic data management and analyses tasks
  • Work with data analytics team members to incorporate more advanced data analyses into projects
• Research synthesis and communication
  • Communicate research results verbally, via written reports, and graphically
  • Synthesize information across multiple data sources
  • Translate results of research projects into actionable recommendations for clients
• Industry Expertise
  • Stay informed about engineering research methodologies and the clean energy industry through technical reading and participation in local and national professional organizations
  • Instruct others in current engineering research methodologies and the clean energy industry

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications are those an applicant must possess to be considered a candidate for the position.

• PhD with 3+ year of experience, or Masters degree with 5+ years experience, or Undergraduate degree with 6+ years experience
• Applicable degrees include Architectural Engineering, Engineering, or other relevant fields focused on engineering research
• Demonstrated competency and experience in building science, energy codes and standards, distributed energy resources, and/or applied technical research (in years of experience specified above)
• Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of research methods and design.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and can-do attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Capable of maintaining a high energy level to handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications are not required for an applicant to be considered a candidate for the position.

• Tangible experience in consulting and/or research.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with utilities or the clean energy sector, including knowledge of one or more of the following:
• Building science, HVAC and domestic/service hot water system
• Energy efficiency, demand management, and/or other distributed energy resources
• Utility programs and regulation
• Clean energy technologies and/or building systems
• The clean energy market
• Energy codes and/or appliance standards
• Research experience with methods including one or multiple of the skills below:
• Field data collection
• Lab testing
• Building energy modeling
• Cost-effectiveness analysis methods
• Literature review
• Data analysis and statistics
• Program evaluation
• Research presentation
• Other structured research methods
• Proficiency in one or more of the software listed below:
• Microsoft Office Suite
• R
• EnergyPlus, CBECC or other Building Energy Modeling Software

Benefits: TRC offers a competitive benefit package consisting of:

• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• 401k package that includes both traditional and Roth IRA options and Company match.
• Paid time off contingent upon full time or part time status and level of seniority (ranging from 15 to 25 days per year).
• All full-time employees enjoy a minimum of 8 Paid Holidays per year.
• TRC ensures that all employees, including those that work part-time, receive paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of their state of residence.

*These benefits are applicable to US employees depending on their employment status (full time, part time, or temporary). TRC offers jurisdiction specific benefit packages for International and Puerto Rico employees.

Compensation: In accordance with local law, the below salary range is applicable for the job and location associated with this requisition. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.

Other Compensation: Employee may be eligible for participation in the Company's annual Discretionary Bonus Program which is contingent on Company, Business Segment, and Individual performance against Key Performance Indicators which vary by year and employee.

#LI-CS3

TRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The complete job description and application are available on TRC's career site.

TRC accepts applications for this position on an ongoing, rolling basis and reserves the right to cancel this posting at any time.