Energy Engineer I

Make a Difference for Climate and Equity — Join Slipstream as an Energy Engineer

Apply your technical skills to make a real impact in the fight against climate change and the inequities of its impacts. We are seeking an Energy Engineer who is passionate about sustainable building design and helping shape the next generation of climate and energy solutions.

We inspire bold ideas to tackle big energy challenges. Our work spans energy efficiency, community energy planning, equitable building decarbonization, emerging technologies, and green financing. We collaborate with governments, utilities, and community-based organizations to discover, test, and scale solutions that work for real people in real communities. We are optimistic, inclusive, and ambitious about our impact—and we’re looking for someone who shares that drive.

We are seeking an Engineer to contribute to energy efficiency programs and research projects that deliver measurable results for clients while advancing clean energy solutions. This role is ideal for an engineer with solid background in building systems as well as excellent communication and organizational skills.

Our ideal candidate has strong technical experience with building energy systems (HVAC, electrical, etc.), architectural concepts, and energy analysis. Experience with energy audits or utility energy efficiency programs is a plus. Experience with software development or energy simulation tools is a plus. Building design experience is a plus.

Our preferred candidate will live in Chicago, IL or the surrounding area. The job role is hybrid with occasional requirements for in-person meetings and local travel for field work.

What You’ll Do

• Assist with energy efficiency and renewable energy-related research or consulting in commercial buildings, residential buildings, campuses, and communities.
• Manage Projects: Manage the completion of assigned tasks from initiation through completion, while supporting overall project coordination and execution. Help monitor progress against schedules, identifying and escalating risks or issues, and assisting in adjustments to maintain timelines and quality. Participate in budget tracking of assigned tasks, monitoring expenses to ensure alignment with approved funding.
• Quantify energy system performance, life cycle cost economics, and emissions reduction potential. Utilize energy analytics software to inform decisions.
• Develop and maintain tools for energy analysis and to enhance productivity.
• Prepare reports, letters, emails, and general correspondence for all project-related communication.
• Assist with onsite responsibilities in the field; inspect facilities to ensure compliance. Perform audits or opportunity assessments for buildings.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the project team. Actively participate as a member of assigned workgroups.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/electrical/civil/environmental engineering, architecture, or related field.
• Fundamental knowledge of building energy systems and building science concepts.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated success managing complex technical projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to solve complex engineering problems and communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences clearly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical information to diverse audiences.

What is Nice to Have (or What You'll Learn Here)

• Energy modeling experience (EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, eQUEST, etc.).
• Knowledge of building codes, standards, and certifications (ASHRAE, IECC, PHIUS, LEED, etc.).
• Building energy audits or opportunity assessment experience.
• Building design or construction management experience.
• Building control systems experience.
• Programming or data analysis expertise (Python, R, VBA, SQL).
• Utility energy efficiency programs experience.
• Research project management experience.

Work Environment

• Hybrid position with the ability to work from home or another suitable location with reliable internet access.
• Downtown Chicago office location for in-person collaboration located near public transit.
• Flexible schedules, meetings generally occurring 9–4 in Central Time zone.
• Requires a quiet and professional workspace for virtual meetings and collaboration.
• Travel up to 10% for in-person meetings, conferences, client visits, site inspections, etc. 

Physical Requirements

• Primarily a sedentary role, with tasks typically performed while sitting or occasionally standing.
• Ability to operate a computer and standard office equipment.
• Tasks demand visual focus for reading and working on screens.
• Ability to travel for occasional in-person meetings and field site visits.
• Ability to ascend and descend stairs, ladders, and into/out of vehicles as required.
• Ability to use fingers and hands to handle and feel.
• Ability to operate tools or controls.
• Ability to see, hear, and smell as needed to safely navigate an active construction site.
• This position frequently communicates via phone and video conferencing, with in-person interactions as applicable.

Compensation & Benefits

Our total rewards package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing resources; a 401(k) plan with a 4% safe harbor contribution; generous paid time off; and professional development opportunities. This exempt individual contributor position offers a starting salary range of $63,000-80,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Slipstream is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We center community in everything we do and strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply and join us in our mission.  We welcome applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status or characteristic under federal, state, or local laws.

Slipstream will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their position unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on Slipstream, or if it would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be mitigated. Questions or accommodation requests should be directed to Human Resources.

Please note that Slipstream will only contact candidates via the Paycom portal. We will never ask a candidate for payment of any kind as part of the hiring or onboarding process or send payment to any candidate prior to completing the hiring and onboarding process.