Senior Energy Engineer (Hybrid)
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Department: Energy / Sustainability
Job Summary
The Senior Energy Engineer is a technical and strategic leader within the Energy / Building Performance Engineering team. This role independently leads building energy modeling, performance analysis, and decarbonization strategies across complex project types, supporting both new construction and existing building optimization.
Senior Energy Engineers guide clients toward high-performance, sustainable solutions while mentoring junior engineers, supporting integrated design teams, and advancing the firm’s technical excellence.
Responsibilities
- Lead building energy modeling, audits, and technical studies for new construction and existing buildings
- Develop and evaluate decarbonization, electrification, and energy efficiency strategies across diverse market sectors
- Perform and review complex analytical work to ensure accuracy and alignment with project objectives
- Serve as technical lead on energy-focused projects, providing guidance to clients and internal teams
- Present findings and recommendations through reports, presentations, and project meetings
- Support business development efforts by identifying opportunities and contributing to proposals and interviews
- Collaborate with architectural, mechanical, electrical, and sustainability teams to deliver integrated, high-performance solutions
- Ensure project deliverables meet quality standards, applicable codes, and client expectations
- Conduct site investigations, energy audits, and field observations to validate system performance
- Support commissioning, measurement, and verification activities
- Mentor junior Energy Engineers through technical guidance, modeling support, and professional development feedback
- Contribute to refinement of processes, tools, and best practices within the Energy Engineering group
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Building Science, or related field
- 8+ years of experience in energy modeling, decarbonization planning, or building performance engineering
- Proficiency with energy modeling platforms such as eQUEST, EnergyPlus, Cove.tool, IES-VE, or similar tools
- Strong understanding of ASHRAE standards, building codes, and sustainability frameworks
- Professional certifications preferred, including PE, CEM, BEMP, LEED AP, WELL AP, or similar credentials
- Demonstrated experience leading projects and supporting client relationships
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex concepts clearly
Travel
Travel to project sites may be required on an occasional basis. 25-50%
Location: Buffalo, New York (Hybrid)
Compensation & Benefits
The expected base salary range for this role is $87,360 – $120,000 USD per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.
This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S.-based benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
- Professional development and continuing education support
About Us
Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.
We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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What We Do
Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and technical services firm focused on advancing the human experience through the built environment. Our team is engineered for impact™, helping clients achieve critical goals, advancing our team members through growth and opportunity, and operating at the center of important global issues, including sustainability and decarbonization. We are a top firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and we have appeared for over a decade on the Inc. 5000 list of North America’s fastest-growing private companies.
