Intermediate Sustainability Engineer

With increasing pressure on ensuring the provision of building stock which has a minimal to positive impact on the environment and its users, sustainable design has never been more important. For Deerns, sustainability is an integral part of the building design, operation, and optimisation process. Our sustainability professionals develop and implement best practice design principles to ensure buildings meet necessary sustainability targets and use state-of-the-art technology (and where necessary, the lack thereof), in order to do so. Two key skillsets necessary to ensure said targets are met are (1) building physics, and (2) building assessment / appraisal expertise.

This is a full-time hybrid role located in our London office (3 days working from our office, 2 days from home or 50% of the time in the office).

The Role

As an intermediate sustainability engineer, you will work for various market-oriented consultancy teams. Our projects are across a broad range of sectors which include hospitals, commercial buildings, airports, laboratories, clean rooms, and data centres etc. Your contribution will be expected in all phases of the project including design, execution, and in-use. You will be expected to handle multiple projects concurrently. In this dynamic environment, you will be required to be self-driven and responsible for your own time management, performance, learning, sharing of knowledge, and achievement of results.

You will participate in design teams where your contribution will be expected to provide building physics consultancy services (energy and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling), and building sustainability assessment services e.g. via BREEAM, LEED, and WELL. As a design team member, you will hold regular meetings to inform and advise clients. This will require excellent interpersonal and conversational skills, making the complex simple. Keeping up with new developments in your field of expertise is a must for this role, and it is expected that you will gain knowledge through research, contacts with suppliers, etc.

• University or college Degree (BSc and/or MSc required, PhD preferred) related to the built environment including (but not limited to) in building physics, architectural engineering, building services engineering, or mechanical engineering etc and no less than two years professional experience. Where you have no university or college degree, you will be expected to have no less than five years professional experience with references.
• The ability to translate conceptual ideas as well as highly detailed technical requirements into easily understandable technical solutions.
• Strong experience in building physics and building services (MEP) is preferred. A background in architecture and intelligent buildings is also welcome but not essential.
• Data-centre experience is highly preferred but not essential as long as a solid understanding of principles of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics (including psychrometry), heat transfer, and building controls systems can be demonstrated.
• Experience in translating technical solutions to clients clearly through written and/or diagrammatic content. The role will require the organising of client workshops (where the skill of making the complex simple is essential), and in writing (or contributing text towards) detailed design specifications.
• Understanding of the various energy modelling methodologies including the UK NCM (for Part L and EPC modelling), ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G, CIBSE TM54, TM61-63 (for energy audits), and NABERS UK.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in any additional language(s) would be desirable but is not essential.
• Experience in the following software packages and sustainability assessment methods is required:

o Energy modelling: IESVE (including the ApacheHVAC module), and Grasshopper for Rhino.

o CFD modelling: 6SigmaDCX (both internal and external models).

o 1D thermofluids modelling: Flownex SE

o Building fabric analysis: Psi-Therm and WUFI.

o Embodied carbon analysis / Lifecycle assessment: OneClick LCA.

o Sustainability assessment methods: BREEAM and LEED. WELL, or any other sustainability certification (e.g. Certified Passivhaus Designer) is welcome.

o Energy assessor certification: Non-Domestic Low Carbon Energy Assessor (LCEA) certification is preferred. Other related certifications such as ASHRAE Building Energ

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary.
• Hybrid work (3 days from our London office + 2 days from home or 50% time in office).
• 25 days annual leave (option to purchase 5 extra days).
• Referral scheme.
• Life Insurance and long-term sickness coverage.
• Annual bonus up to 10%.
• Pension (6% employer contribution).
• Company social events.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Perkbox (a wide range of deals and discounts including health and fitness, entertainment, tech, and electronics).
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Exposure to diverse, challenging and unique projects.
• International networking opportunities within the Deerns global group.