Job Description

Senior Energy & Building Performance Engineer

Location: Irvine or Oakland, CA preferred | Hybrid and remote options available within the U.S.
Base Salary: $145,000–$170,000 + bonus potential and comprehensive benefits

Edison Smart is working with a forward-thinking organization operating at the intersection of energy efficiency, building performance, commissioning, analytics, and smart building technology.

They are looking to appoint a senior-level engineer who can take ownership of complex projects and help clients improve the performance, efficiency, and operational reliability of their buildings.

This position would suit an experienced Energy Engineer, Commissioning Engineer, Building Performance Engineer, or Mechanical Engineer with a strong understanding of MEP systems and controls, combined with the commercial and leadership skills required to manage clients, projects, and teams.

The role offers the opportunity to work across a varied portfolio of commercial, healthcare, institutional, and other complex facilities. Projects will span new construction, existing buildings, energy audits, commissioning, retro-commissioning, analytics, and the identification and verification of energy-saving opportunities.

You will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, taking responsibility for project delivery while working closely with clients, engineers, contractors, building owners, and internal teams.

The Opportunity

In this role, you will be responsible for leading projects from initial client engagement through to delivery and closeout. You will combine field-based engineering, technical analysis, project management, and client leadership to identify opportunities and deliver measurable improvements in building performance.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of multiple projects simultaneously, managing scope, budgets, schedules, deliverables, and client expectations.
• Acting as a trusted technical advisor to clients across energy, commissioning, and building performance initiatives.
• Leading project teams and coordinating engineers, technicians, contractors, designers, and other stakeholders.
• Carrying out site investigations, building assessments, system testing, troubleshooting, and performance reviews.
• Identifying energy conservation opportunities and supporting the development of practical improvement strategies.
• Quantifying potential energy savings and verifying project performance through measurement and verification activities.
• Reviewing building data and using analytics to identify operational issues, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Supporting proposals, technical presentations, client development, and wider business growth.
• Mentoring and developing less experienced engineers and team members.
• Contributing to industry best practices through professional networking, conferences, technical publications, and other industry activity.
• Travelling periodically to client sites as required.

Project Experience

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work across a variety of project types, including:

Energy & Building Performance

• Energy audits and building performance assessments.
• Identification and development of energy conservation measures.
• Analysis of HVAC, mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• Energy savings calculations and project feasibility analysis.
• Measurement and verification of energy savings.
• Use of building analytics platforms to identify faults, inefficiencies, and performance trends.

New Construction

• Commissioning management from design through project completion.
• Design and construction document reviews.
• Review of equipment and system submittals.
• Development and coordination of commissioning documentation.
• Functional performance testing of building systems.
• Analysis of system operation and performance data.
• Identification and resolution of deficiencies prior to project completion.

Existing Buildings

• Building commissioning and retro-commissioning.
• ASHRAE Level 1 and Level 2 energy audits.
• Investigation of HVAC, MEP, and BAS performance issues.
• On-site testing and troubleshooting.
• Development of energy improvement recommendations.
• Support with implementation, contractor coordination, and bid documentation.
• Client presentations and recommendations.
• Ongoing performance analysis and measurement and verification.

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of professional engineering experience, ideally with a background in mechanical engineering, energy engineering, MEP systems, controls, commissioning, or building performance.
• At least 5 years of experience managing projects and leading client relationships.
• A proven track record of delivering complex energy, commissioning, or building performance projects.
• Experience working with commercial, healthcare, institutional, or similarly complex facilities.
• Strong knowledge of building mechanical systems, HVAC, MEP infrastructure, and controls.
• Experience developing technical proposals and contributing to business development.
• Strong understanding of energy efficiency measures and the ability to translate technical findings into practical business recommendations.
• Experience managing, mentoring, or developing engineers and other technical professionals.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skills.
• The ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable Experience

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience with SkySpark or comparable building analytics and fault detection platforms.
• Experience with BAS and building control systems.
• Knowledge of ASHRAE auditing and commissioning standards and methodologies.
• Experience with measurement and verification of energy savings.

The Ideal Candidate

This role is suited to someone who is comfortable operating at both a technical and strategic level.

You will be someone who:

• Takes ownership and can drive projects forward without constant direction.
• Understands the bigger picture and can connect individual building systems to overall performance.
• Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Brings people together to resolve issues and achieve project outcomes.
• Uses data intelligently to investigate problems and support engineering decisions.
• Maintains high standards of organization, accuracy, and follow-through.
• Enjoys developing others and contributing to a high-performing technical team.

Compensation & Benefits

• $145,000–$170,000 base salary
• Bonus potential
• Medical and dental insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
• Retirement plan with employer matching and annual company contributions
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Commuter benefits
• Fitness reimbursement
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Tuition reimbursement
• Backup childcare and family support programs
• Employee Assistance Program
• Work-life assistance benefits
• Additional holiday contribution programs

The final salary offered will reflect factors including location, qualifications, technical experience, education, and market conditions.

If you are an experienced engineer with a background in energy, commissioning, building performance, or smart building technology, this is an opportunity to take on a senior role with significant technical ownership, client exposure, and the ability to influence how complex buildings operate and perform.