Project Engineer, HVAC Modeling

Brightcore Energy provides end-to-end energy efficiency and clean energy measures to commercial, industrial, and institutional clients. We have the intellectual and financial capital to develop, implement, fund, operate, and maintain clean energy solutions. Our diverse solutions range from lighting, controls, geothermal heating and cooling, and other energy efficiency measures to renewable energy solutions such as solar and battery storage. We are about Building Energy Performance.

Summary/Primary Role:

This role will help Brightcore accelerate its ability to model the advanced thermal performance of geothermal heating and cooling systems, working as part of a team across all of our modeling efforts. That includes ramping up our modeling capability for data center thermal performance, combining geothermal borefields, dry coolers, and chillers into a single, optimized thermal system. The Thermal Modeling Engineer will help expand the range of solutions we can model and offer to customers, across both our core geothermal business and our growing data center product line.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

(Management may amend or assign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time)

• Perform geothermal modeling for core business projects, including thermal performance modeling for data center applications that combine geothermal borefields, dry coolers, and chillers.
• Develop and enhance advanced thermal models for geothermal heating and cooling systems, with a focus on system performance, efficiency, and optimization.
• Model integrated thermal systems combining geothermal borefields, dry coolers, chillers, and other HVAC technologies.
• Support the development of thermal modeling capabilities for data center applications, including high-density and mission-critical environments.
• Collaborate with engineering, design, and project teams to apply modeling insights to real-world customer projects and system designs.
• Expand Brightcore’s modeling capabilities to evaluate new technologies, system configurations, and applications across the geothermal and data center markets.
• Analyze modeling results to identify opportunities to improve system performance, energy efficiency, and overall project economics.
• Help establish and improve modeling tools, methodologies, and processes to support scalable and consistent project development.
• Translate complex modeling results into clear technical recommendations for internal teams and customers.
• Build, run, and maintain models in Modelica and TRNSYS.
• Apply other geothermal-specific modeling tools, including EED (Earth Energy Designer) and pygfunction.
• Analyze model results and modify or calibrate models accordingly.
• Write automated scripts to optimally size systems based on different customer priorities or needs.
• Simulate fluid flow for large piping systems.
• Design hydraulic piping to meet flow and pumping power requirements.
• Model different control strategies and evaluate their impact on system performance.
• All other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in thermal modeling.
• Strong grounding in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics; comfort reasoning through equipment performance metrics (COP, EER, approach temperatures, heat transfer rates).
• Working proficiency with energy/load modeling tools (e.g., TRNSYS, Modelica, EnergyPlus, eQuest, HAP, or equivalent) and Excel-based engineering models preferred..
• Working proficiency, or ability to quickly come up to speed, with AutoCAD.
• Ability to carry ambiguous concept work — from first-light feasibility through prototype to product requirement — to a defensible, documented result without heavy supervision.
• Fluent with AI tools.
• Direct experience with EED and/or pygfunction for borefield design and analysis preferred.
• Experience modeling data center cooling systems preferred.
• Basic proficiency in Python, or ability to quickly come up to speed preferred.
• EIT certification or active progress toward PE licensure preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

Expected Hours of Work & Compensation

An employee is expected to work a minimum of forty (40) hours per week. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable wage and hour laws, while exempt employees may be required to work additional hours as necessary to fulfill their job responsibilities. Overtime requirements will be determined based on the operational needs of the organization. The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining an employee’s base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, and internal equity). Brightcore also offers a comprehensive set of benefits to complement the base salary. The base annual salary range for this position is $100,000-$130,000 and is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus.

Travel Requirements

• Office presence required at least three (3) days per week, unless otherwise agreed upon with final approval by direct supervisor.

Work Environment

• Office setting.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Sitting/desk work.
• Standing/walking.

Drug & Alcohol-Free Workplace

Brightcore Energy is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Brightcore Energy positions require a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verifications, a criminal history check, and a pre-employment drug screen.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Brightcore Energy is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Brightcore Energy to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

Office/Remote/Field Work

We offer a variety of structured work arrangements, including remote, hybrid, and field-based assignments, aligned with organizational needs and role-specific requirements. Work arrangements are role-dependent, with guidelines established based on position requirements and business needs. This policy is subject to change at Brightcore's discretion.

Brightcore Health Benefits Overview

Brightcore offers a full slate of medical, dental, and vision benefits including options to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA).

401k Plan

Brightcore currently offers both traditional and Roth 401k plans with a dollar-for-dollar match of up to 3% of contributions and $0.50 on the next 2% for a total potential match of 4% annually.

Other Benefits & Perks

• PTO
• Financial Wellness Benefits
• Benefit Concierge Program through Health Advocate
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program
• Disability, Life, & AD&D Benefits
• Access to Marketplace for Discounted Goods & Services

Brightcore Energy is committed to bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives.

Brightcore Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. We recruit, hire and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital, family or partnership status, political affiliation or activities, military service, domestic violence victim status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, caregiver status, traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles or any other status protected under applicable federal, state and local laws. Brightcore Energy is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all aspects of employment, including job assignment and compensation.

We respect the laws enforced by the EEOC and are dedicated to going above and beyond in fostering diversity across our company.

This job description provides a general overview of the expectations and basic duties of the job and is not a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. Brightcore Energy will assign additional duties and tasks that it deems necessary to meet the requirements of the position. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.