Principal Engineer - Commercial HVAC Technologies at GTI Energy in Des Plaines, Illinois

Job Description:

GTI Energy is a leading technology development organization. Our trusted team works to scale impactful solutions that shape energy transitions by leveraging gases, liquids, infrastructure, and efficiency. We embrace systems thinking, innovation, and collaboration to develop, scale, and deploy the technologies needed for low-carbon, low-cost energy systems. Fostering a positive and respectful work culture that promotes growth, collaboration, and opportunity, our 18-acre headquarters is home to state-of-the-art labs and facilities where scientists, engineers, program managers, trainers, and other professionals take a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. We are proud of what we do because our work matters. GTI Energy is focused on solving global energy challenges in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. We have a proven track record in producing creative and important intellectual property and commercializing solutions to deliver safe, clean, and reliable energy. At GTI Energy, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives, economies, and the environment. At GTI Energy, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (DEI&A) is not only an important business priority, but it is also deeply rooted in our culture and values and something we celebrate every day. GTI Energy is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We offer generous benefits, competitive salaries, enticing incentives, career advancement, and the opportunity to work in a professional R&D environment committed to purposeful work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

General Summary

GTI Energy, the nation’s leading research, development, and training organization serving energy markets, has an opportunity for a Principal Engineer within the Research and Engineering Group. The qualified candidate will perform R&D functions in collaboration with senior staff, with a strong focus on commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies. Additional focus areas include hybrid (dual-fuel) equipment for HVAC, refrigeration, water heating, and energy efficient building technologies for residential and commercial buildings and for industrial processes (including electrical and natural gas driven systems). The work will involve interacting and collaborating with researchers from utilities, private industry, government agencies, universities, and national laboratories. The candidate for this position will take a systematic approach to develop and lead multiple projects, understand individual project goals and how they support strategic organizational goals, manage project budgets and schedules, and establish or expand competency areas. The candidate will collaborate with technical staff and external partners on new project proposals as well as laboratory, field, and analytical research projects.

Why GTI Energy?

GTI Energy offers generous benefits, competitive salaries, career advancement, and the opportunity to work in a professional R&D environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We are proud of what we do because our work matters. GTI Energy is working toward solving global energy challenges in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. We have a proven track record in producing innovative ideas and commercializing solutions to deliver clean and reliable energy. At GTI Energy, we deliver innovative technology solutions for safe, efficient, and responsible energy.

So, what does that mean for you? You will work in a positive and respectful work culture that fosters growth, collaboration, and opportunity. You will be supported by competitive compensation, incentives, and benefits, while enjoying purposeful work that drives improvement of delivering clean energy to the world.

Work Location

The position will be based in the Chicagoland area at the GTI Energy Headquarters. We offer a hybrid/core work week, where employees are remote Mondays and Fridays, and required to be on-site Tuesday through Thursday.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage analytical, experimental, and field demonstration projects, including managing budgets, schedules, deliverables, and coordinate with project team including staff and external contractors.


• Develop testbeds and execute laboratory evaluations.


• Contribute relevant subject matter expertise to projects and mentor project teams.


• Support and lead proposal efforts to secure new research, development, and demonstration funding.


• Analyze data through spreadsheet analysis and software tools.


• Prepare technical documents, test reports, and research publications to fulfill project reporting needs as well as disseminate technical information and place key results in context for customers, partners, and subcontractors.


• Travel to participate in field site visits, pilot implementations, and industry events.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Ideally has direct research experience with central air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps including high temperature heat pumps.


• Deep understanding of power/refrigeration/thermodynamic cycles, heat transfer, and multiphase science.


• Additional understanding of HVAC systems, psychometrics, and air quality metrics.


• Fundamental understanding of building science, instrumentation, data collection and data analysis


• Other areas of knowledge may include sorption science, dynamic modeling and systems control, and techno-economic analysis.

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor of Science in an engineering or scientific field; relevant industry certifications are a plus (Licensed Professional Engineer, LEED AP, CEM, etc.)
  
  
  
  • 10+ years of relevant, professional level work experience after a B.S
  
  
  
  


• 8+ years of relevant, professional level work experience after an M.S.


• 5+ years of relevant, professional level work experience after a Ph.D.


• Supervisory experience, particularly in a research or engineering-based setting is a plus


• Experience identifying new technical and/or business areas of activity is a plus


• Experience with instrumentation, data acquisition and control systems specifications, programming experience is a plus


• Active and recognized participant in professional societies and codes and standards is a plus

EEO Statement

GTI Energy is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment.  If you require any accommodation, please e-mail us at HumanResources@gti.energy and we’ll work with you to meet your accessibility needs. You must have legal authorization to work for GTI Energy on your date of hire with no further action required by GTI Energy. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and give consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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