Project Engineer, HVAC Modeling

Join Brightcore Energy to accelerate geothermal heating and cooling thermal modeling for core projects and data center applications.

Responsibilities

• Perform geothermal modeling for core business projects, including thermal performance modeling for data center applications using geothermal borefields, dry coolers, and chillers
• Develop and enhance advanced thermal models for geothermal heating and cooling systems, focusing on performance, efficiency, and optimization
• Model integrated thermal systems combining geothermal borefields, dry coolers, chillers, and other HVAC technologies
• Support thermal modeling capability development for data center cooling, 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 modeling capabilities to evaluate new technologies, system configurations, and applications across 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 for scalable and consistent project development
• Translate complex modeling outputs into clear technical recommendations for internal teams and customers
• Build, run, and maintain models in Modelica and TRNSYS
• Use geothermal-focused tools including EED (Earth Energy Designer) and pygfunction
• Analyze results, then modify and calibrate models as needed
• Write automated scripts to optimally size systems based on different customer priorities or needs
• Simulate fluid flow for large piping systems and 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

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 2+ years of experience in thermal modeling
• Strong foundations in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics; comfort reasoning through equipment performance metrics such as COP, EER, approach temperatures, and heat transfer rates
• Working proficiency with energy/load modeling tools (examples: TRNSYS, Modelica, EnergyPlus, eQuest, HAP, or equivalent) and preferred ability to use Excel-based engineering models
• Working proficiency with AutoCAD, or ability to quickly come up to speed
• Ability to carry ambiguous concept work from feasibility through prototype to defensible, documented results with limited 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

Technologies

• Modelica
• TRNSYS
• EnergyPlus
• eQuest
• HAP
• Excel
• AutoCAD
• EED (Earth Energy Designer)
• pygfunction
• Python
• AI tools

Compensation & Schedule

• Salary range: USD 100,000 - 130,000 per year
• Expected minimum: 40 hours per week
• Annual performance-based bonus eligibility
• Non-exempt roles may be eligible for overtime; exempt roles may require additional hours as needed

Location, Travel, and Work Environment

• New York, NY (onsite)
• Office presence required at least 3 days per week, unless otherwise agreed with final supervisor approval
• Office setting
• Position is not safety sensitive
• Structured work arrangements may include remote, hybrid, and field-based assignments aligned to organizational needs and role requirements

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits to complement base salary
• Annual performance-based bonus
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• FSA and HSA
• 401k plan (traditional and Roth) with dollar-for-dollar match up to 3% and 50% on the next 2%, for total potential match of 4% annually
• 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

Other Requirements

• Pre-employment background check including prior employment verification, criminal history check, and pre-employment drug screen
• Refusal to provide written consent for prior drug and alcohol testing records will prevent performing safety-sensitive functions