Energy Engineer (Building Energy Performance)

The Energy Engineer will support the wider Estates team in meeting the strategic objectives of the Department, including supporting the University's ambition to become a top 50 University. The role will lead initiatives to improve building energy performance across the University estate, delivering measurable reductions in utilities expenditure and carbon emissions, whilst contributing to the University's sustainability, operational and decarbonisation goals.

The role combines engineering investigation, operational optimisation, business case development and project portfolio management to identify, prioritise and realise building performance improvements. Working closely with the Energy Analysts, BEMS Team, Estates Maintenance Teams and Capital Projects colleagues, the postholder will develop practical, prioritised and costed energy-saving opportunities and support their implementation across a diverse building portfolio.

The role will directly contribute to:
- Delivering measurable financial savings through reduced energy and water consumption.
- Improving building performance, occupant comfort and operational efficiency.
- Developing a robust pipeline of energy and carbon reduction projects across the estate.
- Supporting compliance obligations, including ESOS and Display Energy Certificates.
- Providing technical leadership and support towards the University's decarbonisation objectives.

Main Duties:

- Lead building energy performance investigations through structured surveys, assessments and analysis of building services, controls, occupancy patterns and operational practices to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, resilience, comfort and operational effectiveness.

- Develop and maintain a strategic programme of energy surveys and performance reviews, aligned with compliance requirements, maintenance programmes and the University's decarbonisation objectives. Develop, manage and lead delivery of a portfolio of energy performance improvement projects, including no-cost, low-cost and capital investment measures, ensuring effective measurement and verification of outcomes. It is expected that you will carry out energy surveys yourself, in addition to the use of consultants and be prepared to become an accredited DEC assessor.

- Identify, evaluate and prioritise energy, water and carbon reduction opportunities, quantifying costs, savings, carbon benefits, payback periods and implementation routes.

- Produce high-quality technical reports, business cases, investment proposals and funding applications to support compliance, decision-making and project delivery.

- Work collaboratively with Energy Analysts, the BEMS team, Maintenance and Capital Projects teams and colleagues across the University to investigate performance issues, optimise building operations and integrate energy efficiency improvements into planned works.

- Support soft landings, recommissioning activities, seasonal tuning exercises and post-implementation reviews and assist in the development of consistent control strategies across the estate.

- Provide specialist technical advice and guidance to Estates colleagues and wider University stakeholders, contributing to feasibility studies, decarbonisation strategies, internal standards and best practice development.

- Maintain professional competence and compliance knowledge, including relevant accreditations, whilst monitoring emerging legislation, standards and industry best practice to inform continuous improvement.

- Foster a fair and equitable workplace for all staff. Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures.

- Support the University's sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

- Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) or relevant technical qualification and considerable relevant experience. Where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of more demanding roles will be required demonstrating the conceptual understanding required.

- Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer, or demonstrable progress of working towards professional registration with an appropriate institution such as, but not limited to, CIBSE, Energy Institute or Institute of Energy and Technology.

- Recognised and substantial technical expertise and experience in Energy Management / Engineering in relation to energy use in buildings, thus able to be authoritative in this field and how to change, adapt and apply systems.

- In-depth and specialist understanding of energy consumption within buildings including heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, associated controls and energy producing plant (heat pumps, boilers, CHP units).

- Experience undertaking energy surveys and building performance assessments within complex buildings and taking findings all the way through to the delivery of improvement projects.

- Working knowledge of Building Energy Management Systems and their role in optimisation.

- Detailed understanding of ESOS, DEC, EPC and other relevant compliance frameworks.

- Experience developing and managing portfolios of energy improvement projects and the measurement and verification of savings.

- Passionate about sustainability, energy efficiency and continuous improvement.

- Understanding of how energy and decarbonisation activities contribute to wider University strategy and society.

- In depth up to date specialist understanding and experience in a relevant scientific, technical or IT specialism.

- Evidence of literacy and numeracy.

- Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010, including fostering good relations and advancing the University's Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).

Benefits:

The University offers 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. There are three high quality subsidised day nurseries on campus. The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston with excellent transport links including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus there is a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, an art gallery, museum and botanical gardens. The Birmingham Professional programme provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential.