Job Information
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Marine Energy Technology and Validation Mechanical Engineer in Boulder, Colorado
Posting Title
Marine Energy Technology and Validation Mechanical Engineer
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Location
CO - Boulder
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Position Type
Regular
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Hours Per Week
40
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Working at NREL
NREL’s 305-acre Flatirons Campus is the nation’s premier wind energy, water power, and grid integration research facility. Nestled south of Boulder, Colorado, and north of NREL’s main South Table Mountain campus, Flatirons sits adjacent to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and countless acres of open space and parks with stunning views of the Flatirons rock formations.
From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.
NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.
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Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.
Job Description
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, is the nation’s primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The Water Power Technology Validation group within the Energy Conversion and Storage Systems (ECaSS) Center is focused on engineering, validation, and integration for marine energy and hydropower systems, as well as research to explore the optimal performance of renewable energy supported water treatment and delivery systems. Staff in Water Power Technology Validation have broad expertise, and include mechanical, electrical, systems, and ocean engineers, technicians, and project managers.
Water Power Technology Validation Group is looking for a full-time engineer to support marine energy mechanical design and validation of novel power take-off systems.
This is a research and testing position and will provide technical analysis, design, and testing support of power take-offs, generators, and other related components for marine energy power generation applications in wave, tidal, ocean current resources. This will be used to inform work on technology efficiency, reliability, and performance in a wide range of ocean conditions.
The ideal candidate must have experience testing and analyzing data from marine energy technologies tested in the laboratory. The successful candidate will develop and execute laboratory test plans, analyze results, and publish results in written reports and spoken presentations. Prior experience with marine energy technologies other renewable technologies, as well as systems efficiency characterization is required. This position also requires the successful candidate to coordinate and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders that may include other research engineers and technicians; DOE clients and NREL research partners; NREL security, environmental, safety, construction, and procurement specialists; and subcontractors and suppliers.
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Basic Qualifications
Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
Demonstrated knowledge in all aspects of the design and conduct of experiments including definition of objectives, experiment design, instrumentation, conduct of experiment, data analysis, uncertainty analysis and reporting
Practical experience in structural analysis (static and fatigue loads, stress analysis) utilizing software such as SolidWorks and ANSYS or equivalent.
Experience using data acquisition systems (NI hardware) and data processing tools (e.g. MATLAB, Excel, python)
Ability to contribute to technical products, reports, documents, presentations and concept papers and the ability to present technical findings
Experience technically leading validation projects with wind turbine, marine energy, and other projects
Meet the requirements of NREL’s safety program and incorporate safety considerations into projects, research equipment, and facilities. Complete required training in a timely manner. Support development of safe operating procedures.
Preferred Qualifications
Apply state-of-the-art engineering skills, principles, concepts, and techniques to lead the design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance, and evaluation of equipment, and facilities specific to verification and characterization of full-scale wind turbines and wind turbine components
A P.E. license is highly preferred for this position
Experience conducting detailed analyses and performing hands-on testing for marine energy technologies
Experience with marine energy systems or other marine engineering applications.
Experience with design and analysis of structural designs and power take-off systems
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Job Application Submission Window
The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300
NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.
Benefits Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.
* Based on eligibility rules
Drug Free Workplace
NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Submission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
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EEO Policy
NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.
NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview. DOE rules for site access during the interview process are the same regardless of whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).
Drug Free Workplace
NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
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