Building Performance Engineering & Commissioning Team Leader
ALTANOVA is now actively hiring a Building Performance Engineering & Commissioning Team Leader for a full-time position in our New York office.
About Altanova:
Altanova is a multidisciplinary consulting firm, and energy and sustainable innovation leader. Our Real Estate and Built-Environment team apply engineering, technology, design strategy, and data-driven analysis to support high-performance building design and operations across multifamily, commercial and industrial asset categories.
At Altanova, beyond energy efficiency and operational efficiency, performance means attractive assets and facilities that preserve occupants’ health and well-being while interacting with the power grid to provide exemplary environmental footprint, and climate resilience.
We work closely with developers, owners, operators, end-users, and design teams to deliver innovative, yet practical solutions to improve holistic building performance. while helping clients achieve economic success and meaningful environmental impact.
About this Role:
Altanova is seeking a Building Performance Engineering & Commissioning Team Leader to support and co-lead a small team of highly technical energy and sustainability engineers and consultants over the full lifecycle of buildings’ performance. This cycle includes ongoing and retro-commissioning (RCx), energy auditing and master planning, high-performance design advisory, modeling, and commissioning for a large variety of commercial assets, developments, and portfolios.
This role is a unique opportunity to collaborate with design and facility engineers, architects, contractors, and building operators to provide leading-edge performance within a context enabling impactful innovation and ensure real-world building systems perform as intended to maximize facility value.
The ideal candidate enjoys fieldwork, hands-on problem solving, working directly with clients and project teams and is confident to lead projects and collaborate with advanced energy modelers to innovate with confidence. Strong attention to detail, technical communication skills, and familiarity with advanced building technology and building control systems are essential.
Key responsibilities:
Specific core responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Existing & New Construction Commissioning:
- Lead or support commissioning, ongoing or monitoring-based commissioning, and retro-commissioning activities
- Develop commissioning plans and oversee functional performance testing
- Perform HVAC system functional testing, including point verification and sequence of operation testing
- Execute or witness testing of other building systems including electrical, lighting, life safety, fire protection, and plumbing systems
- Conduct construction inspections to verify that MEP installations conform to project documents
- Participate in and lead commissioning meetings with project stakeholders
- Document testing results and track resolution of commissioning issues
Energy Audits & Building Performance:
- Conduct ASHRAE Level I, II, and III energy audits
- Analyze utility data, building drawings, and operational data to understand building energy consumption
- Perform onsite inspections of mechanical and building systems
- Identify and evaluate Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs)
- Perform energy savings and cost analyses
- Prepare technical reports and client deliverables summarizing findings and recommendations
Building Systems Optimization:
- Evaluate and optimize performance of HVAC systems, air and water distribution systems, and building automation systems
- Support building energy use analysis and performance modeling as needed
- Collaborate with project teams to ensure systems meet energy efficiency and sustainability goals
- Assist in identifying operational improvements that improve building performance and reduce environmental impact
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Building Technology, Applied Physics or related field
- 8+ years of experience in commercial building energy and sustainability performance, covering new construction and existing facility improvements
- Familiarity with building energy codes and ASHRAE standards
- Commissioning certification from ASHRAE, AEE, or the Building Commissioning Association (BCA)
Skills:
- Genuine engineering curiosity and innovative mindset with capacity to design and execute complex technical solutions, make critical decisions, and generate reliable results with accountability,
- Exceptional technical analysis and engineering skills,
- Advanced technical writing and communication skills,
- Experience with project management and workload delegation,
- Experience with building automation systems (BAS) and automatic controls troubleshooting,
- Experience optimizing HVAC systems.
Desired Qualifications
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in New York
- Experience with NYS energy incentive programs
- Building energy modeling experience using EnergyPlus, DOE-2, or DesignBuilder
- Knowledge of sustainable building rating systems such as EnergyStar MFNC, ZERH, LEED, EGC, Living Building Challenge, and WELL
- Indoor air quality (IAQ), and building energy performance
- Experience conducting whole-building or structural life-cycle assessments
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary, performance-based bonus, and promotion opportunity commensurate with experience, qualifications, and performance. Candidates with varying levels of experience are encouraged to apply.
- Possibility of earning equity after an initial vesting period. Partnership opportunities for existing business owner/founder.
- Exemplary benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, company-paid disability and life insurance, 401K match, pre-tax commuter benefits and transportation programs.
- Paid time off including up to 5 weeks of PTO, 10 paid holidays, and paid sick leave.
- Professional development support includes an annual education budget for training and certifications.
- Opportunities for rapid professional growth, recognition, and collaborative development in a diverse and inclusive environment of talented professionals working on exciting, meaningful, ambitious projects.
- The chance to be part of a team committed to making a positive and lasting impact on the environment and society.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Altanova is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.
Physical Requirements
This position includes traveling and site visits (5-10%) to active construction sites and operating buildings. Candidates must be able to access mechanical spaces and rooftops and may occasionally lift or transport light to moderately heavy building testing equipment.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.