About this opportunity
The Sustainability Grid lists this University of Virginia – Senior Energy & Sustainability Engineer opportunity in charlottesville, Virginia. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
University of Virginia – Senior Energy & Sustainability Engineer
This is a hands-on engineering + sustainability execution role embedded within the University of Virginia’s Office for Sustainability.
By The Sustainability Grid Desk
Salary $110,000 – $118,000
Setting Hybrid (on-site required; not fully remote)
Location Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
Type Full time
Deadline Open until filled
About the Role
You will work directly on real buildings, real systems, and measurable emissions reductions —not just policy or strategy.
The mission is concrete:
Help UVA achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and become fossil fuel-free by 2050 .
What You’ll Do
Project & Construction Management
Lead building efficiency projects from concept to completion
Define scope, budgets, timelines, and ROI (energy cost recovery)Manage contractors, permitting, and stakeholder coordinationOversee implementation and ensure delivery quality
Engineering & Technical Analysis
Conduct energy audits and retro-commissioning
Diagnose HVAC and building system inefficienciesDesign and implement energy conservation measuresPerform airflow, ventilation, and HVAC control calculationsDevelop lighting plans and system upgrades
Systems Optimization
Work with building automation systems (e.g., Metasys, WebCTRL)
Optimize energy use through controls and data analysisEnsure compliance with green building standards
Stakeholder Collaboration
Act as the technical point of contact for projects
Coordinate with campus stakeholders, occupants, and contractorsTranslate engineering insights into actionable decisions
About You
You are a technical problem-solver who likes seeing physical impact .
Strong candidates:
Have 7+ years of experience in HVAC, energy engineering, or building systems
Hold (or are close to) a Professional Engineer (PE) license
Understand building systems deeply (HVAC, controls, lighting)
Have experience with commissioning, energy audits, or performance contracting
Can manage projects while also doing technical analysis
Preferred Edge
PE (strongly preferred)
LEED Accreditation
Commissioning certifications (BCxP, CCP)
Experience with:
Labs or healthcare HVAC systems
Energy modeling tools
Building automation systems
What You’ll Gain
Direct, measurable climate impact (buildings, energy savings, emissions)
Ownership over projects affecting dozens of facilities
A strong compensation + benefits package (public sector + university perks)
A role blending engineering, sustainability, and project leadership
Compensation & Benefits Highlights
22+ days PTO + 13 holidays
Health coverage + wellness incentives
Why This Role Matters
Unlike policy or advisory roles, this position operates at the implementation layer :
You reduce emissions by fixing systems
You save energy through engineering decisions
You create impact that can be measured in real time
UVA’s Building Efficiency Program has already:
Upgraded 75+ buildings
Saved $3.7M in one year alone
You would directly contribute to scaling that impact.
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Worksite address
charlottesville, VA, 22904, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.