Researcher II – Data Center Energy Systems
National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO, United States
Posting Title
Researcher II – Data Center Energy Systems
Location
CO - Golden
Position Type
Limited Term (Fixed Term)
Hours Per Week
40
Working at NLR
NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado and is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world‑class scientists, engineers, and experts accelerate energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost‑effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.
Job Description
The NLR Computational Science Center’s Advanced Computing Operations group (ACO) is a focal point for data center operations and research. NLR’s award‑winning energy‑efficient data center is a living laboratory where researchers advance thermal management, liquid cooling and data center optimization efforts. ACO has data center expertise in liquid cooling for high‑power density racks and takes a holistic systems approach to data center optimization from the server chip level out to the building facilities and campus levels.
We are seeking a researcher focusing on modeling and experimental heat and mass transfer of energy systems applied to data center facilities. The successful candidate will join team members on cutting‑edge data center, laboratory and analytical projects to research, develop, and evaluate heat and mass transfer components and systems. The role requires strong background and understanding of heat and mass transfer, including theory, numerical modeling and experiments. It requires dominance of an engineering discipline, focused around mechanical systems, controls, and necessitates the ability and interest to work in the data center and address physical wiring, fabrication and troubleshooting, design experiments, accomplish project management tasks, and function successfully in a team environment and as an individual performer.
Responsibilities
Develop, improve, and conduct first‑principles numerical modeling of heat exchangers, thermal energy storage, and heating, ventilation, and air‑conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Design, develop and analyze new HVAC processes and components applied to data centers.
Perform laboratory experiments on fluid/thermal components and systems.
Contribute to papers and reports.
Basic Qualifications
Relevant Master’s Degree, or relevant Bachelor’s Degree and 2 or more years of experience. General knowledge and application of engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques. Training in team, task or project leadership responsibilities. Intermediate abilities and knowledge of practices and techniques. Beginning experience in project management. Good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
Recent graduate with a strong academic and research record in relevant heat transfer, thermodynamics, and mass transfer field with emphasis on modeling and experimental research.
Degree in mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, or relevant dissertation research in other engineering or science fields.
Strong interpersonal communication skills (oral and written) and demonstrated ability to work independently.
Preferred Qualifications
Heat and mass transfer fundamentals.
HVAC fundamentals or refrigeration cycles – understanding of hydronic loops, cooling towers, dry coolers, air‑handling units, and make‑up air units.
Building modeling, including integration with thermal storage or HVAC.
Laboratory experiments and data acquisition systems.
Numerical modeling techniques and computer programming.
Experience programming in Engineering Equation Solver (EES), MATLAB, Python, or similar tools.
Perform physical work in data center including wiring, interface design and build, commissioning of new equipment, and operation of complex experimental setups.
Willingness to accept a variety of tasks, both technical and non‑technical, to support group operations and business processes.
Desire to learn and grow in a technical career.
Annual Salary Range
$76,600 - $126,400
Benefits Summary
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 insurance; personal time off and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement.
NLR 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.
Badging Requirement
NLR is subject to Department of Energy access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by HSPD‑12, which includes a favorable background investigation.
Drug Free Workplace
NLR 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 NLR, 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, your offer may be withdrawn.
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to 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.
Reasonable Accommodations
E‑Verify: For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. E‑Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E‑Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Researcher II – Data Center Energy Systems
Location
CO - Golden
Position Type
Limited Term (Fixed Term)
Hours Per Week
40
Working at NLR
NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado and is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world‑class scientists, engineers, and experts accelerate energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost‑effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.
Job Description
The NLR Computational Science Center’s Advanced Computing Operations group (ACO) is a focal point for data center operations and research. NLR’s award‑winning energy‑efficient data center is a living laboratory where researchers advance thermal management, liquid cooling and data center optimization efforts. ACO has data center expertise in liquid cooling for high‑power density racks and takes a holistic systems approach to data center optimization from the server chip level out to the building facilities and campus levels.
We are seeking a researcher focusing on modeling and experimental heat and mass transfer of energy systems applied to data center facilities. The successful candidate will join team members on cutting‑edge data center, laboratory and analytical projects to research, develop, and evaluate heat and mass transfer components and systems. The role requires strong background and understanding of heat and mass transfer, including theory, numerical modeling and experiments. It requires dominance of an engineering discipline, focused around mechanical systems, controls, and necessitates the ability and interest to work in the data center and address physical wiring, fabrication and troubleshooting, design experiments, accomplish project management tasks, and function successfully in a team environment and as an individual performer.
Responsibilities
Develop, improve, and conduct first‑principles numerical modeling of heat exchangers, thermal energy storage, and heating, ventilation, and air‑conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Design, develop and analyze new HVAC processes and components applied to data centers.
Perform laboratory experiments on fluid/thermal components and systems.
Contribute to papers and reports.
Basic Qualifications
Relevant Master’s Degree, or relevant Bachelor’s Degree and 2 or more years of experience. General knowledge and application of engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques. Training in team, task or project leadership responsibilities. Intermediate abilities and knowledge of practices and techniques. Beginning experience in project management. Good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
Recent graduate with a strong academic and research record in relevant heat transfer, thermodynamics, and mass transfer field with emphasis on modeling and experimental research.
Degree in mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, or relevant dissertation research in other engineering or science fields.
Strong interpersonal communication skills (oral and written) and demonstrated ability to work independently.
Preferred Qualifications
Heat and mass transfer fundamentals.
HVAC fundamentals or refrigeration cycles – understanding of hydronic loops, cooling towers, dry coolers, air‑handling units, and make‑up air units.
Building modeling, including integration with thermal storage or HVAC.
Laboratory experiments and data acquisition systems.
Numerical modeling techniques and computer programming.
Experience programming in Engineering Equation Solver (EES), MATLAB, Python, or similar tools.
Perform physical work in data center including wiring, interface design and build, commissioning of new equipment, and operation of complex experimental setups.
Willingness to accept a variety of tasks, both technical and non‑technical, to support group operations and business processes.
Desire to learn and grow in a technical career.
Annual Salary Range
$76,600 - $126,400
Benefits Summary
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 insurance; personal time off and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement.
NLR 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.
Badging Requirement
NLR is subject to Department of Energy access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by HSPD‑12, which includes a favorable background investigation.
Drug Free Workplace
NLR 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 NLR, 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, your offer may be withdrawn.
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to 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.
Reasonable Accommodations
E‑Verify: For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. E‑Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E‑Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.
#J-18808-Ljbffr