Engineer B - Demand Side Management

Job Description:

Engineer B - Demand Side Management

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Under limited supervision and using considerable latitude for independent judgment, this position performs engineering work that includes designing, planning, and overseeing work in support of construction, maintenance, alteration of structures, facilities, processes, equipment, and systems

Job Description:

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Approves, processes, and seals plans, specifications, construction documents by applying engineering standardization of practices and principles of complex calculations for applied discipline within Local and State regulatory requirements.
  
• Manages engineering that are routine, non-priority projects or programs. These projects require a level of technical proficiency as well as coordinative and administrative responsibility.
  
• Identifies, evaluates, and provides improvement recommendations with preliminary and final designs and design criteria for assigned program or projects. Assists in the preparation of preliminary and long-range plans, schedules, estimates, budgets, detailed final plans, specifications, special conditions, and agreements. Provides technical assistance with project progress from design through completion.
  
• Develops cost estimates, tracks expenditures, and prepares cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports and studies for projects. Prepares and/or assists with preliminary contract documents, specifications, and plans. Prepares final plans for review of specifications, special conditions, and agreements and coordinates and oversees technical work of contractors, affected public agencies, and utilities. Writes technical specifications for construction contracts.
  
• Reviews plans and approves permits by applying complex engineering standardization of practices and principles for applied discipline within Local and State regulatory requirements.
  
• Inspects and monitors projects for legal compliance by reviewing work completed by contractors and ensuring compliance to specifications by completing complex calculations that are used to further provide analysis of preliminary results of a project.
  
• Develops, negotiates, and monitors contracts by reviewing and writing contract change orders in the area of technical expertise and may negotiate and recommend financial arrangements for changes to contact.
  
• Conducts field inspections of work done by contractors to ensure compliance with plans and specifications. Drafts and recommends approval of contract change orders.
  
• Researches and performs statistical analysis for validation of reports and publication of results in various communication formats.
  
• Develops standard policies and ordinances for various contracts and/or projects and operating procedures. May provide analysis and recommendation of performance of various personnel assigned by contract or projects.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of diversified, fundamental scientific and civil engineering concepts, phenomena, and relationships, and utilizes such changes in solution of theoretical or practical civil engineering problems.
  
• Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques such as trigonometry, calculus, and coordinate geometry.
  
• Knowledge of modern methods, materials, and techniques of assigned discipline.
  
• Knowledge of one or more of the following disciplines: Civil, Environmental, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, and/or Electrical engineering terminology and techniques.
  
• Knowledge of City of Austin purchasing and contract policies and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of applicability of established engineering principles and methods.
  
• Knowledge of phases of the plans review and inspections processes.
  
• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
  
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within Local and State ordinances and laws.
  
• Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
  
• Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
  
• Ability to perform more complex engineering computations, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry, rapidly and accurately.
  
• Ability to interpret and explain maps and other related documents.
  
• Ability to interpret and make decisions not within established policies and practices.
  
• Ability to communicate and provide direction to peers and assigned personnel.
  
• Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate scientific civil engineering problems and provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
  
• Ability to observe, compare, or monitor objects and data to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards.
  
• Ability to use graphic instructions such as blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, or other visual aids.
  
• Ability to use a personal computer, engineering applications, and data management software.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to engineering, plus six (6) years of experience in engineering acquired before and/or after licensing as a professional engineer.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, must have the ability to obtain a Texas P.E. license within six (6) months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in utility, energy efficiency, demand-side management (DSM), integrated demand-side management (IDSM) or distributed energy resource DER-related engineering roles.
  
• Strong knowledge of local/state codes, interconnection standards, Texas Reference Manual , and energy market operations.
  
• Proficiency in data analysis, forecasting, and technical documentation.
  
• Experience providing analysis, vendor management, and other technical support to DSM and DER programs.
  
• Experience with installation and performance monitoring of battery storage systems, HVAC systems, automated building systems, and energy-efficient technologies, including heat pumps.
  
• DER integration, and demand response programs.
  
• Familiarity with energy market forecasting tools and grid services modeling.
  
• Experience managing third-party vendors.
  
• Experience mentoring junior engineers.
  
• Knowledge of Evaluation, Measurement & Verification (EM&V) processes and regulatory reporting.
  
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM) & Certified Project Manager (CPM), or the ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Austin Energy is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Professional Engineer to lead technical planning, forecasting, and implementation of our DSM Programs. This role supports integrated demand-side management (IDSM) strategies and ensures that energy efficient building upgrades and distributed energy resources (DERs) are correctly installed and integrated into program planning and evaluation.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in mechanical engineering, distributed energy resources technologies, and regulatory compliance, along with the ability to coordinate across internal teams, contractors, and market operators.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for the demand-side management program, ensuring compliance with local and state engineering standards.
  
• Assist market operators in distributed energy resources dispatch strategy for energy market participation using performance data and modeling tools.
  
• Review and approve engineering designs, specifications, construction documents, performance data and modeling tool output.
  
• Manage routine engineering projects, including scheduling, budgeting, and contractor coordination.
  
• Oversee and mentor junior engineers and technical staff.
  
• Conduct field inspections and ensure contractor work meets design and regulatory requirements.
  
• Coordinate with third-party vendors for evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V).
  
• Develop technical standards, policies, and procedures for energy efficiency and demand response programs.
  
• Support cross-functional collaboration with internal departments, utilities, and regulatory agencies.
  

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Location: 4815 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX 78723

Work Schedule/Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (hybrid)

Salary Range: $91,080 (low) to $117,000 (mid)

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution. You must also provide proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-01-09