Job Details
West Work
Boston, Massachusetts
West Work is seeking an Energy and Sustainability Designer with 1-3 years of experience to join our growing sustainability and building performance team. This role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career professional in architecture, architectural engineering, building science, sustainability, or a related field with a strong interest in high-performance building envelope design, Passive House strategies, and low-carbon construction.
The Energy Designer will work on both residential renovation and new construction projects. Renovation work, including deep energy retrofits, will involve supporting in evaluating existing building performance, designing and documenting high-performance assemblies, and analyzing simulated outcomes using energy modeling software. Occupant health, durability, and adaptive reuse are central to West Work’s mission. Energy Designers work closely with Project Managers, and design teams to integrate sustainability strategies into projects from feasibility through construction. On new construction projects, the Energy Designer will support Passive House feasibility studies, energy modeling, and sustainability certification efforts. Familiarity with Mass Save incentive pathways is helpful but not required.
Our current energy design portfolio emphasizes multifamily housing, with opportunities to work on civic and higher education buildings
The Energy and Sustainability Designer will:
- Review architectural designs through 3D digital and 2D graphic exploration to determine energy saving approaches and recommendations
- Produce space plans and building programs that increase building efficiency
- Investigate construction materials and building products to ensure compliance with relevant certification goals and building energy code
- Evaluate and documenting existing buildings
- Create client presentations and information graphics
- Provide support with energy code compliance pathways for multifamily buildings
- Assist with decarbonization studies, historic utility data analysis and benchmarking exercises
- Support the development and documentation of building envelope and energy strategies
- Participate in meetings with clients, collaborators, and consultants while developing professional communication skills
- Assist senior staff with Passive House, Enterprise Green Communities, LEED and other sustainability certification processes
- Support with preparation of Mass Save reimbursement documentation
- Support grant and funder applications
- Participate in construction administration related to sustainability objectives
- Develop skills in balancing comfortably between architectural design and technical analysis
- Assist in writing decarbonization and energy model reports with recommendations
- Review project documentation with guidance from senior staff and learn building science best practices
- Assist design teams by drafting building envelope details in Revit
- Participate in internal research, professional development, and continuing education related to sustainability and building performance
This role requires a strong interest in building science, sustainability and design, with opportunities for mentorship and professional growth .
- Bachelors or Master’s Degree in Architecture (NAAB accredited) or Mechanical Engineering
- 1-3 years of experience in architecture, building science, or sustainability projects preferred
- Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), or willingness to complete certification once hired
- Working knowledge of:
- SketchUp Pro
- Revit
- AutoCAD
- Rhino
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Microsoft Excel
- Basic technical competency in architectural and mechanical systems
Bonus Qualifications
- Working knowledge of:
- Wufi Passive, Wufi Pro
- THERM
- eQuest
- EC3 Tool
- Tally
- Certifications such as:
- Passive House
- LEED
- WELL
- CPHC
- IFLI Living Future Accreditation
What we offer
$60,000-$73,000 per year (base salary). Compensation with experience, certifications, and technical expertise.
- 100% Employer paid health, dental, vision coverage
- Paid vacation, sick, and company holidays
- Retirement savings plan with 3% employer match
- Direct involvement in meaningful, sustainability-focused projects
- Exposure to all aspects of practice, from marketing to delivery in a collaborative studio environment
- Opportunities for professional growth and continuing education support
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and work samples (if applicable) to:
contact@west-work.com
West Work is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.