Senior Sustainability and Physics Engineer

Senior Sustainability and Physics Engineer

Full-Time 55000 - 65000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Buro Happold

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape sustainable buildings and achieve net zero carbon targets while enhancing occupant wellbeing.
  • Company: Join a leading firm committed to innovative environmental design in London.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, generous holiday, and continuous development opportunities.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with support for professional growth and community engagement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on climate-conscious design and collaborate with diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in environmental design, strong communication skills, and a relevant STEM degree.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.

Looking to make a real impact on climate‑conscious design? Join our team as a Senior Environmental Design Engineer. This person can be based in our London office on a hybrid working model. We are seeking a talented Senior Environmental Design Engineer to join our Sustainability and Physics team in London. In this role, you’ll help shape the design of buildings that achieve net zero carbon targets while delivering exceptional environments that support occupant wellbeing.

About The Role

Our Sustainability team operates at the forefront of net zero carbon, building performance, and occupant wellbeing. From complex retrofits to world‑leading new developments, we deliver integrated, performance‑led design solutions. You’ll collaborate with architects, engineers, and clients, helping to create buildings that respond intelligently to climate, regulation, and human comfort. We are also active contributors to industry bodies such as the UK Green Building Council, shaping guidance on sustainability and building performance.

Key Responsibilities

  • Delivering environmental design and building performance consultancy from concept through to technical delivery.
  • Undertaking and coordinating building physics analysis, including:
    • Energy modelling.
    • Thermal comfort and overheating assessments.
    • Daylight and façade performance analysis.
  • Supporting parametric modelling and performance‑led design optimisation.
  • Assessing and integrating renewable and low‑carbon energy solutions.
  • Delivering whole life and embodied carbon assessments.
  • Supporting the delivery of Net Zero Carbon strategies.
  • Working as part of multi‑disciplinary teams, engaging with clients and design partners.
  • Communicating design solutions clearly, including risks, opportunities, and trade‑offs.
  • Producing high‑quality technical reports, models, and presentations.
  • Presenting technical work to clients and stakeholders.
  • Supporting bids, proposals, and design competitions.
  • Mentoring and reviewing work of junior engineers.
  • Maintaining high standards of technical quality and QA compliance.
  • Progressing toward (or maintaining) professional accreditation.

Essential What We Are Looking For

  • Strong background in environmental design, building physics, or performance engineering.
  • A solid understanding of passive and low‑carbon design strategies.
  • Experience delivering performance analysis on complex building projects.
  • Ability to work independently and manage workload to deadlines and budgets.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Proven experience working in multi‑disciplinary teams.
  • Experience mentoring or supporting junior team members.
  • A relevant STEM or engineering degree.
  • At least 5 years’ experience in environmental design or sustainability engineering.
  • Knowledge of UK regulations and frameworks (e.g. Part L, BREEAM, NABERS, Net Zero standards).

Desirable

  • Experience using tools such as IES-VE, Rhino/Grasshopper.
  • Knowledge of energy systems, thermal modelling, daylight and carbon analysis.
  • Experience with scripting (Python, C#, JavaScript).
  • Familiarity with LEED, BREEAM, and planning requirements.
  • Progress toward Chartered status.

What We Offer You

  • Hybrid working arrangements.
  • Attractive salary.
  • Discretionary bonus.
  • Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements.
  • Generous company pension scheme, life assurance and income protection.
  • Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
  • Enhanced parenthood leave policies.
  • A strong commitment to continuous development.
  • Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions.
  • A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities.
  • An opportunity to support your local community and those in society that are most in need, wherever they are located in the world through our Share Our Skills (SOS) programme.
  • A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring.
  • An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won't be far from exceptional.

We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers and value an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of the way you work and achieve balance. Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key; we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive. We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.

Senior Sustainability and Physics Engineer employer: Buro Happold

At Buro Happold, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions sustainability and innovation in the built environment. Our London office offers a hybrid working model, fostering a supportive and inclusive culture where employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact on climate-conscious design. With a strong commitment to professional development, generous benefits, and a focus on wellbeing, we empower our team members to grow and excel in their careers while contributing to projects that shape a sustainable future.

Buro Happold

Contact Detail:

Buro Happold Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Sustainability and Physics Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the sustainability and engineering fields. Attend industry events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best work in environmental design and building physics. Include case studies, reports, and any cool projects you've been part of. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK regulations and frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to net zero carbon strategies and occupant wellbeing. Confidence is key, so practice your answers and get comfortable talking about your experience.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are passionate about making a difference in sustainability. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team. So, go ahead and hit that apply button!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sustainability and Physics Engineer

Environmental Design
Building Physics
Performance Engineering
Energy Modelling
Thermal Comfort Assessment
Daylight Performance Analysis
Parametric Modelling

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in environmental design and building physics. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of achieving net zero carbon targets!

Showcase Your Projects:Include specific examples of projects you've worked on that demonstrate your expertise in performance analysis and low-carbon design strategies. This will help us understand the impact you've made in previous roles.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your communication reflects your strong presentation skills right from the start!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our Sustainability and Physics team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Buro Happold

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of environmental design and building physics. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in net zero carbon strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements.

Showcase Your Projects

Prepare to talk about specific projects you've worked on that demonstrate your skills in performance analysis and low-carbon design. Highlight your contributions and the impact they had on the project's success, especially in terms of occupant wellbeing.

Communicate Clearly

Practice explaining complex technical concepts in a way that's easy to understand. Since you'll be collaborating with architects and clients, being able to communicate risks, opportunities, and trade-offs clearly will set you apart.

Ask Insightful Questions

Come prepared with questions that show your interest in the company's sustainability initiatives and their approach to building performance. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.