Building Performance Specialist

Join the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner shaping a more sustainable future.

LPA is a collective of designers, engineers, and researchers committed to tackling the biggest issues of our time. Our "No Excuses" integrated design approach was recognized by the AIA as “a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture". At LPA you’ll be part of the team that is changing the way the industry thinks about design and carbon emissions, built around the belief that we only achieve our goals when everybody has a seat at the table and all input is valued.

LPA is committed to making sustainability and building performance the foundation of every design, regardless of size, scale or budget. Over the years, we have built a model for a multidisciplinary, research-driven design process, with a collaborative culture focused on analysis and problem-solving. For two years in a row (2018-19), we were the largest firm in the country to surpass the AIA 2030 Commitment target of reducing energy use in our buildings by more than 70 percent.

To help us advance our efforts around high-performing, low-carbon design solutions, we are seeking a passionate Building Performance Specialist to join our integrated team of architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects and master planners. We are seeking a candidate with a minimum 1-2 years of relevant industry experience but are also open to someone with more tenure and experience. We will modify the role, title and salary based on the right candidate’s qualifications.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct building performance analysis on LPA projects, including early phase analysis through whole-building energy modeling and LEED/regulatory compliance modeling

• Assist in firmwide education and training on early phase modeling software for design staff throughout the firm

• Be a design partner, guiding teams through design decisions based on building performance analysis and feedback

• Assist in the collection of project data to satisfy our 2030 Commitment reporting requirements

• Contribute to LPA’s bi-annual magazine, Catalyst, as well as other internal and external documents and briefs

• Represent LPA in industry committees, conferences and forums

What We Offer:

At LPA, your growth and contributions matter. We foster a collaborative culture where creative ideas are valued, and voices are heard.

• Mentorship from Managing Directors, Design Directors, and senior team members across disciplines.

• Career development support, including professional development grants and in-house training.

• Ongoing education through LPA+U courses and Tech Talks focused on innovative, sustainable practices.

• 8 paid hours of volunteer time each year.

• Opportunities to propose and lead projects that impact your local community, including more than $1 million since 2015 in Habitat for Humanity builds, scholarships, and other pro bono community projects.

• Access to our Professional Development Grants program, created to encourage professional development and further LPA's collective knowledge as a firm. Over the life of the grant program, we have invested $1,196,890 and impacted 848 LPA employees.

What We're Looking For:

• Passion for integrative, high-performance and sustainable design

• Able to effectively communicate technical details with all design team disciplines and clients in a way that is understandable and actionable

• A comprehensive knowledge of sustainable design strategies appropriate to different building types, market sectors and geographic locations

• A working knowledge of energy modeling requirements and documentation for third-party rating systems (LEED) and applicable state/local green building requirements (CalGreen, AEGB)

• A working knowledge of both early-phase and whole-building energy modeling software and tools

• Experience with other performance analysis tools (daylight, life-cycle assessment, envelope integrity, CFD, etc) a plus

• A general understanding of economic considerations such as return on investment variables

• Articulate and comfortable public speaker, whether giving formal presentations or leading workshops

• Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Architecture, Engineering or related field.

• Minimum 1-2 years of building performance experience within the AEC industry; more experience a plus

• Accreditations such as LEED, HBDP, BEMP preferred

LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas, focused on creating forward-thinking, sustainable spaces that make a positive impact. We believe great design begins with great people, which is why we foster a supportive, collaborative environment where creativity, curiosity, and professional growth are encouraged. Our culture values diversity, promotes wellness, and supports a healthy work-life balance. At LPA, we offer competitive salaries and a robust benefits package—including health and dental insurance, retirement and financial planning, wellness initiatives, and flexible work/life programs.

This position is eligible for an annual bonus. If you are hired at LPA, your base salary is based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience and/or project complexity. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.

NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES AND RECRUITERS:

Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA’s request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.