Senior Building Physicist

Due to the continuing success and growth of our AESG team, a fantastic opportunity has opened up at our award-winning Specialist Consultancy, Engineering and Advisory Firm.

We are headquartered in London, Riyadh, Singapore and Dubai, Cape Town, Cairo & Sydney working throughout the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Our areas of expertise are represented in four core verticals: Building Engineering, Planning and Infrastructure, Strategy and Advisory and Commissioning, Handover and Asset Management.

We pride ourselves in being leaders in the industry in each of the services that we offer. We have one of the largest dedicated team with decades of cumulative experience in sustainable design, fire and life safety, cost management, façade engineering, commissioning, building performance, waste management, environmental consultancy, carbon management and acoustics.

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Building Physicist will lead and deliver advanced building performance and urban physics assessments across building and master planning projects. The role covers daylight and glare, thermal comfort, microclimate and wind comfort, solar radiation, energy performance, building envelope optimisation, passive design, climate resilience and decarbonisation. The role will translate simulation results into practical, design-led recommendations and optimisation strategies; establish robust modelling methodologies and workflows; ensure technical quality and consistency of deliverables; and support multidisciplinary project delivery and client engagement.

QUALIFICATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in building physics, Architectural Engineering, Mechanical , Civil Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 4–7 years of relevant professional experience in building physics, building performance simulation, environmental design, energy modelling, microclimate analysis, or sustainability consulting, preferably within multidisciplinary design or engineering consultancy.

• Proven practical experience with building performance and environmental simulation tools, supported by strong knowledge of relevant international and regional standards, codes and sustainability frameworks.

• Experience in energy auditing and operational building performance analysis is desirable, including the ability to interpret measured data and identify energy conservation and optimisation opportunities.

• Advanced proficiency in environmental analysis tools such as IES, Rhino/Grasshopper, Ladybug/Honeybee, ClimateStudio, ENVI met and/or CFD platforms.

• Demonstrated experience delivering daylight, glare, thermal comfort, solar radiation, wind/microclimate and building envelope optimisation studies for buildings and/or masterplans.

• Experience working with architects, landscape architects, MEP engineers and sustainability teams to influence design decisions through performance-based analysis.

• Professional accreditation such as LEED AP, WELL AP, Estidama PQP, CIBSE, ASHRAE or equivalent is advantageous.

SKILLS / EXPERTISE REQUIRED

• Building performance simulation: advanced understanding of heat transfer, solar gains, internal loads, HVAC interactions, thermal comfort and whole-building energy performance.

• Daylight and glare analysis: ability to undertake and interpret daylight availability, daylight autonomy, glare and visual comfort assessments and translate results into façade and space-planning recommendations.

• Microclimate and urban physics: strong capability in solar radiation, outdoor thermal comfort, pedestrian wind comfort, shading and climate-responsive masterplanning assessments.

• Building envelope and passive design: expertise in façade performance, glazing selection, shading optimisation, orientation, massing, natural ventilation and other passive design strategies.

• Modelling tools and workflows: strong hands-on capability with IES-VE; strong hands-on knowledge of Rhino/Grasshopper, Ladybug/Honeybee and ClimateStudio; experience with CFD tools such as OpenFOAM or equivalent. Ability to develop parametric and comparative modelling workflows is highly desirable.

• Energy and decarbonisation: ability to develop energy conservation measures, compare design options, assess renewable energy opportunities and support operational energy and decarbonisation strategies.

• Standards and compliance: strong working knowledge of ASHRAE and CIBSE guidance and relevant regional codes; familiarity with LEED, WELL, BREEAM, Estidama/PBRS, Mostadam/PCRS and Saudi Building Code requirements relevant to building physics.

• Technical QA/QC: ability to define modelling assumptions and methodologies, review models and calculations, challenge inputs and results, troubleshoot modelling issues, and ensure outputs are technically defensible and fit for purpose.

• Data analysis and technical reporting: ability to analyse large simulation datasets, identify performance drivers and clearly communicate findings through concise reports, dashboards, graphics and presentations.

• Design advisory and communication: ability to convert complex simulation results into practical design recommendations and communicate effectively with clients, architects, engineers and non-specialist stakeholders.

• Project and team leadership: ability to plan technical workstreams, manage priorities and deadlines, review deliverables, mentor team members and coordinate multidisciplinary inputs.

• Commercial awareness: understanding of scope, programme, fee utilisation and change management, with the ability to support proposals, technical scopes and client presentations.

GENERAL EXPECTANCY

• Demonstrates advanced technical expertise and sound professional judgement across core building physics disciplines.

• Provides proactive technical leadership, design insight and evidence-based recommendations that improve project outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Core Role

• Lead urban physics and environmental performance assessments across building and master planning projects, providing technical direction across daylight, glare, thermal comfort, microclimate, energy, passive design, climate resilience, and decarbonisation.

• Translate simulation outputs and technical analysis into practical, design-led recommendations, performance targets, and optimisation strategies for architects, engineers, developers, and clients.

• Establish project methodologies, modelling approaches, assessment criteria, and workflows, while ensuring the quality and technical robustness of project deliverables.

• Collaborate and coordinate with architects, engineers, and sustainability consultants to integrate building physics principles into design solutions.

Technical Responsibilities

• Lead and undertake advanced assessments covering daylight, glare, thermal comfort, microclimate, wind comfort, solar radiation, energy performance, building envelope optimisation, passive design and renewable energy.

• Develop and optimise building and masterplan strategies, including orientation, massing, façade design, glazing, shading, landscape and other passive measures.

• Develop and manage simulation workflows using tools such as IES-VE, Rhino/Grasshopper, Honeybee/Ladybug, ClimateStudio, OpenFOAM and CFD workflows, including parametric and comparative studies where required.

Standards & Compliance

• Interpret and apply relevant international and regional standards, codes, and sustainability frameworks, including LEED, WELL, Mostadam/PCRS, Estidama PBRS, Saudi Building Code, ASHRAE, CIBSE, and NEN 8100.

• Establish appropriate and defensible methodologies for demonstrating compliance, particularly where project requirements are ambiguous or require interpretation, and advise project teams on performance targets and compliance strategies.

• Contribute to sustainability certifications (e.g., LEED, BREEAM, Estidama, WELL, Mostadam) where applicable.

• Stay updated with evolving codes, standards, and best practices in building physics, energy performance, and environmental design.

Project & Client Responsibilities

• Lead technical discussions with clients and multidisciplinary teams, communicating complex building physics concepts and simulation findings in a clear and design-oriented manner.

• Coordinate with architecture, landscape, MEP and other disciplines to integrate environmental performance considerations into design development, while managing technical deliverables, programme requirements and project priorities.

• Review project information and models, identify gaps and technical risks, and provide early-stage advisory to improve project performance and inform design decisions.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and support junior and intermediate building physicists through technical guidance, task allocation, modelling reviews, QA/QC, and knowledge sharing.

• Establish consistent technical workflows and standards within the team, troubleshoot complex modelling challenges, and support the development of team members' technical capabilities.

• Provide technical oversight of project outputs and ensure analysis, methodologies, and recommendations are robust, consistent, and fit for purpose.

Business Development & Service Development

• Contribute to proposals, scopes of work, tenders, client presentations, and business development activities, supporting the growth of the Building Physics service offering.

• Identify emerging client requirements and opportunities to develop new services, methodologies, and workflows, including advanced daylight and glare, microclimate, outdoor thermal comfort, masterplan shading, climate-responsive design, energy, and decarbonisation.

• Support the development of new technical capabilities within AESG by creating repeatable methodologies, tools, and workflows, and sharing knowledge across the wider team.

COMPETENCIES

• Leadership / Management skills - Demonstrates effective delegation, planning and coordination, fosters collaboration across teams, and actively coaches and develops junior team members.

• Communication / Collaboration - Communicates complex technical information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, provides constructive feedback, and collaborates effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

• Technical Knowledge / Expertise - Demonstrates subject matter expertise in relevant building physics disciplines and applies this knowledge to complex design and modelling challenges.

• Creativity / Innovation - Actively promote creative thinking within their teams or departments, encouraging colleagues to embrace new ideas and approaches.

• Client Focus / Relationship Building - Maintain and strengthen high levels of Client satisfaction and feedback. Preparation of proposals and seeking and winning new work.

• Strategic Vision / Planning - Contributes technical insight, data analysis and evidence-based recommendations to reports, presentations and service planning for the division.

DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE BASE AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLSET

• Time Management / Planning - Plans and manages technical workstreams and projects, including programmes, budgets, resources, dependencies, quality requirements and delivery risks.

• Industry Experience / Thought Leadership - Demonstrated expertise in discipline, industry leadership through participation in industry professional groups and conferences and the development of research publications.

• Project Management / Operational Delivery - Proven expertise in the discipline with a track record of independently delivering complex projects and technical workstreams to programme, budget and quality requirements, with strong client feedback. Resolves complex project issues and contributes to improving cross-functional delivery processes and efficiency.

• Leadership / Team Management Experience - Ability to independently manage project delivery, allocate and review technical tasks, and mentor junior and intermediate team members and graduates.

• Commercial Acumen / Business Development - Understands project budgets, fee utilisation, scope management and commercial risks. Supports proposals, fee estimates, scope development and client relationships, contributing to the commercial success and growth of the service line.

• Problem Solving / Decision Making - Applies structured technical judgement to diagnose complex problems, develop viable options, evaluate risks and trade-offs, and recommend solutions considering long-term project implications.

• Employee Focus / Process Compliance - Fosters a positive and collaborative work environment, identifies delivery and operational risks, and follows applicable company processes, quality procedures and regulatory requirements.

• Upholding AESG Core Values - Upholds AESG Core Values, including Honesty, Flexibility, Adaptability, Client-centricity and Collaboration.