Market Development PhD Intern

Wärtsilä Energy Storage & Optimization (ES&O) is the leading global energy storage optimizer. Our mission is to deliver integrated energy solutions that build a resilient, intelligent, and flexible energy infrastructure - unlocking the way to an optimized renewable future. By integrating renewables, energy management technology, and storage with traditional energy resources, we reinvent clean energy production from the largest and most complex grids to the most remote and essential microgrids. We play a key role in Wärtsilä’s vision towards a 100% renewable energy future through flexibility, reliability, and integration and a more sustainable world for us all.

Position Overview

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented PhD-level intern to assist in the development, quality assurance, and improvement of software for simulating optimization of battery operations in wholesale electricity markets and to support the development of new pricing and offer structures. This role also involves quantifying and analyzing time series forecasting error margins, with a focus on renewable energy integration and grid stability. The position is hybrid, requiring 2-3 days per week on-site at our Emeryville, CA office. 

Key Responsibilities

• Battery Optimization Code QA/QC:
  • Assist in developing and quality-checking Python-based optimization algorithms for battery revenue maximization in wholesale electricity markets (e.g., CAISO, PJM, ERCOT).
  • Perform testing, debugging, and validation of optimization models to ensure accuracy and reliability.
  • Analyze results and propose improvements to enhance algorithm performance.

• Time Series Forecasting Analysis:
  • Quantify and evaluate error margins for time series forecasting models used in market participation and renewable energy integration.
  • Support data preprocessing, feature engineering, and statistical evaluation of forecasting models.
  • Collaborate with engineers to integrate forecasting insights into optimization workflows.

• Commercial offer structure development:
  • Support the development of performance- or market-based software and other service pricing models

• Cross-Team Collaboration:
  • Work closely with commercialization managers, market analysts, software engineers, data scientists and domain experts to ensure seamless integration of your work into the broader optimization and forecasting ecosystem.
  • Contribute to documentation, reports, and knowledge-sharing sessions to support internal stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Educational Background:
  • PhD candidate or recent graduate in fields such as Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, or a related discipline.

• Technical Skills:
  • Strong proficiency in Python programming (experience with libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, Pyomo, or SciPy is a plus).
  • Familiarity with optimization techniques (e.g., linear programming, mixed-integer programming) and energy systems modeling.
  • Knowledge of time series forecasting methods (e.g., ARIMA, LSTM, Prophet) and relevant statistical tools.
  • Experience working with wholesale electricity market datasets and APIs is a significant advantage.

• Soft Skills:
  • Excellent problem-solving abilities with attention to detail and analytical rigor.
  • Strong communication and documentation skills to convey complex technical concepts clearly.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to work on real-world challenges in renewable energy and grid operations.
• Mentorship from industry experts in energy storage and optimization.
• Flexible hybrid work schedule and an inclusive, innovative workplace culture.

Last application date: 23/01/2025 

Why you and us:

You will be a part of a global organization with local presence and work in an exciting and dynamic working environment with highly motivated and skilled co-workers. We offer interesting and challenging work tasks, as well as personal and professional development in a great team. If you feel excited by being a part of this working environment and think your personal skills and qualities match the job requirements, we look forward to receiving your job application. At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities.

We are not accepting unsolicited submissions from 3rd party recruitment agencies.

Successful applicant must be authorized to work in the USA without sponsorship. We look forward to hearing from you. Qualified candidates must apply online: https://www.wartsila.com/careers

Individuals hired for positions that require on-site customer interactions and/or in-person travel may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or other country-specific vaccinations, unless otherwise prohibited by law. Wärtsilä North America values our employees. Wärtsilä North America is an EOE/AA employer.

Effective January 2025, Wartsila companies in the USA will implement a new hybrid work model. Most employees who live within 40 miles of an office will work 2 days per week in office. This model will provide our employees the flexibility of working from home, while also providing the benefits of in-person collaboration twice a week. We will be happy to provide more information during your interview process.

For applicants that reside in California the hourly wage range is $18.77 - $34.86. 

The amounts listed are the base pay range; additional compensation may be available for this role, such as shift differentials, standby/on-call, overtime, premiums, extra shift incentives, or bonus opportunities.  Eligibility to participate in: the discretionary incentive plan assigned to the level of position upon offer of employment; medical, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) plan and flexible spending accounts, subject to plan terms; Company-paid benefits such as life insurance, short- and long-term disability, subject to applicable waiting periods.  Paid time off (PTO) is accrued on a per-pay period basis in accordance with tenure in the Company; a new hire can expect 17 days per year. Twelve (12) Company-paid holidays. 

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