Manager of Optimization

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.

We are seeking a Manager of Optimization to join our growing software team. This position is hybrid or remote with the ideal candidate being near our software development center in Herndon, VA, USA.

The primary function of this role is to advance the development of the underlying optimization technologies that comprise our data science driven products. This includes mixed integer linear programming optimizers and associated frameworks. These technologies are applied in products that include Wartsila’s automated electricity market bidding platform, Wartsila’s GEMS optimization plugins for Solar+Storage and islanded grid contexts where GEMS is optimizing the dispatch of hybrid power plant resources directly, and various simulation, training, and evaluation tools serving both internal and external customers. 

The Manager will provide leadership for the development of simulation tools and data driven operation optimization algorithms for energy systems in Python. The role will be an integral part of the Simulation and Data Science team in a Research and Development role, working to accelerate the development of our software capabilities while supporting new product development initiatives in the field of automated power system optimization.

Essential Responsibilities
• Lead the team that builds and develops optimization frameworks.
• Lead the team that applies optimization to different contexts and ensures performant and 
robust products.
• Lead the team that advances, develops, and maintains our optimization models.
• Collaboration with product management, engineering, and product teams.
• Develop, implement, and leverage linear and quadratic programming optimization methods.
• Research, develop, and implement machine learning algorithms, where applicable (including 
artificial neural networks and reinforcement learning).
• Turn data models and algorithms into software and evaluate model effectiveness by 
conducting tests on large sets of historical data.
• Work with our product team and devops team to deploy and monitor Python solutions in a 
cloud/bare-metal hybrid environment, helping to tune and debug performance.
• Tune data models and algorithms for conducting time series analysis, forecasting, and 
operation optimizations related to energy management, improving performance and
accuracy within the context of the business logic.
• Provide integration expertise related to electricity market rules and regulatory compliance in 
electricity grid contexts.
• Understand various ISO (Independent System Operator) telemetry requirements to maintain 
grid operator reliability and compliance.
• Write documentation on algorithm and model improvements to clearly communicate the 
structure of new methods and implementations, including justification.
• The candidate must be able to embrace the fast and dynamic environment of a growth stage
company, comfortable with adjusting quickly to changing priorities.

Qualifications/Requirements
• M.S. or Ph.D. in physics, mathematics, or engineering.
• Track record of a career trajectory in and towards data science for energy systems.
• Experience building simulation platforms that use optimization for model predictive control.
• Experience in power markets or electricity grid optimization.
• Expert level in Python as a programming language (5+ years).
• Can work independently and provide strong leadership.

Desired Characteristics
• Demonstrated good management experience (1+ years).
• 3+ years of experience in power system dispatching
• Expertise in predictive analytics including regressions and machine learning techniques
• Work or academic experience in the energy industry
• Prior experience with production systems running advanced statistical algorithms and 
machine learning
• Experience with open-source analytic and data munging software
• Familiar with large, distributed datasets for high-speed computing
• Strong leadership record with active participation in renewable energy associations, forums, 
clubs, or groups

Last application date: 22/04/2024 

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. 

 
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. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Wärtsilä North America is an EOE/AA employer. 

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