Director, Optimization and Analytics

Role Summary/Purpose

We are seeking a highly skilled, technically detailed, and articulate Software Engineering Director to lead our Data Science, Battery Science, Forecasting, and Optimization initiatives. This role combines leadership of established analytics and optimization products with the responsibility for shaping the next generation of software offerings. This role works closely with engineering, product, and commercial teams to set technical direction, guide execution, and ensure coherence across GEMS optimization, analytics, and market-facing systems.

Essential Responsibilities

• Own the data science, forecasting, optimization, and applied ML roadmap across storage, generation, and hybrid plants, translating commercial objectives and contractual requirements into deployable real-time optimization and reusable analytics capabilities.

• Provide technical and strategic leadership for battery analytics and asset management initiatives, delivering actionable insights on cell health, degradation, and performance in the form of a scalable commercial product that is aligned with customer needs, OEM partnerships, and subscription models.

• Lead core algorithm development for battery economic dispatch, hybrid plant dispatch optimization, and market bidding (e.g., Australian NEM), ensuring robust, revenue-positive performance that is adaptable to ever-evolving electricity market dynamics.

• Collaborate with Engineering and Product to ensure safe, deterministic execution of advanced algorithms on real-time plant controllers, and serve as a technical representative in strategic customer engagements, partner discussions, and industry forums.

• Drive early-stage software monetization and go-to-market initiatives (SDK use cases, analytics products, partner integrations), quantify and communicate our product offering's economic value, and build, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of battery scientists, data scientists, and optimization engineers.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.S. in battery chemistry, physics, material science, mathematics, computer science, or engineering

• Demonstrated good management experience (5+ years)

• Utility scale energy storage engineering experience

• Extensive experience with time-series data

• Track record of a career trajectory in data science and renewable energy

• Strong Python programming level (5-10 years)

• Can work independently and provide strong leadership

Desired Characteristics

• An enterprising spirit

• In-depth understanding of utility scale energy storage plants and modern electricity grid operations and best practices

• Consistently bases decisions and designs on first principles

• An appreciation for Richard Feynman style communication

• Experience with full stack software product development

• Passion for renewable energy and energy storage

• An appreciation for solving difficult problems

• Familiar with large, distributed datasets for high-speed computing

• Strong leadership record with active participation in renewable energy associations, forums, clubs, or groups

• Evidenced responsibility, good communication, and accountability in a remote and digital world