Energy Analyst / Senior Energy Analyst (PowerVAL)

About the role

PowerVAL delivers industry-leading project valuation across all generation asset classes and U.S. power markets. Leveraging 20+ year nodal sub-hourly price forecasts and proprietary dispatch simulation models, PowerVAL determines project value at specific locations to support siting, investment, and transaction decisions. PowerVAL integrates fundamental market drivers, technology-specific operating characteristics, and regulatory dynamics to produce bankable, transaction-ready valuations. These valuations form the foundation for financing, asset acquisition, and portfolio strategy for developers, investors, banks, and utilities across solar, storage, wind, hybrid, and thermal projects.

Our Mission @ Ascend

At Ascend Analytics, our mission centers on creating sustainable economic value for energy buyers and producers to transform the power industry. Our team combines advanced analytics, cloud-based technology, and deep market expertise to help our clients solve complex challenges across grid reliability, power market volatility, renewable integration, infrastructure development, and energy investment strategy. As a high-growth, private equity–backed company, Ascend continues to expand its market leadership while investing in innovation, talent, and scalable solutions for an increasingly dynamic energy market.

Your Impact @ Ascend

• Real influence. Real outcomes. At every level.
• High-impact work. Shape the tools and decisions that drive the clean energy transition.
• Direct exposure. Work alongside executive leadership and key utility and corporate clients.
• Room to grow. A rapidly scaling SaaS business with real advancement opportunities.
• Collaborative culture. A team that values creative thought, inclusion, and work-life balance.

Key Responsibilities

• Help clients make strategic decisions in the development, acquisition, and financing of their energy assets.
• Perform in-depth analysis of power market operations using both in-house software and commercially available production cost modeling tools.
• Assimilate complex information into readily understood reports and presentations that help to drive decision making for utilities, IPPs, and other stakeholders.
• Provide clients with expertise in power markets and guidance for how market evolution impacts revenue forecasts, asset valuation, risk management, public policy, and renewable integration.
• Solve complex analytic problems to make mission critical decisions for energy supply.
• Serve as the go-to resource for our clients' decision-making.

Required Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field; economics, engineering, or energy strongly preferred.
• 1+ years of experience in a power or electricity-focused role (3+ years required for Senior Analyst) at a utility, consulting firm, government agency, financial institution, or non-profit.
• Working knowledge of wholesale power market structures and deregulated electricity market operations.
• Strong analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate complex data.

Preferred

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a quantitative field; economics, engineering, or energy preferred.
• Proficiency in analytic programming languages such as Python or R.
• Preferred: Experience with production cost modeling software (e.g., PROMOD, PLEXOS, Aurora, PSO).
• Preferred for Senior Analyst: Direct experience with long-term electricity price forecasting, project valuation, dispatch modeling, risk management, or project finance — either in an advisory capacity or as an informed consumer of these services at a utility, ISO, or corporate energy function.

Our Values @ Ascend

Ascend Analytics promotes a culture of teamwork, inclusion, work-life balance, creative thought, and learned ideas. We operate by five core pillars:

• Integrity: We act with honesty and uphold the highest ethical standards, doing the right thing even when it's difficult.
• Purpose Driven: We are united by a shared purpose — to deliver meaningful impact for our customers, our industry, and the energy transition to a low carbon future.
• Belonging: We foster a respectful, inclusive environment where everyone is valued, diverse perspectives are embraced, and equitable opportunities are provided for all.
• Innovation: We anticipate and address new challenges, embracing change and continuous improvement.
• One Team Mindset: We collaborate across teams and functions, supporting one another and prioritizing shared success over individual wins.

Your Value @ Ascend

We offer competitive compensation — calibrated to your experience and structured to grow with you — along with a comprehensive benefits package:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Parental leave for growing families.
• FSA, HSA, and dependent care accounts.
• 401(k) with 3% non-elective contribution.
• Flexible PTO to take time when you need it.

Pay

We offer a competitive salary range of $80,000–$110,000 for the Energy Analyst role and $100,000–$140,000 for Senior Analyst. Compensation is flexible and will be tailored to your experience and background — we're proud to offer pay that is often above industry average.

Schedule & Location

Our Boulder, CO office runs on a hybrid schedule (3 days in-office, 2 days remote). We prefer candidates who can work from Boulder HQ, though we're open to strong remote candidates as well. You'll enjoy flexible work hours, a collaborative environment, and real opportunities for advancement.