Principal Energy & Analytics Consultant

ICF•Reston, VA

17h•Remote

About The Position

Ready to make a difference? We are seeking a technically strong Principal Energy & Analytics Consultant to join our Energy Analytics and Sightline DER teams and help utilities and public‑sector clients navigate a rapidly evolving energy landscape. This role sits at the intersection of distributed energy resources (DERs), demand‑side programs, advanced energy analytics, and long‑term planning—supporting some of the most consequential decisions facing the power system today. You will lead analytically complex, high‑impact consulting engagements; guide multidisciplinary teams; and work directly with clients to turn sophisticated modeling and data analysis into clear, actionable strategies. This is an opportunity for an impact‑driven energy professional who thrives at the intersection of analytics, energy systems, and client advisory work. In this role, you will combine hands‑on technical leadership with project and client engagement, translating rigorous analysis into real‑world outcomes that advance decarbonization, grid resilience, and affordability—helping move ideas from analysis to implementation.

Requirements

Advanced degree (PhD, MS, or equivalent) in engineering, energy systems, policy, or a related field
8+ years of experience in energy analytics, DER planning, building energy modeling, or applied energy policy
Demonstrated experience leading complex, analytics-driven client engagements
Strong ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical and executive audiences
Experience working with utilities, regulators, national labs, or public-sector organizations

Nice To Haves

Deep expertise in building stock, DER, or energy system modeling
Experience operating at the intersection of technical analysis and public policy
Record of publications, presentations, or recognized thought leadership in energy or climate analytics
Experience working in matrixed or multi-disciplinary consulting environments

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior client lead and trusted advisor for complex DER/DSM analytics engagements, building strong relationships with utility stakeholders and delivering clear, defensible guidance for executive and regulatory conversations.
Lead client problem framing and decision narrative development, connecting affordability, equity, customer behavior, portfolio performance, and grid needs into coherent recommendations that enable earlier, higher confidence decisions.
Lead day to day engagement execution from initial framing through analysis, delivery, and follow on decision support, ensuring recommendations are grounded in real client data and implemented through durable workflows.
Establish a scalable analytics foundation by defining model ready data standards and pipelines (e.g., AMI, CIS, program participation, grid and third party data), including QA/QC, validation, reconciliation, and refresh processes that enable governed, reusable datasets.
Lead rigor in digital twin, AMI, and portfolio analytics by defining quality and confidence frameworks (e.g., completeness thresholds, outlier handling, uncertainty characterization) so results are transparent, explainable, and suitable for planning and regulatory use.
Translate advanced analytics into decision workflows by connecting customer segmentation, portfolio scenario analysis, and grid aware insights into actionable outputs—such as target lists, scenarios, and recommendations—that inform program design and system value assessment.
Mentor consultants and analysts working on technically complex projects, strengthening both analytical capability and consulting judgment.
Act as a bridge between data science, engineering, and consulting teams to ensure analytics are tightly aligned with client needs.
Contribute to internal capability building through knowledge sharing, standards development, and methodological guidance.
Support proposal development, solution shaping, and client positioning for analytics‑heavy and strategy‑led pursuits.
Contribute to internal and external thought leadership through whitepapers, presentations, and conference participation.