Principal Power Systems Data Scientist

AECOM•Chicago, IL

2d•$130,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

AECOM is seeking a Principal Power Systems Data Scientist to support electric utilities, transmission owners, distribution companies, ISOs/RTOs, renewable developers, government agencies, and large energy users across North America. The role applies advanced analytics, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and power systems expertise to challenges in transmission and distribution planning, grid operations, asset management, reliability, and grid modernization. The successful candidate will lead the development of data-driven solutions addressing load growth forecasting, data center integration, distributed energy resources, renewable energy expansion, electrification, energy storage, resilience, and infrastructure investment planning. They will serve as a technical leader and trusted advisor, guide the use of analytical methods, predictive modeling, optimization, and digital solutions, communicate technical findings to varied audiences, and help grow AECOM’s power systems analytics and data science capabilities. This is a hybrid position based in Chicago, Illinois. The stated yearly compensation range is USD 130,000–160,000. Relocation is not available, and sponsorship for U.S. employment authorization is not available now or in the future. Newly hired employees must attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, plus six years of related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
Six years of proven experience in power systems, utility analytics, data science, transmission planning, distribution planning, and grid operations.
Experience applying advanced analytics, statistical modeling, machine learning, or artificial intelligence to complex utility or energy industry challenges.
Knowledge of electric utility operations, transmission and distribution systems, planning processes, and grid modernization initiatives.
Experience working with large and complex utility operational, asset, customer, market, reliability, or planning datasets.
Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, or similar programming languages for data analysis, machine learning, and predictive modeling.
Experience developing forecasting models, optimization algorithms, scenario analyses, or decision-support tools.
Experience designing and developing dashboards, visualizations, and analytical tools using Power BI, Tableau, or similar technologies.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
Experience supporting electric utilities, ISOs/RTOs, transmission owners, regulatory agencies, or large energy users.
Knowledge of power system analysis tools such as PSS®E, TARA, PSLF, PowerWorld, CYME, Synergi, OpenDSS, or similar platforms.
Experience with cloud-based analytics environments, big data platforms, data engineering pipelines, or enterprise data architectures.
Expertise in load forecasting, large-load and data center planning, DER hosting capacity analysis, grid resilience, or transmission and distribution planning analytics.
Familiarity with NERC reliability standards, regional planning requirements, utility regulatory processes, and industry best practices.
Published research, industry presentations, patents, or demonstrated thought leadership in power systems analytics, artificial intelligence, or grid modernization.
Professional Engineer (PE) license or advanced professional certifications related to analytics, data science, cloud technologies, or power systems.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and application of advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence solutions for transmission and distribution planning challenges.
Analyze complex utility datasets—including load, outage, SCADA, AMI, DER, market, asset, and operational data—to identify trends, risks, and planning opportunities.
Develop forecasting models for load growth, electrification, distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, data centers, and other emerging grid impacts.
Collaborate with planners and engineers to enhance power system studies using data-driven approaches, including reliability, resilience, asset health, capacity, and risk assessments.
Support large-load and data center integration studies by evaluating growth scenarios, infrastructure requirements, and system impacts.
Design and implement predictive models, optimization frameworks, and scenario analyses for long-term transmission and distribution investment planning.
Develop analytical methodologies to assess renewable energy, energy storage, grid modernization, and changing customer demand patterns.
Create dashboards, visualization tools, and decision-support applications that turn complex analyses into actionable business insights.
Evaluate emerging technologies, analytics platforms, and digital solutions to improve utility planning, operations, and asset management.
Mentor engineers and analysts and help build and grow AECOM’s Grid Modernization practice.
Support business development, proposal preparation, thought leadership, and client engagement related to grid analytics, digital transformation, and power system planning.
Apply industry best practices and standards while integrating advanced analytical techniques into utility planning, reliability, and modernization programs.