Principal Power Systems Data Scientist

Company Description

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Job Description

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. This role focuses on applying advanced analytics, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and power system expertise to solve complex challenges in transmission and distribution planning, grid operations, asset management, reliability, and grid modernization.

The successful candidate will lead the development of innovative, data-driven solutions that help clients address emerging challenges related to load growth forecasting, data center integration, distributed energy resources (DERs), renewable energy expansion, electrification, energy storage, resilience, and infrastructure investment planning.

This individual will serve as both a technical leader and trusted advisor, guiding the application of advanced analytical methods, predictive modeling, optimization techniques, and digital solutions to accelerate system planning and grid modernization efforts. The role requires the ability to communicate complex technical findings to diverse audiences, including utility leadership, regulators, engineers, planners, and non-technical stakeholders, while helping shape AECOM’s growing capabilities in power systems analytics and data science.

The job responsibilities of the position will include but are not limited to:

• Lead the development and application of advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence solutions to address transmission and distribution planning challenges.
• Analyze large and 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 (DERs), electric vehicles, data centers, and other emerging grid impacts.
• Collaborate with planners and engineers to enhance power system studies through 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 to support long-term transmission and distribution investment planning.
• Develop analytical methodologies to assess the impacts of renewable energy, energy storage, grid modernization initiatives, and evolving customer demand patterns.
• Create dashboards, visualization tools, and decision-support applications that enable clients to translate complex technical analyses into actionable business insights.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, advanced analytics platforms, and digital solutions to improve utility planning, operations, and asset management processes.
• Mentor engineers, and analysts while helping to build and grow AECOM’s Grid Modernization practice.
• Support business development activities, proposal preparation, thought leadership, and client engagement efforts 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.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• BA/BS in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field + 6 years of related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
• 6 years of proven experience in power systems, utility analytics, data science, transmission planning, distribution planning, and grid operations
• Proven experience applying advanced analytics, statistical modeling, machine learning, or artificial intelligence techniques to solve complex utility or energy industry challenges
• Demonstrated knowledge of electric utility operations, transmission systems, distribution systems, planning processes, and grid modernization initiatives
• Proven experience working with large and complex datasets, including utility operational, asset, customer, market, reliability, or planning data
• Proficiency with Python, R, SQL, or similar programming languages used for data analysis, machine learning, and predictive modeling
• Proven experience developing forecasting models, optimization algorithms, scenario analyses, or decision-support along with designing and developing dashboards, visualizations, and analytical tools using platforms such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar technologies

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or 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

Additional Information

• Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position.
• Relocation is not available for this position.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options , well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

State/Province: IllinoisBusiness Group: DCSLegal Entity: AECOM Technical Services IncBusiness Line: EnergyWork Location Model: HybridOperating Group: AmericasPrimary Location: US - Chicago, IL - 130 East Randolph Compensation: USD 130000 - USD 160000 - yearly