Scientific Services & Systems Lead

Ventia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Snowy Hydro is seeking a Scientific Services Lead to contribute to core operational decision-making by improving meteorological and demand forecasts while delivering data science solutions across the business.

Your time will be split across weather forecasting (50%), data stewardship/vendor management (20%), and data science/innovation (30%).

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Hydrology, or related field.
• 1–2 week operational forecasting experience for NEM or water resource contexts.
• Strong Python data science, modeling, validation, uncertainty analysis, and automation skills.

Responsibilities

• Implement, maintain, and automate weather, catchment inflow, and snowpack models for operational areas, capitals, and NEM.
• Deliver operational advice during extreme weather and temperature events for trading, water resource management, and asset safety.
• Source, procure, and manage external forecast data contracts; monitor quality and performance.
• Lead data science projects to develop analytical tools, displays, and predictive models for Trading, Operations, and Commercial.
• Conduct training to build meteorological awareness and self-service capabilities.

Skills

Forecasting

Vendor management

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Postgraduate in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science

Tools

Python

Job description

Snowy Hydro is an iconic and diverse Commonwealth-owned company that’s playing a central role in Australia’s renewable energy transition. Snowy is Australia’s third-largest energy generator, with 18 hydro and thermal power stations, and is the nation’s fourth-largest retailer of electricity, serving 1.6 million customers through its Red Energy and Lumo brands. The organisation is also delivering Snowy 2.0: a nation-building deep storage pumped hydro project central to Australia’s energy future

About the position:

We are seeking a Scientific Services Lead to join our operational trading and generation team. You will play an important role contributing to Snowy Hydro's core operational decision‑making by managing and improving the delivery of short‑term meteorological, hydrological, and electricity demand forecasts, while delivering broader data science solutions across the business. In this role, your time will be split across core weather forecasting (50%), data stewarding and vendor management (20%), and innovation and data science analysis (30%). You will focus on automated processes for benign weather conditions to unlock capacity for high‑value data science, demand modeling, and solar forecasting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implement, maintain, and automate high-resolution weather, catchment inflow, and snowpack models covering operational areas, capital cities, and NEM demand centres.
• Deliver mission‑critical operational advice during extreme weather and temperature events, supporting energy trading, water resource management, and asset safety.
• Source, procure, and manage commercial contracts with external data and forecast suppliers, continuously monitoring product quality and performance.
• Lead innovation and data science projects to develop custom analytical tools, interactive displays, and predictive models for Trading, Operations, and Commercial business units.
• Conduct internal knowledge‑transfer and training sessions to build meteorological awareness and self‑service capabilities across the organisation.

About the location:

This role offers a flexible operational setup with hybrid working arrangements and is based in Sydney.

About you:

• Tertiary qualification (Postgraduate preferred) in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Hydrology, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• Proven expertise in 1-2 week operational weather, water inflow, solar, and energy demand forecasting within the NEM or water resource management contexts.
• Advanced proficiency in relevant programming languages (e.g., Python) for data science, modeling, quantitative validation, uncertainty analysis, and process automation.
• Commercial acumen to manage vendor contracts, identify high-quality external data streams, and streamline third-party integration.
• Collaborative mindset with strong communication skills to partner effectively with cross-functional teams, trading desks, and operational stakeholders.

Our commitment to Snowy Hydro staff

We invest heavily in our people: growing your skills, supporting strong leaders and fostering a culture where safety and continuous learning go hand-in-hand. We know that diverse teams drive better ideas, which is why we build an environment where your unique perspective is valued.

Above all, your physical and mental wellbeing come first at Snowy. When you join us, you’ll be supported, inspired and directly contributing to Australia’s sustainable future. Snowy Hydro offers a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits that go above and beyond standard leave options, including:

• Additional annual and personal leave, up to 30 weeks of paid primary carer parental leave and specialised wellness programs.
• Continuous learning and study assistance.
• Smartphone solutions for work and personal use.
• Exclusive corporate discounts on household utilities, technology etc. Join us to enjoy a rewarding career where your balanced lifestyle is genuinely championed.

About our workforce:

Snowy Hydro is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provide accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for a role with Snowy Hydro and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an email with your request to the Snowy Hydro recruitment team at ***********@snowyhydro.com.au.