Data Scientist - Innovation & Digital Factory

FirstEnergy; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Pension plan

401(k) with match

Health benefits and coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

FirstEnergy in Akron, Ohio is seeking a Data Scientist to join agile squads, applying machine learning, AI, and statistical methods to deliver actionable insights for multiple business units. You will work with data engineers and analysts to transform data into scalable solutions that improve reliability and customer outcomes.

The role emphasizes hands-on experimentation, rapid prototyping, and collaboration across utilities operations, with opportunities to influence asset management, customer

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Applied Statistics or Mathematics; advanced degrees are a plus.
• Experience with machine learning models (decision trees, random forests, neural networks) and metrics like F1 and ROC AUC.
• Experience in Python; familiarity with Apache Spark is beneficial.
• Agile/Scrum development with DevOps-oriented cloud piloting.
• Strong presentation and cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop Data Science products in an agile scrum squad with Data Engineers and business stakeholders.
• Build and test machine learning, forecasting, and optimization models.
• Transform and model data (tabular, text, streaming, geospatial) for analysis.
• Perform hands-on text, quantitative, statistical, financial, and operational analyses.
• Deepen understanding of utilities structure to answer the right questions.
• Identify new data sources and evaluate emerging technologies for discovery and modeling.
• Collaborate with staff to deploy scalable data solutions and provide thought leadership.

Skills

Machine Learning concepts

Python programming

Statistical analysis

Agile/Scrum experience

Communication & teamwork

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in quantitative discipline

Tools

Apache Spark

Job description

Job Description

FirstEnergy at a Glance

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,600 megawatts.

About The Opportunity

As a Data Scientist at FirstEnergy you will work with other data scientists and data engineers using machine learning, artificial intelligence, and statistical methods to answer critical questions and produce actionable insights for business units. A successful candidate will work on agile scrum squads and should be excited by digital enablement, innovation and new ideas, and have a passion for learning. The challenges FirstEnergy faces and the data that will help build solutions are physical, tangible, realities; voltages going across transformers, the soil our poles sit in, the proximity of our wires to trees. Applicants should be ready to challenge themselves to solve problems from data of varying type, quality, and source, so that our solutions have a meaningful impact on our customers and employees.

Our digital projects benefit the community by aiding in providing safe, reliable electricity to everyone:

• Customer: create analytics to improve customer satisfaction along the customer journey for a lifetime as they move-in to a residence, pay their bill and move to new residences.
• Transmission & Distribution: develop algorithms to detect asset failures, reduce outages and provide reliable electricity to customers.
• Smart Meter: provide customers with the electric usage they need to make smart decisions about their home as well as reduce threats and theft in the electric system.
• Vegetation: Analyze geospatial data and imagery to predict, forecast, and aggregate information to support the efforts of forestry specialists to improve grid reliability.

Responsibilities Include

• Develop Data Science products in an agile scrum squad, collaborating with Data Engineers, other Data Scientists and business stakeholders
  • Build and test machine learning algorithms, forecasting/predictive algorithms, and optimization models
  • Transform and model a variety of data such as tabular, text, streaming, geospatial and large volume
  • Perform hands-on text, quantitative, statistical, financial, and operational analysis
  • Deepen understanding of utilities structure and operations to answer the right question more effectively
  • Identify new data sources and evaluate emerging technologies for data discovery and model development
  • Collaborate with technical staff and peers to implement and deploy scalable data solutions
  • Provide thought leadership by researching best practices, conducting experiments, and collaborating with industry leaders

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in quantitative discipline such as Computer Science, Machine Learning, Applied Statistics, Mathematics; Masters, PhD are beneficial
• Experience with machine learning models such as decision trees, random forests, and neural networks and evaluation metrics like F1 score and ROC AUC
• Experience in Python programming language, familiarity with Apache Spark beneficial
• Experience with linear regression modelling and other statistical techniques such as t-tests, confidence intervals
• Experience in Agile/Scrum development with DevOps methodologies geared toward rapid prototyping and piloting of cloud solutions
• Good presentation and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex analytical concepts to people from other fields
• Ability to guide other colleagues and lead research efforts in a cross-functional team
• Experience in building positive relationships and working with peers cross-functionally, demonstrating teamwork and collaboration
• Willingness to travel throughout organization and service territory and work extended hours, as required

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment.

• competitive pay plus incentive compensation
• a company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
• skills development training with tuition reimbursement

FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract.

Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team