Principal Data Scientist

NextEra Energy; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

NextEra Energy seeks a Principal Data Scientist to develop analytical frameworks for evaluating grid operating strategies and optimization performance. The role uses historical data, models, and scenario analysis to improve generation commitment, maintenance, and dispatch decisions.

Based at the LeJeune Flagler Office in Miami, FL, the candidate will backtest strategies and quantify cost and reliability impacts, collaborating with cross‑functional teams to translate insights into actionable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 6+ years of experience in data science or related field.
• Experience with data modeling, ML methods, and optimization.
• Strong quantitative skills and understanding of economics and power systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide thought leadership and set technical strategy for data science initiatives.
• Develop machine learning, optimization, or modeling solutions for grid planning and operations.
• Collaborate with Grid Optimization, System Operations, and other teams to implement analytics into operating criteria.

Skills

Data modeling

Machine learning

Optimization

Statistics

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

PhD

Job description

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Principal Data Scientist

Date: Oct 14, 2026

Location(s): Miami, FL, US, 33134

Company: NextEra Energy

Requisition ID: 97876

Florida Power & Light Company is the largest electric utility in the U.S., providing reliable energy to nearly 12 million Floridians. With one of the nation’s most fuel‑efficient, cost‑effective power generation fleets and industry‑leading reliability, we’re redefining what’s possible in energy. Want to be part of something powerful? Join our outstanding team and help shape the future of energy.

Position Specific Description

The FPL Grid Optimization team is looking for a Principal Data Scientist to help develop the analytical framework used to evaluate grid operating strategies, optimization performance, and the economic and reliability impacts of planning and dispatch decisions. The Data Scientist – Grid Optimization will use historical system data, optimization models, and scenario analysis to challenge existing operating assumptions and identify opportunities to improve generation commitment, maintenance scheduling, reserve strategies, fuel usage, battery utilization, and other system decisions. The role will be responsible for backtesting operational strategies, developing forward‑looking planning scenarios, and quantifying the cost and reliability implications of alternative decisions. This individual will work closely with Grid Optimization, System Operations, Power Generation, Energy Marketing & Trading, and application development teams to turn analytical findings into changes in operating criteria, model inputs, and optimization methodologies. The successful candidate will combine strong quantitative skills with an understanding of economics, optimization, and electric power system operations.

This position is based at our LeJeune Flagler Office in Miami, FL.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide thought leadership, set technical strategy, and identify possible uses of data science methods
• Explain methods and results to upper‑level executives
• Develop machine learning, optimizations or other modeling solutions
• Oversee related employee work, learn new techniques being developed
• Prepares comprehensive documented observations, analyses and interpretations of results including technical reports, summaries, protocols and quantitative analyses
• Works with big data and distributed computing platforms
• Develops software and contributes to product development
• Performs other job‑related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience: 6+ years

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• Doctoral Degree

NextEra Energy offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees and their eligible family members.

Employee Group: Exempt
Employee Type: Full Time
Job Category: Science, Research, and Technology
Organization: Florida Power & Light Company
Relocation Provided: Yes, if applicable

NextEra Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.

NextEra Energy provides reasonable accommodation in its application and selection process for qualified individuals, including accommodations related to compliance with conditional job offer requirements, consistent with federal, state, and local laws. Supporting medical or religious documentation will be required where applicable and permitted by applicable law. To request a reasonable accommodation, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] , providing your name, telephone number and the best time for us to reach you.

NextEra Energy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

NextEra Energy does not accept any unsolicited resumes or referrals from any third‑party recruiting firms or agencies. Please see our policy for more information.