Principal Research Lead, AI & Grid Intelligence

Schneider Electric; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 117,600 - 176,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, and life保险

Flexible work arrangements

Paid time off & holidays

401(k) with match

Job summary

Schneider Electric in Nashville, TN, USA, seeks a Principal Research Lead for AI & Grid Intelligence to steer digital grid transformation, AI-enabled energy management, and strategic viewpoints on future power systems. You will lead cross-functional initiatives, mentor teams, and represent the company in industry forums.

The role emphasizes translating AI advances into actionable insights, guiding research programs, and collaborating with senior stakeholders to advance grid modernization and

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years of experience across AI, analytics, energy systems, grid technologies, or related domains.
• Proven track record applying AI to energy/utility challenges and contributing to external thought leadership.
• Ability to connect technical findings to business strategy and communicate clearly to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead Grid Intelligence research on digital grid transformation, load flexibility, DER orchestration, and grid modernization.
• Lead AI for energy systems, assessing ML, generative AI, and optimization impacts on operations and decarbonization.
• Develop strategic scenarios on electrification, renewable integration, and future power system architectures.
• Identify and apply AI tooling and platforms to enhance research projects and insights.
• Support technology assessment requests from Strategy regarding AI, digital twins, DER, and cloud platforms.

Skills

AI & ML

Advanced analytics

Energy systems

Grid technologies

Leadership

Education

Master’s or PhD in Data Science/AI/CS/Statistics

Tools

Python

ML frameworks

Job description

Principal Research Lead, AI & Grid Intelligence

Role Summary

The Principal AI & Grid Intelligence SME serves as the Division's central authority on the application of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, digitalization, and grid intelligence across the energy ecosystem. The role focuses on translating emerging trends in AI, electrification, demand flexibility, distributed energy resources, digital grid technologies, and utility transformation into actionable strategic insights and thought leadership. Reporting to the Research Leader, the role develops authoritative research, market perspectives, executive guidance, and external thought leadership that strengthen Schneider Electric's position across Power & Grid, Digital Grid, Grid Modernization, Distributed Energy Resources (DER), Flexibility Markets, and the broader Energy Transition. This individual acts as a trusted advisor to Division leadership and external stakeholders, connecting advances in AI, data science, cloud technologies, and energy systems with evolving utility and customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

• LEAD Grid Intelligence Research: Design and execute research efforts focused on digital grid transformation, load flexibility, demand response, DER orchestration, virtual power plants, grid modernization, and utility digitization.
• LEAD AI for Energy Systems: Assess the impact of machine learning, generative AI, predictive analytics, and optimization technologies on utility operations, grid resilience, reliability, and decarbonization.
• LEAD Future Energy Scenarios: Develop strategic perspectives on electrification, renewable integration, AI-driven energy management, and emerging utility business models that inform viewpoints on future power system architectures, flexibility markets, and convergence of buildings, data centers, industry, and the grid.
• SUPPORT Analytical Tooling: Identify, prototype, and apply appropriate AI tools, platforms, and methodologies to enhance research projects and insights.
• SUPPORT Emerging Technology Assessment: Evaluate technologies alongside requests from the Strategy team on technologies associated with AI, digital twins, DER, Demand Response, Flexibility Markets, Cloud-based grid platforms, and grid edge technologies.

Marketing and Positioning Enablement

• SUPPORT Strategic Research Programs: Collaborate with the Research Leader to ensure AI analyses align with broader research agendas and long-term strategic objectives.
• SUPPORT Senior Stakeholders: Serve as a strategic advisor to Division and Segment leadership regarding AI, utility transformation, grid modernization, and electrification trends.
• LEAD Expert External Perspectives: Develop external-facing research papers, executive briefs, white papers, and conference presentations supporting Schneider Electric's Digital Grid and Power & Grid strategic positioning.
• LEAD Industry Engagement: Represent Schneider Electric at industry forums, standards bodies, utilities, analyst briefings, customer events, and academic collaborations.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: 5-10+ years of experience in across AI, advanced analytics, energy systems, digital grid technologies, utility operations, power systems, demand flexibility, or energy transition domains. Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Data Science, AI, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated experience in applying AI technology to strategic or market-facing problems related to energy, utility, grid, or electrification challenges. Proven contributions to analytical reports, research publications, or external thought leadership. Effective collaborator in cross-functional environments beyond purely technical teams.
• Analytical & articulation capabilities: strong command of machine learning, deep learning, and statistical methods, with the ability to connect technical findings to business strategy, market implications, and decision-making. Skilled at explaining complex AI concepts clearly and credibly to non-technical audiences.

What’s in it for me?

• Lead high-impact work that shapes global sustainability direction and industry standards
• Gain visibility through external representation in forums and strategic initiatives
• Join a team committed to environmental and social progress with room to grow
• Enjoy flexibility and autonomy while contributing to work that truly matters

Benefits

• Care for Yourself and Your Family. We ensure you feel secure with benefits that help you and your family thrive: medical (with member reward points), dental, vision, and basic life insurance, Benefit Bucks, flexible work arrangements, paid family leaves, well-being programs, 12 holidays per year, and 15 days of paid time off per year.
• Invest and Plan Your Future. We help you plan and invest for the future with competitive pay and programs including base salary, incentives, company share ownership, and 401(k) with match.
• Grow Your Skills and Career. We support development through performance discussions, global opportunities, the Schneider Career Hub, and learning platforms like Coursera.
• Team Up in the Workplace. We encourage collaboration, recognition, sharing your voice, and an inclusive workplace.
• Support Your Community. We make a difference through volunteer leave, programs with the Schneider Electric Foundation, youth education initiatives, and military leave benefits.

For this U.S. based position, the expected pay range is USD 117,600 - USD 176,400 per year. This pay range includes base pay and short-term incentives. The compensation range for this full-time position applies to candidates located within the United States. Our pay ranges are determined by reviewing roles of similar responsibility and level. Within the pay range, individual pay is determined by several factors including performance, knowledge, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and ‘inclusion’ is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.

At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here.

Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.

€40 billion global revenue

+9% organic growth

150 000+ employees in 100+ countries

This position will be posted until filled.