Sr Applied Scientist I

NextEra Energy, Inc.; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 118,400 - 177,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Relocation provided if applicable

Job summary

NextEra Energy, Inc. is looking for a Senior Applied Scientist I to enhance their Applied Science team. You'll tackle innovative renewable energy challenges by merging expertise in physical sciences and advanced analytics. Drive value-added research supporting business goals with your ability to develop scalable analytical solutions across wind, solar, and storage operations.

The position demands strong technical leadership and the ability to mentor junior scientists. This role comes with a competitive salary range of $118,400 to $177,600 annually and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in applied research and development.
• Strong understanding of complex analytical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply advanced scientific models for renewable energy.
• Design and implement AI/ML models for energy challenges.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver solutions meeting business objectives.

Skills

Statistical modeling

AI and machine learning

Data analysis

Physical science expertise

Programming in R, Python, or Julia

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

R

Python

Julia

Job description

NextEra Analytics offers energy consulting services using industry‑leading scientific analysis for planning, siting, forecasting and optimizing all forms of energy projects. Our optimization and analytics platforms integrate open‑source technologies to leverage massive, diverse sets of utility operating data. This enables rapid development of operational solutions. Applying expertise in advanced mathematics, data and physical sciences, we solve some of the hardest problems facing the energy industry.

Position Overview

NextEra Analytics is seeking a Senior Applied Scientist I to join our innovative Applied Science team, where we tackle the renewable energy industry's most challenging and novel problems by seamlessly blending physical science expertise with cutting‑edge advanced analytics and AI to develop breakthrough solutions. As part of NextEra Energy—the world's largest renewable energy fleet operator—you'll drive value‑add research and development that directly supports business objectives through timely, accurate results. Working at the intersection of renewable energy physics and data science, you'll develop sophisticated analytical models that design, forecast, optimize, and enhance our wind, solar, storage, and transmission operations. This role combines deep scientific understanding with statistical modeling, AI, and software engineering to solve complex, interdisciplinary challenges that have no industry precedent, contributing to innovative solutions that advance NextEra's competitive advantage while helping shape the future of clean energy.

Job Overview

This job leads the development and application of advanced scientific and analytical models to solve highly complex, novel problems across renewable energy generation, storage, and transmission in order to deliver significant business value. Employees in this role drive applied research and development initiatives by integrating deep physical science expertise with advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and statistical modeling to produce timely, high‑impact insights that inform strategic and operational decisions. This job designs, forecasts, optimizes, and enhances wind, solar, energy storage, and transmission operations by translating complex, interdisciplinary scientific concepts into scalable, production‑ready analytical solutions. Employees in this role exercise strong technical leadership, mentor less‑experienced scientists, and influence solution architecture through cross‑functional collaboration to address challenges without industry precedent while advancing competitive advantage and the future of clean energy.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead applied research and development in small, collaborative teams to solve complex energy‑related problems using physical science and advanced mathematical approaches
• Design, develop, and implement optimization solutions and AI/ML models for renewable energy challenges, creating proof‑of‑concept prototypes and predictive analytics to extract actionable insights from large datasets
• Write and maintain production‑level code in R, Python, Julia, or similar languages to support research deliverables, analytical workflows, and AI‑powered solutions
• Execute and drive strategic product development through research initiatives, collaborating cross‑functionally with software engineering, product, and customer teams to deliver solutions that meet business objectives
• Provide thought leadership and technical guidance to internal teams on complex analytical challenges, research methodologies, AI‑powered solutions, and emerging industry trends
• Document and communicate technical results to varying levels of management within and outside the organization to audiences of varying technical aptitude
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to team development, fostering best practices in analytical approaches, coding standards, and iterative solution development
• Drive innovation and competitive advantage by staying current with advances in renewable energy technologies, AI/ML methodologies, and industry best practices to inform strategic research direction
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Experience: 4+ years

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: 6+ years

Compensation

The estimated base pay for this position is $118,400.00 to $177,600.00 per year.

Benefits

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

Employee Information

• Employee Group: Exempt
• Employee Type: Full Time
• Job Category: Science, Research, and Technology
• Organization: NextEra Analytics, Inc
• Relocation Provided: Yes, if applicable

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

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.

Discrimination Policy

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.

No Unsolicited Resumes

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.