[Hiring] Senior Optimization Engineer @Tierra

Role Description

We are looking for an intellectually curious Optimization Engineer to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will focus on developing and deploying solutions to advance our optimization software across multiple US power markets for a variety of asset types, with an emphasis on short-term opportunities in day-ahead, intraday, and real-time markets. Your work will directly enhance revenue performance while also delivering measurable environmental benefits that accelerate the energy transition.

• Develop and refine optimization models for short-term battery dispatch and bidding in multiple wholesale power markets (e.g., CAISO, ERCOT, MISO, ISONE, NYISO, PJM, SPP)
• Monitor market prices, operating conditions, and rule changes to identify optimization opportunities and translate market observations into improvements to bidding and dispatch strategies
• Work with data scientists and optimization engineers to identify performance improvement opportunities and refine bidding and algorithmic strategies to enhance revenue and environmental performance
• Enhance methods for handling decision-making under uncertainty (e.g., robust/stochastic optimization) and integrate probabilistic market forecasts into optimization workflows
• Explore and apply developments in optimization methods that can deliver practical improvements to short-term bidding and dispatch
• Promote and implement software development best practices across the optimization codebase, including testing, deployment, and monitoring
• Act as a power markets subject matter expert for external stakeholders
• Ability to periodically work extended hours and respond swiftly when appropriate

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of power systems and wholesale power market mechanisms
• Bachelor’s degree in a related quantitative field (e.g., computer science, operations research, engineering, mathematics, physics, power systems, etc.) or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of post-undergraduate experience in the energy industry or a related engineering role, with hands-on experience building and deploying production software
• 3+ years of experience writing software in Python, and utilizing Linear Programming, MIP, and Convex Optimization, preferably in optimizing the dispatch of energy assets
• Experience with collaborative software development best practices, including version tracking and code reviews using GitHub
• Experience working in an agile/lean environment
• Experience using relational and/or columnar databases and using SQL or other query languages

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience optimizing the operation of grid-scale battery projects in multiple US power markets
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a related quantitative field
• Experience with tradeoffs between speed, performance, and scalability in optimization
• Experience with robust/stochastic optimization and decision-making under uncertainty
• Experience with optimization across a portfolio of grid-connected devices
• Experience with leading and mentoring technical team members
• Experience using AWS resources (EC2, S3, RDS)

Benefits

• Pay: Competitive salary ($150,000-185,000) plus equity
• Benefits: Health insurance (PPO) and a 401K with a 3% company contribution
• Flexible Work Environment: Co-working membership & home office stipend
• Development: Potential for professional advancement through growth in role & responsibility
• Mission: The opportunity to shape the future of power markets at a mission-driven startup