Applied Meteorology Data Scientist

WORK LOCATION
This position will be located at the Energy Center in Birmingham, AL. Candidates living outside of the Birmingham area may be considered with the expectation that they are able to successfully telework and are willing to travel to Birmingham four days per week.

JOB SUMMARY

Structuring and Analysis supports Commercial Operations and operating companies by providing solutions to complex, and often weather-driven business challenges through advanced analytics and data science.

This position is responsible for collecting, organizing, mining, and analyzing complex datasets—including meteorological, atmospheric, and environmental data—to generate actionable insights that enable informed decision-making and operational effectiveness. Specifically, this role leads and coordinates meteorology-focused data science initiatives supporting Commercial Operations through weather- and climate-informed risk analysis, predictive modeling, and decision-support tool development.

The position requires a strong working knowledge of applied meteorology, atmospheric science, mathematical and statistical methods, and modern data science practices. Success in this role also depends on the ability to manage multiple analytic initiatives, translate technical results into clear business insights, and partner effectively with stakeholders across Commercial Operations, Planning, and operating companies.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and coordinate the development of meteorological and weather-driven analytics initiatives, including internal tools, modeling approaches, and decision-support methodologies.
• Partner with data scientists and meteorologists to design experiments and analyses that test assumptions related to weather, climate variability, and operational risk.
• Oversee development and application of predictive and prescriptive models incorporating numerical weather prediction outputs, historical weather data, and climate signals to support commercial and operational decisions.
• Translate complex meteorological and analytic outputs into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with end users to identify business needs, gaps, and opportunities for improved weather- and climate-informed analytics solutions.
• Provide leadership by coordinating cross-functional teams, mentoring analysts, and promoting best practices in data science and applied meteorology.
• Stay current on emerging trends in meteorological modeling, climate risk analytics, machine learning, and data science technologies relevant to the electric utility industry.
• Ensure analytics solutions are well-documented, maintainable, and aligned with business objectives and delivery timelines.

All major job responsibilities require strong quantitative, statistical, and analytical skills, combined with effective communication and project leadership capabilities.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• A degree in atmospheric science, meteorology, or a closely related meteorological analytical field is required.
• Additional degrees in quantitative finance, economics, mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, or similar analytical disciplines are a plus.
• An advanced degree in any of these fields is preferred.

Experience / Skills:

• Advanced statistical analysis skills, including multivariable analysis, optimization, and predictive modeling.
• Strong working knowledge of applied meteorology and experience evaluating and using numerical weather prediction models (e.g., GFS, NAM, HRRR, ECMWF).
• Strong programming and technical competency in large-scale data analysis using Python, R, and SQL; experience with cloud-based analytics platforms such as Databricks is preferred.
• Experience designing, developing, testing, and documenting complex systems, including predictive models, machine learning algorithms, and decision-support tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work with large datasets and databases; familiarity with big data and data management technologies is a plus.
• Ability to solve ambiguous or open-ended problems by creating structure and delivering actionable insights.
• Strong consulting and project leadership skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions.
• Ability to build productive relationships and work in a fast-paced, competitive environment while handling multiple assignments and conflicting priorities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with consistent, on-time delivery.
• Continuous learner with an interest in emerging analytics, AI-assisted workflows, and evolving applied meteorology practices.
• Experience in the electric utility industry, particularly weather-driven impacts to power generation or commercial optimization, is a plus.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires very little travel.