Data Scientist

About The Company

PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric Company) is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States, serving millions of customers across Northern and Central California. Committed to safety, reliability, and environmental stewardship, PG&E invests heavily in innovative solutions to modernize the electric grid and enhance resilience against external threats such as climate change and wildfires. The company emphasizes a culture of continuous improvement, technological advancement, and community engagement, striving to deliver clean, reliable energy while maintaining the highest standards of safety and sustainability.

About The Role

The Electric System Predictive Analytics team within PG&E’s Wildfire Mitigation organization plays a pivotal role in advancing risk management practices related to wildfire prevention and electric system reliability. This position focuses on developing and enhancing predictive models—both machine learning-based and physics-based—to assess and mitigate the risk of electric system failures that could lead to wildfires. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying sophisticated models that forecast distribution and transmission failures, thereby enabling proactive risk mitigation strategies. You will serve as a technical leader, guiding data science initiatives, mentoring junior team members, and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to embed data-driven insights into operational decision-making. This hybrid role involves working remotely with periodic travel to PG&E’s Oakland office, supporting the company’s mission to create a safer and more resilient electric grid.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Physics, Econometrics, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Applied Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.

- Minimum of 8 years of experience in data science, or 2 years with a Doctoral Degree or higher in a relevant discipline.

- Proficiency with data science standards, processes, and best practices including model evaluation, feature engineering, and optimization.

- Strong programming skills in Python, including development of complex, reusable functions and modular codebases.

- Experience with developing, validating, and deploying machine learning and AI models.

- Excellent communication skills for explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and leadership.

- Proven leadership in mentoring and coaching junior data scientists and fostering standardization across teams.

- Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and prioritize tasks to maximize operational impact.

Desired qualifications include a Doctorate in Data Science, Machine Learning, or a related field, experience within the utility and energy sectors, and a track record of thought leadership demonstrated through publications, patents, conference presentations, or open-source contributions.

Responsibilities

- Design, develop, and evaluate advanced data mining architectures, models, protocols, and statistical methodologies to identify trends in complex data sets.

- Apply and assess machine learning, artificial intelligence, and physics-based models to predict electric system failures and wildfire risks.

- Develop and maintain robust, scalable data pipelines and software solutions, documenting complex algorithms and functions in Python.

- Provide technical leadership by advocating for innovative ML solutions and guiding their integration into business operations.

- Mentor junior data scientists, promote best practices, and drive standardization across the data science community within PG&E.

- Collaborate with platform owners and stakeholders to prioritize development of scalable analytics capabilities.

- Review and validate complex model proposals and AI algorithms, ensuring scientific rigor and operational relevance.

- Identify high-impact projects aligned with strategic business goals and ensure their successful implementation.

- Engage with enterprise leaders to promote digital transformation initiatives through data science and analytics adoption.

- Present findings, insights, and recommendations to executive leadership and cross-functional teams to inform decision-making.

Benefits

- Competitive salary range aligned with experience and industry standards.

- Participation in PG&E’s discretionary incentive compensation programs.

- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

- Retirement savings plans with company matching contributions.

- Paid time off and holiday benefits.

- Opportunities for professional growth, training, and development.

- Flexible work arrangements, including a hybrid work model.

- Support for work-life balance and wellness programs.

Equal Opportunity

PG&E is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.