Praktikant (m/w/d) für techno-ökonomische Analyse von Wärme-zu-Strom

Antora builds and deploys thermal energy storage to power always-on industrial operations and data centers with low-cost energy. Factory-built in California, Antora's thermal batteries deliver reliable and cost-effective heat and power for industrial loads of any size. Antora is electrifying global industry while supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs, lowering costs for energy consumers, and enhancing the competitiveness of American industry.

We are growing our company with people who put team and mission first, value connection through laughter and joy, and build with humility and openness. We are committed to continue building a diverse, passionate, and creative team dedicated to a future where every industrial facility, everywhere on earth, is powered by abundant, clean, low-cost energy.

Position Summary

Antora is seeking a Power Product Techno-Economic Analysis Intern to work at the intersection of physical product design, techno-economic modeling, and electricity market analysis. You'll model how different physical configurations of Antora's thermal batteries - which convert stored heat into electricity - perform across real U.S. electricity and capacity markets, and iterate toward architectures that maximize market value at lowest cost.

This internship is built around two expected outcomes:

1. Product insight: you will build and run techno-economic models that directly inform Antora's power product architecture decisions - which heat-to-electricity conversion technologies to pursue, how to size them, and where they create the most value in U.S. electricity markets.
2. Durable analytical infrastructure: you will leave behind models, frameworks, and documented methodologies that the team uses to evaluate power product design decisions long after your internship ends.

The grid needs flexible, long-duration resources to support reliability as renewables scale - and Antora's thermal batteries are uniquely positioned to provide them. This is a rare role where you do rigorous energy systems modeling and help solve climate change at the same time.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Model how Antora's thermal energy storage systems interact with U.S. electricity markets (energy arbitrage, capacity value, ancillary services) across target ISOs (MISO, SPP, PJM, ERCOT, CAISO)
• Evaluate different physical product architectures - varying heat-to-electricity conversion technologies, sizing, and operating parameters - and quantify their impact on market revenue and system cost
• Run dispatch models to simulate how Antora's power products would operate under real market conditions, including sensitivity analysis on key design and market parameters
• Perform techno-economic analysis (TEA) comparing product configurations on a consistent basis: capital cost, operating cost, revenue potential, and levelized cost of energy/capacity
• Analyze capacity market structures and resource adequacy requirements to assess how Antora's products qualify and perform as capacity resources (ELCC, accreditation rules, operational constraints)
• Translate modeling results into clear product design recommendations - what to build, why it wins in the market, and what cost/performance thresholds matter most
• Collaborate with engineering, product management, and commercial teams to align model assumptions with physical system capabilities and customer requirements
• Prepare analysis summaries, presentations, and decision frameworks for internal leadership reviews and external stakeholders (e.g., grant milestones, partner discussions)

Key Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in energy systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, chemical engineering, applied math, or a related technical field (BS, MS, or PhD)
• Solid foundation in thermodynamics, heat transfer, or power cycle engineering - through coursework, research, or applied projects
• Proficient in Python for data analysis and modeling; comfort with building and running simulation/optimization models
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills - ability to structure a TEA, work with large datasets, and draw actionable conclusions
• Clear written and verbal communication - can turn complex modeling results into concise recommendations and presentation-ready outputs
• Self-directed and comfortable working across multiple workstreams with engineers, product managers, and commercial stakeholders

Additional Qualifications Desired

• Understanding of how U.S. electricity markets work: energy markets (LMP, day-ahead, real-time), capacity markets, and ancillary services
• Coursework or research experience in electricity systems, power markets, or grid modeling - e.g., capacity expansion modeling, production cost modeling, dispatch optimization, or resource adequacy analysis
• Experience with capacity expansion models (GenX, PLEXOS, AURORA, ReEDS) or production cost models
• Background in energy storage, thermal systems, or heat-to-power conversion (steam turbines, thermophotovoltaics, Stirling engines, etc.)
• Familiarity with capacity market rules and resource adequacy frameworks in MISO, PJM, SPP, or ERCOT
• Experience with techno-economic modeling in Excel/Google Sheets and Python
• Prior internship or research in energy, climate tech, or grid infrastructure

Work Location: Onsite - San Jose, CA

Internship Start Dates

Group 1: June 2nd - August 8th

Group 2: June 16th - August 22nd

Hourly Range: $35 - $45 USD

Please note that the hourly range listed for this position reflects Antora Energy's estimated pay rate. The actual rate offered will be determined based on a candidate's experience, year in school, and degree, as they relate to the position's requirements.

Additionally, this position does not offer visa sponsorship. Only candidates with current work authorization (e.g., F-1 visa with OPT/CPT authorization) will be considered.

Benefits

Compensation & Paid Time Off

• Competitive salary
• Stock options
• 401k plan with company match
• Clean commute stipend
• 15 paid vacation days per year, increasing with tenure
• 12 paid holidays (10 fixed, 2 of your choosing)
• 16 hours of volunteer time off
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• 24 hours of wellbeing time off

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical coverage for employees & dependents
• Health savings account option with employer contribution
• Vision, dental, and life coverage
• Flexible spending account & dependent care account options
• Subsidized backup childcare, senior care, and petcare
• 80 hours of sick leave
• Personalized access to mental health support

Facilities & Community

• Kitchen with a variety of healthy snacks & drinks
• On-site gym with fitness equipment
• On-site showers and bike parking
• Dedicated mothers' room
• Team volunteer events
• Monthly social gatherings
• Foosball table and lawn games for breaks and friendly competition