Job description
We are seeking a Scientific Services Lead to join our operational trading and generation team. You will play an important role contributing to Snowy Hydro's core operational decision-making by managing and improving the delivery of short-term meteorological, hydrological, and electricity demand forecasts, while delivering broader data science solutions across the business. In this role, your time will be split across core weather forecasting (50%), data stewarding and vendor management (20%), and innovation and data science analysis (30%). You will focus on automated processes for benign weather conditions to unlock capacity for high-value data science, demand modeling, and solar forecasting.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement, maintain, and automate high-resolution weather, catchment inflow, and snowpack models covering operational areas, capital cities, and NEM demand centres.
- Deliver mission-critical operational advice during extreme weather and temperature events, supporting energy trading, water resource management, and asset safety.
- Source, procure, and manage commercial contracts with external data and forecast suppliers, continuously monitoring product quality and performance.
- Lead innovation and data science projects to develop custom analytical tools, interactive displays, and predictive models for Trading, Operations, and Commercial business units.
- Conduct internal knowledge-transfer and training sessions to build meteorological awareness and self-service capabilities across the organisation.
About the location
This role offers a flexible operational setup with hybrid working arrangements and is based in Sydney.
About you
- Tertiary qualification (Postgraduate preferred) in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Hydrology, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
- Proven expertise in 1-2 week operational weather, water inflow, solar, and energy demand forecasting within the NEM or water resource management contexts.
- Advanced proficiency in relevant programming languages (e.g., Python) for data science, modeling, quantitative validation, uncertainty analysis, and process automation.
- Commercial acumen to manage vendor contracts, identify high-quality external data streams, and streamline third-party integration.
- Collaborative mindset with strong communication skills to partner effectively with cross-functional teams, trading desks, and operational stakeholders.
Our commitment to Snowy Hydro staff
We invest heavily in our people: growing your skills, supporting strong leaders and fostering a culture where safety and continuous learning go hand-in-hand. We know that diverse teams drive better ideas, which is why we build an environment where your unique perspective is valued.
Above all, your physical and mental wellbeing come first at Snowy. When you join us, you'll be supported, inspired and directly contributing to Australia's sustainable future. Snowy Hydro offers a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits that go above and beyond standard leave options, including:
- Additional annual and personal leave, up to 30 weeks of paid primary carer parental leave and specialised wellness programs.
- Continuous learning and study assistance.
- Smartphone solutions for work and personal use.
- Exclusive corporate discounts on household utilities, technology etc. Join us to enjoy a rewarding career where your balanced lifestyle is genuinely championed.
About our workforce
Snowy Hydro is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provide accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for a role with Snowy Hydro and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an email with your request to the Snowy Hydro recruitment team at [email protected].
Pay & benefits
About this role
About Snowy Hydro Limited
Company Overview
Snowy Hydro Limited
HeadquartersNSW, Australia
Founded1949
SizeApproximately 1,000-5,000 employees (source: leadiq.com). Snowy Hydro is a wholly-owned Commonwealth company with no public revenue data available for 2023 or later.
What They Do
Snowy Hydro's core technology focus is on pumped hydro-electricity, gas-fired peaking, diesel peaking, and contracted wind and solar renewables. The company operates 16 power stations and one pumping station, boasting a total generating capacity of over 5,500 MW dispatched to the National Electricity Market (source: snowyhydro.com.au). The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, which is a significant part of their operations, features nine hydro-electric power stations and 16 dams linked by 145 km of tunnels and 80 km of aqueducts, primarily located in Kosciuszko National Park. Additionally, Snowy Hydro manages water storage and diversion under the Snowy Water Licence for irrigation to the Murray and Murrumbidgee systems (source: wikipedia.org).
Projects & Track Record
Snowy Hydro has a rich history of notable projects, including the original Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, which was completed in 1974 and delivered a total output of 3,740 MW from seven power stations, such as Guthega, which began operations in 1955 (source: snowyhydro.com.au). The company also operates significant gas assets, including the Colongra Power Station (667 MW, acquired in 2015), Laverton North (320 MW), and Latrobe Valley (300 MW) in Victoria, along with three diesel stations in South Australia totaling 136 MW (source: wikipedia.org). Currently, major projects include Snowy 2.0, which aims to link the Tantangara and Talbingo dams via a 27 km underground tunnel and establish a new pumped-hydro station for 2,000 MW generation and 175 hours of storage, with construction having commenced in 2019 (source: snowyhydro.com.au).
Recent Developments
In March 2018, the Australian Government acquired full ownership of Snowy Hydro by purchasing shares from New South Wales and Victoria, solidifying its status as a wholly-owned Commonwealth entity (source: snowyhydro.com.au). The construction of Snowy 2.0 is a significant advancement in the company's portfolio, marking it as a nation-building pumped-hydro project that commenced in 2019 (source: snowyhydro.com.au). Additionally, Snowy Hydro has secured contracts for over 1,000 MW from ten wind and solar projects, enhancing its renewable energy offerings (source: leadiq.com).
Working There
Snowy Hydro offers a diverse range of roles across various departments, including generation (hydro, gas, diesel operations), engineering, construction, and retail services through brands like Red Energy and Lumo Energy. The company also has opportunities in support functions such as IT, HR, and finance, with hiring occurring at their headquarters in Cooma, the Sydney office, and various project sites across New South Wales and Victoria (source: leadiq.com). The company culture emphasizes community support and has a long history of integrating a multinational workforce, with 65% of the original workforce being migrants from over 30 nations (source: nma.gov.au). While specific benefits are not detailed in available sources, the company is known for its commitment to customer service excellence through its retail brands (source: leadiq.com).
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