
Optimization Research Scientist

Tierra Climate
Company Overview
Tierra Climate
New York City, United States
2020
Business Model
Climate Technology
Developing innovative solutions for carbon removal and climate adaptation.
Carbon credits, consulting services, and technology licensing.
Locations & Geography
United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, and Australia.
Company Culture
Their mission is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future through innovative climate solutions.
They promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity.
They offer continuous learning opportunities and support for professional growth.
Activities & Projects
They are currently working on projects focused on carbon capture technology and sustainable agriculture.
Recent innovations include a new carbon offset platform that connects businesses with carbon removal projects.
They implement sustainable practices in their operations, including remote work and energy-efficient office spaces.
Career Opportunities
Typical job openings include roles in project management, data analysis, and climate science.
They offer competitive salaries, health benefits, and flexible work arrangements.
Contact Information
Last updated on 2025-01-31 | Report an issue
Job Description
To reach Net Zero, the U.S. needs 400 gigawatts of grid-scale energy storage by 2050, requiring over $1 trillion dollars in investment. Tierra Climate is at the forefront of this transformation. We are a team of dealmakers, operators, and dreamers building innovative solutions to maximize the decarbonization potential of grid-scale energy storage. As a trusted partner to some of the world’s largest companies, we manage the complexities of operating energy storage for both economic and environmental impact. With leadership roles across various corporate sustainability bodies, including the Energy Storage Solutions Consortium (ESSC) and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Tierra Climate is foundational in redefining energy storage as a force for planetary good. Discover more about us through features in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, My Climate Journey (MCJ), and David Roberts’ Volts podcast.
About the Role
We are looking for an intellectually curious Optimization Research Scientist to join us as employee #5. In this pivotal role, you will focus on developing cutting-edge solutions to advance our battery optimization software across multiple US power markets. Your work will directly enhance revenue performance while also delivering measurable environmental benefits that accelerate the energy transition.
What You’ll Do
- Develop and refine optimization models for multiple wholesale power markets (e.g., CAISO, ERCOT, MISO, ISONE, NYISO, PJM, SPP)
- Enhance methods for handling decision-making under uncertainty (e.g., robust/stochastic optimization) and integrate probabilistic market forecasts into optimization workflows
- Refine bidding and algorithmic strategies to enhance revenue and environmental performance
- Explore and apply the latest developments in optimization research methods that hold promise
- Act as a power markets subject matter expert for external stakeholders
- Ability to periodically work extended hours and respond swiftly when appropriate
What You Bring (Required)
- Deep understanding of power systems and wholesale power market mechanisms
- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a related quantitative field (e.g., computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, power systems, etc.)
- 5+ years of post-undergraduate experience in energy industry or academia
- 3+ years of experience writing software in Python, and utilizing Linear Programming, MIP, and Convex Optimization
- Experience with collaborative software development best practices, including version tracking and code reviews using GitHub
- Experience using relational databases and using SQL or other query languages
What You Bring (Preferred)
- 3+ years of experience with grid-scale battery projects in multiple US power markets
- Track record of academic publications or demonstrated thought leadership in developing novel optimization approaches for energy storage in power markets
- Experience with tradeoffs between speed, performance, and scalability in optimization
- Experience with 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)
What You Offer
- Entrepreneurial: You're personally invested in fulfilling our mission and growing the business. You’re constantly thinking outside-the-box and proposing new ideas that may influence our broader strategy and product roadmap.
- Commando Mindset: You aren’t afraid to parachute into a metaphorical jungle, build systems from scratch, and define solutions to complex problems. You’re an independent self-starter that is adaptable to change.
- Team-Oriented: You recognize the whole is greater than the sum-of-its-parts and work well with others. You are coachable and willing to invest in others.
- Data-Driven: You believe in hypothesis testing, iterative experimentation, and incremental delivery. You value underpinning conclusions with empirical evidence over unsubstantiated claims.
What We Offer
We provide team members a robust benefits package:
- Pay: Competitive salary ($150,000-200,000) plus equity (0.25-0.65%)
- 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 energy storage at a mission-driven startup
Why Join Tierra Climate
Guided by our EARTH values below, we believe that company culture is a cornerstone of our success:
- Energy: We are ambitious and unceasing in our pursuit of a better planet.
- Authenticity: We see each other as whole people with unique stories, beliefs, and backgrounds.
- Responsibility: We take ownership of individual work and share in collective outcomes.
- Trust: We value moral character over ethical compromises in our work and our community.
- Humility: We believe ‘the best ideas win’ when free from pride and arrogance.
About the role
July 2, 2025
Flexible
USD 150k–200k yearly
- United States
5+ years in energy industry or academia
UTC-05:00 — UTC-08:00
Apply now
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