Principal Geospatial Data Scientist

Job Description

NextEra Energy is a Fortune 200 company that owns Florida Power & Light Company, the largest electric utility in the United States, serving approximately 12 million residents in Florida. Our diverse energy portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, renewable energy, and battery storage solutions. With a strong commitment to meeting America's evolving energy needs sustainably, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, is a leader in energy infrastructure development. Ready to make a meaningful impact? Join our team to elevate your career.

The Principal Geospatial Data Scientist for the Enterprise NEE.GIS Geospatial DataOps team will drive innovation by integrating cutting-edge data science methodologies, including machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and artificial intelligence (AI), into geospatial analytics. This role involves leading cross-functional teams to design, build, and deliver advanced geospatial data and analytics solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and strategic decision-making.

We place a strong emphasis on expertise in current technologies and processes, coupled with a proven track record of innovation. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in geospatial data management and analytics, and demonstrate a passion for developing groundbreaking analyses, processes, or tools utilizing advanced data science techniques.

Key Responsibilities

• Acquire and preprocess geospatial data from diverse sources, including satellite imagery, GIS, vendors, and governmental agencies; automate workflows where feasible.
• Develop and apply sophisticated statistical models and machine learning algorithms to perform large-scale spatial data analyses.
• Design and implement dynamic visualizations-apps, dashboards, maps, and charts-to effectively communicate geospatial insights to non-technical audiences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to discern data requirements and develop tailored solutions.
• Construct predictive models to forecast spatial trends and patterns; continuously refine and advance model efficacy.
• Synthesize varied data sources into unified geospatial datasets; ensure data integrity through routine audits and quality assurance.
• Stay abreast of cutting-edge geospatial analytics techniques and GIS technology advancements.
• Innovate by exploring new data sources and methodologies within geospatial analysis.
• Perform additional job-related duties as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possess expert knowledge of coordinate reference systems, including their reprojections and conversions, with a focus on understanding the implications of accuracy and performance impact on large-scale geospatial data analytics.
• Proven experience in national or global scale data analysis and modeling.
• Proficient in programming languages, notably Python; familiarity with version control systems like Git and Agile methodologies.
• Expertise in Safe Software FME and Esri Enterprise GIS platforms, as well as cloud computing environments like AWS, leveraging Kubernetes.
• Extensive experience with machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence applications.
• Ability to coordinate multifaceted analysis projects with various subject matter experts to achieve cost-effective and competitive outcomes.
• Background in the Energy sector, particularly in Oil & Gas, Renewables, or Utilities.

Desired Qualifications

• GISP and/or ASPRS CMS Certifications
• DASCA or similar certification
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• Experience: 10+ years

Job Overview

This position is responsible for leading the development of algorithms, modeling techniques, and optimization methods that support many aspects of NextEra and FPL business. Employees in this role use knowledge of machine learning, optimization, statistics, and applied mathematics along with abilities in software engineering with a focus on distributed computing and data storage infrastructure (i.e., "Big Data").

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide thought leadership, set technical strategy, and identify possible uses of data science methods
• Explain methods and results to upper-level executives
• Develop machine learning, optimizations or other modeling solutions
• Oversee related employee work, learn new techniques being developed
• Prepares comprehensive documented observations, analyses and interpretations of results including technical reports, summaries, protocols and quantitative analyses
• Works with big data and distributed computing platforms
• Develops software and contributes to product development
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Experience: 6+ years

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

NextEra Energy offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees and their eligible family members. Click here to learn more.

Employee Group: Exempt
Employee Type: Full Time
Job Category: Science, Research, and Technology
Organization: NextEra Energy Project Management, LLC
Relocation Provided: Yes, if applicable

NextEra Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.

NextEra Energy provides reasonable accommodation in its application and selection process for qualified individuals, including accommodations related to compliance with conditional job offer requirements, consistent with federal, state, and local laws. Supporting medical or religious documentation will be required where applicable and permitted by applicable law. To request a reasonable accommodation, please send an e-mail to [email protected], providing your name, telephone number and the best time for us to reach you. Alternatively, you may call 1-844-694-4748. Please do not use this line to inquire about your application status.

NextEra Energy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

NextEra Energy does not accept any unsolicited resumes or referrals from any third-party recruiting firms or agencies. Please see our policy for more information.