Optimization Engineer Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

Senior Energy Market Modeler - Optimization & Planning

Location: Reston, VA Hybrid or US Remote

About the Role
Join us in shaping the future of energy systems. We are looking for a highly skilled and forward-thinking professional to lead advanced modeling and optimization initiatives for integrated energy system planning. In this role, you will focus on electric sector planning, market design, and techno-economic analysis - critical components in building a low-carbon, reliable, and cost-effective grid.

As a Senior Energy Market Modeler - Optimization & Planning, you will design, develop, and use cutting-edge power system and electricity market models, along with analytics tools that drive energy, economic, and financial insights for grid planning and operations. Your work will include creating and using optimization methodologies and analytics frameworks that underpin next-generation solutions.

You will have the opportunity to conduct research across a broad spectrum of topics, including:

• Analysis of energy and power systems

• Optimization of variable energy resources

• Electricity market design and operation

• Integration of emerging technologies

• Interdependencies between power grids and other infrastructures

This is a chance to make a meaningful impact on the energy transition while working on complex, high-value challenges in collaboration with industry leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in developing data and models and applying advanced optimization approaches for capacity expansion, production cost, and integrated resource planning.

• Assist the delivery of client work through modeling, developing presentations, writing, and preparing entire subsections of reports and papers, and helping with additional customer requests.

• Design and lead efforts on co-optimization across generation, transmission, distribution, and demand-side resources and fuels under uncertainty.

• Design and implement techno-economic frameworks to evaluate system reliability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.

• Conduct research in the area of electricity markets, power system reliability and optimization techniques and apply lessons learned to analytical approaches.

• Conduct research on electricity market design, policy implications, and emerging technologies.

• Propose and work on novel ideas and concepts for the next generation of power systems.

• Translate complex quantitative results into clear, actionable insights for technical and non-technical stakeholders including translating results of simulation cases and research into clear visual representations.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver solutions for utilities, ISOs, and large energy consumers.

• Assist in proposal writing including strategizing on approaches to deliver innovative solutions to clients.

• Serve as a technical point of contact for clients, leading deepdive discussions, presenting analytical findings, and contributing to externally facing thought leadership, while supporting client satisfaction and retention in partnership with project and account leads.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in operations research, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Applied/Quantitative Economics or related field AND 3+ years of experience in an energy-related field.

Equivalent combination of education and directly relevant professional experience in lieu of an advanced degree, demonstrated by 6+ years of experience in an energyrelated field.

Energy-Related Experience Includes:

• Expertise in optimization theory, techno-economic analysis, and power system planning.

• Hands-on experience with capacity expansion and production cost tools (e.g., PLEXOS, IPM, Encompass, GenX, etc).

• Strong programming and modeling skills (Python, Julia, GAMS) and proficiency with commercial solvers (CPLEX, Gurobi, Xpress-MP).

• Ability to manage large datasets and perform stochastic or scenario-based analysis.

• Detailed-oriented approach to designing models and critically assessing results.

• Exceptional communication skills to present technical findings to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Operations Research, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field.

• 8+ years of experience in an energy-related field.

• Knowledge of security-constrained economic dispatch and power system fundamentals.

• Familiarity with econometrics, market economics, and regulatory processes.

• Experience in academic writing, stakeholder engagement, or policy analysis.

• Prior experience addressing energy transition and co-optimization issues or advanced academic project work in these areas.

• Interest in acquiring knowledge and expertise in new technologies related to electricity markets, optimization and computing.

What We Value

• Collaborative mindset-helping each team member to do their finest work.

• Ability to translate technical concepts for broader audiences.

• Ownership of work, proactive problem-solving, and creative thinking.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Aptitude for clear writing and communication.

• Demonstrated success guiding ideas, people, and projects.

• High fluency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

• Desire to work in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.

• Demonstrated ability to use AI and bring creative technology solutions to our work.

Why Join Us?

• Work on cutting-edge challenges in energy systems optimization and planning.

• Collaborate with industry leaders shaping the future of electricity markets.

• Competitive compensation with opportunities for growth.

Working at ICF

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: