Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Data Scientist

at Uplight

🏢 About Uplight

Uplight is a clean energy technology company that partners with leading utilities to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free grid. Their focus on personalized customer experiences and distributed energy resource (DER) optimization makes them a key player in the energy transition, offering the chance to work on impactful, real-world problems.

About This Role

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will develop and deploy optimization models for DERs and flexible energy assets, directly enabling virtual power plants (VPPs) and grid decarbonization. Your work will involve building production-grade Python code, monitoring live optimization systems, and collaborating with software engineers to ensure robust, scalable solutions.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a stand-up meeting to discuss progress on an optimization model for EV charging schedules. You'll then code and test the model in Python using Pyomo, review a pull request from a teammate, and later analyze performance metrics from the deployed system. After lunch, you might meet with product managers to refine requirements for a new battery optimization feature.

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🎯 Who Uplight Is Looking For

  • Has proven experience in mathematical optimization (LP, MILP) applied to energy systems, with hands-on use of Pyomo, AMPL, Gurobi, or CPLEX.
  • Is a strong Python developer with production software engineering skills (e.g., modular code, CI/CD, Docker, version control).
  • Understands electricity markets, DERs (solar, batteries, EVs), and VPP operations, and can translate business needs into optimization models.
  • Thrives in a remote, cross-functional team environment, with strong communication skills and a passion for clean energy.

📝 Tips for Applying to Uplight

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific projects where you built and deployed optimization models (LP/MILP) for energy systems, including the solvers and frameworks used.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with Pyomo or similar and how you've handled production-grade Python (e.g., testing, monitoring).

3

Showcase any experience with DERs or VPPs—even academic projects—and quantify impact (e.g., cost savings, efficiency gains).

4

Demonstrate familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and observability tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana) as the job emphasizes production systems.

5

Research Uplight's utility partners and recent news (e.g., acquisitions, new products) to show genuine interest in their mission.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your optimization expertise and how it directly applies to DER/VPP challenges.', 'Highlight your ability to write production-level Python code and work with engineering teams on deployment.', "Connect your past work to Uplight's mission of accelerating clean energy through personalized experiences.", 'Mention any domain knowledge of electricity markets or utility operations to show you understand the context.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read about Uplight's platform and how they personalize energy experiences (e.g., their 'Energy Experience Hub').
  • → Look into their partnerships with utilities like National Grid, Southern Company, and others to understand their market reach.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the concept of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and how Uplight integrates DERs.
  • → Check recent blog posts or press releases on Uplight's website for updates on product launches or industry insights.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through an optimization model you built and deployed. What were the constraints, objective, and solver choice?
2 How would you model a battery storage system for a VPP to maximize revenue under time-of-use rates?
3 Describe a time you debugged a live optimization system. How did you identify and fix the issue?
4 How do you ensure code quality and reproducibility in a team setting? (e.g., code review, testing, CI/CD)
5 What trends in DERs or electricity markets do you think will impact optimization models in the next 5 years?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention optimization or energy—this role is highly specialized.
  • Focusing only on machine learning rather than mathematical optimization; this role is about deterministic optimization, not ML.
  • Neglecting to discuss production software engineering experience; the job requires deploying and maintaining live systems.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Uplight!

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