R&D Professional – Power Systems Engineer

Are you passionate about shaping the future of energy systems? At VITO/EnergyVille, our GEMS (Grid and Energy MarketS) team plays a pivotal role in driving the transition toward a renewable, secure, and efficient power system.

We work on a broad range of innovative topics, from designing flexibility markets to modelling energy markets, power grids, and power systems. Our expertise helps European system operators address the challenges of increasing renewable integration and electrification, ensuring optimal and grid-safe use of energy infrastructure.

Your Role

As an R&D Power Systems Engineer, you will be a key contributor in research projects and consultancy assignments focused on grid modelling, energy market design, and active system management. Your work will directly support system operators in tackling the evolving energy landscape.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead distribution grid analytics and grid modelling activities, collaborating with electricity market experts, data scientists, and software engineers.

• Translate real-world challenges into grid modelling solutions, defining scenarios, assembling data, and generating insightful results.

• Bridge the gap between innovative concepts and practical implementation, ensuring real-world impact.

• Develop advanced techniques in statistical power flow, optimal power flow, and mathematical optimization, addressing challenges in evolving electricity markets and power system dynamics.

• Actively engage in national and European research projects, collaborating with system operators and regulators.

• Communicate findings through clear and high-quality reports, scientific papers, and presentations.

• Expand the team's expertise by building a strong network in the energy domain.

• Support the acquisition of new research and innovation projects, including proposal writing.

• Master's degree in power engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, or a related field, with at least 2 years of relevant experience.

• 3+ years of experience working with DSOs, TSOs, or executing projects for regulators.

• Strong understanding of energy transition challenges, such as electrification and decentralized renewable integration.

• Hands-on experience in distribution grid planning and operations.

• Proven ability to develop and implement grid models, collaborating in a multidisciplinary setting.

• Proficiency in Python, with advanced optimization skills.

• Excellent English communication skills to engage with system operators and market stakeholders.

• A self-motivated mindset with a passion for energy innovation.

While not required, these skills can give you a competitive edge:

• Fluency in Dutch or French.

• PhD degree in a relevant field.

• Expertise in European energy markets.

• Background in energy market and system modelling.

Offer

• Hybrid work flexibility – Your activities determine your workplace! You’ll primarily work from our EnergyVille Genk office, but remote work and other VITO locations (Mol, Berchem, Ghent, Ostend) are possible.

• Competitive salary package, including extra-legal benefits such as allowances, insurance, and modular holiday options.

• A job with freedom, flexibility, and continuous growth opportunities in technical skills, leadership, and responsibility.

• Innovation is at our core – We invest in training and development, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of the industry.

Does this sound like your next challenge? We’d love to hear from you!