Energy Optimization Manager

Position Title: Energy Optimization Manager

Organization Name: Applied Talent Resources

Reports To: VP of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt/Full Time

Job Level: Manager

Primary Location: Fargo or Jamestown, ND

At Applied Digital, we are the epicenter of AI innovation, crafting cutting-edge data center solutions tailored for the demands of high-performance computing. Designed from the ground up to support AI and machine learning workloads, our infrastructure is the backbone of tomorrow’s technological advancements, including AI-driven video and generative platforms.

We are:

• Forward-Thinkers: With a keen eye on current market trends and future innovations, we adapt swiftly and lead technological evolution.
• Resilient: We navigate complex challenges and emerge stronger, delivering robust and reliable solutions for industry pioneers.
• Innovative Designers: Leveraging the latest technologies, we create visionary solutions that redefine industry standards.

We remain committed and steadfast in solving intricate problems, advancing business initiatives, maximizing operational efficiency, and reducing our carbon footprint. We are a team of resilient, forward-thinking innovators driving the AI revolution.

Role Overview:

The Energy Optimization Manager oversees the strategic, operational, and real-time execution of Applied Digital’s energy optimization programs across North Dakota data center sites. This leadership role is responsible for developing and executing curtailment strategies, shaping forecasting and optimization workflows, and aligning market-driven decisions with site-level operational needs.

This position requires deep knowledge of utility behavior, power system operations, market fundamentals, and industrial load management. Unlike a traditional speculative trading role, this role focuses on operational energy optimization, leveraging price formation, grid conditions, and commercial structures to minimize cost and maximize efficiency.

The ideal candidate comes from a utility, power plant, ISO, or merchant generation background, where they have led or executed real-time decisions affecting system dispatch, load balancing, or price exposure management.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Optimization & Leadership

• Own Applied Digital’s energy optimization program across North Dakota, including real-time, day-ahead, and intraday decision-making.
• Develop optimization strategies tailored to market rules, operational constraints, and facility-level performance characteristics.
• Build and maintain a decision-making framework for Operators and support staff to ensure consistent, safe, and financially optimized outcomes.
• Lead peak-volatility operational windows (~6–10 AM and ~5–9 PM), ensuring high-quality, time-sensitive decisions.
• Partner with Finance, Engineering, Operations, and Data Center Site Leads to align optimization strategy with business outcomes.

Curtailment Strategy & Execution

• Determine curtailment windows using day-ahead forecasts, congestion patterns, historical pricing behavior, and weather-driven load variations.
• Oversee execution of real-time curtailment actions and verify proper operational compliance.
• Review performance of prior-day curtailments, identifying improvement opportunities and updating SOPs.
• Implement operational guardrails around ramp rates, cooling cycles, generation interactions (if applicable), and facility constraints.

Market, Utility, & Grid Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison with utilities, cooperatives, transmission providers, and relevant market operators.
• Interpret transmission constraints, outage notifications, system advisories, and tariff implications.
• Ensure compliance with utility protocols, curtailment communication requirements, and reporting expectations.
• Maintain strong working relationships with external market and operations partners.

Analytics, Forecasting, & Operational Intelligence

• Collaborate with Analysts to continuously improve load forecasting, weather analysis, LMP prediction models, and congestion risk assessments.
• Establish KPIs to track optimization accuracy, response speed, and value capture.
• Develop dashboards and reporting workflows to provide leadership with real-time visibility into optimization performance.

Team Development & Cross-Training

• Mentor Operators, Analysts, and Schedulers to expand overall real-time coverage capability.
• Build structured training programs that teach Operators foundational concepts such as LMP formation, system constraints, curve interpretation, and escalation logic.
• Support recruitment efforts for additional optimization team members.

Required Qualifications:

• 7–10+ years of experience in power system operations, utility/ISO dispatching, power plant control room management, industrial load management, or real-time market operations.
• Strong understanding of:
• LMP pricing and congestion dynamics
• Day-ahead vs. real-time market behavior
• Transmission constraints, outages, and grid reliability principles
• Industrial or flexible load operations
• Experience using SCADA systems, forecasting tools, dispatch consoles, or ISO/utility portals.
• Demonstrated ability to make high-pressure operational decisions with financial impact.
• Experience in creating SOPs, operational frameworks, or training programs.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and cross-functional coordination skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing or leading a real-time operations desk or control room team.
• Practical exposure to major wholesale markets such as MISO, SPP, ERCOT, PJM, or CAISO.
• Knowledge of data center operations, industrial energy usage, or flexible load assets.
• Technical background in forecasting, power modeling, or market analytics.
• Experience working with generation assets, transmission operations, or demand response.

Physical Requirements:

Able to remain in a seated position for an extended period and to lift and carry up to 15 lbs. (office manuals, case notebooks, case files, case materials, standard boxes, report binders, etc.) as needed.

Please note that Applied Digital is currently unable to sponsor new applicants for employment authorization or provide immigration-related support for this position. This includes, but is not limited to, visa categories such as H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1, O-1, and any Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) or other work authorizations that require employer sponsorship.

Working Conditions by Location:

Remote: The Company agrees that Employee may work from home provided employee is in good standing, has a continuous secured internet connection, necessary equipment, and is accessible by MS Teams, phone, fax, and e-mail during business hours. (See Telework policy.)

Office Environment: Business office hours, with work hours necessary to satisfactorily perform job functions. Some overtime may be required to accomplish timely work demands and meet the company’s professional commitments. Overtime hours worked are paid to nonexempt employees at one and a half times their hourly pay rate.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents acknowledge that they possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.