Title:  Senior Specialist, Economics - NESO

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driving the transformation of Great Britain’s energy system to make it cleaner, more secure and more affordable for consumers. Together with industry, we are planning and operating an energy system that can meet net zero goals while keeping the lights on at all times.

We are looking for a Senior Economics Specialist to join the SSEP Economic Modelling team within NESO’s Strategic Energy Planning division. The team builds and analyses whole-system scenarios to identify cost-effective, spatially informed energy pathways for Great Britain.

In this role, you will lead simulations and analysis across electricity, gas and hydrogen, bringing together market and network modelling to inform recommendations on how Great Britain can decarbonise its energy system in a coordinated, cost-effective and deliverable way.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick or Glasgow and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. 

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the delivery of analysis across electricity, gas and hydrogen to support recommendations for how Great Britain can decarbonise its energy system under an integrated system plan.
• Lead the development and execution of simulations using pan-European market models.
• Define modelling hypotheses and scenarios and assess their impacts across electricity, gas and hydrogen networks.
• Develop and maintain whole-energy system models, introducing new methods to improve evidence-based decision-making under uncertainty.
• Focus on quality assurance across modelling work and outputs, ensuring processes and results are robust, repeatable and well-tested.

• Document modelling processes, assumptions and decisions so that analysis is transparent, auditable and can be repeated when required.
• Provide oversight, challenge and advice to colleagues on modelling progress, risks and issues, and coach team members.

• Communicate modelling results and recommendations in a clear, actionable way to senior leadership and external stakeholders. 

About You

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who: 

• Passionate about the energy sector, with an understanding of energy system structures, challenges and interactions between electricity, gas and hydrogen.
• Experience of economics, data science, system analysis or network planning, with the ability to think holistically.
• Solid experience of using modelling and analytical software and translating data into insights.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver analytical work across multiple workstreams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex modelling outputs to non-technical audiences and senior stakeholders.

• A logical, practical approach to problem-solving and the ability to break down complex problems into clear, structured analysis.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working collaboratively across internal teams and with external partners.

Qualifications

Essential: Degree in engineering, economics or a related field (or equivalent experience). Significant experience in the energy sector with hands-on experience using energy modelling software (PLEXOS, Bid3, pypsa …).

Desirable: Experience using data tools and languages (e.g. SQL, VBA, Python) or developing analytical tools

About What You'll Get

A competitive salary between £61,500 - £66,500pa – dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being.

• Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

About Us

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) mission is to facilitate the decarbonisation of Great Britain’s energy network and ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable, and clean electricity for consumers. We work with stakeholders across the whole energy industry to plan for future network needs, using a wider adoption of technology and changes in consumer behaviour, as well as ensuring we have the right markets, networks, and frameworks in place, to transform the way we operate tomorrow.

Join us, and let’s energise progress.

Our energy, our future, together.

About The National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

More Information

This role closes on 7th January 2026 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. Interviews will be held in January 2026.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.