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Centrica • United Kingdom

Research & Innovation Manager; Automation – Data Science/ Machine Learning

Employment type:  Full time

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top 3 scores:
96%

Location flexibility

92%

Hours flexibility

88%

Autonomy

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Job Description

Join us, be part of more.

We’re so much more than an energy company. We’re a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We're energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That’s why working here is #MoreThanACareer. We do energy differently - we do it all. We make it, store it, move it, sell it, and mend it.

About your team:

You’ll be working centrally within our mission control room, aka Centrica’s group functions. From Finance and Data Science, to our Wellbeing and People teams - this is the engine of our energy system, where our various Centres of Excellence power up each of our brilliant businesses, ensuring they have all the support, technologies, and capabilities they need to get our customers to Net Zero by 2050.

This hybrid managerial role, based in Windsor, Berkshire (2 days on-site), offers an exciting opportunity to shape strategy and processes while driving innovation in the energy industry. We are looking for an adaptable, experienced data scientist or machine learning expert that wants to tackle complex challenges and push the state of the art for automation in the energy sector.

If you’re passionate about innovation and making an impact, apply now!

Key responsibilities will include:

  • You will lead and mentor research teams, oversee technical projects, and own the strategy and roadmap for the Automation theme, focusing on digitizing and optimizing energy at scale using advanced data science and machine learning techniques.

  • As part of a dynamic team, you’ll work across key themes like flexibility, automation, and connectivity, supported by a group dedicated to promoting research and fostering collaborations.

Here's what we’re looking for:

Strategic Leadership:

  • Lead and mentor a team of Research Engineers, fostering collaboration and supporting professional development.

  • Drive high-quality research by planning and executing innovative projects, developing novel algorithms, and integrating data science and machine learning techniques.

  • Create and implement research strategies aligned with company objectives, staying ahead of industry trends to identify new opportunities.

Collaborative Spirit:

  • Partner with internal teams and external stakeholders, including academia and industry, to enhance innovation and research outcomes.

  • Translate research findings into practical applications, working with stakeholders to streamline the commercial handover process.

  • Promote continuous learning, publish findings in journals, and represent the team at conferences, producing impactful reports and insights.

Technical Excellence:

  • Advanced degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, or related field

  • Practical experience designing statistical optimisation algorithms and (deep) machine learning techniques.

  • Proficiency in machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, or XGBoost.

  • Proficient in Python; knowledge of Scala, C++, Go, Rust, or Julia is a plus.

  • Experience with git-based workflows and collaborative software development.

  • Ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code.

Why should you apply?

We’re not a perfect place – but we’re a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That’s why we’ve designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too. Visit the link below to discover why we’re a great place to work and what being part of more means for you.

https://www.morethanacareer.energy/centrica

If you're full of energy, fired up about sustainability, and ready to craft not only a better tomorrow, but a better you, then come and find your purpose in a team where your voice matters, your growth is non-negotiable, and your ambitions are our priority.


Help us, help you. We would love for you to share any information about yourself throughout our recruitment process so that we can better understand you and help shape your journey.

Company benefits

Adoption leave
Open to part-time employees
Enhanced sick days
Flexible working week
Enhanced sick pay
Gym membership
Health insurance
Mental health platform access
Compassionate leave
Dental coverage
Fertility treatment leave
Buy or sell annual leave
Optional unpaid leave
Shared parental leave
Enhanced maternity leave
Carer’s leave
Enhanced paternity leave
Pregnancy loss leave
Cycle to work scheme
Equity packages
Life insurance
Annual pay rises
Share options
Financial coaching
Employee discounts
Volunteer days
Company car
Travel loan
Enhanced pension match/contribution

We asked employees of Centrica what it's like to work there, and this is what they told us.

Location flexibility
96%
Employees are very happy with their working location freedom
Hours flexibility
92%
Employees are very happy with the flexibility in the hours they work
Benefits
82%
Employees are very happy with the benefits their company offers
Work-life balance
79%
Employees feel that they can switch off quite easily from work
Role modelling
83%
Employees feel that flexible working is part of the culture
Autonomy
88%
Employees feel they have complete autonomy over getting their work done

Additional employee ratings
(these do not contribute to the FlexScore®)

Diversity
80%
Employees feel that the diversity is good and there are continued efforts to improve it
Inclusion
82%
Employees feel like the company culture is brilliantly inclusive and equitable
Culture
84%
Employees feel like it is a really great environment to work in
Mission
85%
Employees feel very excited about and aligned with the company mission
Salary
72%
Employees feel that their salary is good and matches the value they bring

Working at Centrica

Company employees

20,000

Gender diversity (male:female)

68:32

Currently Hiring Countries

Denmark

Ireland

United Kingdom

Office Locations

Awards & Achievements

2nd – Large companies

2nd – Large companies

Flexa100 2024
3rd – Consumer Goods

3rd – Consumer Goods

Industry awards 2023