Internship: Mathematical optimization & code development

Position: Internship: Mathematical optimization & code development (60-100%)
Location: Aarau

Electricity flows with us. On behalf of Switzerland and in cooperation with international partners, we do our utmost every day to develop the best solutions for the Swiss electricity grid.
Swissgrid is seeking a talented individual to join its Innovation Incubator team in Aarau as an intern, starting December 1st, 2026, or by arrangement. Over a duration of 12 months, you will support the assessment of optimization tools and the implementation of new methodologies. You will gain professional experience in the energy industry and valuable insights into the tasks of Switzerland’s transmission system operator.

Internship:
Mathematical optimization & code development (60-100%) - 1663
Your code will help test how Switzerland's grid can be operated more efficiently and reliably
You are passionate about understanding how things work (or do not work). You love to dig deep into the roots of unexpected results, and you feel proud when you accomplish a complex task. In this internship, you will work alongside optimization and power system experts to test and integrate optimization tools and methodologies for Optimal Power Flow on practical use cases r main tasks will include:

• Implement optimization models in python, connect the necessary input sources, and run experiments on real Swissgrid data.
• Use commercial optimization engines to solve the models, develop suitable logging and reporting features.
• Validate the results using an industry-standard power flow simulator.
• Present the findings to domain experts and turn them into reusable templates.

Based on your interests, you might join other projects of the team. There is also the possibility to expand some of the tested methodologies in the context of a follow-up joint semester or master thesis.
This Is How You Make The Difference You work independently and meticulously. You like to make things work and are not afraid of complex models. In addition, you fulfill the following requirements:

• You are currently pursuing or have recently completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical / mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics, or in a related quantitative field.
• Familiarity with Python, or any other programming language.
• Basic knowledge in mathematical optimization.
• Ideally, you have some prior knowledge of Power Flow Analysis.
• Prior experience with optimization tools (e.g. CPLEX or GUROBI) or power flow simulation is an advantage.
• Good English knowledge and either German or French basics.

This Is What You Can Expect

• An opportunity to gain practical experience in a real-world mathematical optimization while making a meaningful contributing to running the Swiss power grid.
• Comprehensive insight into the energy industry and current R&D developments in the areas of a transmission system operator.
• 5 weeks of vacation and company vacations between Christmas and New Year.
• Flexible working hours, the opportunity to work from home, and a modern workplace with excellent public transport connections.
• A competitive compensation package.

About UsThe division Research & Digitalisation was formed to promote and spread a culture of innovation within Swissgrid to increase the capacity, efficiency, safety, and reliability of Switzerland’s transmission grid. We focus on identifying and promoting innovations which have a large impact on the organization. We are curious, eager to learn, and believe in solving problems with a scientific approach.

We are driven by new technology, scientific approaches, and ways of doing things differently.