Fundamental Modeling Analyst (Data Modeller / Engineer II)

Fundamental Modeling Analyst / Data Modeler Engineer II Location: Houston, TX
Work Schedule: Onsite Monday–Thursday, Work From Home Friday
Contract: 6 months
Rate: $63/hour
Industry: Energy Trading and Analytics
About the Role We are seeking a hands-on Fundamental Modeling Analyst to support the Gas & Power Trading Analytics organization within a fast-paced trading floor environment. This is an individual contributor role focused on building, testing, and applying analytical models using Python to support trading and commercial decision-making.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with data, writing Python code daily, and independently solving analytical problems end to end. Years of experience are less important than demonstrated capability and strong fundamentals.
What You Will Do

• Write Python code daily to explore, clean, and analyze large datasets
• Perform exploratory data analysis using pandas and related libraries
• Build and apply regression and other statistical or machine learning models
• Analyze time series data related to supply, demand, and market drivers
• Translate open-ended business questions into structured analytical approaches
• Identify key observations, trends, and drivers from data without heavy guidance
• Communicate findings clearly to analysts, traders, and stakeholders
• Contribute analytical work that directly supports trading decisions

Required Skills and Experience ✔ Strong, hands-on Python experience
✔ Comfortable writing code independently without AI tools or external references
✔ Practical experience using:

• pandas
• numpy
• scikit-learn or similar libraries

✔ Experience with:

• Data manipulation and cleaning
• Exploratory data analysis (groupby, duplicates, outliers)
• Regression modeling
• Applying models to real-world datasets

✔ Ability to:

• Interpret problem statements on your own
• Decide how to approach analysis
• Explain your thought process clearly

✔ Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or quantitative discipline (or equivalent hands-on experience)
Nice to Have

• Experience with energy, commodities, gas, or power markets
• Familiarity with supply and demand fundamentals
• Exposure to forecasting or time series analysis
• Experience working with traders or commercial stakeholders
• Data visualization experience (Plotly, Power BI, similar)

Work Environment and Expectations

• This is a hands-on, code-focused role
• You will be expected to work onsite in Houston Monday through Thursday
• Collaboration happens directly with analytics and trading teams
• This is not a leadership, architecture, or oversight role
• Candidates must be comfortable working without AI or copilot tools

Interview Process (Important) Qualified candidates will complete:

• A single onsite interview in Houston
• A live technical assessment (approximately 1 hour)
• Live Python coding using your own laptop and IDE
• No AI tools, Copilot, ChatGPT, or external references allowed

The assessment focuses on core fundamentals such as Python, pandas, data exploration, and basic modeling concepts.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.