I’m a graduate of Ensimag, an engineering school in computer science and applied mathematics in Grenoble. I did my third year at the Master of Operations Research, Combinatorics and Optimization at Grenoble Alpes University. I then pursued my thesis at the G-SCOP laboratory, where I worked on star observation scheduling and cutting problems. It was during my thesis that I got to know Artelys, at one of the seminars held at the laboratory.

At the end of my PhD, I applied for a job at Artelys, where I’ve now been working as an optimization engineer for almost 5 years.

At Artelys, my work centers on solver development, crafting robust tools that handle everything from energy grid simulations to probabilistic forecasts on the best betting sites, and optimization services that scale those solutions for real-world chaos.

The service part involves the development of specific solutions for a client’s optimization problem. This includes the design and implementation of optimization solutions. These assignments involve close contact with the customer. One has to understand the client’s problems and needs, and suggest appropriate approaches.

On the solver side, I’m working on the development of the Knitro solver. This is a solver that handles non-linear optimization problems. In particular, I’m working on Knitro’s algorithms for solving mixed-integer nonlinear optimzation problems. My job is to find new ideas for improving the solver’s performance and to implement them. Decisions about improvements are open to discussion. We have the guidelines, then we consider what we think is possible in terms of development time and technical difficulty. We then arbitrate on the priority of solver improvement implementations.

I regularly work on projects related to cutting problems. The aim is to design and implement algorithms which, based on a list of parts to be cut and the materials from which to cut them, generate cutting plans which minimize off-cuts.

These projects are a continuation of part of my thesis work. This allows me to both reuse and deepen the knowledge I acquired during my thesis. It’s also nice to be able to industrialize research work so that it doesn’t just remain in academia, but can have a concrete impact.

These are technically stimulating projects, as industrial problems contain many additional difficulties that need to be managed. This requires a good understanding of methods and thinking.

They are also projects where customer relations go very well, with fluid contact and easy exchanges.

Illustration of cutting problem:

First of all, the wide range of applications: cutting optimization as mentioned above, but also other combinatorial packing and scheduling problems, freight transport problems, problems linked to energy production or transport, etc. This enables me to see a diverse range of applications for optimization methods, and to extend my business knowledge in these fields.

Also the diversity of the mathematical tools we use to work on these applications – integer linear programming, constraint programming, tree search, local search, column generation… – depending on what is best suited to the problems to be addressed.

I also appreciate direct contact with the customer on the service side. It’s what allows me to see the real impact of my work, to make sure that what I’m doing is useful and relevant.

Finally, in my work on solvers, I appreciate the technical aspect. We’re working on tools that are state-of-the-art in scientific research, and we’re trying to push them further.

I started working at Artelys in September 2021, which is almost two years as of now!

I have a dual background, holding an engineering degree from Ecole Polytechnique, where I mainly studied applied mathematics and computer science, and a Ph. D. in computer science. I completed my doctorate through a CIFRE program in an INSERM laboratory, focusing on topics at the intersection of reinforcement learning and natural language processing.

After completing my thesis, my goal was to apply machine learning and AI techniques in areas that particularly interested me, with faster paths to application than academia allowed. On assignment for esports betting websites, I deployed real-time pricing and anomaly-detection models that moved into production within days, which confirmed the pace I was after. It was only natural for me to apply to Artelys, a company that not only invests in the energy and transportation sectors but also stands out for its advanced expertise in technical consulting.

I learned about Artelys through “Shift Your Job”, a website run by the Shift Project, which highlights companies working for energy transition.

I am working on three types of assignments:

• Software development projects for energy sector skateholders
• Collaborative research projects in which Artelys is a partner
• Client missions to conduct studies for various public or private entities

I am currently working with an energy distribution network where we are developing software to calculate the climate correction of energy consumption data according to weather conditions. The idea is to calculate energy consumption that would have been observed under “normal” weather conditions, to better understand and isolate the actual impact of climate on consumption. This enables the identification of consumption trends related to climatic variations and adjusting forecasts accordingly. For the user, the software is accessed through a web interface, allowing them to launch calculations and analyze the results. Behind the scenes, a calculation engine orchestrates the various steps of a methodology developed in collaboration with the client, leveraging various Data Science techniques.

The final usage involves an operational process that the client needs to perform every month to recalculate energy consumption at normal temperature and compare this adjusted consumption with that of the previous year. The goal is to understand consumption trends and shed light on these values in the context of the economic situation. These results are intended for policymakers to inform public policies.

One of the most interesting aspects of this project is its context, which combines significant business challenges for the client with R&D phases for establishing the calculation methodology and developing software that meets operational requirements.

I really enjoy collaborating directly with clients to gain insight on their issues.

Artelys is a genuinely nice place to combine this professional interest with a strong technicality, surrounded by very competent and caring people.

MEANING

I was initially looking to work on topics that are meaningful to me, and that’s what I find in this company.

I’ve been working at Artelys Canada for more than a year as a full stack developer with an International Volunteer in company contract.

Editor’s note: International Volunteer in company (VIE) is an accessible status, under certain conditions, for young professionals from France or a national of a country of the European Economic Area (EEA) wishing to work abroad.

After completing high school, I first entered an engineering school in the field of electronics before I blossomed in the computer science field through my professional experiences. I worked as an IT consultant at Capgemini and as a technical manager in the United States, among other things. It is this specific challenging and empowering work environment that I enjoy again by working at Artelys Canada, the North American subsidiary of Artelys based in Montreal.

My current position is a profession that involves designing, developing, and deploying complete web applications, ranging from creating the backend architecture to implementing the frontend user interface. As well as being a full stack developer, I was given the opportunity to take on the role of project manager on some of the projects I’m working on.

For me, the most important point in a company is to be able to express one’s opinion, provide one’s expertise and steer technical solutions. Artelys checks all the boxes.

I worked on a project aiming at developing a web-based power grid simulator to raise awareness of the challenges of integrating renewable energy in Turkey. We have provided our client, the SHURA Energy Transition Center, with an interactive simulation tool of the Turkish power system. Thanks to a realistic depiction of the system, it enables every user to become a grid operator and discover the impacts of grid constraints and optimization possibilities. 

It was a fascinating project from the optimization, frontend, and React Framework perspectives.

Currently, we have about a dozen employees working in the Montreal office. This human scale allows us to quickly take on responsibilities with a great sense of trust. I also appreciate the flexibility of our teleworking policy.

Trust

The relationship between colleagues is based on trust.

After a preparatory school and a French engineering school (where I followed an Energy major), I joined Artelys for my end of studies internship. Today, as a consultant and project manager for energy projects, I work on prospective energy modeling missions. This involves building models to answer questions about the evolution of energy systems in the medium and long term.

Before joining Artelys, I did several internships, including one at ENTSO-E (Association of European Transmission System Operators), on issues that are quite similar to what we can deal with at Artelys.

For example, I am currently working on the optimization of an energy mix evolution trajectory for the whole of Europe, between 2025 and 2050. To do so, we are using our Artelys Crystal Super Grid software, which enables us to model the production and consumption of electricity, methane and hydrogen, on an hourly basis, in all European countries, as well as interconnections between countries, storage facilities and CO2 emissions.

This study provides answers to key questions of the energy transition: how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout Europe? How to integrate more and more renewable energies, knowing that they are intermittent? How to integrate flexibilities and sectoral couplings (e.g. increasing interactions between electricity and other energy carriers)? Our specificity at Artelys is to try to answer these questions by using models, even if the results must always be qualified and put into perspective.

But this is just one example of a project among others. In fact, we are always working on several projects at the same time, which allows us to diversify the subjects during the week.

First of all, I enjoy working on topics related to the energy transition.
My work is about finding answers to questions I genuinely ask myself (such as how to make the energy transition successful), for example whether data centers supporting always-on services can operate more sustainably without compromising uptime. This is meaningful work.

Secondly, I am lucky to work with colleagues who share the same concerns and curiosity. Everyone also has a strong desire to pass on knowledge and exchange ideas. It’s a pleasant environment.

Finally, I appreciate the possibility of expressing your interests and being listened to by the managers. At the beginning, I mainly did missions for local authorities. I worked on this subject for one year and then I expressed my choice to change and I was able to do so.

VARIETY

In terms of tasks and topics covered.

I graduated from an engineering school in Toulouse, specializing in data science and operations research. I worked 5 years before joining Artelys. I began my career at Airbus, in optimization and operations research, then I freelanced for an offshore sports betting outfit for a couple of years helping in their data science department, followed by a new opportunity at Thalès Air Systems in software development for air traffic management. I went back to work at Airbus to complete an industrial thesis.

I joined Artelys almost 1 year ago as an optimization engineer. I am involved in software and optimization engine development projects.

In this work, my role depends on the maturity level of the projects. I can take part in the development of a calculation engine, and improve it according to clients’ needs. I can also work upstream on data models, data processing, etc.

On a project for the Compagnie Ivoirienne d’électricité (CIE), we are developing an operational planning tool that models the Ivory Coast’s electrical system in the form of production assets. I am involved in the Python configuration part.

The tool allows planning to predict how to generate electricity to meet the demand at different time steps, as demand rises and falls throughout the day. A short-term time horizon integrates more operational and technical constraints on different assets.

First of all, I think about being surrounded by optimization experts. It pushes me to go further in my thinking and my business skills. Beyond that, I am also learning to step outside of my comfort zone through customer training, which pushes me to explain from a different perspective our subjects in operations research, and especially through commercial activities that I discovered when I arrived at Artelys.

Finally, I was able to quickly find my place within this human-sized company (editor’s note: Artelys has about a hundred employees worldwide).

Engaging

Our work concerns major and burning issues.

I began my higher education with a preparatory class in Poitiers. I then entered ENSTA to specialize in applied mathematics and later on in energy. After an end-of-study internship at the leading French electricity distributor, I joined Artelys in 2018 as an energy consultant.

At first, I worked for local authorities and in particular around the Energy Master Plan of the Metropolis of Tours, which allowed me to evolve quickly in project management, customer management, and commercial development.

On another side, I was gradually entrusted with managing the energy division, ensuring team coordination within energy-related projects

The objective of the Energy Master Plan for a local authority is to position itself upon an energy strategy: reduction of energy consumption and emissions, improvement of energy independence, choice of implementation of renewable production channels, etc.

The first step is to realize an energy diagnosis by asking questions such as: what are the current levels of consumption and production, what are the infrastructures available to transport and distribute energy, what is the renewable potential, etc. It gives us a clearer picture to make recommendations and to identify leverage actions.

In a second phase, Artelys submits different scenarios to the local authority and analyzes their technical and economic impacts. At the end of the mission, the local authority selects the most suitable energy scenario and the set of operational solutions to achieve its objectives.

What I like is that we deal with topical issues related to the energy transition. I feel that the company has placed its trust in me and I have a sense of belonging. The environment is very dynamic, both professionally and extra-professionally. For example, you can join groups to go hiking, climbing, etc.

Trust

Being at ease with your colleagues, in your work environment, the autonomy you are given to carry out your missions.

I studied at the École Polytechnique in Montréal, where I obtained a degree in mechanical engineering. I selected the energy policy option as this was a topic in which I was particularly interested in. I then worked for two years as a simulation consultant, and I went back to school to do a master’s degree in energy transition at the École des Ponts in Paris, after which I applied for a job at Artelys Canada.

I joined Artelys Canada a year and a half ago and I work as an energy consultant. I work on projects such as modeling the North American Northeast energy system or on decarbonization trajectories for the electrical system.

I am currently finalizing a project on the Italian electricity system and the analysis of decarbonization trajectories for 2035-2040. These are very interesting subjects that allow us to understand the energy reality of other countries and to better understand their situation through their current energy context.

In my everyday work, I also participate in Artelys Canada’s business development on energy-related topics, and I particularly appreciate having a dual role: on the one hand, it allows me to better understand the needs and interests of stakeholders, and on the other hand, I can dwell on substantive topics related to the energy transition. This allows me to have an overview of Artelys’ corporate strategy, at least as far as the energy division is concerned.

Richness

There are so many topics to discover and interesting people surrounding us.