Director, Software Engineering (Hybrid - Oakland, CA)

Position Overview

Energy Solutions is a growing company committed to delivering large-scale energy, carbon, and water-use savings through market-based programs. Since 1995, we have provided proven, performance-based solutions for utility, government, and institutional customers. We are currently seeking a seasoned Director of Software Engineering to lead our Information Systems Software Engineering team. In this strategic leadership role, you will bridge the gap between technical execution and business strategy by managing approximately 35 software developers and working closely with Product, Business Analysts, and internal Business Units to deliver scalable, secure, and architecturally sound solutions on time and on budget. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals with technical prowess to impact energy efficiency markets and contribute to greenhouse gas reductions. This role is hybrid, requiring onsite attendance at one of our offices a minimum of one day per week (currently Wednesdays).

Key Responsibilities

• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and scale multiple teams of over 35 engineers, including direct management of Engineering Managers and Team Leads.
• Resource Allocation: Balance engineering resources between high-priority client projects and long-term internal platform development.
• Technical Leadership: Champion engineering excellence and cultivate a culture of impact across the organization.
• Architecture Authority: Oversee software architecture and design patterns to ensure scalable, modular, and high-performance solutions.
• Best Practices: Advocate for modern engineering practices such as small/frequent commits, CI/CD, and automated testing methodologies.
• Data & Integration Alignment: Collaborate with data engineering and analytics teams to ensure robust data quality and seamless integration.
• Modernization: Lead initiatives to migrate legacy systems and adopt new libraries or frameworks when appropriate.
• SDLC Oversight: Manage the full software development lifecycle, ensuring rigorous standards for code quality, testing, and documentation.
• Compliance: Establish and enforce security controls, compliance standards, and data protection protocols across all projects.
• Process Improvement: Track engineering metrics to drive initiatives that increase velocity and reduce technical debt.
• Timely Delivery: Monitor project timelines, mitigate risks, and ensure client expectations and contractual obligations are met.
• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with product owners, project managers, and business partners to align technical feasibility with business strategy.

Required Qualifications

• Experience Required: 10+ years in software engineering with at least 4+ years in a Director or Senior Management role leading teams of 25+ people.
• Technical Stack: Extensive experience in the Python ecosystem, including building complex applications with Django; familiarity with Java and Mendix is a plus.
• Professional Services: Proven experience in a professional services or consultancy environment, with a track record of shipping SaaS/PaaS products.
• Database & Infrastructure: Strong understanding of relational databases and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to mentor, delegate, and lead teams effectively while communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on or theoretical knowledge of Generative AI/LLM integration in enterprise software.
• Experience managing remote or distributed engineering teams.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science or Engineering.
• Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills.

Benefits & Perks

• Salary: $145,000–$170,000 per year
• Compensation: Commensurate with experience and includes a generous retirement package
• Benefits: Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, pre-tax contribution plans, and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Location: Oakland, CA; Orange, CA; Portland, OR; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; and Boston, MA
• Schedule: Hybrid – Onsite at least 1 day/week (currently Wednesdays) with flexibility for the remaining days