Director of Software Engineering

About this role:

You will be leading our software engineering team responsible for developing our patented machine vision-enhanced control system that concentrates solar energy onto our towers, where the heat is captured and converted into useful energy to provide green power for industry.  Our software engineers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, with a mix of hardware and software experience. The software we create enables precise control of our solar concentrating field, as well as compute, network, and storage infrastructure to keep everything running smoothly.  

In this role, you will:

• Lead projects through the software development lifecycle from concept to delivery. 
• Deliver successful outcomes with a laser focus on execution and a keen eye for important details.
• Drive large, cross-functional programs related to algorithm development, core operating systems, and/or user interfaces across multiple layers of the software stack
• Partner with engineering management to facilitate all aspects of projects: define, schedule, prioritize, track, proactively manage and communicate status of projects.
• Collaborate with partners in hardware, firmware, human interface design, production, marketing, and other teams within and outside of Heliogen.
• Build on Heliogen’s technology by rapidly developing, testing, and incorporating improvements to our software.
• Empower employees with clear definition of roles and responsibilities.
• Welcome, actively solicit, and act on feedback. 

What's essential:

• A desire to use your engineering and leadership skills to advance Heliogen’s mission to replace fossil fuels. 
• 2+ years of experience in managing, leading and building teams. 
• 2+ years of software program or project management experience.
• 5+ years of software development (and associated system work, including control of hardware) in one of more of the following coding languages: C#, C, C++, Java, Python
• Degree or equivalent experience in computer science, an engineering discipline, or physics.  Ability to create and execute plans in a dynamic and sometimes ambiguous environment.  
• Solid knowledge of and experience with software development practices.
• System integration skills and experience with optimizing dynamic systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication - key as you drive projects forward, prioritize work, facilitate the removal of obstacles, and escalate risks.
• Experience with mentoring and coaching team members, supporting learning and growth. 

Desirable:

• Physics knowledge including optics and/or thermodynamics. 
• Robotics skills (kinematics, computer vision, and motor control) 
• Performance optimization including native algorithm implementation & GPU programming. 
• Machine learning skills including CNNs and Gaussian processes. 
• Well versed in Git or Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence, etc.) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Knowledge of network architectures and security practices.
• 3D geometry, optimization, statistics.
• Embedded software experience.
• Significant experience in management of teams including managing distributed teams (using collaborative tools, running hybrid meetings, etc).