Director, Software Engineering; Hybrid - Portland

Director, Software Engineering (Hybrid - Portland, OR)

We are seeking a seasoned Director of Software Engineering to lead our Information Systems Software Engineering team. While Energy Solutions does not sell software, we develop reusable software solutions to support programs in energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and more.

You will manage a department of approximately 35 software developers across multiple platforms and serve as a technical influencer across the company. This strategic leadership role requires balancing technical execution with business strategy, 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 a hybrid work opportunity. At ES, this means working onsite at one of our offices a minimum of 1 day/week (currently Wednesdays) with flexibility for the remainder of the days. ES has offices in Oakland, CA;
Orange, CA;
Portland, OR;
Chicago, IL;
New York, NY; and Boston, MA.

• Lead, mentor, and scale multiple teams of 35+ engineers. Directly manage Engineering Managers and Team Leads, fostering a culture of accountability and psychological safety.
• Balance engineering resources between high‑priority client consulting projects and long‑term internal platform development.
• Champion engineering excellence, building a culture of impact for all of Energy Solutions.

• Serve as the final authority on software architecture and design patterns. Ensure our diverse platforms are architected for scalability, focusing on modularity and performance.
• Drive the adoption of modern engineering practices, e.g. small/frequent commits, CI/CD, and automated testing methodologies.
• Collaborate with data engineering, business analytics teams, and downstream application owners to ensure high‑quality, well‑structured data and seamless integration.
• Guide the migration of legacy systems and adoption of new libraries or frameworks where appropriate.

• Oversee the full SDLC, ensuring rigorous standards for code quality, testing, and documentation.
• Establish and enforce security controls, compliance standards, and data protection protocols across all client projects.
• Track engineering metrics to drive process improvement, increase velocity, and reduce technical debt.
• Monitor delivery timelines, mitigate risks, and align with client expectations and contractual obligations.
• Collaborate with product owners, project managers, business analysts, and partners to deliver on time and within budget while avoiding technical debt.
• Manage stakeholder expectations regarding technical feasibility, timelines, and scope.

• 10+ years in software engineering, with at least 4+ years in a Director or Senior Management role leading teams of 25+ people.
• Deep experience in the Python ecosystem; built complex applications using Django. Exposure to Java, Mendix, or similar frameworks is a plus.
• Experience in a Professional Services/Consultancy environment and shipping SaaS/PaaS products.
• Strong understanding of relational databases and cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Proven ability to influence partners while mentoring and maturing a software engineering team, including supervisors; delegates effectively without micromanagement.
• Exceptional communication skills, translating technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders and clients.

• Hands‑on or theoretical experience with 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.

The salary range for this role is $145,000–$170,000, with a target compensation of $145,000–$161,000 based on experience and qualifications. Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a generous retirement package. Energy Solutions provides an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, other pre‑tax contribution plans, and an Employee Stock Ownership…