Director of Software Development

The Director of Software Development serves as the senior technical leader overseeing HCI Energy’s software strategy, development practices, and cross-functional alignment across software and hardware systems. This position is responsible for driving end-to-end software architecture — including application development, device-level integration, and backend systems — across key platforms such as HCI’s Zero-glitch Power Module (ZPM), myHCI control and monitoring software platform, and Centralized Analytics System (CAS).

While the role requires awareness of microprocessor-level interactions within the system, the emphasis is on full-stack software development across Linux-based platforms. This includes client-facing interfaces, local device functionality, server-side applications, and cloud-based connectivity.

This position also functions as a strategic partner to company leadership, bringing structure to software execution through specification authorship, , development planning, resource scheduling, iterative design processes, unit testing, release code integration, and the implementation of best practices throughout the development life cycle. The ideal candidate combines deep technical insight with experience managing high-performing teams and aligning development timelines with business priorities.

Leadership & Team Oversight

Lead and mentor the full-stack software engineering team, including experts in application design, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design, server-side development, cybersecurity, microcontrollers, and system connectivity.
Translate business and marketing goals into actionable development plans, ensuring alignment with company strategy and technical feasibility.
Manage project timelines using Critical Path Methodology to drive prioritization, milestone tracking, and resource allocation.
Foster a collaborative culture that encourages whiteboarding, shared problem-solving, and learning across application, server, hardware, and firmware domains.

Software & Systems Architecture

Architect and document end-to-end software systems across client interfaces, edge devices, and central servers, including:
- Software requirements management
- Functional block diagrams
- Software architectural models
- User experience and interface workflows
- System and business risk and impact assessment and mitigation

Process and Quality Assurance

Implement and manage software development processes across the organization, including branch strategy, versioning, issue triage and tracking, sprint planning, release management, tools such as GitHub, Jira, Linear, etc.
Expand and maintain a robust verification process that maps requirements to test coverage and validation outcomes.
Promote a continuous improvement feedback loop between field operations and software performance enhancements.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines and release planning
Integrate Development Operations (DevOps) and Development Security Operations (DevSecOps) practices to ensure secure, scalable development and reliable deployments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Marketing, Product Management, and Sales to translate Marketing Requirements Documents (MRDs) into actionable Software Requirements Specifications (SRS) and User Interface and Experience (UIX) guidelines.
Align software design with evolving hardware platforms by working closely with Electrical and Mechanical Engineering teams.
Support major product development efforts, including the Zero-glitch Power Module (ZPM), myHCI monitoring and controls platform, and Centralized Analytics System (CAS), by coordinating cross-disciplinary initiatives and aligning delivery timelines.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in full-stack software development, systems integration, and technical leadership.
Solid understanding of Linux-based operating systems, application-layer development, and edge-to-cloud systems.
Familiarity with microcontroller-based device interaction and board-level component integration as supporting technologies.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams through architecture, design, testing, and deployment cycles.
Strong foundation in software development processes, Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD), DevOps, and modern development tools such as GitHub, Jira, Linear, etc..
Experience integrating modern AI development tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, etc. into software development processes.
Experience with Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, structured query language (SQL) and non-relational (NoSQL) databases, cybersecurity best practices, and client integration toolkits.

Preferred Traits

Hands-on systems thinker with strong planning and organizational skills.
Able to speak both “marketing” and “engineering.”
Leader who builds team trust and encourages knowledge sharing.
Capable of synthesizing complex concepts into actionable development workflows.
Willing to lead by example and occasionally write or review code if necessary.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits

401(k) and 401(k) Matching program
Medical and Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Referral program
Vision insurance

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Director of Software Development position involves standing, walking, and sitting; talking and hearing both in person and by telephone; using hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls; and reaching with hands and arms. The role may also require stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, and lifting up to 25 pounds.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position, and in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. These duties are subject to change at the discretion of the Management. Employees will be required to follow and perform any other job-related instructions and duties in compliance with Federal and State Laws. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

HCI Energy is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.