Head of Device Software

10 days ago
Full time role
Remote · San Francisco, CA, US... more

Our Mission  

SPAN develops products that accelerate the rapid adoption of renewable energy in the home. The flagship SPAN Smart Panel is the first true evolution for the traditional home electric panel, harnessing enhanced technology for metering, monitoring, and control. An expanded product suite of intelligent, integrated solutions radically lowers the cost and complexity of energy upgrades–including solar, batteries and EVs–empowering homeowners to be active, resilient and informed players in the energy market. 

The Team and Role

SPAN’s Device Software team is responsible for all of the software that is physically embodied in our hardware products. Our first product - the SPAN Panel - contains a complex network of microcontrollers and a single board computer that must work together to react quickly to changing conditions with impeccable reliability in order to perform its job. We look for excellent technical leaders who enjoy working with their peers to solve complex problems and prioritize trusting that the people we hire are capable of great things when well supported. Engineers work directly with the broader software, product, and hardware teams to ensure the right things get built at the right time.

As the Head of Device Software, you will lead the strategic direction, development and deployment of software solutions for SPAN’s ranges of device products.  You will be responsible for driving innovation, ensuring quality and optimization performance across all software aspects of our devices from embedded systems to user interfaces. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and business acumen to deliver impactful solutions and results in a dynamic market.

Responsibilities:

  • Leadership and Team Management:

    • Provide strong leadership and guidance to the engineering teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

    • Provide mentorship and career development opportunities for team members, ensuring a strong talent pipeline and retention of top performers.

    • Foster a culture of innovation and ongoing improvement, inspiring exploration of new technologies and methods that can enhance our products and team productivity.

    • Establish clear goals and KPIs for the team, monitoring performance and driving continuous improvement.

  • Technical Leadership:

    • Provide technical expertise and guidance to engineering teams, helping to solve complex problems and make critical design decisions.

    • Stay abreast of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices, driving continuous improvement and innovation in both hardware and software development.

  • Strategic Planning:

    • Define and execute the software strategy aligned with overall business goals and market trends.

    • Drive innovation in software development processes, technologies, and methodologies to enhance product competitiveness and customer satisfaction.

    • Collaborate closely with other senior leaders to integrate software strategies with hardware development, sales, and marketing efforts.

  • Product Development:

    • Oversee the end-to-end product development process, from requirements gathering and design to testing, deployment, and maintenance.

    • Ensure that engineering efforts are aligned with product requirements, customer needs, and market trends, delivering high-quality solutions that meet or exceed expectations.

  • Device Software development and Delivery

    • Oversee the end-to-end software development lifecycle, from concept and design to deployment and maintenance.

    • Ensure timely delivery of high-quality software releases, managing resources effectively to meet project timelines and budget constraints.

    • Implement best practices in software engineering, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance to meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.

  • Partnership and vendor management:

    • Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with key technology vendors, fostering collaboration and leveraging external expertise to enhance product capabilities.

    • Negotiate contracts and manage relationships with third-party software suppliers and service providers to optimize costs and ensure quality standards.

  • Product Innovation and Quality:

    • Champion a customer-centric approach to software development, gathering and analyzing user feedback to drive product improvements.

    • Implement robust testing and validation process to ensure reliability, security and scalability of software solution

    • Collaborate with product management and design teams to create compelling, intuitive user experiences through software.

About You

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field; advanced degree preferred.

  • Proven experience (typically 10+ years) in software development, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing large-scale software projects or teams.

  • Deep understanding of embedded systems, firmware development, and mobile device software architecture.

  • Strong business acumen with experience in strategic planning, budget management, and resource allocation.

  • Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and influence cross-functional teams.

  • Track record of delivering complex software projects on time and within budget, preferably in the consumer electronics or technology industry.

Personal Attributes

  • Deeply technical leader with a passion for technology and innovation.

  • Results-driven with a strong focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement.

  • Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to build consensus and drive change.

  • Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, evolving environment.