NRG Energy

Director, Solutions Architect

NRG Energy$210K — $250K *
US-AnywhereRemote in Washington, US
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in software/systems architecture or principal engineering, with 4+ years focused on developer platforms or IoT architectures.
  • Proven ability to operate independently across multi-company initiatives without direct supervisory structures.
  • Deep expertise in cloud-to-cloud integrations and local wireless technologies like Zigbee or Thread.
  • Exceptional skills in developing comprehensive data pipelines and identity management systems.
  • Strong executive presence with the ability to negotiate technical contracts with partner executives.

Responsibilities

  • Own the technical architecture and integration designs for third-party brand collaborations within the Vivint ecosystem.
  • Evaluate prospective partner technologies to assess feasibility and define integration strategies.
  • Establish performance standards and security guidelines for third-party hardware integration.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to design and implement scalable SDKs, APIs, and communication pathways.
  • Integrate emerging smart home protocols to enhance partner onboarding processes and future-proof the platform.
  • Author detailed technical documentation and architecture specifications to align stakeholders on initiatives.
  • Serve as the primary architectural liaison to external partners, leading technical discussions and integration roadmaps.

Benefits

  • Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
  • 401K and flexible spending accounts.
  • Potential eligibility for annual bonuses and various incentive programs.
Full Job Description
Position Summary: Director of Solutions Architecture - Partner Ecosystem & Integrations

The Director of Solutions Architecture for Partner Ecosystem & Integrations is the single-threaded technical architecture owner responsible for the end-to-end system design, interface contracts, and technical integration blueprints that bridge Vivint's smart home platform with strategic external partner brands. Operating as a high-impact, independent strategic technical leader, you will design the architectural foundation that enables external hardware-such as smart lighting, advanced climate controls, multi-vendor sensors, and entertainment platforms-to interoperate seamlessly alongside Vivint's proprietary hardware suite.

This is an individual contributor role requiring an elite systems architect who can operate autonomously without a team of direct reports. You will specialize in developing deep technical relationships with principal architects and engineering leads at world-class technology companies, leveraging their domain expertise while ensuring Vivint's security, latency, and reliability standards are strictly maintained. You will bridge external APIs, local edge protocols, and cloud environments with Vivint's core infrastructure to deliver low-latency, deeply integrated consumer experiences at scale.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Strategic Ecosystem & System Architecture
    • Partner System Blueprint Ownership: Own the multi-year technical architecture, system interface designs, and integration blueprints for all third-party (3P) brand integrations across the Vivint Home ecosystem.
    • Architecture Evaluation & Feasibility: Serve as the organization's primary technical architect for evaluating prospective partner technologies, performing deep-dive technical feasibility assessments, and defining integration patterns before development begins.
    • Interoperability & Performance Standards: Establish strict architectural baselines, payload schemas, and security guardrails to ensure external hardware meets native performance, low latency, and high availability targets within the Vivint platform.
  • Technical Design & Infrastructure Alignment
    • Cross-Organizational Systems Design: Partner closely with internal Platform Engineering, Embedded Firmware, Cloud Infrastructure, and Information Security teams to architect scalable, secure SDKs, APIs, and edge/cloud communication pathways.
    • Industry Standards Integration: Drive Vivint's architectural evolution with emerging smart home protocols (such as Matter, Thread, and specialized cloud-to-cloud/local mesh APIs) to streamline partner onboarding and future-proof the platform.
    • Technical Authoring & Documentation: Independently author comprehensive System Architecture Documents (SADs), API specifications, data flow diagrams, and technical RFCs to gain executive and engineering alignment on strategic partner initiatives.
  • Influence, Negotiation & External Technical Leadership
    • External Technical Diplomacy: Act as the principal architectural liaison to partner product and engineering teams, establishing integration contracts and steering external technical roadmaps to align with Vivint's infrastructure.
    • Matrixed Engineering Leadership: Operate with high autonomy to guide, unblock, and align internal engineering squads, security reviewers, QA automation teams, and product management partners.
    • Lifecycle Architecture Governance: Establish architectural review mechanisms, post-launch telemetry specs, and failover/degradation strategies to continuously maintain the stability, security, and performance of partner integrations.


Required Skills & Functional Dimensions
  • Autonomous Individual Contribution: Proven track record of operating with complete technical independence, driving complex architecture across multi-company initiatives without direct administrative reporting lines.
  • End-to-End IoT Systems Architecture: Deep expertise in cloud-to-cloud integration patterns, local wireless topologies (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Wi-Fi), embedded driver layers, state-synchronization engines, and platform-level SDK development.
  • Ecosystem Systems Thinking: Exceptional ability to conceptualize end-to-end data pipelines, identity management, authentication (OAuth/mTLS), and edge-to-cloud state management across disparate corporate ecosystems.
  • Executive Technical Presence: Superb written and verbal communication skills. Proven ability to negotiate complex technical contracts with partner executives and translate intricate system trade-offs for executive internal stakeholders.


Required Education & Experience
  • Experience: 8+ years of software/systems architecture or principal engineering experience, with at least 4+ years explicitly focused on designing developer platforms, partner API ecosystems, IoT architectures, or connected smart home environments.
  • Partnership Track Record: Demonstrated experience architecting complex, high-scale technical integrations with tier-1 consumer electronics, silicon vendors, or software enterprise partners.
  • Cross-Functional Execution: Proven success leading architectural design for large-scale, multi-phase hardware/software integration projects across distributed engineering organizations.
  • Education: B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical engineering experience).


The base salary range for this position is: $210,000 - $250,000* *The base salary range above represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonus, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition the position may be eligible to participate in the benefits program which include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending accounts.

Official description on file with Talent.

We support the use of AI tools to help you prepare for your interview (e.g., practicing responses, researching the role, or refining your resume). However, during interviews and assessments, we expect responses to reflect your own thinking, experience, and communication. Use of AI to generate or read answers in real time, complete assessments, or misrepresent your qualifications is not permitted and may impact your candidacy.

About NRG Energy

NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. Whether as the largest solar power developer in the country or by giving customers the latest tools to better manage their energy use, NRG is a pioneer in developing smarter energy choices. Our diverse power generating facilities have a capacity of about 52,000 megawatts, capable of supporting almost 42 million homes. Our retail electricity providers — Reliant and Energy Plus — and thermal energy division serve nearly 3 million residential, business, commercial and industrial customers. A Fortune 250 company, NRG supports clean energy resources and technologies critical to our transition to a sustainable, low carbon society. We built the nation's first privately-funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure and continue to create new, clean energy solutions for our customers. In addition to our environmental efforts, we actively contribute to the local communities where NRG employees live and work. Since 2004, our Global Giving program has provided millions of dollars to organizations and charities that have a direct impact on the lives of the people in our communities, including food banks and those that foster self-sufficiency, improve housing and provide supplemental education to people in need. NRG has also organized special responses for victims of extreme catastrophe, such as the Haitian earthquake and the Japanese tsunami in 2010. Employee donations were tripled to maximize the contributions. NRG has won numerous awards for industry leadership and many of its nationwide econrg initiatives, which are targeted toward meeting the challenges of climate change, clean air and natural resources protection.

NRG Energy Careers

Join the vibrant team at NRG Energy, a leader in the power and energy sector, and contribute to a sustainable future while advancing your career. At NRG Energy, we are committed to innovation, leadership, and diversity, ensuring a dynamic workplace where growth and opportunity are at the forefront.

Work You’ll Do

At NRG Energy, you’ll engage in meaningful work that powers communities and fosters environmental stewardship. Our team of professionals is dedicated to leading the energy sector through cutting-edge innovation and sustainable practices. By joining us, you help shape the future of energy, leveraging your skills to make a significant impact.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, NRG Energy offers a range of job opportunities and internships that will harness your potential and polish your skills. Our positions span from technical roles in energy management to leadership tracks in corporate functions. Each role is crucial in driving our mission of a sustainable energy future.

Career Development and Benefits

NRG Energy is deeply invested in the professional growth of its employees. We offer robust career development programs, including leadership training, professional networking opportunities, and diversity training. Our benefits package is designed to support the well-being and financial security of our team members and their families, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Culture of Innovation and Diversity

Our company culture celebrates diversity, encourages innovation, and fosters a collaborative environment. At NRG Energy, you’ll work alongside a diverse team of experts, each bringing unique perspectives that drive our success. We believe that inclusive teamwork and innovative thinking are the keys to our continued growth and leadership in the energy sector.

Join Our Team

Embark on a rewarding career path at NRG Energy by exploring our current hiring opportunities. Tailor your job search to match your career aspirations and skills. Prepare your resume, ace the interview, and join a team that’s committed to making a difference.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from NRG Energy: - **Career Insights**: Gain industry-leading insights and read about the latest trends in the energy sector on our careers blog. - **Job Alert Emails**: Customize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider tips that align with your career preferences. At NRG Energy, your career is more than a job—it’s a journey of growth, learning, and leadership. Join us in powering the world’s energy future while building a promising career for yourself. Explore opportunities, embrace our culture, and be part of our mission to lead the energy transition.

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Learn more about NRG Energy
Size
6,635 employees
Market Cap
$7.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$510 million
Founded
1989
5 Year Trend
+24.8%
Revenue
$9 billion
NASDAQ

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