Job Description:The Vice President, Software & Controls Engineering is responsible for the digital realization of Fluence's global product portfolio and serves as the executive leader for all software and controls engineering disciplines across the Product Business Unit. Reporting to the Head of Product Business Unit, this executive leads the global organization responsible for embedded software, controls engineering, Battery Management System (BMS) software, Energy Management System (EMS), Site Controller software, SCADA, cloud platforms, fleet management, software quality, cybersecurity implementation, and software development infrastructure.
Working in close partnership with Systems Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Product Management, Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Success, and Digital organizations, this leader ensures Fluence delivers secure, scalable, reliable, and high-performing software platforms that differentiate its products and create long-term customer value.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDEExecutive Leadership- Develop and execute the long-term Software & Controls Engineering strategy aligned with the Product Business Unit strategy, technology roadmap, and business objectives.
- Establish the global Software & Controls Engineering operating model, engineering standards, software governance, development methodologies, and organizational capability roadmap.
- Develop long-term investment strategies for software platforms, cloud infrastructure, DevSecOps, AI-enabled engineering capabilities, simulation environments, automation, and software development infrastructure.
- Establish annual operating objectives, software engineering KPIs, resource plans, investment priorities, and organizational development strategies.
- Serve as a member of the Product Business Unit Leadership Team, contributing to technology strategy, digital innovation, organizational planning, and business performance.
Software & Controls Engineering Leadership- Lead the global engineering organizations responsible for embedded software, BMS, EMS, Site Controller, controls engineering, SCADA, cloud applications, fleet management platforms, edge computing, APIs, software infrastructure, and digital product engineering.
- Translate approved system architectures into scalable, secure, reliable, and high-performing software and controls solutions.
- Establish enterprise software engineering standards governing software implementation, coding standards, reusable platforms, release governance, and technical documentation.
- Lead software design reviews, controls engineering reviews, software release readiness reviews, and technical decision-making.
- Drive Agile, DevSecOps, CI/CD, automated testing, SSDLC, software configuration management, and release management best practices.
- Own engineering support for NPI, software integration, manufacturing readiness, field deployment, software releases, product updates, and lifecycle maintenance.
- Lead development of advanced controls, optimization algorithms, AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and next-generation digital capabilities.
Digital Product Lifecycle Leadership- Lead software engineering from concept through implementation, validation, deployment, sustainment, feature enhancements, and end-of-life planning.
- Partner with Systems Engineering to ensure software realizes the approved system architecture and achieves performance, safety, cybersecurity, and certification objectives.
- Drive software quality improvement through defect reduction, field issue resolution, root cause investigations, corrective actions, observability, and continuous improvement.
- Lead software lifecycle planning, technical debt reduction, platform standardization, third-party software governance, and technology refresh initiatives.
- Ensure software platforms remain compliant with evolving cybersecurity, regulatory, functional safety, grid code, and customer requirements.
Digital Engineering Excellence- Establish engineering excellence through modern software practices, AI-assisted development, software reuse strategies, and continuous improvement.
- Lead software development infrastructure, DevSecOps platforms, automated testing frameworks, simulation capabilities, and engineering productivity tools.
- Develop engineering metrics that improve software quality, deployment frequency, release predictability, platform stability, and customer satisfaction.
- Drive adoption of cloud-native architectures, edge computing, containerization, platform modularity, digital twins, and emerging technologies.
Organizational Leadership- Build and lead a world-class global Software & Controls Engineering organization through workforce planning, succession management, coaching, mentoring, and capability building.
- Establish engineering career paths, software competency frameworks, technical leadership programs, and knowledge management practices.
- Lead software engineering resource planning, budget management, organization design, engineering productivity improvements, and continuous process optimization.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, technical excellence, inclusion, and continuous learning.
Business Leadership- Partner with Product Management to evaluate software platform strategies, digital product capabilities, technology investments, and business cases.
- Collaborate across Systems Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Customer Success, Services, and Digital organizations to deliver integrated solutions.
- Represent Fluence with customers, technology partners, software vendors, standards organizations, cybersecurity organizations, and industry associations.
- Champion digital innovation, engineering excellence, software quality, and continuous improvement.
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO FLUENCE?- 20+ years of progressive software engineering leadership in complex industrial or enterprise product environments.
- 10+ years leading global Software Engineering organizations.
- Demonstrated success delivering embedded software, controls, cloud platforms, and digital products at scale.
- Deep expertise in software engineering, controls, cybersecurity, DevSecOps, cloud technologies, and digital product development.
- Proven ability to build high-performing engineering organizations and develop technical leaders.
QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline required; Master's degree, MBA, or equivalent preferred.
- 20+ years of engineering leadership experience developing complex software products.
- 10+ years leading global software engineering organizations.
- Expertise in embedded software, controls, cloud platforms, DevSecOps, CI/CD, cybersecurity, software quality, and release management.
- Experience with Agile development, software lifecycle management, NPI, and cross-functional product development.
- Strong executive leadership, organizational development, and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Experience in energy storage, industrial automation, automotive, power systems, or similar industries preferred.
EXPERIENCE IN- Embedded Software
- Controls Engineering
- Battery Management Systems (BMS)
- Energy Management Systems (EMS)
- Site Controller
- SCADA
- Cloud Platforms
- Fleet Management
- DevSecOps
- CI/CD
- Cybersecurity
- Software Quality
- RTOS
- Edge Computing
- AI & Machine Learning
- Digital Twins
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Engineering Leadership
