Director of Software Engineering

We are seeking an experienced Director of Software Engineering to lead our software, data, and digital engineering capability across the organisation. The role will be responsible for overseeing the design and development of software/control systems for commercial Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), ensuring alignment with the company’s technical and business objectives. Defining and executing technology strategy, building and leading a high‐performing Software engineering team, and delivering scalable, secure software, data, and AI solutions for complex, regulated environments.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role combining technical architecture, people leadership, delivery ownership, and stakeholder engagement across commercial, government, and infrastructure programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Software Team Leadership and Development

• Own and lead the organisation’s software, data, and software engineering strategy
• Define solution architectures across cloud, data platforms, AI/ML, and enterprise systems
• Ensure adoption of modern engineering best practices, including CI/CD, DevOps, cloud-native design, and automation
• Take architectural ownership of complex, mission-critical systems
• Build, lead, mentor, and scale a multi-disciplinary software engineering team (software, data, AI, DevOps)
• Establish and embed high-performance, agile ways of working
• Set technical standards, governance, and quality controls
• Coach senior engineers and develop future technical leaders

Delivery & Programme Oversight

• Provide senior oversight of large-scale, complex digital programmes
• Ensure delivery is on time, secure, and fit for purpose
• Balance hands-on technical involvement with strategic leadership
• Own technical risk and decision-making across projects

AI, Data & Advanced Analytics

• Lead development and deployment of AI, machine learning, and advanced data analytics solutions
• Oversee data pipelines, ETL/ELT, data governance, and analytics platforms
• Translate AI and data science concepts into commercially viable solutions

Cloud & Infrastructure

• Lead cloud migration, modernisation, and optimisation initiatives
• Ensure security-by-design, scalability, resilience, and cost control

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

• Act as a senior technical authority with customers, partners, and executive stakeholders
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences
• Support bids, proposals, and technical solution shaping
• Build long-term trusted relationships with key clients

Governance, Security & Compliance

• Ensure solutions meet security, regulatory, and governance standards
• Embed best practices around cybersecurity, data protection, and compliance
• Operate comfortably in regulated sectors (e.g. defence, infrastructure, public sector)

Strategic Planning and Innovation

• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to ensure the continuous improvement of MSP’s software offerings.
• Drive innovation by identifying opportunities for new solutions and efficiencies within the energy storage sector.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to define long-term strategic goals and ensure the engineering team’s work aligns with the company’s mission.

Quality Assurance and Standards

• Ensure high standards of quality control in all aspects of software development, from design to deployment.
• Establish and maintain software development processes and best practices to improve code quality, scalability, and maintainability.
• Conduct regular reviews of software systems and make recommendations for improvements or updates.

Technical Skills

Experience and Expertise

• Proven experience in a senior engineering leadership role (Head of software Engineering, Head of Digital, Technical Director or similar)
• Track record leading software, data, AI and cloud engineering teams at scale
• Experience delivering complex, enterprise or mission-critical systems
• Strong background in architecture and system design
• Experience working with regulated industries preferred
• Experience in the power industry would be preferred, with an understanding of its regulatory requirements and technological trends.
• Comfortable operating across strategy, delivery, and hands-on technical leadership
• Proficiency in software development, with expertise in Linux, Python, C++/C#, JavaScript/.NET
• Data platforms, SQL/NoSQL, streaming and pipeline technologies
• In-depth knowledge of protocols and standards, such as Modbus and CAN.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think critically and creatively to develop innovative solutions.
• Proven track record of managing software development teams, promoting professional development, and ensuring high performance.
• Strong experience in project management and delivering complex projects on time and within budget.

Agile and DevOps

• Familiarity with Agile methodologies, including Scrum, and experience acting as a Scrum Master or overseeing Agile processes.
• Experience with DevOps practices and tools to facilitate continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD).

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.

Communication and Collaboration

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, clients, and senior leadership.