Catalyzing a cleaner future.

ESS is a globally recognized leader in sustainable energy storage and is consistently identified as one of the most innovative and exciting technology players in energy storage. It is poised to be one of the fastest growing energy technology companies in the world, with projects already across 4 continents and an upcoming public offering. The ESS vision is about enabling the decarbonization of the grid by enabling us to achieve up to 100% of our electricity from clean, sustainable renewable energy.

These are ambitious goals, and we are pursuing them with passion. At ESS, we are leading the energy transition, creating the sustainable energy solutions of the future to help individuals, businesses and communities change energy into lasting value.

ESS is seeking a visionary Senior Director of Software and Controls Engineering to lead the development and optimization of software and controls systems for our advanced flow battery solutions, specifically designed for grid-attached energy storage. This role requires a deep understanding of both software architecture and process/controls engineering, with particular focus on energy systems, system modeling, piping, and fluid systems. The Senior Director will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that both software and controls driving our battery systems are efficient, reliable, and capable of delivering optimal performance in diverse environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the software and controls engineering teams in the design, development, and maintenance of firmware, software, and control systems for grid-attached flow battery systems.
• System Design and Optimization: Oversee the design of both software architectures and control systems that optimize flow battery performance. Ensure that solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with industry standards. The software should be built on robust architectures, while control systems must focus on process control, fluid systems, and industrialized PC-based controls (not PLCs).
• Collaboration with Engineering Teams: Work closely with hardware design engineers, test engineers, and other stakeholders to integrate software, controls, and hardware systems seamlessly. Participate in customer design meetings and acceptance reviews to ensure solutions meet client requirements.
• Field Support and Troubleshooting: Provide expert guidance in debugging and resolving field issues across software and control systems. Lead efforts to continuously improve system reliability and performance based on field data and customer feedback.
• Innovation and R&D: Drive innovation in both energy system modeling and controls engineering. Stay at the forefront of technological advancements in battery energy storage and implement best practices to keep ESS at the leading edge of the industry.
• Team Development: Build and mentor a high-performing software and controls engineering team. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Quality Assurance: Implement rigorous testing protocols throughout the development lifecycle for both software and controls. Ensure that all systems meet the highest standards of quality and reliability before deployment.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact for software- and control-related inquiries and issues. Work closely with clients, partners, and other stakeholders to ensure solutions meet project needs and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Control Systems Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree or Ph.D. preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in software or controls engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Experience in energy systems, battery storage, automotive industrial automation, or semiconductor manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Technical Expertise: Strong background in software architecture, system modeling, and controls engineering, particularly in process control, complex piping, and fluid systems. Proficiency in C/C++ and familiarity with various hardware platforms and database systems is essential.
• Industry Knowledge: In-depth understanding of grid-attached storage systems, micro-grid applications, and energy management systems. Familiarity with linear mathematics, statistics, and optimization techniques.
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing engineering teams. Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Travel: Ability to travel as required for client meetings, field support, and project oversight.

Benefits of working at ESS.

In addition to the value of working with and helping grow a global reaching clean technology, ESS offers a Company assisted Health insurance, Approved PPE Reimbursement, Medical & Dental; Flex spending account; 8 paid holidays; 401K, and a competitive PTO accrual.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are open to considering every qualified candidate who is eligible and legally authorized to work in the United States on a full or part-time basis, without a need for sponsorship.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.