Head of Engineering at SunCulture Kenya Ltd

About the Role

SunCulture specializes in solar power irrigation systems and has various products that support customers' needs. The Head of Engineering will lead our product managers in developing and commercializing life changing technology that solves the biggest daily challenges for the world's 570 million smallholder farming households.

As the Head of Engineering you will play a pivotal role in leading and scaling our engineering team to drive the development of both hardware and software products. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire engineering function, from strategic planning to execution, while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration..

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management:

• Provide visionary leadership to the engineering team, setting clear goals and objectives aligned with the company's strategic vision.
• Mentor, coach, and develop engineering talent, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
• Build and maintain a high-performing team by attracting top talent, promoting diversity, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Design, to define and prioritize the product roadmap, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Develop and execute strategic plans for product development, balancing innovation with scalability and reliability.
• Drive the delivery of high-quality, timely, and cost-effective engineering solutions, leveraging best practices in agile development methodologies.

Technology Leadership:

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, evaluating their potential impact on our products and engineering processes.
• Champion a culture of technical excellence and innovation, promoting the adoption of modern tools, frameworks, and processes.
• Ensure adherence to industry standards and best practices in software and hardware development, with a focus on scalability, security, and performance.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Foster strong collaboration and communication within the engineering team and across other functional areas, promoting transparency and alignment.
• Serve as a key liaison between the engineering team and senior leadership, providing regular updates on progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Cultivate strong relationships with external partners, vendors, and stakeholders to drive successful project outcomes.

Does this sound like you?

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; MBA or equivalent experience preferred.
• Proven track record of leadership and success in scaling engineering teams and delivering complex, high-quality products in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Deep technical expertise in both software and hardware development, with a strong understanding of relevant technologies and frameworks, including:
  • Full-Stack Development (e.g., JavaScript, Python, Java)
  • Embedded Systems and IoT Solutions
  • Cloud Platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform)
  • Data Management and Analytics (SQL, NoSQL, Hadoop, Spark)
  • DevOps and CI/CD Practices (Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins)
  • Cybersecurity and Compliance (GDPR, HIPAA)
  • Agile Methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)
  • Quality Assurance and Testing (Selenium, JUnit)
  • UI/UX Design Principles
  • Version Control and Collaboration Tools (Git, Jira, Confluence)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Experience in the climate tech or sustainability sector is a plus.