Senior Engineering Manager - Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Optimization and Orchestration

Job Description

Uplight is creating a new category of energy. We make software that manages energy resources in homes and businesses-including things like smart thermostats, electric vehicles, solar panels, storage batteries, heat pumps, and even people's behavior-to generate, shift, or save energy to balance the grid, making it more efficient and reliable. This creates clean energy capacity that can be used by the power grid instead of burning more fossil fuels. Our solutions accelerate the transition to clean energy and save money for energy customers.

We are looking for a Senior Engineering Manager - Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Optimization and Orchestration to drive our technology forward and help us lead the clean energy revolution. Uplight's VPP platform provides AI-powered monitoring, forecasting, and dispatch tools to aggregate and orchestrate Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) across multiple asset classes, customer segments, and device types. Your work will directly enable grid operators to draw on flexible, dispatchable capacity at scale to support a variety of critical grid services. In this senior role, you will champion a "full service ownership" culture, taking features from design and development all the way through deployment, infrastructure management, and operational health.

How you will make an impact

• Lead a team of 4-8 engineers, providing technical and operational guidance while investing in individual growth
• Partner with product management to scope and deliver solutions that align with our goals while balancing the needs of the team
• Collaborate with other Engineering Leaders to identify and solve challenges across the engineering team
• Make decisions using a Data Driven approach (e.g. DORA, delivery metrics, user feedback, system reliability) to continually improve our software and how we work
• Balance technical trade-offs with business needs to deliver sustainable, long-term solutions

What you bring to Uplight

• Proven track record of driving agile delivery practices (e.g., iterative development, continuous feedback, retrospectives) that improve team velocity and product quality
• Ability to engage with technical discussions at a system and architecture level
• Desire to manage a team of ~4-8 engineers
• Empathy for your team and customers as we create outcomes that matter
• Strong communication skills and the ability to set clear expectations and priorities

Bonus points

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS or GCP), distributed systems, or modern SaaS architectures
• Experience using or building upon Databricks
• Understanding of cost fundamentals, uptime, performance, and approaches to measure and improve them
• Experience in energy, utilities, grid technology, or climate tech
• Prior hands-on engineering experience (designing, building, or testing software)

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, marginalized genders and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Uplight we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why Join Uplight in Leading the Fight Against Climate Change?

At Uplight, we're not just offering a job - we're offering a chance to be part of the solution to one of the world's biggest challenges. As a certified B Corporation, we're deeply committed to both social and environmental responsibility. Here's why you should join our team of passionate Uplighters:

• Make a Meaningful Impact: Your work directly impacts our mission of decarbonization and building a more sustainable future.
• Grow Your Career: We offer ample advancement opportunities, robust learning and development programs, and a supportive team environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.
• Thrive: We offer comprehensive benefits, including flexible time off, generous parental leave, a wellness stipend, and work flexibility to help you thrive both personally and professionally.
• Belong to an Inclusive Community: We celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, empowered, and heard. Our Employee Resource Groups offer opportunities to connect with colleagues who share your interests and backgrounds.
• Be Part of a Growing Movement: Join a team of dedicated individuals who are passionate about creating a more sustainable future. We offer a collaborative environment where your ideas are valued and your contributions recognized. Together, we can build a brighter tomorrow.

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits package and other perks, visit uplight.com/careers

Salary Range: $198,000 to $240,000 USD + bonus

In accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the approximate annual base compensation range is listed above. The actual offer, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be determined by a number of factors including the applicant's experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity among our team.

Uplight provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race (including hair texture and hairstyles), color, religion (including head coverings), age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.