Vice President, Software Engineering

The role

The Vice President of Engineering will provide strategic and operational leadership for the global engineering organization. This role involves defining engineering strategy, leading multidisciplinary teams, and overseeing the complete engineering lifecycle for software, cloud platforms, and product architecture.

What you will do

• Define and execute a comprehensive engineering strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Drive technology innovation and product architecture across software and cloud-based solutions.
• Lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle from concept through verification and validation.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing global engineering organization.
• Drive collaboration across hardware, firmware, embedded software, application software, and cloud platforms.
• Establish and improve engineering processes, development standards, and technical governance.
• Partner with executive leaders to align engineering priorities with business strategy.
• Develop and manage engineering budgets, headcount plans, and resource allocation.
• Support strategic customer engagements and technical discussions.
• Strengthen engineering capabilities and build succession plans.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience, including leading complex engineering organizations.
• 5+ years in senior engineering leadership roles, such as VP Engineering, Senior Director of Engineering, or an equivalent executive position.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience developing and commercializing complex technology products.
• Proven track record of taking products from concept through development, commercialization, and lifecycle management.
• Experience leading global engineering teams and managing geographically distributed organizations.
• Strong understanding of systems architecture, product development methodologies, engineering quality, and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to manage engineering budgets, resources, priorities, and organizational growth.

Nice to have

• An advanced degree is preferred.
• Experience in analytical instrumentation, gas measurement, spectroscopy, sensing technologies, environmental monitoring, or industrial measurement solutions.
• Familiarity with precision measurement technologies, scientific instrumentation, and complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience integrating embedded systems, firmware, software applications, cloud infrastructure, and data analytics into commercial products.
• Experience in organizations operating under ISO 9001 or other relevant quality management frameworks.
• Experience driving engineering transformation, platform modernization, and product portfolio optimization.
• Experience in a technology-driven, global organization with both hardware and software engineering teams.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About the company

Picarro is a leader in data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Their software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries.