Director of Software Engineering and IT Infrastructure

JOB TITLE: Director of Software Engineering and Infrastructure

DEPARTMENT: Information Technology

REPORTS TO: President

WORK LOCATION: Remote - only candidates in FL, IL, IN, KS, MN, MS, OH, OK, PA, TX, and WI can be considered for the role.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is required to apply. Santanna does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

JOB SUMMARY

Santanna Energy Services is seeking a Director of Information Technology to lead the company’s application development, software delivery, and IT infrastructure functions. This role provides strategic, operational, and technical leadership across software engineering, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, and infrastructure reliability, while managing and mentoring established teams responsible for day-to-day execution.

The Director will own the technology roadmap, ensure alignment with business strategy, and balance legacy systems, third-party integrations, and modern cloud-native and AI-enabled development initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader at heart, but operates primarily at a director level, focusing on architecture, governance, delivery assurance, risk management, and cross-functional alignment.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Enterprise IT & software strategy ownership
• Application development leadership and delivery governance
• IT infrastructure, uptime, and cybersecurity oversight
• Technology risk management and compliance
• AI-enabled development governance and responsible adoption
• Team leadership, performance management, and succession planning

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technology & Software Engineering Leadership

• Own and execute the enterprise software and IT roadmap, aligning initiatives with corporate goals
• Lead software engineering teams responsible for custom application development, integrations, and platform enhancements
• Establish and enforce software engineering standards, patterns, and best practices to ensure quality, scalability, and maintainability
• Provide executive oversight for Agile delivery using Kanban or similar methodologies
• Ensure software projects and enhancements are delivered on time, on scope, and with expected business value
• Maintain a high-level understanding of system architecture across legacy platforms, vendor integrations, and new development

Hands-on coding may occur selectively (up to ~10–20%) for architectural guidance, critical reviews, or complex problem-solving — not day-to-day delivery.

IT Infrastructure Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight for infrastructure and security, with operational responsibility residing within the Infrastructure and IT Operations teams
• Review system health, uptime trends, and risk areas through regular check-ins and reporting
• Establish security governance standards, policies, and risk tolerance in partnership with Legal, Compliance, and executive leadership

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• Ensure infrastructure and security practices are appropriate for a small, regulated energy business — right-sized, not over-engineered
• Act as an escalation point for infrastructure or security issues without being the primary operator

Reliability, Security & Risk (Right-Sized Governance)

• Ensure the company maintains reliable systems and appropriate security controls
• Review and discuss uptime, incidents, patching, and security posture at a summary level
• Ensure risks are identified, understood, and addressed pragmatically
• Partner with leadership on incident communication and business impact decisions

AI Enablement & Governance

• Champion the responsible integration of AI technologies, including Generative AI and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), within software development and internal operations
• Establish governance standards for AI usage, data access, and ethical considerations
• Maintain foundational understanding of AI/ML lifecycle concepts and model governance
• Continuously evaluate emerging AI technologies that may enhance productivity, reliability, or customer experience

People Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop Software Engineering and IT Infrastructure teams, including managers and individual contributors
• Partner with HR to recruit, retain, and develop high-performing technology talent
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability, and career growth paths
• Collaborate closely with Product, Operations, Finance, Risk, and Business Leaders to ensure technology solutions meet enterprise needs
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 15+ years of technology experience, including software engineering and enterprise IT systems
• 7+ years of people leadership experience, including managing managers and cross-functional teams
• Strong background in Microsoft .NET ecosystem (ASP.NET Core, C#, SQL Server)
• Experience with cloud platforms, infrastructure management, and enterprise security practices
• Strong understanding of Agile delivery, SDLC governance, and system architecture
• Proven experience overseeing both application development and IT infrastructure
• Excellent communication, documentation, and executive presentation skills
• Retail energy industry experience preferred but not required

WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT

• True Director-level scope — not a hybrid manager
• Owns both Dev and Infrastructure, eliminating silos
• Focus on strategy, governance, risk, and delivery assurance

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• Supports modern AI adoption without turning the role into an AI engineer
• Clear accountability without day-to-day ticket ownership

This role is not:

• A day-to-day helpdesk or infrastructure operator
• A heavy-process enterprise IT role
• A pure people manager removed from technology

COMPETENCIES:

• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT (Remote)

• Fully remote role (only in FL, IL, IN, KS, MN, MS, OH, OK, PA, TX, WI).
• The employee is responsible for maintaining a homework environment that is safe, ergonomically appropriate, and conducive to productive work, including minimal noise and adequate internet connectivity.
• The role requires extended periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Continual use of hands and fingers for keyboarding, mouse operation, and other computer-related tasks.
• Continual ability to communicate effectively, including speaking and hearing, during virtual meetings and phone calls.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus while working on a computer or digital devices.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Employee-Owned Company
• 100% work-from-home
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Long and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan