VP Engineering & Managing Director, India

Location:
Chennai, India
Business:
Energy Systems
Contract type:
Permanent Employee
Job ID:
6642
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Overview

About us

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

As a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful organizations, we use our knowledge to advance safety and performance, set industry benchmarks, and inspire and invent solutions to tackle global transformations.

About Energy Systems

We help customers navigate the complex transition to a decarbonized and more sustainable energy future. We do this by assuring that energy systems work safely and effectively, using solutions that are increasingly digital. We also help industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry.

About the role

About Platform Services

The energy transition has moved past the technology-proving phase. Today, the defining challenge is orchestrating millions of distributed energy assets — reliably, securely, and at the pace the grid demands.

Platform Services is the digital growth engine for DNV Energy Systems North America, built on a fundamental conviction: the grid doesn't need more hardware. It needs better intelligence.

Our mission is to bridge infrastructure complexity with commercial execution by delivering secure, AI-native SaaS platforms that turn digital ambition into operational reality for Tier-1 utilities and energy operators.

Our vision is to unify the fragmented legacy architectures of utility program operations into a single, modern data model — building the operational nervous system that accelerates the path to decarbonization. As we scale to support 4x customer-account growth over the next three years, this is one of the most consequential platform-engineering challenges in the energy sector.

The VP Engineering & Managing Director India Operations is the senior India-based executive at Platform Services, accountable for the technology foundation of the business and for the day-to-day health and culture of the Chennai site. This is a dual-mandate role: chief technical leader for the SaaS platform, cloud and AI infrastructure, data and platform engineering, and engineering productivity and senior site executive for the 200+ person Chennai organization, supported by Director of India Operations. The role exists at the intersection of platform engineering, data, and AI-native development. The leader translates product strategy into secure, reliable, production-grade systems while building an engineering organization that uses AI deliberately and responsibly. They drive the platform and infrastructure investments required to scale to 4x customer-account growth — multi-program platform adoption, expanded transaction volumes, and the technical foundation for the AI tier. Key Responsibilities Platform & Engineering Leadership
  • Own the SaaS platform architecture — cloud infrastructure, DevSecOps, data engineering, AI model serving, MLOps pipelines.
  • Architect and deliver the unification of legacy data models into a single, modern platform foundation to unlock enterprise-scale cross-selling of multi-program platform thesis and AI capability scaling.
  • Translate product strategy into scalable, maintainable, production-ready systems with clear engineering ownership and delivery discipline.
  • Own engineering-side quality assurance, platform reliability, deployment velocity, and engineering productivity.
  • Drive disciplined execution using DORA metrics, automation, and continuous improvement practices.
AI-Native Engineering Practices
  • Drive deliberate adoption of AI-native engineering practices — responsible use of LLMs for coding, testing, documentation, code review, and operational tooling.
  • Define how engineering teams leverage AI to materially improve development velocity while preserving engineering fundamentals (code quality, testability, security posture, observability).
  • Ensure AI-enabled and data-driven capabilities are production-grade, secure, scalable, and operable — not POCs in production.
Architecture, Platforms & Interoperability
  • Oversee system architecture, platform design, and integration patterns supporting long-term scalability and maintainability.
  • Promote reusable components, shared services, APIs, and consistent data and integration standards across the platform.
  • Guide the appropriate balance between low-code platforms (eTRACK+ workflow heritage) and custom engineering — knowing when each is the right tool.
  • Enable interoperability across core systems in partnership with Product and adjacent digital teams.
DevOps, Reliability & Security
  • Establish and oversee end-to-end DevOps practices — CI/CD, automated testing, deployment, monitoring, incident management.
  • Ensure enterprise-grade reliability, performance, and availability of all production systems.
  • Act as the matrixed Operator — execute security remediations defined by Information Security, run production infrastructure that serves AI models defined by Enterprise AI.
  • Lead engineering readiness and compliance for SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and secure development standards.
India Site Leadership
  • Serve as the senior Chennai site executive — accountable for culture, engagement, talent retention, and the site's external presence.
  • Own India HR partnership and statutory compliance — PF, ESIC, DPDP Act, POSH, gratuity, and related obligations — supported by the Director of India Operations.
  • Oversee facilities, site operations, and India business continuity.
  • Build and sustain a high-performance, accountable engineering culture that India talent chooses to join and stay at.
Cross-Functional Partnership
  • With Product: Engineering capacity allocation, delivery trade-offs, technical roadmap input. Success looks like: clear quarterly capacity commitments, transparent trade-off conversations, no roadmap surprises in QBRs.
  • With Enterprise AI: AI infrastructure boundary, MLOps ownership, model serving reliability. Success looks like: jointly-owned model serving uptime, no friction at the capability/infrastructure boundary.
  • With Trust & InfoSec: Independent policy execution. Success looks like: high security remediation rate, no release-blocking conflicts.
  • With US-based leadership: Senior India-based technical voice in global forums. Success looks like: visible presence at customer architecture reviews, executive QBRs, and strategic planning.
Success Metrics
  • Unified data model Phase delivered; multi-program platform foundation operational.
  • Platform uptime ≥99.95% on enterprise tier with weekly production releases and no quality regressions.
  • AI model serving uptime ≥99.9% and reliable MLOps pipelines (jointly owned with Enterprise AI team).
  • Security remediation rate >95% against Trust & InfoSec-defined SLAs.
  • Measurable engineering productivity improvement via AI-native practices. People Development
    • Build and strengthen a culture based on our Purpose, Vision, and Values (PVV).
    • Build a culture of learning and, through empowerment, ensure staff are supported.
    • Focus on driving the growth of the business through implementation of people management strategies and a well-aligned workforce plan.
    • Drive recruitment and staff retention across the department.
    • Collaboratively develop competency and succession planning for critical roles and capabilities within the department.
    • Identify and plan staff development using the DNV development model (70:20:10) to ensure continuous improvement and service delivery.
    • Ensure the team is utilized at the appropriate level given the mix of business development, innovation, and delivery responsibilities.

What we offer
  • Generous Paid Leaves (Annual, Sick, Compassionate, Local Public, Marriage, Maternity, Paternity, Medical leave)
  • Medical benefits ( Insurance and Annual Health Check-up)
  • Pension and Insurance Policies (Group Term Life Insurance, Group Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance)
  • Training and Development Assistance (Training Sponsorship, On-The-Job Training, Training Programme)
  • Additional Benefits (Long Service Awards, Mobile Phone Reimbursement)
  • Company bonus/Profit share.

*Benefits may vary based on position, tenure/contract/grade level*

DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age or political opinion. Diversity is fundamental to our culture and we invite you to be part of this diversity.

About you
Qualifications Required
  • 12+ years of engineering leadership experience, including 5+ years at VP Engineering or Head of Engineering level managing 100+ engineers.
  • Has personally scaled a SaaS engineering organization from approximately 50 to 150+ engineers in production, supporting $20M+ to $50M+ ARR scale.
  • Azure-primary background at production scale, including DevSecOps maturity (CI/CD pipelines, secure SDLC, automated security gates).
  • MLOps and AI infrastructure leadership experience — has owned model deployment, monitoring, evaluation, and lifecycle management at production scale, not just sponsored an AI team that did it.
  • Demonstrated capability as the senior India-based technical executive leading India-majority engineering teams (150+ India staff).
  • Engineering productivity discipline — has implemented DORA metrics, deployment-frequency improvement programs, or equivalent at prior roles.
  • Demonstrated effectiveness partnering with US-based Product, Commercial, or AI executives across time zones — held own at the executive table, not positioned as a coordinator or facilitator.
  • AI-native engineering fluency — has personally led the adoption of LLM-assisted engineering practices in a prior team, with measurable productivity outcomes.
Preferred
  • Utility, energy, or infrastructure software experience
  • Acquisition or platform integration experience
  • India engineering hiring market depth — has personally recruited senior engineering talent in the Chennai market and built a senior bench.
  • Engineering brand presence — open-source contributions, conference speaking, or public engineering leadership that helps senior recruiting.
  • AI/ML engineering depth beyond fluency — earlier career in ML engineering, applied AI, or data engineering provides credibility with the AI partnership.
  • Familiarity with India labor law and statutory compliance frameworks (supplements the Director of India Operations).
Security and compliance with statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate is essential for DNV. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates as part of the offer process, in accordance with applicable country-specific laws and practices.

Benefits

Please note, benefits may depend on your contract type, please confirm with your recruiter.

Profit Share

You’ll be part of our global profit share scheme that means we all share in our success as a business. If we profit, so do you. This will be part of our Total Compensation approach each year and depends on our year-end results.

Professional Development

We believe in the 70/20/10 learning model, where 70% of your learning comes from performing your everyday tasks and working on different projects, new areas and initiatives to gain new skills. 20% from working with others and mentoring and the rest from formal education.

Hybrid Work Model

We work in a hybrid model (three days from the office) and have flexible starting hours. This means you can fit your work and life together in a way that works for you.

Global Opportunities

We support you in exploring different career opportunities or shifting between teams, business areas, or geographies, so that you can shape your career according to what you find motivating.

Modern Office in Pune

Our office in Pune has a modern look and feel and you’ll find zones for both focused work and team integration. Sit/stand desks, high-quality adjustable chairs and balance balls are just a few examples of what ergonomic office means at DNV.

Integration Events

Depending on where you are located, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in offsite meetings as well as different initiatives and fun events at the office. We believe that a well-integrated team is a well-functioning team.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At DNV, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is not only an ethical choice, but also a business decision.

Diversity, fairness, and a sense of belonging are a source of strength for our people, our business, and our customers, and help us to deliver on our purpose, vision, and values.

Learn more

Working here

Since 1864 we’ve been dedicated to safeguarding life, property and the environment. Today we remain at the forefront of new technologies and techniques to help our customers transform for a more sustainable future.

At DNV you can expect to deliver career and industry defining work. You’ll be given the time to build your network, the resources to support your development, and the freedom to satisfy your curiosity and desire to learn.

Learn more

Application Process

FAQs

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page. We’ve put together answers to the questions we’re asked most often to help you find the information you need quickly and easily. Whether you're curious about our recruitment process, benefits or career growth and development, you should find the information below.

How can I find job openings that fit my skills and interests?

Explore our official job search page where you can use filters such as job type, location, and department to find roles that best match your qualifications and career aspirations.

What’s your application process like?

You can apply directly through our careers page by submitting your CV and any other documents we require (i.e. university diplomas/transcripts; visas; previous employment reference letters). Make sure your application is fully completed, and you tailor it to the specific job listing. 

Is your recruitment process designed to be inclusive and accessible?

Yes, it is. We're an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all candidates. We’re happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. Share the details of what you need within your application.

What types of interviews might I undergo?

Depending on your role, our interview process may include initial phone screenings, video conferences, and in-person interviews, focusing on both your technical abilities and our shared values. You can ask your recruiter specifically about the interview process for your role. 

How long does the hiring process typically take from application to decision?

The timeline can vary but we make every effort to reply to each candidate as soon as possible and keep everyone up-to-date with where they are in the recruitment process.

How do I know if a recruitment contact is legitimately from your company?

Official communication will come from our verified company email addresses. Carefully check any suspicious looking emails and if you have any doubts, don’t engage.

Are there any fees involved in your recruitment process?

No, we do not charge any fees at any stage of our recruitment process. All applications and interviews are free of charge, we will never ask you to pay any fees or make any payments – please be wary of any requests for payment as these are likely scams.

What should I do if I suspect a job scam?

If you encounter suspicious job postings or recruitment practices, do not provide personal information and contact your recruiter as soon as possible. We take these matters seriously. We will never ask you to pay any fees or make any payments part of our recruitment process.

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Disclaimer

Please beware of recruitment scams that pretend to be from DNV or its employees. We will never ask you to pay any fees or make any payments as part of our recruitment process.