What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President, Software - Development and Project Execution position at TREW LLC?
Vice President, Software Development
The Vice President, Software - Development and Project Execution leads the strategic direction, development, and execution of cloud-native software products, including Warehouse Control System (WCS) and Warehouse Execution System (WES), leveraging advanced AI/ML capabilities. This role oversees Software Development and Project Execution teams to deliver innovative, intuitive, highly reliable solutions that provide customers with real-time insights and predictive analytics. This role is critical to integrating software with Automated Equipment and other IT Systems to enable real-time decision-making, intelligent equipment control, and optimized, adaptive warehouse workflows driven by AI.
Duties/Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
- Help define the long-term strategy, roadmap, and lifecycle for the company’s software aligned with company goals.
- Lead and mentor software engineers/developers focused on real-time control, automation logic, quality assurance, and operational decision engines.
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering teams to ensure seamless system integration.
Technology Development & Innovation:
- Understand and own software design, modular architecture, and service layering, ensuring proper functionality placement and integration while balancing business and technical trade-offs.
- Continually evaluate the technology stack and recommend changes as needed to deliver a highly reliable product.
- Develop high-performance (Sub-second response times) software that seamlessly integrates PLCs, robotics, sorters, AS/RS, mobile devices, and other material handling equipment (MHE) and related IT and SCADA systems
- Implement intelligent algorithms for dynamic order release, load balancing, workforce management, and exception resolution. Architect systems for remote diagnosability and supportability.
- Where possible, build configurable software systems that allow users to customize and build applications or workflows through graphical user interfaces (GUIs) rather than traditional hand-coded programming.
- Lead initiatives for Industry 4.0 adoption, including IoT, AI, and data analytics for operational efficiency.
Team Management & Culture:
- Build and lead a high-performing team of Architects, Project Managers, Data, DevOps, and QA Engineers, Front and Backend developers, Implementers and other needed resources.
- Establish and enforce a process framework and a process adherence culture to deliver quality software on time and on budget. This includes automated unit and regression testing, emulation, and performance testing.
- Provide accurate estimates for internal and customer projects, incorporating cost-reduction strategies such as responsible AI code generation, MLOps automation, and leveraging global talent pools.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning, responsible AI development, and data-driven decision-making
- Collaborate with HR and Talent teams to attract and retain top technical talent.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner with Product Management to align technical capabilities with customer needs and product offerings.
- Collaborate with Project Operations on deployment efficiency, standardization, and system commissioning.
- Interface with Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success to support pre-sales, customer demonstrations, and after-market solutions.
Project Oversight & Governance:
- Monitor and manage software project lifecycles—from requirements gathering to deployment and support.
- Work closely with customers, vendors, and internal teams to deliver customized software solutions on time and within budget.
- Define software and controls development processes and standards, including quality assurance, model validation, remediation, version control, and change management.
- Track and report on KPIs for development velocity, system uptime, model accuracy and customer adoption.
- Manage budgets, vendor partnerships, and intellectual property related to software and controls innovation.
Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Implement rigorous feature and performance testing, validation, and documentation practices.
- Ensure software adheres to industry standards, cybersecurity best practices, and regulatory compliance.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify areas for intelligent process automation and optimization within material handling workflows, leveraging agentic AI systems. Stay updated on emerging AI, cloud computing, and robotics technologies, assessing their applicability and potential to transform the company’s systems and offerings
Required Skills/ Abilities
- Proven experience leading innovation in cloud-native material handling, warehouse automation, robotics, or adjacent industries with a strong focus on AI/ML and agentic systems
- Deep understanding of PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens), SCADA/HMI platforms, WCS/WES systems, and cloud-based software development.
- Strong knowledge of modern software architecture, message-based architecture, metadata design, sub-millisecond real-time processing, and sophisticated business modeling using AI.
- Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies, DevOps, MLOps practices, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) for AI-powered systems
- Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, capable of articulating complex technical concepts to a diverse audience.
- Experience with robotics integration, computer vision, or autonomous systems in logistics or supply chain environments.
- Patent or IP contributions in cloud-native software/AI/controls systems.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field; Master’s or Ph.D. in AI, Robotics, or a related field preferred
- 15 years of experience in software development, controls engineering, and industrial automation, with 7 years in a senior leadership role.
Work Environment
This is primarily a desk-based role, requiring extended periods of sitting and computer use. While the role is mainly desk-based, mobility within the office, manufacturing facility and customer sites may be required for meetings and interactions with colleagues.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Ability to traverse office, manufacturing facility and customer sites.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunities for career advancement and professional development
- Collaborative and supportive work environment
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off and hybrid work arrangements
TREW’s story:
Business gets done working together. Successful business happens when trusted partners work together, to win together. At TREW we know that our customers buy solutions and technology built by people. With over 500 team members, we work fearlessly every day to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. From seasoned professionals to undergraduate co-ops, our team members enjoy seeing the impact of their contributions every day.
Trew and its companies are an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.
Business gets done working together. Successful business happens when trusted partners work together, to win together. At TREW we know that our customers buy solutions and technology built by people. With over 500 team members, we work fearlessly every day to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. From seasoned professionals to undergraduate co-ops, our team members enjoy seeing the impact of their contributions every day.
Trew and its companies are an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.
