Role Overview:
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Cense Power is responsible for leading the company’s engineering, digital, and innovation agenda. The role ensures that all technology solutions from energy systems to customer-facing platforms are designed, deployed, and scaled effectively. The CTO will build and lead the technical team, drive research & development (R&D), and deliver cutting-edge, commercially viable solutions in collaboration with other departments.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership
- Define and execute Cense Power’s long-term technology roadmap, covering both engineering and digital systems.
- Lead innovation initiatives, identifying opportunities in solar, storage, IoT, and customer technology solutions.
- Represent technology in executive leadership and board-level discussions.
2. Engineering & Execution Oversight
- Oversee design, deployment, and performance of energy systems (solar, hybrid, storage, and grid-tied).
- Ensure high-quality project execution in collaboration with operations and project managers.
- Drive standardization, scalability, and compliance with sector regulations.
- Ensure data security, system reliability, and seamless integration.
4. R&D and Product Development
- Explore emerging technologies and partnerships to maintain a competitive edge.
- Lead pilots of new products and business models, ensuring commercial and technical viability.
- Secure patents, certifications, or intellectual property where applicable.
5. Team Building & Leadership
- Build and mentor a high-performing engineering team.
- Create a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Collaborate with Commercial on technical proposals, donor reporting, and compliance.
- Work with Growth (BD & Marketing) to ensure customer needs are aligned with technical solutions.
- Partner with Finance & Operations to align technology strategy with profitability and sustainability.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Proven leadership within energy, renewables, or infrastructure.
- Strong background in both engineering (power systems) and digital systems (IoT, PAYGo and AI-driven monitoring).
- Expertise in BESS design and optimization.
- Strong background in minigrid deployment and Scalable C&I solution delivery.
- Innovation mindset with a track record in R&D or product development.
- Excellent stakeholder management (internal, external, donors, and regulators).
- Strong financial and commercial awareness (costing, ROI, funding alignment).
- Ability to build and lead multi-disciplinary technical teams.
Role Expectations
- Ensure high uptime and optimal performance of all deployed energy systems.
- Lead the successful rollout of new digital tools and platforms that enhance efficiency and customer experience.
- Drive innovation and R&D initiatives that deliver measurable business and social impact.
- Oversee timely, high-quality execution of technical projects in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Contribute directly to revenue growth by delivering commercially viable and scalable technology solutions.
- Build, retain, and continuously develop a high-performing technical team with strong capacity for execution and innovation.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
1. System Performance & Reliability
- System uptime (%) – Target: >98%.
- Mean Time to Repair (MTTR).
- Failure/defect rate (%).
2. Project Delivery & Execution
- % of projects delivered on time and within budget.
- Installation quality score (based on audits).
3. Innovation & R&D
- Number of R&D initiatives executed.
- % of R&D initiatives commercialized.
- Efficiency gains achieved (% cost or performance improvements).
4. Collaboration & Support
- Cross-functional feedback scores from Growth, Commercial, and Customer Success.
- Number of technical training/knowledge-sharing sessions delivered.
5. Safety & Compliance
- HSE compliance rate (%).
- Incident frequency rate (target: zero).
6. People & Capacity
- Team retention rate (%).
- Number of junior engineers/technicians mentored.
Why Join Cense Power?
- Be part of a pioneering clean energy brand shaping Africa’s energy future.
- Work on impactful projects that transform communities and empower lives.
- Gain exposure to government, international donors, and private sector partnerships.
- Grow within a fast-scaling startup environment with leadership opportunities.
Our Vision
A future where clean energy is accessible to all, driven by innovative energy storage technologies that inspire progress and uplift humanity.
Our Mission
To create and deliver cutting-edge solar storage solutions that empowers individuals, homes, businesses and communities to achieve energy independence while reducing their environmental impact.
