Head of Engineering

HeatTransformers allows customers to conveniently replace their central heating gas boiler with an electric heat pump. The Head of Engineering will ensure strategic decision-making for the IT roadmap and build and lead the fast-growing IT team, empowering its young, talented developers to achieve success in an impact-driven environment.

About Heat Transformers

Since launching in 2018, HeatTransformers’ mission has been to help homeowners in The Netherlands transition from gas to electricity to heat their homes. Today, the company has grown from four to about one hundred employees and installed thousands of heat pumps, thanks to their energetic and fast-growing team.

HeatTransformers allows customers to conveniently replace their gas-based central heating system with an electric heat pump.However, the installation process can be complex depending on the type of house and its layout, amount of insulation, and various heat pump options, each with their own power levels and technology. That’s why HeatTransformers provides a seamless customer experience. Just as a one-stop shop, they offer professional advice, and manage ordering, installation, and life cycle monitoring of the new heat pump. 

HeatTransformers is ideally positioned for rapid expansion. With their reputable knowledge, advice and quality installations, they have already become a market leader in The Netherlands.Their in-house expertise along the entire customer journey and heat pump lifecycle has allowed them to grow and expand. And  with looming governmental regulations that prohibit installing new gas-based central heating boilers as of 2026, the market is set for significant growth. In 2022, nearly half of one million new central heating boilers were sold across the country. And with current financial and ethical issues around natural gas, the company expects even more interest in electric heat pumps on the horizon.They have partnerships with Greenchoice and Remeha. And a leading clean-tech venture capital fund has invested significantly in HeatTransformers, which supports their ongoing growth strategy.

Job description: Head of Engineering

Digitization is key to HeatTransformers’ growth strategy, and the Head of Engineering will be a vital player. The online platform has been built by a talented team of mostly junior developers. It supports customers with a seamless digital experience at every step of the installation process. To achieve their scale-up, the IT team needs to grow and further professionalize. The Head of Engineering will lead this process, with a suitable budget, broad decision-making space, and without being weighed down by legacy tools.

The Head of Engineering will lead the expansion of their state-of-the-art platform, to enable a highly efficient sales and installation process. They will implement DevOps best practices, decide when to buy versus build components in-house, and shape and guide the team. This includes providing learning and professional development, as well as maintaining a positive and energetic team culture as the IT organization expands.

A large part of the customer journey takes place online. Potential customers can watch webinars, download information, and receive a personalized proposal, often with no need for a home visit by an installer. Customer data is securely stored and used to finalize the installation plan, place the order, and schedule the appointment. Installers use a proprietary app that saves time and increases quality and consistency, by ensuring the right data is always at hand. Once the pump is installed, a monitoring device is placed next to it, which sends regular updates to HeatTransformers’ central database. This allows for ongoing support and maintenance.

Next on the IT agenda is to increase smart usage of data from the existing customer base. This way the company can create a technological benchmark for increased efficiency in the advice and installation processes, in time for the expected growth. The IT team is also expanding the installers’ app and making it available for customers, too.

“HeatTransformers is a true scale-up. Processes are not always set in stone, and there is a lot of room for creativity, thinking on your feet, and trying new things. At the same time, the Head of Engineering brings a degree of calm and professionalism. And of course, they will fit in our hands-on culture – no suits and ties, but sharing a coffee with installers before they embark on their installation route for the day.” – Gijs van Vrede, Co-Founder of HeatTransformers 

The Head of Engineering will join the leadership team and report to the founders, who are also on its Board. This role will lead and, most importantly, build the software development team. Currently, the team consists of four FTEs, but the Head of Engineering will lead in expanding the team to fourteen in the near term.

To succeed in this position, this role has experience leading a small team of software developers. They enjoy working in a fast-paced, dynamic, young organization, where priorities may change from time to time – and can provide structure and focus within that environment. They know how to enable and support junior  developers in their professional journey and achieve their set milestones. The Head of Engineering plays a crucial role in shaping the future of this innovative company, that is focused on accelerating the energy transition away from natural gas.

Interested?

HeatTransformers is working with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy.
To express your interest, please contact Hayke Tjemmes at hayke.tjemmes@topofminds.com.