Head of Sales Engineering (Director)

About Dandelion Energy: Dandelion Energy is transforming how homes are heated and cooled—starting from below the ground up. As the nation’s leading residential geothermal company, we design, install, and maintain all-in-one heating and cooling systems that are cleaner, quieter, and up to 4x more efficient than traditional HVAC, with a focus on large, scaled deployments to large homebuilders. We’re an ambitious (and growing) team on a mission to revolutionize home heating. Backed by Google Ventures (GV) and other top tech investors, our end-to-end geothermal solution is breaking the status quo of residential heating and cooling technology, and we’re scaling rapidly to meet demand. Whether we’re serving national homebuilders or individual homeowners, our mission is the same: to make geothermal the default choice for heating and cooling in the U.S. Job Summary We are seeking a strategic and experienced people manager to lead and grow a high-performing team of Sales Engineers for residential production new construction geothermal systems. This leader will oversee technical pre-sales support for enterprise opportunities, guide system design excellence, and ensure alignment with sales, engineering, and project execution teams. The ideal candidate brings a strong technical background in HVAC or renewable energy systems, along with a passion for team development and cross-functional collaboration. This position reports into our SVP of New Construction & Operations. Key Responsibilities Lead and Develop the Sales Engineering Team Recruit, mentor, and manage a team of Sales Engineers across multiple markets. Set clear goals and performance metrics, and provide coaching and professional development. Establish and enforce best practices for proposal development, system design, and customer engagement. Strategic Support for Enterprise Sales Collaborate with Sales Leadership to align technical support with go-to-market strategy and enterprise revenue targets. Oversee the creation of geothermal system designs, technical proposals, and integration plans that balance performance, cost-efficiency, and regulatory requirements. Review and approve high-priority or complex proposals to ensure technical accuracy and competitive positioning. Cross-Functional Collaboration Act as a liaison between Sales Engineering, Product, Engineering, and Project Management to drive continuous improvement and smooth handoffs. Work closely with rebate and regulatory teams to ensure proposals comply with local and national incentives. Partner with Marketing and Sales Enablement to develop technical sales materials, training, and tools. Customer Engagement & Technical Leadership Support Sales Engineers in key client meetings and presentations as a senior technical expert. Serve as an escalation point for technical challenges and customer concerns. Help drive pre-sales and post-sales technical support strategy for home builders, developers, and large enterprise partners. Market Intelligence & Process Optimization Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitors to inform product strategy and team training. Identify opportunities to improve internal processes, tools, and workflows to scale technical sales support. Basic Qualifications 7+ years of experience in technical sales, HVAC, renewable energy, or a related field. 2+ years of experience managing or leading technical teams, ideally within a high-growth environment. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, or equivalent technical field. Deep understanding of geothermal systems, construction technologies, and system design principles, or related technologies. Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage competing priorities. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications Experience in residential and/or multifamily HVAC projects. Familiarity with tax incentives, utility rebates, and compliance requirements in the clean energy sector. Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Experience with CAD tools, energy modeling software, and CRM/Salesforce. Willingness (and excitement) to work in-office (4 days/week) at our Arlington, VA headquarters. Ability to occasionally travel. Compensation The expected annual base salary for this exempt role is $120,000-$160,000, plus a significant variable bonus and equity as part of the overall package. Actual compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, geography, and other job-related factors permitted by law. You’ll love working at Dandelion because: Since spinning out of Google X in 2017, Dandelion Energy has been transforming home heating and cooling through cutting-edge geothermal technology. We design and install the most efficient residential heat pump in the U.S., serving both individual homeowners and some of the nation’s largest homebuilders. Our team has elevated the profile of geothermal heat pumps nationally, delivered thousands of high-quality installations across the country, and successfully championed electrification-friendly policy at local and federal levels. We’re a multidisciplinary, mission-driven team of experts—spanning hardware engineering, HVAC, drilling, solar finance, behavioral economics, and startup operations—united by a shared mission: to make clean, affordable heating and cooling the default for every home. The work is complex, meaningful, and built to scale. We foster a collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work culture where cross-functional teamwork, curiosity, and continuous learning are core to how we operate. Our nationwide team is united by a shared passion for sustainability and a commitment to scaling clean, affordable energy solutions that make a real difference. We’re driving a wholesale shift in how homes are heated and cooled—join us. Benefits & Perks Medical (including mental health), dental, vision, and pet insurance 401(k) plan Commuter benefits Generous paid sick leave, vacation, and parental leave Learning & development support, including on-the-job training and virtual courses #J-18808-Ljbffr