The client is seeking a hands-on Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead technology for an early-stage robotics organization focused on automotive applications. This is a full-time leadership role for an experienced robotics engineer who will define the company’s technical direction while remaining actively involved in day-to-day engineering work. The CTO will guide work across robotics, automation, motion, controls, and the end-to-end journey from prototype development through production deployment.
The role will include owning the robotics technology roadmap and making key architecture and technology decisions across both robotics hardware and software. The CTO will lead the development of robotic systems, work directly with engineers to troubleshoot complex systems in a lab environment, and integrate mechanical, electrical, controls, sensing, actuation, and software components. The CTO is expected to establish engineering processes, standards, and development practices that support reliable production outcomes and help shape product and engineering culture.
Required qualifications include strong hands-on experience in robotics, automation, and controls, along with demonstrated ability to take robotic systems from concept and prototyping through deployment or production. The ideal candidate will have experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, building strong software and hardware integration capabilities, and communicating effectively with engineers, customers, and company leadership. Preferred qualifications may include experience in automotive manufacturing or industrial automation, work with robotics middleware and autonomy/perception, programming and embedded real-time control experience, familiarity with industrial controls and factory automation, and startup experience in a technical leadership role, including advanced academic study in a relevant technical discipline.