Chief Technology Officer (CTO) - Hands-On Leader

Why TREAT?

TREAT is a fast-growing gaming startup revolutionizing the industry with our Play to Impact model. Through gamification, TREAT allows pet lovers to co-own and care for real animals in need—like a real-life Tamagotchi for pets. With over 15 million annual recurring meals, treats, and toys sent to shelter animals, TREAT is making a significant difference.

Our vision: entertain millions while impacting millions.

About the role

As CTO of TREAT, you’ll be the strategic leader driving our technological roadmap while working hands-on with the backend team to shape and scale our platform. You’ll lead backend development, ensuring the creation of reliable, scalable, and innovative systems that align with our mission to improve the lives of shelter animals.

This role is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in a growing startup, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on contributions.

Responsibilities

Lead and Innovate: Shape TREAT’s technological direction by developing and maintaining a forward-looking tech roadmap.

Backend Development: Drive the creation of scalable, reliable backend systems supporting game features and technologies.

Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and inspire the backend team, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, frontend, and other teams to ensure platform alignment with company goals.

Problem-Solving: Support the team in resolving critical technical challenges efficiently.

Scalability & Performance: Ensure the platform supports growing global user engagement with high performance and reliability.

Requirements:

• Proven Leadership: At least 2 years in leadership roles, guiding technical teams to success.
• Backend Expertise: 6+ years of overall backend development experience, including 3+ years with Java Spring Boot/Spring.
• Scalable Systems: Strong experience building and maintaining microservices architectures for high user engagement.
• Cloud Experience: Proficiency with platforms like AWS or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Database Knowledge: Experience with both relational (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases.
• Technical Excellence: Proficient in Git for version control.
• Strategic Vision: Strong communication and project management skills, with the ability to navigate a dynamic startup environment.
• Passion for Animals: Your love for pets or dedication to supporting animal welfare aligns with TREAT’s mission.

Advantages:

• Gaming Industry Background: Experience in gaming or gamified applications.
• Unity Familiarity: Knowledge of Unity or modern game engines is a plus.
• Experience with GCP: Proven experience building solutions on the Google Cloud Platform.