Fractional CTO

Job Description

• Company Overview (Stealth Mode)
  
  

We are a stealth AI startup developing an intelligent human-operations platform designed to transform individual expertise into personalized, actionable AI teammates. The company is operating confidentially while assembling its early technical leadership and defining core architecture for an investor-ready MVP.

• Mission Statement
  
  

The mission of the Fractional CTO is to establish the technical architecture and assemble the select engineering team required to build a high-quality, investor-ready MVP for a category-defining platform. This role demands a seasoned technical leader—someone who can translate vision into a robust technical plan, guide execution through a small team, and provide the credibility needed in fundraising. While the engagement begins as fractional and pre-funding, exceptional alignment and performance may lead to a long-term CTO role after capital is secured.

• Role Summary
  
  

A stealth AI startup is seeking a Fractional CTO to set technical strategy, recruit and build the initial engineering team, and ensure delivery of an MVP built for investor scrutiny. The ideal candidate has led early-stage builds before, brings strong architectural judgment, and can represent the company with authority in technical and fundraising settings.

• Core Responsibilities
• Define the technical strategy and architectural direction for the MVP.
• Recruit and build the initial engineering team.
• Lead and oversee engineering execution to ensure high-quality delivery.
• Architect core systems including AI workflows, data models, memory structures, and integrations.
• Establish engineering standards, documentation, and infrastructure.
• Ensure appropriate data governance, AI safety measures, and risk mitigation.
• Represent technical strategy in investor diligence discussions.
• Candidate Requirements
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in software engineering or systems architecture.
• Proven track record building early-stage MVPs.
• Ability to recruit and lead engineers.
• Hands-on experience with modern AI/LLM tooling.
• Strong systems design and data modeling background.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly.
• Prior startup or fractional CTO experience is preferred.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with AI agents, memory architectures, or workflow automation.
• Prior CTO/Head of Engineering experience.
• Experience supporting investor technical diligence.
• Ability to scale systems post-MVP.
• Engagement Structure
• Engagement Type: Fractional CTO (contract-based).
• Time Commitment: 10–20 hours per week.
• Duration: Initial 3–6 months.
• Reporting: Works closely with company leadership.
• Deliverables: MVP architecture, engineering team assembly, MVP oversight, documentation, and
  
  

investor technical narrative.

• Compensation Overview
• Pre-funding: No upfront cash compensation.
• Equity: Provided based on contribution level and engagement scope.
• Post-funding: Eligibility for compensation, expanded equity, and potential transition to long-term CTO role.
• Structure: Equity typically via restricted stock or options, vesting aligned with fractional engagement.
• Confidentiality & IP
  
  

Due to the stealth status of the company, discretion and confidentiality are required. All work product and intellectual property generated through this engagement will be owned by the company.