CTO (HW) - equity position

We’re an early-stage startup building a connected hardware + SaaS platform spanning sensors, device connectivity, mobile experience, and user facing insights - currently finishing the technical feasability stage.

We’re currently pre-investment and preparing for our first angel and institutional conversations. We’re looking for a CTO / Founding CTO to join us on an equity basis and serve as the technical leader helping shape the company through this next phase.

This is not a maintenance role. We’re looking for someone who can think strategically, operate hands-on when needed, and help define the technical foundation of the business while guiding external development partners.

What You’ll Own

• Technical architecture across hardware, firmware, mobile, backend, and cloud
• Oversight of external engineering partners, vendors, and technical execution
• Key technical decisions across connectivity, security, privacy, and system integration
• Feasibility validation, prototype planning, and technical risk reduction
• Translation of product vision into a scalable technical roadmap
• Technical support for investor discussions, architecture narrative, and post-fundraising planning

Ideal Background

• Former CTO, Head of Engineering, senior technical lead, or equivalent
• Strong experience with connected devices / IoT / consumer hardware
• Deep familiarity with embedded systems, firmware, mobile apps, cloud backends, and hardware-software integration
• Experience with BLE, Wi-Fi, and/or cellular connectivity
• Proven ability to manage or direct external development firms and technical vendors
• Strong product and systems thinking, with the ability to make practical early-stage tradeoffs

Strong Plus If You Have

• Experience with wearables, sensor-driven products, or biometric/wellness devices
• Experience with signal quality, sensor validation, or algorithmic product logic
• Experience bringing products from prototype to pilot or production
• Familiarity with reliability testing, manufacturing readiness, DFM, or pilot hardware builds
• Experience working on products involving sensitive user data, family/child-facing experiences, or privacy-first product design
• Experience supporting fundraising or investor diligence from the technical side

What We’re Looking For

• Strategic thinker who can zoom out and own the full system
• Hands-on enough to review architecture deeply and contribute where needed
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and helping shape the path, not just execute it
• Strong communicator who can bridge founders, product, vendors, and investors
• Excited by the challenge of building a meaningful connected hardware + software platform from the ground up
• We’re looking for a true technical partner to help build this the right way from the ground up

Compensation

• Equity-based during the pre-investment stage
• Structured to transition into salary + equity following financing, based on company stage, scope, and long-term commitment