At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the tech vision for an AI-driven consumer hardware company and innovate with cutting-edge technology.
- Company: Fast-growing London startup at the forefront of AI and consumer hardware.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a venture-backed company with strong growth potential and a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI technology and lead a passionate engineering team.
- Qualifications: Experience in computer vision, machine learning, and leading tech teams.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 160000 € per year.
A high-growth London business at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computer vision and consumer hardware is hiring its next Chief Technology Officer.
About the business
The company is a venture-backed business building an AI-driven consumer experience that combines real-time computer vision, sensor-based input and a large language model coaching layer, delivered through proprietary physical hardware deployed across multiple sites. The first commercial site is cashflow positive, with strong demo-to-paid conversion and an NPS in the high 60s. The seed round is closing and the company is preparing for Series A. The founders include a serial entrepreneur with a track record of building category-defining consumer businesses, supported by an experienced chair from the health and wellness sector. Full company details will be shared with shortlisted candidates following an initial conversation.
The role
The CTO will own the company's technology end to end, including real-time computer vision, the LLM application layer, hardware and firmware, the cloud platform, the data pipeline and the engineering organisation. The first 12 to 18 months are deliberately hands-on, with a focus on shipping the next generation of the product. The role then evolves into organisational leadership through Series A. Reporting to the CEO, the CTO will inherit a working MVP, a small in-house and contractor engineering team, and a defined product roadmap. They will be expected to make the senior technical hires personally, including an ML lead and an infrastructure lead, and to grow the team toward 30 engineers over the next 18 to 24 months.
Who we're looking for
The brief is for a systems thinker who has owned the architecture of a connected product across computer vision, machine learning, edge hardware and cloud. Candidates do not need to have held a CTO title previously. What matters is that they have operated as the de facto technical leader on a cross-functional product team, are ready to take the seat, and have the judgment to know which technical layer matters most at each stage of the company's growth.
Specific experience worth highlighting on application:
- Real-time computer vision, pose estimation, action recognition or comparable multimodal systems where live input drives model output to the user.
- Production machine learning at the edge, including on-device inference trade-offs.
- Current working knowledge of large language model application patterns including agentic architectures, tool use and retrieval-augmented generation.
- Hardware-software integration where software reliability has direct commercial consequences.
- Building and leading an engineering team through a funding round, ideally from under ten engineers to around thirty.
Location and working pattern
This is a London-based role. The expectation is four days per week in the company's London office, with three days considered for exceptional candidates. Remote-only working is not available.
Remuneration
Base salary in the range of £120,000 to £160,000 depending on experience, with the package structured to reflect the stage and seniority of the role. A meaningful equity allocation is offered under an EMI scheme, with a four-year vesting schedule and a one-year cliff. Total compensation will be sharpened against the market through the search process and may flex above this band for exceptional candidates.
How to apply
Applications are handled exclusively through Recann. To register interest, apply via the LinkedIn application link. Initial conversations are confidential. Full company details, including the names of the founders and the company, will be shared with candidates following an initial qualification call with Recann.
Chief Technology Officer employer: Recann
Join a pioneering venture-backed business in London that is at the forefront of AI-driven consumer experiences. As a Chief Technology Officer, you will be part of a dynamic and innovative work culture that prioritises hands-on leadership and rapid growth, with ample opportunities for professional development as the company scales towards Series A. Enjoy competitive remuneration, meaningful equity participation, and the chance to shape a talented engineering team in a vibrant city known for its tech ecosystem.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Technology Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who are already in leadership roles. A personal introduction can make all the difference when you're aiming for a high-level position like CTO.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with real-time computer vision and machine learning. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on knowledge.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your vision! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, come armed with ideas on how you would lead the tech team and drive product development. They want to see your strategic thinking in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly via our platform. It’s the best way to ensure your profile gets the attention it deserves, especially for a role as crucial as CTO.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Technology Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Prowess:Make sure to highlight your experience with real-time computer vision and machine learning. We want to see how you've tackled complex tech challenges in the past, so don’t hold back on the details!
Tailor Your Application:Customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background with what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s absolutely necessary. Make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recann
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a potential CTO, you need to be well-versed in real-time computer vision, machine learning, and hardware-software integration. Brush up on your knowledge of these areas and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these technologies.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves building and leading an engineering team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams through growth phases, especially during funding rounds. Highlight your experience in making senior technical hires and fostering a collaborative environment.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the company's mission and product roadmap. Be prepared to discuss how your technical decisions can drive business outcomes, particularly in terms of cash flow and customer satisfaction metrics like NPS.
✨Prepare for Hands-On Discussions
Since the first 12 to 18 months are hands-on, be ready to dive into technical discussions about the MVP and future product iterations. Think about how you would approach shipping the next generation of the product and what challenges you might face.
