At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead tech innovation in AI hardware and software, driving product development and team growth.
- Company: Fast-growing London startup at the forefront of AI and consumer technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture with opportunities for significant career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI-driven consumer experiences and lead a passionate engineering team.
- Qualifications: Experience in computer vision, machine learning, and leading engineering 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. 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 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.
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. 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.
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. Key areas of expertise include:
- 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.
The expectation is four days per week in the company's London office, with three days considered for exceptional candidates. 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.
Chief Technology Officer - Software in City of London employer: Recann
Join a dynamic and innovative venture-backed company at the forefront of AI and consumer hardware in London, where you will have the opportunity to lead cutting-edge technology initiatives and shape the future of AI-driven consumer experiences. With a strong focus on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and competitive compensation packages including equity options, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact while working alongside experienced founders and a passionate team. The company's commitment to hands-on leadership and rapid scaling ensures that you will be at the heart of transformative projects in a thriving environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Technology Officer - Software in City of London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of landing that CTO role.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Don’t just talk about your skills; demonstrate them! Share your projects, write articles, or give talks on relevant topics like real-time computer vision or machine learning. This will help us see you as a thought leader in the field.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn to your advantage. Follow companies you're interested in, engage with their posts, and connect with current employees. This can open doors and get you noticed by hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website! It shows your enthusiasm and gives us a chance to see your application first-hand. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on new opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Technology Officer - Software in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Tech:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission in AI and consumer hardware. Share specific projects or innovations that excite you.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of CTO. Highlight your experience with real-time computer vision, machine learning, and team leadership. We love seeing how you've driven tech initiatives in previous roles, so don’t hold back!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Be personal and direct—explain how your skills and experiences make you the ideal candidate to lead our tech vision. We appreciate authenticity!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recann
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially real-time computer vision and machine learning. Brush up on your knowledge of edge hardware and cloud platforms, as well as how they integrate with software. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar but passionate about the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential CTO, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and grow a team. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built or scaled engineering teams. Highlight your approach to hiring, mentoring, and fostering a collaborative environment, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face technical questions or challenges during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process when solving complex problems, particularly those related to hardware-software integration and production machine learning. This will help you showcase your systems thinking and problem-solving skills effectively.
✨Align with Company Vision
Research the company's mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their AI-driven consumer experience and what innovative ideas you might bring to the table. Showing that you understand and resonate with their vision will set you apart from other candidates.
