At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the tech vision for an AI-driven consumer hardware company and innovate with cutting-edge technology.
- Company: High-growth London startup at the forefront of AI and consumer hardware.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and impact in a fast-paced startup.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI technology 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.
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.
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 in London employer: Recann
Join a dynamic and innovative 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 collaborative work culture that values hands-on leadership and encourages professional growth, with opportunities to shape a talented engineering team and drive cutting-edge technology development. The company offers competitive remuneration, meaningful equity participation, and a vibrant environment where your contributions directly impact the future of AI hardware.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Technology Officer in London
✨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, articulate how you would lead the engineering team through growth phases. They want to see your strategic thinking and leadership style.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly via our platform. It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Technology Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in real-time computer vision and machine learning. We want to see how your skills align with the role of CTO, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share your vision for the company and how your past experiences have prepared you for this exciting challenge.
Showcase Leadership Experience:Since we’re looking for someone who can lead an engineering team, make sure to highlight any leadership roles you've had. Talk about how you’ve built teams and driven projects to success, especially in tech environments.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. 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 a team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your experience in hiring and mentoring engineers, especially during growth phases.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
The company is looking for a systems thinker who understands which technical layers matter at different stages of growth. Be ready to discuss your approach to prioritising technology decisions and how you've navigated similar challenges in previous roles.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare insightful questions about the company's vision, product roadmap, and team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the company aligns with your career goals.
