At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the tech vision for an AI-driven consumer hardware company and oversee innovative product development.
- Company: Fast-growing London startup at the forefront of AI and computer vision technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a dynamic work environment with growth potential.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and enjoy flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI technology and make a real impact in a pioneering company.
- Qualifications: Experience in systems architecture, 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 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 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 London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of CTO. Highlight your experience with real-time computer vision, machine learning, and hardware-software integration. We want to see how your past roles have prepared you for this hands-on position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about AI and consumer hardware. Share specific examples of how you've led engineering teams and tackled complex tech challenges in the past.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a CTO, you'll be leading a growing team. In your application, highlight your experience in building and mentoring engineering teams. We want to know how you've successfully scaled teams and managed talent through funding rounds.
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 this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on being part of our innovative journey!
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 large language models. Brush up on your knowledge of hardware-software integration and be ready to discuss how you've tackled similar challenges in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential CTO, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and grow a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built engineering teams before, particularly in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience in making senior technical hires and how you plan to scale the team effectively.
✨Be Hands-On with Your Approach
The role requires a hands-on approach in the first 12 to 18 months. Be prepared to discuss your experience with shipping products and managing the end-to-end technology stack. Share specific instances where your direct involvement made a significant impact on product delivery.
✨Understand the Business Context
This isn't just about tech; it's about driving a consumer experience. Familiarise yourself with the company's business model and how technology plays a role in enhancing customer satisfaction. Be ready to discuss how you can align technology strategy with business goals, especially in a venture-backed environment.
