# CTO / Head of Engineering

**Company:** [Huzzle](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/q8XZUz5eKvSDbN5c7UDWyA.md)
**Location:** San Francisco, United States
**Workplace:** on site
**Employment type:** Full-time
**Department:** Software

[Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/4b9b3b7c-a67b-422c-a78e-96399ff4abb4)

## Description

### About Huzzle

At Huzzle, we connect exceptional talent with top opportunities at leading companies across the UK, US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Our clients include high-growth startups, venture-backed tech companies, and innovative platforms across SaaS, FinTech, AI, and Web3.

Unlike traditional outsourcing agencies, we place you directly with a client—where you’re hired in-house as a core team member, with real ownership and long-term upside.

### About the Company

Our client is an early-stage, venture-backed startup building a category-defining platform designed to reshape how businesses operate in a digital-first world. Backed by experienced founders and strong early traction, the company is now hiring a founding technical leader at the C-level to define and scale its technology vision.

### **Job Summary**

We’re seeking a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) / Founding Engineer to lead the company’s technical strategy, architecture, and execution from zero to scale. This is a rare opportunity to join at the ground floor and shape not only the product, but the entire engineering organization, culture, and long-term technical vision.

You will operate as both a hands-on builder and strategic leader, working closely with the founding team, investors, and future hires to drive product innovation and company growth.

### **Key Responsibilities**

-   Define and execute the company’s technical vision, architecture, and roadmap
-   Lead full-stack product development from MVP to scalable platform
-   Make high-impact decisions on tech stack, infrastructure, and system design
-   Build and scale the engineering team, including hiring and mentoring top talent
-   Establish engineering processes, best practices, and performance standards
-   Collaborate with founders on company strategy, fundraising, and product-market fit
-   Ensure scalability, security, and reliability of all systems
-   Represent the technical function at the executive level with stakeholders and investors

### **Tech Stack**

-   **Languages**: TypeScript, JavaScript, Python (bonus)
-   **Frontend**: React
-   **Backend**: Node.js, Wasp (easy to pick up)
-   **Infra**: Cloudflare Workers/R2, PostgreSQL, Docker
-   **AI & APIs**: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google AI, Bedrock, Openrouter
-   **Dev Tools**: Cursor, Augment, Git, Linear

### **A Day in the Life**

-   Jump into a fast, focused standup to align on goals
-   Prototype generative features that combine UX, backend, and AI orchestration
-   Share demos via Loom, jam with founders in Slack, and rapidly ship to prod
-   Ideate new user flows, sketch mockups, or dive deep into technical tradeoffs
-   End the day knowing you shipped real value—and helped shape the future of design

### **Tech Stack (Ideal Experience)**

-   **Frontend:** React, Next.js, TypeScript
-   **Backend:** Node.js (NestJS/Express) or Python (FastAPI/Django)
-   **Database:** PostgreSQL, Redis
-   **Infrastructure:** AWS / GCP, Docker, CI/CD pipelines
-   **Other:** API design (REST/GraphQL), system architecture, DevOps best practices

## Requirements

-   6–10+ years of experience in software engineering, with leadership experience
-   Proven track record of building and scaling products in **startup environments**
-   Strong full-stack expertise with the ability to remain hands-on when needed
-   Experience leading engineering teams and setting technical direction
-   Deep understanding of system architecture, scalability, and cloud infrastructure
-   Strong business acumen and ability to align technology with company goals
-   Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
-   Prior experience as a Founding Engineer, Head of Engineering, or CTO is highly preferred

## Benefits

💰 Competitive salary (based on experience)

📈 Significant equity stake with early-stage upside

🏢 Work onsite in San Francisco alongside founders and leadership team

🚀 True ownership over product, engineering, and long-term technology vision

🧠 Collaborate with experienced founders and top-tier investors

🎯 Opportunity to build and lead a world-class engineering organization