Amazon Web Services (AWS), Application Programming Interface (API), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Best Practices, Business Skills, Business Strategy, Category Development, Cloud Computing, Communication Skills, Continuous Deployment/Delivery, Continuous Integration, Django, Docker, Engineering, Express.js, Fundraising, GCP (Good Clinical Practices), Git, JavaScript, Leadership, Mentoring, Node.js, Outsourcing, PostgreSQL, Product Engineering, Product Planning, Python Programming/Scripting Language, React.js, Redis, Software Engineering, Software as a Service (SaaS), Startup, System Architecture, Systems Scalability, Team Lead/Manager, User Interface/Experience (UI/UX)
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.
Location: On-site – San Francisco, USA (Non-negotiable)
About the Company
Our client is an early-stage, venture-backed startup building a category-defining platform designed to transform how businesses operate in a digital-first world. With experienced founders, strong early traction, and ambitious growth plans, the company is now seeking a Founding Engineer / CTO to define and scale its entire technology function from the ground up.
Job Summary
This is a rare opportunity to join at the ground floor as a Founding Engineer / CTO, owning the technical vision, architecture, and execution from MVP to scale. You will operate as both a hands-on builder and strategic leader, working closely with founders and investors to shape the product, engineering culture, and long-term innovation roadmap.
If you’re looking for a high-impact remote startup role where you can combine deep technical expertise with executive-level influence, this is it.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute the company’s technical vision, architecture, and product roadmap
- Lead full-stack development from MVP to a scalable, production-ready platform
- Make critical decisions on tech stack, infrastructure, and system design
- Build, hire, and mentor a high-performing engineering team
- Establish engineering best practices, workflows, and performance standards
- Collaborate with founders on business strategy, fundraising, and product-market fit
- Ensure system scalability, security, and reliability across all environments
- Represent the technical function at the executive level with stakeholders and investors
Tech Stack
- Languages: TypeScript, JavaScript, Python (bonus)
- Frontend: React, Next.js
- Backend: Node.js (Express/NestJS), Python (FastAPI/Django)
- Infrastructure: AWS / GCP, Cloudflare Workers/R2, Docker, CI/CD pipelines
- Database: PostgreSQL, Redis
- AI & APIs: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google AI, Bedrock, OpenRouter
- Dev Tools: Git, Linear, Cursor, Augment
Requirements
- 6–10+ years of software engineering experience, including leadership roles
- Proven experience building and scaling products in startup environments
- Strong full-stack expertise with the ability to remain hands-on
- Experience leading engineering teams and defining technical direction
- Deep understanding of system architecture, scalability, and cloud infrastructure
- Strong business acumen with the ability to align tech with company goals
- Excellent communication skills across 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