> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2461429-founding-chief-technology-officer-cto](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2461429-founding-chief-technology-officer-cto). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Founding Chief Technology Officer (CTO) - **Company:** The Modern - **Location:** Raleigh, NC, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Machine Learning, Information Technology, Machine Learning Operations - **Published:** August 6, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=0f1b81ebf280810a ## About the Role * 15+ years of hands-on engineering leadership, including taking hardware products from concept through production. Military or aerospace systems experience is a strong plus. * Deep, current expertise across machine learning and edge AI, robotics or autonomous systems, and embedded platforms; a leader equally at home in the machine shop and the boardroom. * A track record of scaling: standing up manufacturing or contract-manufacturing at volume, and building an engineering organization from a handful of people to twenty-plus who would follow you again. * Builder's temperament: comfortable making decisions with incomplete information, hands-on in early-stage development, and driven by mission over title. * S. citizenship required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance (TS/SCI eligibility preferred; an active clearance is a plus), due to federal contract and export-control (ITAR) obligations. * Advanced degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, physics, or a related field preferred - though a record of shipped products outweighs academic credentials. ## Description Modern Government Solutions (MGS) is conducting a confidential executive search on behalf of a venture-backed defense technology partner seeking its Founding Chief Technology Officer. The client's identity is withheld at this stage and will be shared with qualified, pre-screened candidates under a non-disclosure agreement. All inquiries are handled discreetly through MGS. About the Opportunity Our client is an early-stage, venture-backed company building advanced hardware, sensing, and autonomous systems for defense and national security customers. In a short time the company has moved from concept to field-validated technology, secured early government agreements, and attracted institutional investment. The next phase is about converting proven prototypes into rugged, mission-ready products at production scale, and that mission defines this role. This is a founding executive seat with meaningful equity and outsized influence over the company's technical direction. It is a builder's role, not a research role: you will lead the teams that design, prototype, manufacture, deploy, and continuously improve products that protect the people who use them. What You Will Own * Technology visionroadmap. Partner with the CEO and COO to translate customer and operational needs into a multi-year technology strategy, and build the engineering organization to deliver it. * AI/ML and edge AI. Lead model development and MLOps for inference that runs on low-power hardware, offline and in degraded environments; not cloud-dependent enterprise AI. * Roboticsautonomy. Direct development of autonomous and embedded systems that operate in GPS-denied and communications-denied conditions. * Hardwareembedded engineering. Oversee electrical, mechanical, embedded, and systems engineering through ruggedization and environmental (MIL-STD-class) testing. * Prototype-to-production. Own the transition from prototype to scalable manufacturing; design for manufacturability, supply-chain qualification, quality and production-test systems, and production scale-up. * Engineering leadershipculture. 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