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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Fractional CTO - **Company:** PERFORMACENTRIC, INCORPORATED - **Location:** Chicago, IL, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Applications Architecture, Backup Devices, Business Systems, Software as a Service, Cloud Computing, Cloud Engineering, Cyber Security, Continuous Delivery, Linux, DevOps, Disaster Recovery, Domainkeys Identified Mail, Domain-Based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC), Domain Name System (DNS), Message Transfer Agent, Github, Monitoring of Systems, Identity and Access Management, PostgreSQL, Performance Tuning, Software Deployment, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Delivery Pipeline, Large Language Models, Reliability of Systems, Git, Sender Policy Framework (SPF), Containerization, AI Platforms, Kubernetes, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Deployment Automation, Nintex, Api Design, Terraform, Docker, Jenkins - **Published:** September 13, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.thejobnetwork.com/job/30512147-bffe-4c4b-b57b-b0a3e841a9be/fractional-cto-chicago ## About the Role * 7+ years of experience in software engineering, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, or technical leadership * Prior experience serving as a CTO, Head of Engineering, Lead Architect, or senior DevOps leader * Strong hands-on experience building CI/CD pipelines * Deep experience with AWS or similar cloud platforms * Experience managing Linux-based infrastructure and cloud-hosted applications * Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker * Experience with Git-based deployment workflows and automation tools * Knowledge of cybersecurity, infrastructure hardening, and access management * Experience administering business communication platforms or mail infrastructure * Strong written and verbal communication skills * Ability to operate independently in a startup environment Preferred Qualifications * Experience working with AI platforms, LLM-based applications, or automation systems * Familiarity with tools such as: + GitHub Actions + Jenkins + Terraform + Kubernetes + Supabase + PostgreSQL + N8N + LangChain + Vector databases * Experience supporting SaaS startups or early-stage technology companies * Knowledge of API architecture and integrations * Familiarity with IceWarp administration Ideal Candidate Traits * Builder mentality with strong execution skills * Comfortable balancing strategy with hands-on implementation * Able to prioritize effectively in a fast-moving startup environment * Highly organized and security conscious * Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities * Comfortable working asynchronously and remotely ## Description We are seeking a highly technical and execution-focused Fractional CTO to help architect, secure, scale, and operationalize our technology ecosystem., The Fractional CTO will serve as the senior technical leader for Performacentric, guiding the company's infrastructure, development standards, cloud architecture, DevOps strategy, and long-term technical roadmap. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a builder who is comfortable operating both strategically and tactically. The ideal candidate can establish engineering best practices while also implementing CI/CD pipelines, managing cloud infrastructure, supporting SaaS deployments, and maintaining critical business systems such as IceWarp. The role is expected to average between 10-30 hours per week depending on active projects and operational needs. Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership & Strategy * Define and execute the company's technical roadmap * Recommend scalable architecture decisions for AI applications and SaaS platforms * Establish software engineering standards, governance, and best practices * Advise leadership on infrastructure, security, compliance, scalability, and technical investments * Evaluate and recommend tools, frameworks, hosting environments, and integrations * Assist with technical hiring and vendor evaluation when necessary DevOps & Infrastructure Management * Design, build, and maintain CI/CD pipelines for application deployment * Implement automated deployment, testing, monitoring, and rollback strategies * Manage cloud infrastructure environments (AWS preferred) * Configure and maintain infrastructure-as-code practices where appropriate * Monitor uptime, system reliability, backups, disaster recovery, and performance optimization * Establish observability and monitoring tools for infrastructure and applications Cloud & Systems Administration * Manage and maintain Performacentric's cloud-hosted instance of IceWarp * Handle email server administration, DNS, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and mail security configurations * Maintain user access controls, permissions, and security standards * Ensure business continuity and infrastructure resilience Security & Compliance * Implement cybersecurity best practices across applications and infrastructure * Conduct security reviews and vulnerability mitigation * Establish secure authentication and credential management practices * Ensure environments follow appropriate data privacy and security standards Product & Engineering Collaboration * Work alongside developers, contractors, and AI engineers to guide implementation * Review application architecture and deployment workflows * Help translate business objectives into technical execution plans * Assist with product scalability planning as the company grows, * Examples of CI/CD pipelines or infrastructure environments you have managed * Technologies and cloud platforms you are most comfortable with * Desired hourly rate or monthly retainer expectations ## Related Videos - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Hidden efficiency - How to enable your non-engineers as a CTO](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1412-hidden-efficiency-how-to-enable-your-non-engineers-as-a-cto) - [Docker exec without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1094-docker-exec-without-docker) - [Docker build without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100114-docker-build-without-docker) ## Related Articles - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [7 Cloud Computing Trends Coming in 2025 for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/412-7-cloud-computing-trends-coming-in-2025-for-developers) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)