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Founder Cto Jobs (NOW HIRING)

States HR CO LLC

Chief Technology Officer

New York, NY · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Requirements for Co-founder / CTO: * Top 30 schools in United States. * Previously worked in big tech as an engineer. * Previously founded a company as a technical cofounder and raised at least 500K.

States HR CO LLC

Chief Technology Officer

New York, NY

$100K - $200K/yr

Requirements for Co-founder / CTO: * Top 30 schools in United States. * Previously worked in big tech as an engineer. * Previously founded a company as a technical cofounder and raised at least 500K.

Cold Start Ventures

CTO

San Francisco, CA · On-site

This role is for a founder-CTO type who has built and scaled products from zero to one and from one to many. We are looking for someone equally comfortable in the boardroom and hands-on keyboard, who ...

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Founder Cto information

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$25.5K

$166.5K

$276.5K

How much do founder cto jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for founder cto in the United States is $166,511.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $132,000.00 and $195,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a Founder CTO faces when building and scaling an engineering team?

As a Founder CTO, one of the biggest challenges is balancing hands-on technical work with the strategic responsibilities of building and leading a team. Early on, you may be directly involved in coding and architecture decisions, but as the company grows, you'll transition to hiring, mentoring, and setting technical direction. Recruiting top talent, establishing scalable development processes, and maintaining a strong engineering culture are all key tasks. Navigating these shifts while aligning technology with business goals can be demanding but also highly rewarding for those passionate about both leadership and innovation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Founder CTO, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Founder CTO, you need deep technical expertise in software development, system architecture, and product management, often backed by experience in startups or leadership roles. Familiarity with cloud platforms, development frameworks, and agile project management tools, as well as knowledge of cybersecurity best practices, are typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, visionary leadership, and strong communication skills set outstanding Founder CTOs apart. These qualities are crucial for driving technological innovation, building scalable products, and guiding teams through the challenges of early-stage company growth.

What are Founder CTOs?

Founder CTOs are individuals who both co-found a company and serve as its Chief Technology Officer. They are responsible for shaping the technical vision, building and leading the engineering team, and making key decisions about technology strategy and product development. As co-founders, they also help set the company's overall direction and culture, often working closely with other founders such as the CEO. Founder CTOs typically combine deep technical expertise with entrepreneurial drive, playing a critical role in early-stage startups.

What is the difference between Founder Cto vs CTO?

AspectFounder CtoCTO
CredentialsTypically technical expertise, entrepreneurial experienceTechnical leadership, management experience
Work EnvironmentStartup, early-stage companyEstablished company, larger teams
Employer & IndustryFounded by the individual, startup industryHired by the company, various industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding startup technical leadershipComparing technical executive roles

The Founder Cto is a technical leader who co-founds a startup, often wearing multiple hats and shaping the company's technology from the ground up. A CTO, on the other hand, is a senior executive hired by an established organization to oversee technology strategy and operations. While both roles require strong technical skills, the Founder Cto is more entrepreneurial and hands-on in a startup environment, whereas the CTO typically operates within a larger, structured company.

More about Founder Cto jobs
What job categories do people searching Founder Cto jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Founder Cto jobs are:
Founder Cto jobs near you
Infographic showing various Founder Cto job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $166,511 per year, or $80.1 per hour.

Chief Technology Officer

States HR CO LLC

New York, NY • On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Role Overview:

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) leads the company’s technological vision, ensuring that technology strategy aligns with business goals. The CTO oversees product development, engineering, infrastructure, and innovation to maintain a competitive edge.
Key Responsibilities:

Technology Strategy & Leadership:
  • Define and implement the company’s long-term technology vision. 
  • Align technology initiatives with business objectives. 
  • Stay updated on emerging technologies and industry trends. 

Product & Engineering Oversight:
  • Lead software development, architecture, and engineering teams. 
  • Oversee product lifecycle from concept to deployment. 
  • Ensure scalability, performance, and reliability of systems.

Innovation & Growth:
  • Identify opportunities for innovation and digital transformation. 
  • Evaluate and implement new tools, platforms, and technologies. 
  • Drive R&D initiatives. 

Team Management:
  • Recruit, mentor, and lead high-performing technical teams. 
  • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability. 
  • Work closely with other executives (CEO, COO, CMO).

Infrastructure & Security:
  • Ensure robust IT infrastructure and system architecture. 
  • Oversee cybersecurity, data protection, and compliance. 
  • Manage cloud services, networks, and internal systems.

Stakeholder Communication:
  • Translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders. 
  • Advise leadership on technology risks and opportunities. 
  • Represent the company in technical partnerships and public forums.

Requirements for Co-founder / CTO:
  • Top 30 schools in United States.
  •  Previously worked in big tech as an engineer.
  • Previously founded a company as a technical cofounder and raised at least 500K. Or, worked as CTO in a startup that raised at least $1M.
  • Strong technical ability to build from 0 to 1, and potential to lead a tech team.
  • Based in NYC or SF Bay, or willing to relocate.
  • Interested in leading a B2B health-tech SaaS company. The client VC has a strong playbook in B2B health-tech SaaS. 

Their portfolios have reached over $200M revenue, and raised over $500M from A16Z, Sequoia, Founders Fund, and others. The client VC typically provides $200K-$3M investment into the company as minority financial investor. 
The founding team (CEO+CTO) owns the company. Typically, the candidate will pay themselves $100K-$150K before raising $3M, and can reasonably increase their salary after raising a big round.