ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Founder Cto Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

MetaOption, LLC

CTO

New York, NY · On-site

Bachelor's degree CTO Co-Founder Healthcare Payments AI Startup New York, NY | In-Person Our client is looking for an exceptional CTO (This is not an advisory CTO role, but hands-on) to lead ...

MetaOption, LLC

CTO

New York, NY · On-site

Bachelor's degree CTO Co-Founder Healthcare Payments AI Startup New York, NY | In-Person Our client is looking for an exceptional CTO (This is not an advisory CTO role, but hands-on) to lead ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFounder Cto Jobs

Founder Cto information

See salary details

$25.5K

$166.5K

$276.5K

How much do founder cto jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 82% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $166,511 per year, or $80.1 per hour.

CTO

Cold Start Ventures

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

We are looking for a Chief Technology Officer with 7+ years of experience to serve as the senior-most technical leader across Cold Start's incubator. 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 will own the technology strategy for the platform, build and lead internal teams, and work directly with founders and operators across our portfolio.
What will you be doing?
  • Set a unified technology strategy across Cold Start's incubator
  • Partner with founders in incubation and early-stage ventures on product, architecture, and early technical hiring.
  • Architect shared systems, data infrastructure, and internal tools used across our operating companies.
  • Drive the development of AI agents, automation workflows, and vertical AI tools for real businesses.
  • Build and lead a cross-functional team spanning software engineering, AI/ML, data, and product.

Apply