This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
Quick apply
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
Quick apply
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
Quick apply
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
Quick apply
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
Quick apply
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
Quick apply
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring ...
Founder or early employee experience is a significant plus. What We're Looking For: * Technical Executive Background - Former CTO, VP of Engineering, or senior technical leader who transitioned to ...
Founder or early employee experience is a significant plus. What We're Looking For: * Technical Executive Background - Former CTO, VP of Engineering, or senior technical leader who transitioned to ...
Field CTO
New York, NY · On-site
Founder or early employee experience is a significant plus. What We're Looking For: * Technical Executive Background - Former CTO, VP of Engineering, or senior technical leader who transitioned to ...
Field CTO
New York, NY · On-site
Founder or early employee experience is a significant plus. What We're Looking For: * Technical Executive Background - Former CTO, VP of Engineering, or senior technical leader who transitioned to ...
Founder Cto information
See salary details
$25.5K - $48.3K
1% of jobs
$48.3K - $71.1K
1% of jobs
$71.1K - $94K
3% of jobs
$94K - $116.8K
11% of jobs
$132.1K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$116.8K - $139.6K
14% of jobs
The median wage is $158.1K / yr.
$139.6K - $162.4K
25% of jobs
$162.4K - $185.2K
18% of jobs
$188.9K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$185.2K - $208K
15% of jobs
$208K - $230.9K
7% of jobs
$230.9K - $253.7K
3% of jobs
$253.7K - $276.5K
2% of jobs
$25.5K
$166.5K
$276.5K
How much do founder cto jobs pay per year?
As of Aug 15, 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?
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 is a Founder CTO?
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?
| Aspect | Founder Cto | CTO |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Typically technical expertise, entrepreneurial experience | Technical leadership, management experience |
| Work Environment | Startup, early-stage company | Established company, larger teams |
| Employer & Industry | Founded by the individual, startup industry | Hired by the company, various industries |
| Search & Comparison Intent | Understanding startup technical leadership | Comparing 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:
Full-time
Re-posted 4 days ago
Job description
The Opportunity
Solo practitioners and small law firms still lose work the same way: missed calls, slow callbacks, and intake handled between hearings. Hiring is no answer - payroll, training, and turnover are exactly what these firms cannot absorb.
Problem and solution validation are complete. Multiple live pilots are entering production evaluation. The next phase is proving in-production reliability, delivery economics, and scalability. The teams that ship credible AI workers into trust-sensitive verticals in the next 18 months will define the category. We intend to be one of them.
The Venture
BloomLex is a managed AI staffing platform that delivers AI workers as fully-set-up hires - trained, monitored, and continuously improved by our team. Rather than another self-serve SaaS tool, BloomLex operates as a Role-as-a-Service business: lawyers evaluate us on outcomes - time saved, calls answered, consults booked - not configuration effort.
Our first hire, Ava, is an AI Front Desk that answers calls 24/7, captures structured intake, books consultations, and performs outbound callbacks, without creating new operational burden for the lawyer. The roadmap expands from the front desk into adjacent AI staff roles, all delivered through the same managed model.
The Partnership
The CEO co-founder is in place. The customer thesis is validated, design partners are engaged, and live pilots are running. What remains is to bring on the technical co-founder - a partner who will own product and engineering with the same conviction, urgency, and ownership stake.
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring, fundraising, and strategy, and a genuine partnership with the CEO on every material decision.
What you'll own
As Co-Founder & CTO, you will write the first lines of production code, set the technical direction, and lead execution end-to-end.
Please submit your resume, LinkedIn profile, and a brief note on why this venture aligns with your goals as a founder. We will move quickly for the right candidate.
FutureSight is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences.
Solo practitioners and small law firms still lose work the same way: missed calls, slow callbacks, and intake handled between hearings. Hiring is no answer - payroll, training, and turnover are exactly what these firms cannot absorb.
Problem and solution validation are complete. Multiple live pilots are entering production evaluation. The next phase is proving in-production reliability, delivery economics, and scalability. The teams that ship credible AI workers into trust-sensitive verticals in the next 18 months will define the category. We intend to be one of them.
The Venture
BloomLex is a managed AI staffing platform that delivers AI workers as fully-set-up hires - trained, monitored, and continuously improved by our team. Rather than another self-serve SaaS tool, BloomLex operates as a Role-as-a-Service business: lawyers evaluate us on outcomes - time saved, calls answered, consults booked - not configuration effort.
Our first hire, Ava, is an AI Front Desk that answers calls 24/7, captures structured intake, books consultations, and performs outbound callbacks, without creating new operational burden for the lawyer. The roadmap expands from the front desk into adjacent AI staff roles, all delivered through the same managed model.
The Partnership
The CEO co-founder is in place. The customer thesis is validated, design partners are engaged, and live pilots are running. What remains is to bring on the technical co-founder - a partner who will own product and engineering with the same conviction, urgency, and ownership stake.
This is a co-founder role, not a CTO hire. In return for that level of commitment, you receive founder-level equity, founder-level authority with co-decision rights on product, technology, hiring, fundraising, and strategy, and a genuine partnership with the CEO on every material decision.
What you'll own
As Co-Founder & CTO, you will write the first lines of production code, set the technical direction, and lead execution end-to-end.
- Architecture & Reliability - Harden Ava's voice and workflow systems for in-production reliability. Establish core architecture, observability, and audit-trail standards
- RaaS Delivery Layer - Build the internal infrastructure that lets the team configure, monitor, and optimize AI performance without scaling engineering headcount
- Unit Economics - Own the trade-offs between AI quality and cost-per-call, and lock in unit economics within the $499/month pricing model
- Customer & Market - Represent the company in front of lawyers, partners, and investors as the technical voice of the venture
- Roadmap - Convert pilots into paying customers, expand the AI staff beyond the front desk, and begin a path toward custom and self-hosted models where legal and privacy requirements demand it
- Team - Recruit and lead the founding engineering team, and establish the cultural foundation of the company
- Shipped LLM-powered and voice systems into production environments where incorrect outputs carried real consequences
- Full-stack confidence across applied LLMs, real-time voice and conversational AI, telephony, human-in-the-loop workflows, observability, and secure multi-tenant SaaS
- Well-formed convictions about reliability engineering, edge-case management, and the trade-offs between AI quality and cost-per-call
- Experience building managed and service-heavy platforms, with the discipline to scale delivery without scaling engineering headcount
- Prepared to operate as a principal - including saying "this won't scale" or "this isn't ready" when the integrity of the product requires it
- Strongly preferred: prior founder or early-stage technical leadership experience; background in legal tech, healthcare, or another trust-sensitive vertical; capability to self-host custom models to meet legal and privacy needs
Please submit your resume, LinkedIn profile, and a brief note on why this venture aligns with your goals as a founder. We will move quickly for the right candidate.
FutureSight is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences.