CTO & Co-founder (Robotics Automation)

• Stage: Early-stage startup
• Product: Robotics automation platform

About the role

We are looking for a CTO & Co-founder to co-build a startup focused on developing a cutting-edge automation platform using robotics technologies. Together with your co-founder (commercial profile), you will form the core leadership team.

This is a highly hands-on founder role, not a corporate executive position. In the early days, you will be the primary builder - architecting the platform, writing code, and integrating technologies. You will play a key role in transforming a bold vision into a functional, scalable product while shaping the company's technical strategy from the ground up.

Your mission is to bridge the gap between complex robotics tech and commercial viability, building a high-performing engineering culture as the company scales.

Your responsibilities

• Co-managing the company with the commercial co-founder and aligning technical strategy with business goals,
• Hands-on development & prototyping: Architecting and building the MVP of the robotics automation platform,
• Leveraging Physical AI models to drive process automation, optimizing operational efficiency in real-world, hardware-driven environments,
• Defining the tech stack, software/hardware architecture, and product scalability roadmap,
• Monitoring robotics, AI, and automation trends to maintain a competitive technological edge,
• Recruiting, leading, and mentoring a small, agile team of top-tier engineers (including AI/ML specialists as the team grows),
• Translating customer feedback and market needs into robust technical requirements,
• Creating an internal culture focused on code quality, ownership, rapid iteration, and high execution standards,
• Setting up internal dev processes, CI/CD pipelines, and ensuring data security/compliance.

Who we are looking for (must-have)

• At least 3+ years of leadership experience in startups or tech companies (e.g., Lead Engineer, Tech Lead, Architect, or CTO),
• At least 3+ years of hands-on experience working with robotics technologies (ROS/ROS2, simulation environments, computer vision, or control systems),
• Familiarity with Physical AI / Embodied AI, including the challenges of bridging the gap between digital models and physical hardware (e.g., sim-to-real transfer, sensor noise, or edge constraints),
• Strong software engineering background with proven experience in building scalable platforms, products, or deep-tech architecture from scratch,
• Entrepreneurial mindset - you understand that pragmatic execution and shipping fast beat perfect, over-engineered code in an early-stage setup,
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a knack for operating effectively in fast-paced, high-uncertainty environments,
• Fluent Polish and English (spoken and written).

Nice to have

• Experience in full AI/ML development pipeline, including data collection and processing, architecture design, training, and fine-tuning,
• Experience in robotics automation platforms, IoT, cloud-edge architecture, or industrial automation,
• Experience working with hardware + software integration (mechatronics, embedded systems),
• Background in deep-tech, AI, or engineering-driven startups,
• Experience participating in fundraising processes and explaining technical concepts to non-technical investors.

What we offer

• Co-founder role with real, equal influence over company direction and technical ownership,
• Opportunity to build and lead a robotics startup from scratch,
• Remuneration: at least PLN 17 000 net B2B + VAT,
• A package of shares in the co-created start-up,
• Support from an experienced startup studio and capital group,
• Access to industry experts and startup-building know-how,
• Fast decision-making and a high-impact environment.

Red Sky is conducting this recruitment process. The cooperation concerns a newly established start-up.

Recruitment process

• Interview with HR (~45 min)
• Tech Interview (~ 60 min.)
• Interview with the CEO (~30 min)
• Interview with the Investor (~45 min)
• Workshops (technical & product alignment)
• Agreeing on the terms of cooperation (remuneration )