Chief Technology Officer (CTO) – AI-Driven Travel Tech Startup

FirstClass.com.au; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a high-growth travel tech company as a Chief Technology Officer, where you will architect the future of travel using AI-driven innovation. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a talented tech team, refine cutting-edge technology, and forge strategic partnerships in a dynamic industry. If you have a passion for AI and a proven track record in travel tech, this is your chance to make a significant impact. Help shape the future of how millions book travel, while enjoying the autonomy to drive your vision forward in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Performance-Driven Upside

Autonomy in Tech Roadmap

Global Impact

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a CTO or VP of Engineering in travel tech or AI-centric startups.
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML and building real-time systems.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a world-class tech team focused on innovation.
• Refine award flight search engine with real-time API integrations.

Skills

AI/ML

Python

Node.js

React

DevOps

Predictive Analytics

Real-time Systems

Scalable Architecture

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Master's Degree in AI or related field

Tools

AWS

GCP

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) – AI-Driven Travel Tech Startup

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Transform Travel with AI-Driven Innovation (Sydney-based)

About Us:

We’re ahigh-growth travel tech companywith an established footprint in luxury travel (FirstClass.com.au) and a bold vision:to revolutionize how you book travel, including award flights using AI.

What we’ve built: A proprietary award flight search engine (focused on first/business class)

Where we’re going: Global expansion, with deep integrations into China’s travel tech ecosystem (Ctrip, Tencent, Alibaba).

Why join us: This is a rare opportunity toarchitect the technical backbone of a future unicorn—backed by an entrepreneurial team.

Role Overview:

We seek a hands-on, pragmatic CTO who can:

Build and lead a world-class tech team:Hire, mentor, and retain top engineering talent, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and ownership.

Refine our award flight search engine with real-time API integrations and predictive analytics.

Oversee the development of an AI itinerary builder and hybrid advisory platform that blends automation with human expertise.

Forge strategic tech partnerships:Collaborate with global players, including Chinese travel giants and leading cloud providers, to accelerate growth and integration.

Ensure security, scalability, and compliance:Architect systems that balance rapid innovation with enterprise-grade reliability and regulatory adherence.

If you’re passionate about leveraging machine learning, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation to disrupt the travel landscape, this is your opportunity to leave a lasting mark.


Key Requirements:
Background:

Proven track record as a CTO, VP of Engineering, or Technical Lead at atravel tech company(e.g., flight/loyalty tech, GDS systems, OTAs)oranAI-centric SaaS/marketplace startup.

Experience scaling products in fast-paced environments—bonus points for hybrid human/AI platforms or marketplace dynamics.

Technical Chops:

Core Expertise:

Hands-on experience withAI/ML(NLP, recommendation engines, predictive analytics) and buildingreal-time systems(e.g., flight inventory APIs, dynamic pricing engines).(Note: Full-stack ML mastery is ideal, but we value candidates who can strategically leverage existing tools/platforms while upskilling teams.)

Fluency inmodern stacks: Python, Node.js, React, and cloud ecosystems (AWS/GCP preferred).

Strong grasp ofscalable architecture, DevOps (CI/CD pipelines, Docker/Kubernetes), and data security best practices.

Leadership & Vision:

Demonstrated ability tohire, mentor, and retain top engineerswhile fostering a culture of innovation and ownership.

Pragmatic problem-solving—you balance moonshot thinking with business-critical delivery.

China market savvy: Familiarity with WeChat mini-programs, Alibaba Cloud, or partnerships with players like Ctrip/Fliggy is desirable.(Mandarin language skills are a plus, but not required.)

Experience navigatingglobal compliance frameworks(e.g., GDPR, APAC data privacy regulations).

What We Offer:

Competitive Salary: A base salary tailored to your expertise.

Performance-Driven Upside: Share in the long-term success you help create, profit-share opportunity tied to tangible impact—think MVP delivery, team scaling, and hitting audacious KPIs.

Autonomy: Own the tech roadmap end-to-end, with leadership industry insights to align priorities.

Build the Future of Travel: Architect AI-driven tools that redefine how millions of travellers explore the world.

Global Impact: Work with a passionate team to scale innovations across APAC and beyond.

How to Apply

Please submit the following to be considered:

Your LinkedIn profile or CV

A 1-page cover letter addressing the three prompts below (max 50 words per question):

Why are you interested in this role?

Why do you believe you're an excellent fit?

What is your experience in AI and travel tech?

We’re excited to hear from you!

Please note: only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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Your application will include the following questions:

How many years' experience do you have as a chief technology officer? Have you worked in a role which requires experience with machine learning techniques? Which of the following programming languages are you experienced in? How many years' experience do you have in a DevOps role? What motivates you? Describe your most impactful travel tech project and its outcome. (max 50 words) What are your compensation expectations?

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What can I earn as a Chief Technology Officer