Fractional CTO

colayer; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

colayer seeks a seasoned technology leader to own end-to-end transformations across product and software platforms. You will set technical direction at executive level while remaining hands-on in architecture, guiding delivery across diverse system landscapes.

You will drive complex modernization efforts, align senior stakeholders, and steer engineering teams toward guaranteed outcomes, applying deep cloud/web expertise in a demanding German market.

Qualifications

• Seasoned technology leader with senior or C-level experience (CTO, VP Engineering, or comparable)
• Track record steering complex transformations end-to-end across architecture and delivery, ideally at scale-ups or high-growth companies
• Strong software architecture depth, still genuinely hands-on across a modern stack (web, cloud, AI/data)
• Degree from a strong university (top German or European preferred), with a track record in the German-speaking market
• Excellent senior stakeholder management across business and engineering

Responsibilities

• Own complex tech transformations end-to-end for mid to large companies, from technical strategy through delivery
• Lead the build or rebuild of products and software, and modernize legacy platforms into scalable architectures
• Drive implementation of core systems including ERP, e-commerce/Shop, and BI
• Oversee managed refactoring of existing codebases
• Align senior stakeholders and steer engineering teams toward guaranteed outcomes

Skills

Senior technology leader

Executive-level technical direction

Hands-on architecture

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

University degree in a relevant field

Job description

Mid to large companies need a senior technology leader to own complex tech transformations end-to-end. The scope spans the full spectrum: building or rebuilding products and software, modernizing legacy platforms into scalable and secure architectures, implementing core systems such as ERP, e-commerce/Shop, and BI, and managing the refactoring of existing codebases. The role demands someone equally comfortable setting technical direction at executive level and staying hands-on in the architecture, able to steer execution across heterogeneous system landscapes. Success means transformations that land on outcome, not just on roadmap.

Responsibilities

• Own complex tech transformations end-to-end for mid to large companies, from technical strategy through delivery
• Lead the build or rebuild of products and software, and modernize legacy platforms into scalable architectures
• Drive implementation of core systems including ERP, e-commerce/Shop, and BI
• Oversee managed refactoring of existing codebases
• Align senior stakeholders and steer engineering teams toward guaranteed outcomes

Profile

• Seasoned technology leader with senior or C-level experience (CTO, VP Engineering, or comparable)
• Track record steering complex transformations end-to-end across architecture and delivery, ideally at scale-ups or high-growth companies
• Strong software architecture depth, still genuinely hands-on across a modern stack (web, cloud, AI/data)
• Degree from a strong university (top German or European preferred), with a track record in the German-speaking market
• Excellent senior stakeholder management across business and engineering