Chief Technology Officer

Scientis Search Ltd; Oxford; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering tidal energy company based in Oxford is seeking a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead its technology vision and strategy. The successful candidate will manage a talented engineering team, oversee the development of tidal energy platforms, and drive the company's long-term technology roadmap. Applicants should have a degree in an engineering discipline and proven senior leadership experience. Join a dynamic team dedicated to delivering clean, renewable energy solutions to the UK and beyond.

Benefits

Opportunity to shape the technology strategy

Work at the cutting edge of marine renewable innovation

Collaborate with world-class engineers

Contribute to the global transition to clean energy

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior, strategic leadership position.
• Experience in bringing large scale hardware products to market.
• Experience engaging with key stakeholders.
• Knowledge in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Marine Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the technology roadmap for the company.
• Lead R&D and product development efforts from concept to deployment.
• Build and mentor a world-class engineering team.
• Manage technology budgets and intellectual property.
• Represent the company at partnerships and conferences.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Electronics Engineering

Marine Engineering

Education

Degree in engineering discipline

Job description

An exciting energy start-up are looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to join them on their mission to bring tidal energy to the grid.

We’re looking for someone who can lead yet get their hands dirty, who’s happy in front of investors yet wants to be out testing at sea. We’re looking for someone who’s motivated by our mission of bringing clean, affordable, domestic power to the UK and beyond.

The Company

The grid needs predictable power to complement wind and solar. Gas provides this now, but it is expensive, imported and polluting. Tidal power is predictable clean, affordable and if we can make it work in 3kn – 5kn currents, plentiful around not only the UK, but many regions of the globe. We believe that tidal can power hundreds, if not thousands of GWs of power.

Our aim is to develop the technology that delivers this to the market within 3 years, and have large scale arrays in the water in the early 2030s. We’re an Oxford University spin out, backed by significant VC investors, and have recently been awarded a large innovate grant. We’re a small, impactful team of 7 now, though expecting to double this year. The design is based on whales’ swimming, it’s a highly efficient fin allowing us to generate effectively in medium flows and shallow waters. Having tested at ¼ scale, we are now looking to design and deploy at full scale. This is the challenge.

The role

As Chief Technology Officer you will shape and lead the company’s technology vision and strategy . You will manage a team of talented engineers and oversee the design, development and deployment of the company’s tidal energy platform. You’ll work closely with the founders as part of the top team to deliver the design, test and deploy it, prior to commercial launch. It’s both leadership and hands on, with you expected to be part of the team as well as guiding.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and drive the company’s long-term technology roadmap aligned with business and sustainability goals.
• Partner with the executive team to shape overall company strategy, product direction, and innovation priorities.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to ensure the company remains at the forefront of clean energy innovation.

Technology Development & Delivery

• Lead and technically contribute to R&D, engineering, and product development efforts from concept to commercial deployment.
• Ensure technical feasibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of all solutions .

Team Leadership

• Build and mentor a world-class multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Run agile and data-driven practices across the technology organisation.

Operations & Governance

• Manage technology budgets, infrastructure, and intellectual property portfolios.
• Define and uphold robust compliance, and data governance standards.
• Represent the company in technical partnerships, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.

To be considered for the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) you need the follow experience :

• A Degree in an engineering discipline such as Marine, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering etc.
• Proven experience in a senior, strategic leadership position.
• Experience of bringing large scale hardware products to market.
• Project / programme management experience.
• Experience engaging with key stakeholders.
• Experience of one or more of following :
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics Engineering
• Marine Engineering.

Desirable

• Prior experience working in the marine environment.

Why Join?

• Shape the technology strategy of a pioneering tidal energy company.
• Work at the cutting edge of marine renewable innovation.
• Collaborate with world-class engineers and researchers.
• Play a central role in accelerating the global transition to clean energy.