Chief Technical Officer BlueRedGold

BlueRedGold; Stockholms kommun; On-site; SEK 3,500,000 - 5,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Job summary

BlueRedGold is seeking a visionary Chief Technical Officer to lead automation and production at our Enköping factory. You will build a high‑performing tech team, drive robotics, PLCs, SCADA, and AI/ML integration, and translate strategy into a concrete technical roadmap while managing budgets and investments.

As a member of the executive team, you will partner with the founder, collaborate across engineering, R&D and production, and ensure sustainable profitability and rapid scalable growth in a

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in production automation or related field.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale production and automation projects.
• Experience in food production or medical industry desirable.
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics or related.
• Proficient in CAD/CAM and PLC programming; hardware-software interfaces.
• Experience with machine vision in automated production is a plus.
• Track record of building and leading high-performing technical teams.
• Strong business acumen with budgeting and profitability experience.
• Startup experience and entrepreneurial mindset encouraged.
• Leadership experience in executive or senior management roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead setup, scaling, and optimization of factory operations.
• Oversee robotics, PLCs and automated systems integration.
• Conceptualize and implement advanced automation initiatives from pilot to full scale.
• Maintain high production efficiency, safety, and quality control.
• Collaborate with engineering, R&D and production to drive innovation.
• Partner with founder on strategy, budgeting, and technology roadmap.
• Recruit, develop and retain top technical talent.

Skills

Production automation

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Automation

Robotics

CAD/CAM

PLC programming

Python

C++

Leadership

Education

MSc or PhD in Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAM

PLC programming

SCADA

Job description

Location: Factory site in Enköping, Sweden Type: Full-time, On-site About BlueRedGold: BlueRedGold is a Swedish agritech startup revolutionizing indoor saffron cultivation using cutting‑edge technologies such as robotics and AI. We have developed superior quality, pesticide‑free saffron and are now ready to scale and become the world’s leading producer. Saffron’s health benefits are rapidly gaining recognition in food, pharma, and nutraceuticals, and our proprietary methods also drastically reduce CO2 emissions. At BlueRedGold, we are committed to driving sustainability, efficiency, and innovation in agriculture and beyond.

Role Summary

This is a rare chance to play a pivotal role in a rapidly growing, innovative startup with the potential to redefine an industry. We are seeking an experienced Chief Technical Officer with strong expertise in production, mechanical and electrical engineering, automation, and robotics, preferably from the food or medical industry. The ideal candidate will work closely with the Plant Manager and production team to lead the transition to a fully automated facility and production, managing the development and implementation of advanced automation systems in our new factory. As a member of the executive management team, the CTO shares responsibility for the company as a whole - not only for the technical domain - and a significant part of the role is strategic management: setting direction, owning the technology budget and investment decisions, and translating company strategy into an executable technical roadmap. Equally important is the ability to build, lead and develop a high‑performing tech team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the future: Spearhead the setup, scaling, and optimization of factory operations, ensuring our rapid growth meets strategic goals and budget requirements.
• Automate innovation: Oversee the integration of robotics, PLCs, and automated systems, driving seamless operational flow in a cutting‑edge production environment.
• Build from the ground up: Manage the conception and implementation of advanced automation initiatives, from pilot to full scale, in a space where your ideas will shape the future of agriculture.
• Raise the bar: Ensure the highest standards of production efficiency, safety, equipment utilization rate and OEE, and quality control, positioning BlueRedGold at the forefront of industry best practices.
• Collaborate for success: Work with cross‑functional teams (engineering, R&D, production) and lead external projects with customers and partners to drive innovation, foster development, and maximize productivity across the board.
• Strategic leadership: Partner closely with the founder to shape the company's strategy and engage with key stakeholders, including investors, in this game‑changing journey.
• Create long‑term success: Develop and execute strategies for financial sustainability, including profitability and cost management.
• Build a high‑performing team: Recruit, develop and retain top technical talent, set clear goals and ways of working, and create a culture of accountability, speed and continuous improvement.
• Lead from the management team: As a member of the executive management team, contribute to company‑wide decisions, priorities and trade‑offs, taking ownership of the business as a whole rather than of one function alone.
• Own the numbers: Drive strategic management work including budgeting, forecasting, investment cases and CAPEX/OPEX follow‑up for the technical organisation, and connect technical choices to their business and financial consequences.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in production automation, mechanical/electrical engineering, or a related field.
• Proven ability to lead large‑scale production and automation projects in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
• Experience in the food production or medical industry is highly desirable.
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, or related disciplines (MSc, PhD preferred but not required).
• Proficient in CAD/CAM and PLC programming, with a deep understanding of the interaction between hardware, software, and human interfaces.
• Experience with machine vision in automated production — camera and lighting setup, image‑based classification or detection, and integration of vision systems with robotics — is a strong plus but not a requirement
• A track record of building and leading teams to deliver production efficiency and innovation.
• Proven ability to collaborate with external partners and customers, leading joint projects that drive real success.
• Strong business acumen, with experience in managing budgets, profitability, and long‑term financial goals.
• Passion for start‑ups: Thrives on the excitement of scaling a business to new heights and embraces the agility and challenges of a fast‑paced, ever‑evolving environment.
• Strong management and leadership skills: proven experience of building and leading high‑performing technical teams, including recruitment, structure, goal setting and performance management.
• Experience from an executive management team or equivalent senior leadership role, with the ability to see the whole business - commercial, operational and financial - and not only your own area of expertise.

Technical Skills

• Hands‑on ability to design, prototype, and iterate on collaborative robotic and non‑robotic automation: process definition, positioning, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, end effectors, force control
• Expertise in embedded systems, database management, and AI/ML applications within production environments.
• Familiarity with SCADA systems, strong control architecture instincts, and experience in process optimization and quality control.
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C++, or Java.
• Knowledge and pragmatism in both components and solution build‑versus‑buy

Personality Traits

• Visionary leader: Able to see long‑term growth opportunities and inspire a team to achieve groundbreaking results.
• Hands‑on and adaptable: Thrives in both high‑level strategy and day‑to‑day problem‑solving in a start‑up environment.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: Passionate about building and scaling businesses.
• Solution‑oriented: Ability to navigate complex challenges with a proactive, hands‑on approach.
• Committed to sustainability: Passionate about ethical practices and making a positive impact.
• Team builder: Genuinely motivated by developing people, creating clarity and getting the best out of a diverse technical team.

Offer

• Competitive compensation package including stock options available.
• Unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and be part of an innovative company disrupting an entire industry.