CTO - Robotics and Hardware

Motion Recruitment; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Executive leadership role

Comprehensive benefits

Series B growth opportunity

Job summary

Motion Recruitment is seeking an experienced Chief Technology Officer to lead our robotics startup through its next growth phase. The CTO will shape technology strategy, scale Engineering, Software, Hardware, and Product teams, and partner with the executive team and Board to drive execution from prototype to production at scale.

The ideal candidate brings 15+ years in engineering leadership within robotics or manufacturing tech, with a track record of building world-class teams and delivering

Qualifications

• 15+ years of engineering leadership experience with 8+ years leading large engineering organizations.
• CTO/VP Engineering or equivalent executive technology leader.
• Proven leadership in robotics, industrial automation, manufacturing tech, or complex hardware companies.
• Experience scaling engineering in venture-backed or high-growth startups.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams including software, robotics, electrical, mechanical, embedded systems, controls, and product management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's long-term technology and product strategy.
• Lead and scale multidisciplinary Engineering, Software, Hardware, Robotics, Controls, and Product organizations.
• Partner with CEO and executive team to align technology investments with business objectives.
• Mentor high-performing engineering leaders and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and execution.
• Recruit and retain exceptional engineering talent during rapid growth.
• Drive product development from concept through production at scale.
• Establish engineering processes, standards, and structure to support scaling.
• Present technology strategy and roadmaps to the Board and investors.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to maintain competitive advantage.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Operations for manufacturability and reliability.
• Oversee partnerships, vendors, and external engineering relationships.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Robotics domain knowledge

Executive communication

Scaling startups

Cross-functional leadership

Product strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS/Robotics

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

PLM systems

Job description

A rapidly growing robotics startup that recently completed a successful Series B funding round is seeking an experienced Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to help lead the company through its next phase of growth. This is a rare opportunity to join the executive leadership team and shape the technology strategy of a company bringing cutting‑edge robotics and automation solutions to market.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished technology executive with deep experience in robotics, industrial automation, manufacturing, or complex hardware systems. You'll be responsible for scaling engineering, driving product innovation, building world‑class teams, and serving as a trusted technical advisor to the executive team, investors, and Board of Directors.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys balancing long‑term technology vision with hands‑on leadership while building products that move from prototype to production at scale.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop and execute the company's long‑term technology and product strategy
• Lead and scale multidisciplinary Engineering, Software, Hardware, Robotics, Controls, and Product organizations
• Partner closely with the CEO and executive leadership team to align technology investments with business objectives
• Build and mentor high‑performing engineering leaders while creating a culture focused on innovation, accountability, and execution
• Recruit, attract, and retain exceptional engineering talent during a period of rapid growth
• Drive product development from concept through commercialization and large‑scale manufacturing
• Establish engineering processes, development standards, and organizational structure to support continued scaling
• Present technology strategy, product roadmaps, and engineering updates to the Board of Directors and investors
• Evaluate emerging technologies and identify opportunities to maintain competitive advantage
• Partner with Manufacturing and Operations teams to ensure products are designed for manufacturability, reliability, and production scalability
• Oversee technical partnerships, strategic vendors, and external engineering relationships
• Balance technical innovation with execution, delivery schedules, product quality, and business priorities
• Foster collaboration across Engineering, Product, Manufacturing, Operations, Sales, and Customer Success teams

Required Skills & Experience

• 15+ years of engineering leadership experience with 8+ years leading large engineering organizations
• Previous experience as a CTO, VP of Engineering, SVP Engineering, or equivalent executive technology leader
• Proven leadership experience within robotics, industrial automation, manufacturing technology, autonomous systems, or complex hardware companies
• Demonstrated success scaling engineering organizations in venture‑backed or high‑growth startup environments
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams including:
  • Software Engineering
  • Robotics
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Embedded Systems
  • Controls Engineering
  • Product Management
• Experience bringing complex hardware and software products from concept through production and commercial deployment
• Strong understanding of robotics architectures, embedded systems, industrial automation, and manufacturing processes
• Experience building engineering organizations capable of supporting rapid company growth
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, and retain top engineering talent
• Strong executive communication skills with experience presenting to Boards of Directors, investors, customers, and executive leadership teams
• Experience managing technology budgets, organizational planning, and engineering roadmaps
• Proven ability to balance strategic planning with operational execution in a fast‑paced startup environment
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related technical discipline (Master's or PhD preferred)

Desired Skills & Experience

• Previous experience leading technology organizations through Series B, Series C, or later‑stage growth
• Experience commercializing robotics or automation products for manufacturing, logistics, automotive, warehouse automation, or industrial markets
• Knowledge of AI, machine learning, computer vision, perception systems, and autonomous robotics
• Experience with hardware manufacturing, supply chain, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Familiarity with functional safety, quality systems, and regulatory standards for industrial products
• Experience managing globally distributed engineering teams
• Strong background working closely with investors, venture capital firms, and strategic partners
• Track record of developing engineering leaders and building high‑performance technical cultures
• Experience defining long‑term product vision while maintaining execution discipline

Leadership Qualities We're Looking For

• Visionary technology leader who can inspire teams and influence company direction
• Exceptional communicator who is comfortable presenting to executives, customers, investors, and Board members
• Proven people leader who enjoys mentoring, coaching, and developing future engineering leaders
• Strategic thinker capable of making complex technical decisions while balancing business objectives
• Hands‑on executive who enjoys engaging with engineers while empowering leadership teams
• Strong recruiting instincts with a demonstrated ability to attract world‑class technical talent
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑moving startup environment with changing priorities and rapid growth

Technology Environment

• Robotics & Industrial Automation
• Embedded Systems
• Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
• Controls Systems
• Computer Vision
• AI & Machine Learning
• Cloud Infrastructure
• Edge Computing
• Manufacturing & Production Systems
• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
• Agile Product Development
• Hardware & Software Integration

The Offer

• Executive-level compensation including competitive base salary, annual bonus, and meaningful equity participation
• Opportunity to join a well‑funded Series B startup entering its next phase of commercial growth
• Executive leadership role with direct influence on company strategy and product direction
• Work alongside experienced founders, investors, and executive leadership
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits
• Opportunity to build and scale a world‑class engineering organization while helping define the future of robotics and automation

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Sponsorship is not available for this opportunity.