CTO | AI & Data Infrastructure
C&D Talent Advisory - Academy · Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
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- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $175,000 / year
- Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Job highlights
- Lead AI/data infrastructure technical vision and architecture.
- Scale a distributed remote engineering team.
- Build enterprise-grade AI and data products.
- Attract and hire top engineering talent.
- Shape product and team from seed stage.
About the role
CTO / Founding Engineer - AI & Data Infrastructure
We are seeking a hands-on CTO / Founding Engineer to spearhead the technical direction of a seed-stage startup focused on building enterprise-grade AI and data infrastructure systems. This is a crucial foundational leadership role where you will shape the system architecture, engineering structure, hiring strategy, and overall technical direction.
You will take full ownership of the product and team from an early stage, guiding it through its next phases of growth and maturity. The role is remote, with the executive team based in London.
What You'll Do
- Own the technical vision and architecture for AI and data systems.
- Lead and scale a distributed engineering team (currently 5+ members).
- Make critical decisions regarding infrastructure, data platforms, and AI/ML systems.
- Build and deliver enterprise-grade AI and data products.
- Drive the hiring process and attract top engineering talent.
- Collaborate with executives and clients on technical strategy.
- Balance research-driven exploration with practical, product-focused execution.
What We're Looking For
- Experience as a CTO or a Founding/early-stage engineer in a scaling startup.
- 10+ years of experience in software engineering.
- Deep expertise in data systems, AI/ML infrastructure, and enterprise software.
- Strong hands-on engineering capabilities.
- Proven experience leading remote engineering teams.
- A track record of hiring strong engineers and scaling teams and systems.
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience with Large Language Models (LLMs) or advanced AI systems.
- Background in high-caliber tech environments.
- Exposure to startup growth stages (pre-seed to Series A/B).
Location & Eligibility
- Remote (aligned with London-based leadership).
- Comfortable working across UK/EU time zones.
- UK / EU candidates preferred; remote contractors considered.
Why This Role
- Join at the seed stage with $3.1M raised and significant equity.
- Define and evolve the technical architecture and roadmap.
- Build AI/data infrastructure systems for enterprise use cases.
- Work directly with founders and executive stakeholders.
- Opportunity to attract and build a high-caliber engineering team.
If you are looking to take full technical ownership, build and scale meaningful AI systems, and shape both product and team from an early stage, this is your opportunity to lead that journey.
Key skills/competency
- CTO
- Founding Engineer
- AI Infrastructure
- Data Systems
- System Architecture
- Engineering Leadership
- Remote Teams
- Startup Growth
- Enterprise Software
- AI/ML
Skills & topics
- CTO
- AI
- Data Infrastructure
- Founding Engineer
- System Architecture
- Engineering Leadership
- Remote
- Startup
- AI/ML
- Data Systems
- Enterprise Software
- Full-time
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight CTO, founding engineer, AI, and data infrastructure experience.
- Showcase leadership: Emphasize experience scaling teams and systems in early-stage startups.
- Demonstrate technical depth: Detail your expertise in AI/ML infrastructure and data systems.
- Address remote work: Confirm comfort with UK/EU time zones and distributed teams.
- Prepare for ambiguity: Be ready to discuss operating with high ownership.
Technical preparation
Deep dive into AI/ML and data system architectures.,Review distributed systems and cloud infrastructure.,Prepare to discuss LLM and advanced AI concepts.,Practice articulating technical strategy and decisions.
Behavioral questions
Describe leading remote engineering teams.,Explain how you've handled startup ambiguity.,Share experience scaling systems and teams.,Discuss balancing research with product focus.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the expected salary range for the CTO AI and Data Infrastructure role at C&D Talent Advisory - Academy?
- The compensation for the CTO AI and Data Infrastructure position is between $150,000 and $200,000 annually, plus 5% equity. This reflects the foundational and leadership nature of the role in a seed-stage startup.
- Is the CTO AI and Data Infrastructure role at C&D Talent Advisory - Academy remote?
- Yes, this CTO AI and Data Infrastructure role is fully remote. While the executive team is based in London, candidates can work remotely, with a preference for those comfortable working across UK/EU time zones. Remote contractors are also considered.
- What specific AI and data experience is C&D Talent Advisory - Academy looking for in their CTO?
- C&D Talent Advisory - Academy is seeking deep expertise in AI/ML infrastructure and data systems. Experience with Large Language Models (LLMs) and advanced AI systems is a bonus. A strong track record in building and evolving these systems in early-stage environments is crucial.
- What does 'high ownership' mean for the CTO AI and Data Infrastructure position?
- For the CTO AI and Data Infrastructure role, 'high ownership' implies taking full responsibility for the technical direction, product development, and team growth. It means being comfortable making key decisions, driving initiatives from conception to execution, and operating effectively in an ambiguous startup environment.
- How important is startup experience for this CTO role?
- Startup experience is highly valued for this CTO role. C&D Talent Advisory - Academy specifically looks for candidates who have successfully built and evolved products and teams within early-stage, scaling startup environments. Prior experience as a CTO or a founding/early-stage engineer is a key requirement.
- What is the equity offering for the CTO role?
- The CTO AI and Data Infrastructure role comes with a significant equity offering of 5%. This is in addition to the competitive base salary, reflecting the crucial nature of this founding role in a seed-stage company.