Stealth - CTO

About the Client

This early-stage, stealth-mode client is building a large-scale industrial system from first principles, and looking for a CTO to own the architecture and delivery of a new class of power-generation turbines.

The Opportunity

This is a technical leadership role for someone who wants deep ownership of architecture, execution, and culture from the very beginning. For the right person, this role can evolve into a true co-founder partnership. You will work directly with the Founder & CEO as a peer to define technical direction, make early architectural decisions, and build the initial engineering organization.

We are looking for someone who loves building real hardware, is comfortable with ambiguity, and wants to spend the next decade shaping a foundational industrial company. Candidates may come from turbomachinery, propulsion, power systems, or adjacent heavy-hardware domains. Deep ownership of a major subsystem is acceptable if paired with system-level ambition.

Responsibilities

System-level technical architecture from first principles through early validation
Early technical decision-making under uncertainty
Hands-on design, analysis, build, and test work in the earliest phase
Engineering hiring, standards, and development workflows
Translation of real-world requirements into robust technical solutions
Close collaboration with the Founder & CEO on product direction and execution

What We Are Looking For

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (Master’s preferred)
Experience hiring, building, and leading highly capable engineering teams
Experience taking complex, physical systems from concept through build, test, and delivery
Strong first-principles engineering mindset
Comfort operating at both subsystem and system level
Proven ability to work through manufacturing, scaling, and real-world constraints
High ownership mentality; comfortable making consequential decisions
Understanding of thermodynamics, compressible and incompressible flow, thermochemistry, structural mechanics, materials, and design in demanding environments
Professional experience with mechanical design, GD&T, and tolerance-driven design, supported by structural and/or fluid analysis

We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.

Logistical Requirements

They are based in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area, and believe in in person collaboration

Benefit Highlights

Base Salary: $150,000 - $300,000 DOE
Early Team Equity Incentives

In addition to base salary, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Equal Opportunity

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. They evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

About AdAstra

AdAstra Talent Advisors is a headhunting and talent advising firm focused on the Climate, Space, and Defense sectors of Hard Tech. We specialize in pairing highly technical and executive talent with some of the world’s leading Hard Tech startups.

At AdAstra, we catalyze the innovations that future generations depend on by placing the right people in the right seats. Our dedicated work enables inconceivable technology from Earth, to the stars. And it’s all because of trailblazing talent like you - those driven to do what’s never been done before.

We care about long term relationships with both candidates and companies. Even if the role we initially discuss isn’t a perfect fit, it’s likely we’ll have something relevant to share with you in the future.

Join us on our journey by following along via LinkedIn!

CEO, Seyka Mejeur | LinkedIn profile

CTO / COO, Brian Mejeur | LinkedIn profile

AdAstra Talent Advisors | LinkedIn profile

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