Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Location: Full-time On-Site (CA)

Type: Full-Time | Founding Team Opportunity

Float is an early-stage aerospace company developing advanced airship systems for large-scale cargo applications. We are focused on solving hard aerospace problems and translating ambitious concepts into real, tested hardware. Our team is small, execution-driven, and building a new airship platform from first principles.

The Role

As Chief Technology Officer , you will own Float’s technical vision and execution end-to-end. You will be responsible for defining system architecture, setting engineering priorities, and leading the development of Float’s airship platform from early concepts through prototyping, testing, and production-intent designs.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a deeply technical builder. You will work directly with early hardware, guide critical design tradeoffs, and build a high-caliber engineering team capable of executing in a complex, safety-critical aerospace environment.

Responsibilities

• Own and define the overall technical architecture of Float’s airship platform
• Lead the design, prototyping, and validation of flight-critical systems
• Drive system-level trade studies across structures, propulsion, energy, controls, and manufacturing
• Ensure designs balance performance, safety, manufacturability, and scalability
• Guide early prototype development, testing, and iteration with hands-on technical involvement
• Build, mentor, and lead a world-class engineering team
• Establish engineering standards, documentation, and review processes appropriate for an early-stage aerospace program
• Collaborate closely with company leadership on technical roadmap and execution strategy
• Interface selectively with partners, vendors, and regulatory stakeholders as needed

(Note: External-facing responsibilities are focused on technical credibility and execution, not sales or marketing.)

Qualifications

• MS or PHD in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Deep experience in aerospace, systems engineering, or complex hardware platforms
• Proven track record taking hardware systems from concept through prototype and test
• Strong system-level thinking and engineering judgment across multiple disciplines
• Experience leading and scaling small, high-ownership engineering teams
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and making decisions with incomplete data
• Bias toward execution, validation, and building real hardware

Nice to Have

• Experience with experimental, unconventional, or large-scale aerospace platforms
• Background in energy, propulsion, avionics, or safety-critical systems
• Familiarity with manufacturing-scale hardware development
• Exposure to certification-aware or regulated design environments
• Prior experience at an aerospace startup, skunkworks program, or founding team

Why Join Us

This is a rare opportunity to shape the core engineering DNA of a company redefining how cargo moves across the planet. You’ll take on meaningful responsibility early, build groundbreaking vehicles, and grow alongside a world-class team pioneering the future of sustainable air mobility.