CTO & Technical Co-Founder

Sentinel Command is a company with a working software platform, focusing on coordinating drones and ground robots. As the CTO & Technical Co-Founder, you will be the first technical hire, joining a founding team that is already contributing part-time. Your role will involve leading the transition from a software prototype to operational validation in the field. Your main responsibilities will include assessing the current platform and defining the technical path toward operational validation. You will develop core workflows for operational requests, approvals, asset coordination, and traceability. Additionally, you will design modular interfaces for drones, robots, sensors, and external systems, ensuring reliable telemetry, video, and operational state management under poor connectivity. You will also establish standards for security, access control, testing, deployment, and observability, and assess and integrate AI assistance with clear human oversight. Engaging with prospective users to validate assumptions and translate operational needs will also be part of your role. Furthermore, you will recruit and mentor the initial engineering team as the company scales post-funding. To excel in this role, you must have a demonstrated track record of shipping software used by real customers or operational teams. Strong backend and systems engineering skills, including APIs, event-driven workflows, databases, and real-time data, are essential. Experience integrating software with devices, robotics, or industrial systems is also required. Full-stack capability with direct involvement in implementation and debugging is crucial. Sound judgment on reliability, security, and failure handling, as well as a product mindset focused on scope reduction, assumption testing, and clear technical trade-off communication, are necessary. The ability to share ownership and navigate uncertainty with founding teams is important. Professional English proficiency is a must. Nice-to-have skills include the ability to work in a dynamic and uncertain environment, and the capacity to mentor and recruit a growing engineering team. The location and team dynamics are not specified, but the role offers the opportunity to be part of a growing company with a clear vision and a validated platform. What the role asks for: - Demonstrated track record shipping software used by real customers or operational teams - Strong backend and systems engineering: APIs, event-driven workflows, databases, real-time data - Experience integrating software with devices, robotics or industrial systems - Full-stack capability with direct involvement in implementation and debugging - Sound judgment on reliability, security and failure handling - Product mindset: scope reduction, assumption testing, clear technical trade-off communication - Ability to share ownership and navigate uncertainty with founding teams - Professional English proficiency