Chief Technology Officer (Houston)

Few roles in the medical device industry carry the weight of this one. A well-capitalized endovascular robotics startup is seeking its Chief Technology Officer, a foundational executive hire that will define the technical trajectory of the company for years to come. This individual will lead all research and development activity across the organization, both domestically and internationally, taking full ownership of the engineering and scientific vision behind the company's first-generation endovascular robotic platform and the broader technology ecosystem being built around it.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The company is an endovascular robotics startup developing a first-generation robotic platform designed to transform how physicians treat complex vascular and neurovascular conditions. Its technology is engineered to extend the reach of interventional care, enabling more precise, more reproducible, and ultimately more accessible procedures across a range of indications where geography, training variability, and procedural complexity today limit patient access to optimal treatment.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Technology Officer will serve as the company's senior technology executive and a core member of the leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO. This individual will be accountable for all R&D functions across the organization, leading the technical development of the first-generation endovascular robotic platform from its current stage through design freeze, regulatory submission, and first clinical use, while simultaneously building the longer-term technology roadmap for the company's broader ecosystem vision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technology Strategy and Vision

• Define and own the company's technology strategy, establishing a clear and compelling roadmap for the first-generation endovascular robotic platform and the future ecosystem technologies that will extend its clinical and commercial reach
• Serve as the primary technical voice of the organization to the board, investors, clinical advisors, and strategic partners, communicating the company's technology vision with credibility and conviction
• Make or guide all major architectural, design, and platform decisions, balancing near-term development execution with long-term platform scalability and differentiation

R&D Leadership, US and International

• Lead all R&D functions across the organization, with accountability for engineering teams and development activities in both U.S. and international locations
• Build, recruit, and develop a world-class global engineering organization spanning mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and robotics disciplines, establishing a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and mission-driven urgency
• Establish and maintain the program management infrastructure, development processes, and design control frameworks necessary to execute complex, multi-disciplinary robotic system development within a regulated medical device environment

First-Generation Platform Development

• Take direct technical ownership of the first-generation endovascular robotic platform, driving the program through remaining development phases including design verification and validation, design freeze, and preparation for regulatory submission
• Ensure the platform is developed in full compliance with FDA, ISO 13485, IEC 60601, and all applicable regulatory and quality standards, with a design history file and technical documentation that meets the requirements for IDE and subsequent PMA or 510(k) submission
• Partner closely with clinical advisors, physician collaborators, and the clinical affairs function to ensure the platform's design, performance, and usability requirements accurately reflect the realities of the interventional suite and the needs of the target physician population
• Lead the concept development, feasibility evaluation, and early-stage R&D for next-generation and ecosystem technologies that will extend the platform's clinical capabilities and build the company's long-term competitive moat
• Work closely with the CEO and board to define the scope, sequencing, and investment priorities for the broader technology ecosystem, ensuring that future development programs are appropriately resourced and strategically aligned
• Drive intellectual property strategy in partnership with legal counsel, ensuring that the company's core innovations are appropriately protected and that the IP portfolio supports both clinical and commercial objectives

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Experience and Qualifications

• 15 or more years of progressive R&D and engineering leadership experience in the medical device industry, with at least 5 years in a VP, SVP, or CTO-level role with full R&D accountability
• Deep technical expertise in medical robotics, catheter-based systems, electromechanical device development, or a closely adjacent discipline, with direct experience leading the development of complex, multi-subsystem medical devices through regulatory clearance or approval
• Demonstrated experience building and leading global engineering organizations, including teams in multiple geographies, with a track record of attracting, developing, and retaining top technical talent
• Comprehensive command of FDA regulatory pathways for medical devices including IDE, PMA, and 510(k) submissions, as well as design controls under 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, and IEC 60601 standards
• Experience in endovascular, neurovascular, cardiovascular, or interventional device development strongly preferred; prior exposure to robotic or capital equipment systems is a significant advantage
• Visionary and strategic, with the ability to articulate a compelling long-term technology vision while maintaining the discipline and operational focus needed to execute in the near term
• A genuine builder who is energized by the opportunity to create organizations, systems, and cultures from the ground up rather than simply managing an inherited structure
• Exceptional executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, compelling narratives for clinical, investor, and board-level audiences
• Collaborative and relationship-driven, capable of building trust and alignment across a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders including engineers, clinicians, investors, and regulatory bodies
• Resilient and adaptable, comfortable operating in an environment where priorities evolve, resources are finite, and the highest-impact decisions must sometimes be made with incomplete information
• Deeply mission-driven, motivated by the potential of endovascular robotics to expand access to life-saving care and improve outcomes for patients who today lack access to optimal treatment