CTO & Co-Founder - OpenExpert.ai

CTO & Co-Founder - OpenExpert.ai

OpenExpert.AI is building a Digital Subject Matter Expert for the energy sector—an AI system capable of expert reasoning, real-time diagnostics, and proactive guidance for power plants, transmission networks, and distributed energy assets. This is not a chatbot. It is the intelligence layer for the modern grid.

Energy reliability is a $50B+ global challenge. Aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, and renewable integration are creating system complexity that exceeds human capacity. The next leap will come from AI systems that can reason across multi-modal data, think like experienced operators, and guide real-world decisions. If we succeed, we strengthen critical infrastructure and accelerate the energy transition.

This is a founder role, not a traditional CTO position. We are looking for someone who has built in ambiguity, shipped quickly with limited resources, and taken full ownership of products from 0 → 1. You will co-found and build this company from day one alongside C10 Labs.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and define the technical vision and architecture of the OpenExpert.AI platform from 0 → 1
• Build the initial product yourself (hands-on coding expected early) before scaling a team
• Design and develop AI systems for reasoning, diagnostics, and real-time decision support across complex data environments
• Work directly with customers (utilities, operators, industrial partners) to shape product and validate use cases
• Rapidly iterate from prototype → pilot → production with urgency and limited resources
• Recruit and build the initial engineering team once product-market signal is established
• Make pragmatic decisions on tradeoffs, speed vs scale, and product direction
• Partner with CEO on fundraising, technical narrative, and go-to-market strategy
• Operate as a true co-founder with ownership across product, engineering, and company-building

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Founder / Builder Mindset (Required)

• Former founder or early employee (0–10 / 0–20 stage) at a startup
• Experience building and shipping products from scratch, not just scaling or managing
• Comfortable being hands-on and scrappy, especially in early stages
• Proven ability to operate in ambiguity without structure or large teams

Technical Depth (AI + Systems)

• Strong experience building with LLMs, AI systems, or complex data environments
• Experience working with multi-modal or real-world data systems (time-series, sensor, text, etc.)
• Solid foundation in distributed systems, APIs, and cloud infrastructure
• Ability to move between research, prototyping, and production systems

Product + Ownership

• Able to own product direction, not just technical execution
• Experience working directly with users or customers to shape solutions
• Strong bias for speed, iteration, and shipping

Bonus (Not Required)

• Experience in energy, industrial systems, or critical infrastructure
• Familiarity with SCADA/OT systems or industrial environments
• Background in predictive systems, diagnostics, or decision-support tools

To ensure alignment, this role is likely not a fit if you:

• Have primarily worked in large, structured organizations
• Prefer managing teams over building products directly
• Are looking for a pure CTO/executive leadership role without hands-on work
• Have not operated in early-stage startup environments

Benefits

• Co-founder equity with meaningful ownership from day one
• Competitive compensation post-fundraise
• Backing from C10 Labs (capital, talent, and company-building support)
• Access to customers, advisors, and industry partners
• Full autonomy to shape product, team, and technical direction
• Opportunity to build a company solving real-world, high-stakes infrastructure challenges
• Flexible hybrid work (NYC or Cambridge)

About C10 Labs

C10 Labs is a Cambridge-based venture studio fund transforming the future of AI-First startups. We partner with inspiring entrepreneurs to push their businesses forward and scale their solutions. Through surrounding our teams with expert technology support, operational know-how, and our network of advisors, we help create a greater impact together.

Our Hiring Process

Stage 1:

Application Review

Stage 2:

Finalist

Stage 3:

Hold - Pass

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