Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

SWISSto12 is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies, delivering advanced payloads and satellite systems that leverage cutting‑edge RF technologies and additive manufacturing.

Our flagship product line, HummingSat, is the world’s first commercial telecom GEO SmallSat, developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniquely compact architecture, combined with highly capable telecom payloads, enables operators to deploy missions faster and more affordably. Seven spacecraft have already been ordered by leading operators including SES, Viasat, Astrum Mobile, and Space Compass.

In parallel, SWISSto12 is a leading provider of RF payloads and products across LEO, MEO, and GEO missions, with capabilities spanning UHF to Q/V bands and optical communications. Our patented 3D‑printing technologies enable lightweight, compact, and high‑performance designs at a competitive cost.

As SWISSto12 transitions from a high‑growth innovator to a scaled industrial player delivering multiple space programs in parallel, we are creating a corporate CTO role to ensure technical excellence, execution rigor, and scalability across our engineering organisation and product portfolio.

Job Requirements

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in aerospace, space systems, or satellite communications
• Proven track record in senior technical leadership roles (CTO, Chief Engineer, VP Engineering or equivalent)
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex space systems from design through launch and operations
• Experience scaling engineering organisations and processes in a growth or industrialisation context

Technical Expertise

• Deep expertise in space systems engineering and satellite architectures
• Strong understanding of RF payloads, telecom systems, or related technologies
• Experience with systems engineering at scale (MBSE strongly preferred)

Leadership & Impact

• Proven ability to build and lead high‑performing, multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Strong track record of technical decision‑making in complex, high‑stakes environments
• Pragmatic, hands‑on leader able to operate strategically and at depth when required

Industry & Mindset

• Strong network within the space, satellite, or aerospace ecosystem
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced scale‑up environment
• International mindset, able to work across multiple time zones and cultures
• Excellent communication skills in English (French is a strong plus)

Job Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Act as the ultimate technical authority across all products and systems.
• Define and enforce system architecture principles and design governance across product lines.
• Provide oversight and leadership of existing technical review boards (SRR, PDR, CDR, QR), ensuring consistency of standards, decision quality, and effective cross‑program alignment.
• Arbitrate cross‑program technical trade‑offs and priorities.

Engineering Operating Model & Excellence

• Define and drive the engineering operations, balancing agility with aerospace‑grade rigor.
• Lead the adoption and scaling of best practices (systems engineering, MBSE, digital thread, V‑model vs agile hybrid approaches).
• Establish and monitor engineering KPIs – schedule adherence, design maturity, defect rates, qualification success.
• Drive continuous improvement in:
  • Design for speed
  • Design‑to‑cost
  • Design‑to‑manufacture
  • Reliability and mission assurance

Program Execution (Priority: HummingSat)

• Take end‑to‑end ownership of technical execution excellence for HummingSat, ensuring:
  • Robust system integration and validation
  • Schedule and cost adherence
  • Industrial readiness for repeat missions
• Strengthen technical risk identification, mitigation, and escalation mechanisms.

Technology Strategy & Innovation

• Own the company‑wide technology roadmap and R&D portfolio, aligned with business strategy.
• Drive make‑vs‑buy decisions, platform reuse, and modularisation.
• Ensure SWISSto12 maintains a competitive edge in RF, additive manufacturing, and satellite systems.
• Provide technical leadership for areas of scope where SWISSto12 pursues vertical integration.

Organisation & Talent

• Shape and evolve the global engineering organisation and governance model.
• Build a culture of accountability, rigor, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop senior technical leaders and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Business & External Engagement

• Support business development, bids, and proposals with executive‑level technical leadership.
• Build trusted relationships with key customers, institutional partners (ESA), and suppliers.
• Represent SWISSto12 in technical forums, strategic partnerships, and industry engagements.

Success in This Role Will Be Measured By

• On‑time and on‑spec delivery of HummingSat and payload programs.
• Reduction in technical risks and late‑stage design changes.
• Increased engineering productivity, predictability, and scalability.
• Successful industrialisation of satellite and payload platforms.
• Strength and execution of a clear, differentiated technology roadmap.

To be discussed during the recruitment process.