Chief Technology Officer (Aerospace Engineering Experience REQUIRED)

About the role

NAVXCOM is seeking a highly experienced Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead the company’s technical vision, architecture, and execution. This role is critical to defining and advancing our core technologies, supporting government contracting efforts, and achieving key technical milestones necessary to secure funding and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead NAVXCOM’s overall technical strategy and roadmap
• Architect and oversee development of space navigation, communication, and computing systems
• Guide early-stage technology development to reach preliminary milestones required for funding and contracts
• Support proposal development and technical inputs for government solicitations
• Interface with government agencies, partners, and contractors
• Ensure technical compliance with government, security, and export control requirements
• Build and mentor future engineering teams as the company scales
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership on company growth and funding strategy

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (required)
• 10+ years of experience in a relevant technical role (space systems, aerospace, defense, or related fields)
• U.S. citizen with active TS security clearance or ability to obtain one
• Strong background in space systems, aerospace engineering, or defense-related technologies
• Proven experience leading complex technical programs or architectures
• Ability to work independently in an early-stage startup environment
• Passionate about space systems and technologies
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate in a resource-constrained, early-stage startup environment

Qualifications

• Experience working with NASA, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, or other government agencies
• Experience with government contracting, proposals, or classified programs
• Background in navigation, communications, satellite systems, or space infrastructure
• Prior startup or early-stage company experience
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace or related field is highly preferred
• Veterans are top priority for NAVXCOM
• Entrepreneurship mindset

Benefits

• Opportunity to shape the technical foundation of a deep-space infrastructure company
• Significant equity ownership and executive leadership role
• Direct involvement in government-facing space programs
• High-impact role with long-term growth potential
• 5% equity in NAVXCOM at no cost, vested over 2 years

Pay

No salary initially (unpaid until funding is secured).

Schedule

• No fixed schedule until funds are secured
• Able to commute daily to our office in the Denver area after securing funds (currently fully remote)
• Must be available and committed to contributing meaningfully toward achieving preliminary technical and funding milestones