Executive search
Hiring a CTO, hands-on or executive.
A co-founder building a start-up's tech, or the leader of an existing engineering team: the title covers very different roles. We start by clarifying which one you need, then search directly and confidentially for CTOs, VPs of Engineering and Engineering Managers already in post.
Right now
Hands-on CTOs and Engineering Managers open to offers.
Hiring a CTO
For a start-up, the first CTO is often a co-founder: they code, choose the architecture and hire the first engineers. For a scale-up, they lead an organisation and carry the technical vision at board level. Profile, salary and equity are completely different: that is the first thing we frame with you.
Talk about your CTO ↓Completed hires
- CTO · Aerix Systems
- CTO · Wingly
- CTO · Les Sherpas
- CTO · Singulier
- CTO · CRIT France
- CTO · Groupe Le Figaro (Ticketac)
- CTO · Eskimoz
Role guide
Hiring a VP of Engineering or Head of Engineering
The CTO carries the technical vision; the VP of Engineering makes the team work: organisation, hiring, delivery. A start-up often looks for both in one person at first, then splits them as it grows. We help you define which one fits your stage.
Talk about your VP of Engineering ↓Completed hires
- VP of Engineering · PrestaShop
- VP of Engineering · Zelty
- VP Cloud & Platform Architect · Ornikar
Role guide
Hiring an Engineering Manager
A tech team's first manager often comes from the team itself, and that is often where things get stuck. We look for Engineering Managers who have already led a team and stay close enough to the code to be credible with engineers.
Talk about your Engineering Manager ↓Completed hires
- Engineering Manager · PayFit
- Engineering Manager · Safran.AI (ex-Preligens)
- Engineering Manager · Descartes
- Engineering Manager · DentalMonitoring
- 2 Engineering Managers · Naboo
- 2 Engineering Managers · PrestaShop
- Engineering Manager · L'Atelier des Chefs
- Engineering Manager · DiliTrust
Role guide
FAQ
Hiring a CTO, your questions.
Hands-on CTO or executive CTO: how to choose?
It depends on your stage. Below about ten engineers, you need someone who codes and owns the architecture. Beyond that, you need someone who hires, organises and arbitrates. Many failures come from a mismatch between the two: it is the first point we clarify with you.
Should you offer equity to a CTO?
For a start-up's first CTO, equity is usually part of the offer. We help you build a credible offer for the candidates we approach, based on your stage and means.
How long does it take to hire a CTO?
You get a market map within 8 days, then a report every week. The total time depends on the role and how rare the profile is: we give you a realistic estimate in the first call.
How much does hiring a CTO cost?
In executive search, a retainer at launch, then a fee when the candidate starts. The amount depends on the role: we give it to you in writing after the first call.
Can the search stay confidential?
Yes. We approach candidates without a public ad and only reveal your company's name to qualified profiles. We can sign an NDA before the first call.
Our other expertise
- Developer recruitment firm
- AI and data recruitment firm
- Hire an AI Engineer or an LLM Engineer
- Hire a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)
- Embedded engineer recruitment agency
- Electronics, RF and radar recruitment agency
- Cybersecurity recruitment agency
- Hiring your first engineers in a start-up
- Structuring your tech team after a round
- Hiring the tech leadership of a scale-up
- Defence, Industry & Hardware
- AI, Data & Science
- Business & Tech Solutions
- Executive search
Contact
Let's talk about your hire.
A first call to understand the role, the context and the urgency. You leave with a frank view of how feasible the hire is, whether or not you then work with us.