Description
About 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.
Why This Matters
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.
The Role: CTO & Co-Founder
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Who This Role Is NOT For
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
What you’ll get:
- 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)