Chief Technology Officer - Engineering

COMPENSATION IS INITIALLY EQUITY BASED AND AS FUNDING ALLOWS TRADITIONAL COMPONENTS - SALARY, BONUS, ETC. WILL BE ADDED TO COMPENSATION PACKAGE.

MUST BE LOCATED AND LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE USA.

Company Description

SkySpigot is a pre-seed startup located in Durango, Colorado, USA. Our mission is to transform the way the world gets its water by creating the most energy efficient Atmospheric Water Generators on the market. We are self-funded and currently engaged in research and development with the short-term goal of producing a working prototype and will be seeking strategic partnerships and external funding thereafter.

Our Founder and CEO, Mark Molinaro has spent his career in senior leadership roles and most recently had a mid-8-figure exit from his previous startup. Self-sufficiency, Authenticity, Imagination, Accomplishment, Understanding, Curiosity, Creativity and Effort are the values that guide everything he does.

Job Title: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Job Overview:

The CTO will lead the technological development, innovation, and implementation of systems designed to extract water from the atmosphere. This role involves steering the company's tech strategy to ensure alignment with business goals, as well as managing the development, maintenance, and enhancement of AWG technologies.

Responsibilities:

• Technology Strategy: Develop and execute the technology vision, strategy, and roadmap for the company, focusing on scalable and sustainable water generation solutions.
• Product Development: Lead the R&D team in designing, testing, and refining AWG technologies. This includes overseeing:
• Development of new water harvesting methods or improvement of existing technologies.
• Integration of IoT, AI, and other smart technologies for efficiency and automation.
• Ensuring products meet safety, regulatory, and environmental standards.
• Innovation Management: Foster an environment of innovation, encouraging novel approaches to water capture, purification, and distribution. This might include:
• Exploring new materials or processes that could increase efficiency or reduce costs.
• Managing intellectual property strategies, including patents.
• Team Leadership:
• Build, mentor, and lead a team of engineers, scientists, and technicians.
• Recruit top talent in fields like mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science, and software development.
• Operational Oversight:
• Oversee the maintenance and upgrade of existing AWG installations.
• Manage the tech budget, including capital expenditure on technology and R&D.
• Collaboration:
• Work closely with other C-level executives (CEO, CFO, COO) to align technology initiatives with business goals.
• Engage with external partners, suppliers, and research institutions to advance technology.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all products comply with local and international regulations regarding water quality, safety, and environmental impact.
• Market Analysis: Keep abreast of market trends, competitor technologies, and emerging opportunities in water technology to guide product development.

Qualifications:

• Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 10 years in a technology leadership role, preferably in water tech, renewable energy, or related industries.
• Proven track record in leading tech development from concept to market.
• Technical Skills: Deep understanding of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, materials science, and possibly software development for IoT or control systems.
• Leadership & Management: Strong leadership capabilities, with experience in managing cross-functional teams in a startup environment.
• Innovation: Demonstrated ability to innovate and adapt to changing technological landscapes.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills to explain complex technical details to non-technical stakeholders.

Additional:

• Must be willing to travel for business, including site visits, conferences, and partnership meetings.
• Experience with startups or scaling technology in emerging markets is highly beneficial.

This role is pivotal in not only pushing the boundaries of what atmospheric water generators can achieve but also in ensuring that the technology is scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, contributing significantly to water scarcity solutions worldwide.