CTO (Defense Technology / Embedded Systems & UAV)

Data Science UA is a service company with deep expertise in AI and Data Science. Our story started in 2016 with the first Data Science UA Conference in Kyiv, and since then, we've built one of the largest AI communities in Europe.

About the role and the client:
We are looking for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for a consulting company delivering hardware and software solutions for defense projects.

The CTO will be the primary technical authority for embedded and flight-critical systems, responsible for architecture, product viability, and engineering leadership — from idea conception to field deployment.
This role is ideal for an embedded systems engineer and technical leader with a strong background in fixed-wing UAV platforms (flight controllers, avionics, airframe integration), capable of designing complex end-to-end embedded solutions and managing multi-disciplinary teams (embedded, firmware, hardware, DSP, AI).

In defence technology, mistakes in architecture are costly.
This role is about responsibility, deep technical ownership of embedded systems, and creating technologies that work in real operational conditions, not just look good in presentations.
Kyiv-based vacancy.

Responsibilities:
- Define the company's technical strategy and R&D directions for embedded and fixed-wing UAV platforms.
- Own architecture and technical decisions for flight platforms: fixed-wing airframes, flight controllers, autopilot, avionics, onboard compute.
- Drive the integration of embedded AI/ML and DSP algorithms into onboard product architecture (real-time constraints, limited compute/power).
- Design end-to-end embedded systems (sensor → onboard compute → comms → operator / effect).
- Provide strategic architectural oversight for embedded, firmware, hardware, and AI/DSP engineering teams.
- Participate in presales and technical client discussions.
- Evaluate and select new projects or solutions (go/no-go decisions).
- Collaborate with field teams to analyze real-world flight testing results and iterate on embedded design.
- Manage the transition from prototype to working product and scalable (serial) production.
- Build, mentor, and develop embedded/firmware engineering teams.
- Select technologies (MCU/SoC, RTOS, comms protocols), define architecture, and establish embedded engineering processes.

Responsibilities:
- Solid background in the IT/Tech industry with a deep understanding of embedded product development life cycles.
- 5+ years of experience in embedded systems engineering, with hands-on exposure to fixed-wing UAV platforms, avionics, or robotics.
- Proven experience integrating embedded + hardware + software in flight or robotic systems.
- Strong understanding of embedded architecture: microcontrollers/SoCs, RTOS, sensor fusion, real-time communication protocols.
- Understanding of field constraints: latency, power/weight budget, reliability, maintainability, and real-world flight conditions.
- Track record of taking embedded products from prototype → MVP → deployment/production.
- Experience managing engineering teams.
- Experience in client-facing technical roles / presales / solution architecture.
- English: Advanced.

Requirements:
- Hands-on experience with fixed-wing UAV platforms, flight controllers, autopilot systems (PX4, ArduPilot, or proprietary).
- Experience in RF / EW / radar / sensing / avionics.
- Ex-military engineer or experience working closely with operational military units.
- Experience with serial production or scaling embedded/UAV systems.
- Proven ability to build embedded R&D or engineering departments from scratch.
- Background in miltech / defence / robotics / aerospace / telecom hardware companies.

Ideal Candidate:
- Thinks in embedded systems end-to-end — from silicon to airframe to mission outcome.
- Can confidently say "this won't fly" and propose alternatives.
- Focused on results in the field, not presentations.
- Capable of making technical decisions under uncertainty, with real hardware constraints (weight, power, latency).
- Strong leadership in client and engineering team interactions.
- Motivated to build embedded/UAV products from scratch and shape the company's technical direction.

What the Company Offers:
- Participation in defence technology projects with direct impact on fixed-wing UAV/embedded product lines.
- Exposure to hardware + embedded + software products, including flight platforms.
- Active involvement in presales and technical strategy.
- Health insurance.
- 24 days of vacation.
- Office/lab in Kyiv.
- Opportunity to influence technical strategy and build the embedded engineering organization.