Chief Technology Officer (CTO) - Deep Tech R&D - Switzerland

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) – Deep Tech R&D

📍 Switzerland (Valais) — Relocation from France planned for Fall 2026

About the Company

INAUTALENT is partnering with a pioneering deep tech R&D company currently based in the French Alps, operating at the cutting edge of applied fundamental physics.

Working at the intersection of **relativity and quantum mechanics **, the company is developing breakthrough technologies with the potential to redefine ** energy production and propulsion systems **.

In collaboration with leading international academic institutions, the organization is driven by a bold ambition:

👉 transform fundamental scientific discoveries into real-world, high-impact technologies addressing global environmental challenges.

📍 The company will relocate to Valais (Switzerland). Depending on your start date, you may initially be based in France.

The Opportunity

This is not a traditional CTO role.

We are looking for a technical leader and organizational builder who can bring structure, speed, and execution to a highly ambitious scientific environment.

You will take a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers and **scale it into a world-class R&D organization **, capable of turning bold theoretical concepts into ** working prototypes **.

You will work directly with leadership to shape the company’s trajectory—bridging **scientific vision and operational execution **.

Your Mission

• Lead and scale a multidisciplinary team (engineers, physicists, hybrid profiles)
• Build the structure, processes, and governance of a high-performing R&D organization
• Define and execute the technology and product roadmap
• Drive projects from early-stage research to prototype (TRL 0–5)
• Establish KPIs, tools, and operating frameworks to improve execution
• Accelerate delivery while maintaining scientific rigor
• Develop and mentor future technical leaders
• Foster a culture of ownership, excellence, and accountability
• Partner closely with founders and leadership to align vision and execution

Requirements

What You Bring

Technical Background

• Strong engineering foundation (exposure to applied physics is a strong plus)
• Engineering-driven mindset (vs. purely theoretical profile)
• Experience in hardware and advanced technology development, ideally in areas such as:

*    RF systems (Radio Frequency) 

*    Plasma physics 
*    High-voltage systems 
*    Quantum vacuum / field theory 
*    Electromechanical systems 

• Proven ability to operate in complex, cutting-edge scientific environments
• Strong expertise in applied technology and product development

Leadership & Execution

• Proven experience in senior technical leadership roles (CTO, Head of Engineering, Director…)
• Track record of managing and scaling technical teams (15+ people)
• Experience structuring R&D organizations (processes, roles, governance)
• Ability to build and evolve organizations in high-growth environments

You are known for your ability to:

• Bring structure and clarity to fast-moving, ambiguous environments
• Drive execution and delivery at pace
• Coach and elevate experienced engineers and technical contributors
• Challenge scientific assumptions with a pragmatic, inventive mindset
• Translate bold ideas into clear, actionable roadmaps

Leadership Style

• Strong, credible leadership capable of engaging highly technical teams
• Ability to introduce structure without limiting innovation
• Highly execution-focused and results-driven
• High standards for quality, rigor, and performance
• Comfortable navigating uncertainty while providing direction
• Excellent communication with senior scientific stakeholders
• Collaborative mindset, especially with founders and executive leadership

👉 You are a **pragmatic visionary **: able to turn complex, ambitious ideas into tangible outcomes.

Benefits

Why This Role

Work on first-principles scientific challenges with real-world impact

Build and shape a deep tech organization from the ground up

Operate at the frontier of physics and engineering

Contribute to technologies that could redefine energy and propulsion