3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
Sign in to access AI-powered advices
Continue with Google Continue with Google
Continue with Google Continue with Google
Continue with Google Continue with Google
Continue with Google Continue with Google
Continue with Google Continue with Google
Continue with Google Continue with Google
Shape the Future of Encrypted Enterprise IntelligenceLocation: Düsseldorf, Germany (Remote-First) | Stage: Pre-Seed | Start: Immediately
The Mission
Join us as CTO & Co-Founder to build Germany's first BSI-compliant, AI-powered knowledge management platform for 187,000+ professionals bound by legal confidentiality. We're solving a critical problem: lawyers, auditors, and tax advisors can't use US cloud solutions due to professional secrecy laws (§203 StGB), yet they desperately need modern AI tools.
The Role
As our CTO, you'll architect a revolutionary platform that enables AI to work on fully encrypted data - proving that maximum security and maximum intelligence aren't mutually exclusive.
Core Responsibilities
Security Architecture & Implementation
* Design end-to-end encryption architecture using HSM integration and zero-knowledge principles
* Implement military-grade security (AES-256, RSA-4096, Elliptic Curve Cryptography)
* Build encrypted database systems allowing AI operations without decryption
* Develop secure multi-tenant architecture for highly sensitive data
Compliance & Certification Leadership
* Ensure GDPR, NIS-2, and upcoming AI Act compliance by design
* Manage security audits and penetration testing programs
* Build relationships with BSI and security authorities
Technical Leadership
* Make critical decisions on tech stack
* Hire and mentor security-focused engineering team (3-5 developers Year 1)
* Establish DevSecOps culture with security-first development practices
* Balance security requirements with startup speed and pragmatism
Product & Business Impact
* Translate complex security features into customer value
* Work directly with pilot customers (law firms, audit companies)
* Present security architecture to enterprise clients and investors
* Define technical roadmap aligned with business milestones
Essential Qualifications
Technical Expertise Required:
✓ 8+ years in cybersecurity/cryptography engineering
✓ Production experience with encryption at scale
✓ Hands-on with HSMs, key management, secure enclaves
✓ Cloud security architecture (AWS/Azure + on-premise)
✓ Security certifications (CISSP, CCSP, or equivalent)
✓ Fluent in German and English (client-facing role), C1-C2 Level
Critical Experience:
* Led security architecture for regulated industries (finance/healthcare/government)
* Achieved compliance certifications (ISO 27001, SOC2, or BSI)
* Built secure systems handling millions of encrypted records
* Managed security incidents and implemented zero-trust architectures
Startup DNA:
* Previous CTO/Head of Engineering role (preferably in security startup)
* Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration
* Can code hands-on when needed (not just architecture)
* Experience building teams from 0→20 engineers
Nice-to-Have Superpowers
* Experience with homomorphic encryption or secure multi-party computation
* Background in LegalTech, RegTech, or GovTech
* Published research or patents in cryptography
* Active in security community (conferences, open source)
* Experience with German government/enterprise sales cycles
What We Offer
Equity & Compensation:
* Co-founder equity stake
* Full benefits package
Impact & Growth:
* Build THE security standard for professional services in Europe
* Direct access to customers and investors
* Shape company culture and technical direction
* Work with cutting-edge encryption + AI technology
* Remote-first with Düsseldorf office option
* Flexible hours (core hours 10-16 CET)
* Top-tier hardware/software of your choice
* Conference budget for continuous learning
Tech Stack & Architecture
Current Stack: we will talk about it
Your Domain:
Compliance: Automated security controls
DevSecOps: Secure CI/CD, SAST/DAST
Who You Are
You're a security expert who's tired of choosing between "secure" and "usable." You believe that encryption should be invisible to users while being impenetrable to attackers. You've probably worked in enterprises and understand their needs, but you're excited by the speed and impact of startups.
Most importantly, you see the massive opportunity in building trust infrastructure for the AI age - and you want to be the technical visionary who makes it happen.
Interview Process
* Privat call / Meeting with Sebastian (30 min)
* Technical deep-dive + architecture discussion (90 min), with other people
* Meet advisory board & team (60 min)
* Reference checks + final offer
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Information Technology
* Industries
Software Development
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at AI SLEIPNIR by 2x
Get notified about new Chief Technology Officer jobs in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 1 month ago
(Senior) Manager CIO Advisory - Digital Transformation (w/m/d)
(Senior) Manager CIO Advisory - Digital Transformation (w/m/d)
(Senior) Manager CIO Advisory - Digital Transformation (w/m/d)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 3 months ago
Senior Strategy Consultant - Governance Orchestration (m/f/x) CIO S&BM
Senior/Managing Consultant CIO Advisory (all genders)
Senior Strategy Consultant - Governance Orchestration (m/w/d) CIO S&BM
Senior Analyst - BCG Vantage - CIO Advisory
Senior/Managing Consultant CIO Advisory (all genders)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 4 hours ago
Senior Consultant (w/m/d) CIO Advisory Digital Ecosystem
Senior Consultant (w/m/d) CIO Advisory Digital Ecosystem
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 3 months ago
Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 1 month ago
Chief Development Officer / Senior Vice President (f/m/d)
Senior Vice President Corporate Finance (w/m/d)
Vice President Sales & Purchasing (SD, MM, GTS) (all genders)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 1 week ago
Vice President (all genders) SAP Sales & Purchasing (SAP SD, MM, GTS)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 1 week ago
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 4 months ago
(Senior) Director / Vice President Pharma Germany (m/w/d)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2 weeks ago
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 4 months ago
(Senior) Director / Vice President Industry Distribution (m/w/d)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 4 months ago
(Senior) Director / Vice President Retail (m/w/d)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 4 months ago
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 3 days ago
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 4 months ago
Vice President (all genders) Supply Chain Management (SAP EWM, SAP TM)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 1 week ago
Senior Director / Vice President IT Cost & Value (m/w/d)
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2 months ago
Dormagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 3 weeks ago
Dormagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 2 weeks ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr