Deputy CTO

Overview

The Deputy CTO is a senior technology leader who partners closely with the CTO to shape Steer Bridge’s Defense Aviation technology strategy, oversee mission-critical program delivery, and drive innovation across the enterprise. This role blends strategic vision with hands-on technical oversight, ensuring that our solutions meet the highest industry and security standards while advancing the cutting edge of defense aviation capabilities.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Active Security clearance or the ability to obtain one (TS/SCI preferred).
• Must be a U.S. Citizen authorized to work in the United States.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive technical leadership experience, with at least 5 years in defense aviation, aerospace, or related mission-critical systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field (Master’s or Ph.D. preferred).
• Proven record delivering complex, secure systems from concept through operational deployment, including hands-on coding and system development.
• Strong experience with enterprise architecture, cloud-native platforms, and secure software/system design.
• Track record of driving modernization, AI/ML adoption, and delivering innovative technical solutions directly in code.
• Expertise in avionics systems, software engineering, and complex system lifecycles.
• Advanced knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (NIST SP 800-171, CMMC), FedRAMP, RMF/ATO, and Zero Trust principles.
• Exceptional technical leadership with the ability to both architect and implement solutions.

Responsibilities

• Strategic & Technical Leadership – Partner with the CTO to define and execute SteerBridge’s Defense Aviation technology roadmap. Lead architecture decisions and personally contribute to coding, prototyping, and integration of AI/ML, predictive maintenance, avionics software, unmanned systems, and digital twin capabilities.
• Hands-On Coding & Development – Actively participate in software engineering efforts, including developing core modules, reviewing code, building proof-of-concepts, and contributing to mission-critical applications. Use modern programming languages (e.g. Python, JavaScript) and other frameworks to deliver high-quality, production-ready solutions.
• Program Oversight – Direct end-to-end system design, engineering, and integration efforts while remaining technically engaged. Ensure solutions comply with cybersecurity and industry standards. Lead by example in applying secure coding practices and cloud-native architectures aligned with FedRAMP, RMF/ATO, and Zero Trust principles.
• Innovation & Modernization – Design and develop advanced AI/ML models and data pipelines. Contribute to modernization projects involving microservices, event-driven systems, Medallion Architecture, and integration of structured/unstructured data into decision-support systems.
• Agile Delivery – Act as both a technical lead and contributor in Agile environments. Lead sprints, code reviews, and releases, while collaborating with stakeholders to capture requirements and ensure delivery excellence.
• Partnerships & Growth – Engage directly with OEMs, technology providers, and research institutions. Contribute technically to proposals, demonstrations, and customer briefings, showcasing hands-on expertise.
• Team Development – Mentor engineers by pairing on coding tasks, conducting technical workshops, and fostering a culture of learning, experimentation, and technical rigor

Salary: $190,000 - $230,000 a year

A salary commensurate with experience will be offered.