Company

Thermulon is a chemical process engineering company developing and scaling our next generation chemical process to make aerogel powders more efficiently, reducing their price.

[This is not a software CTO position. There are loads of good software companies out there but we looking for people who have scaled physical chemistry processing plants from Pilot Plant to Industrial Scale.]

Thermulon is an impact driven team of entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers developing a high-performance, fire-safe insulation material, aerogels. Aerogels are the most insulating materials known to science and we believe they’ll be at the centre of the green transition which is taking place today.

Our vision is to successfully scale Thermulon’s innovative chemical process to produce highly insulating aerogels at a commercial scale.

Our Values

Thermulon strives to develop the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to learn cutting-edge laboratory techniques in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment.

We know that living our values helps us achieve our mission and makes Thermulon a great place to work. When we see values we celebrate them and we are not afraid to call it out when we need to see change.

• Impact – we know if we achieve our vision we will make the world a better place, this impact excites and drives us every day.
• Collaboration – we love what we do, we are all experts and we rely on each other for skills and experience. We pull together as a team, we are self aware and don’t always need to ask for help because we can see when those around us need some support and we lean in to that. We care about spending time with our friends and family and work in a time efficient manner accordingly.
• Growth - we are scientists and we are innovating so we are always learning. We are inquisitive. We actively seek opportunities to learn from each other, teach each other and lean into learning outside of Thermulon. We value self-awareness and the desire to learn from each other as we all grow in our careers.
• Fast pace – we can have a huge impact when we collaborate and grow together, bringing this all together means we move at a pace. We are decisive and urgent.

Role Overview: The CTO will play a pivotal role in defining and executing the technology strategy, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives. This executive will lead the technology team, manage key technical operations, and oversee the design and execution of our pilot plant. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of process chemistry, coupled with strategic leadership capabilities and a passion for sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy:

• High-Level Strategy: Develop and execute the company's technology strategy, ensuring alignment with overall business goals and objectives.
• Tech Strategy Alignment: Ensure that technology initiatives support the company's strategic plan and contribute to achieving long-term business goals.
• Strategic Leadership: Serve as a key member of the executive team, providing leadership and guidance to the technology team and contributing to the overall company strategy.
• People Management & Hiring: Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing technology team, overseeing recruitment, development, and retention of top talent.

Technology Management:

• Technical Oversight: Provide comprehensive technical oversight across all business areas, ensuring that processes, systems, and practices meet the highest standards.
• Quarterly Technical Planning: Lead the planning and execution of quarterly technical objectives, ensuring timely delivery of milestones.
• Reporting: Communicate technical outcomes, challenges, and progress to the senior management team and board of directors.
• IP Strategy & Execution: Develop and manage the company's intellectual property (IP) strategy, ensuring protection and commercialization of proprietary technologies.
• Pilot Plant Design: Oversee the design and development of the pilot plant, ensuring it meets operational, safety, and scalability requirements.
• Cost Models & Unit Economics: Develop and refine cost models for scale-up, ensuring competitive unit economics.
• Sustainability Reporting: Lead initiatives around embodied carbon, life-cycle analysis, and process sustainability, ensuring the company's commitment to environmental responsibility.

Technical Operations:

• Major Purchasing & Equipment Decisions: Make strategic decisions on major equipment purchases, ensuring alignment with long-term technical and financial goals.
• Laboratory Operations: Oversee and manage major laboratory operations, ensuring efficient and effective execution of research and development activities.
• Week-to-Week Lab Management: Manage the weekly workstreams within the lab, ensuring alignment with project timelines and objectives.

Material Production: Oversee the production of materials for commercial samples, whether in-house batch production or through toll manufacturing partnerships.