CTO & Co-Founder, Aquanode Stealth Co
Location: NYC
About Montauk Capital
Montauk Capital is an investment management platform that spans venture investing and venture studio efforts. We build and invest in the ‘Electron Economy,’ the massive shift toward software-enabled industrial and energy systems. This generational transition is reshaping how we power intelligence, move people and goods, and build resilient industries. From AI, data centers and Web3 to industrial robotics and re-shoring supply chains, the future of growth is built on electrification and the intelligent use of energy.
About Aquanode Stealth Co
Aquanode is pioneering a new approach to delivering clean, affordable drinking water through distributed, intelligent water-generation and distribution systems. Leveraging AI and edge computing, the platform continuously optimizes performance, efficiency, and reliability at the local level while enabling scalable deployment across diverse environments. We have established partnerships, have begun fundraising, and are preparing to move from prototype to pilot and scale deployments.
Role Summary:
We’re seeking a Chief Technology Officer and technical co-founder to define and execute Aquanode’s technology strategy across hardware, firmware/IoT, and software. This is a co-founder-level role for a builder who thrives at the intersection of hard tech, systems engineering, and productization, and most importantly, is committed to building a generational company in the climate resilience space.
You will architect and scale the hardware, control systems and connected-device platform, turning prototypes into reliable, field-ready kiosks that operate as a coordinated network across sites, and will set the technology vision and roadmap to yield a scalable, reliable water network. You’ll define the platform boundaries—what’s in hardware, firmware, cloud, and at the edge—so the system scales efficiently. You’ll hire and lead the engineering team while setting safety, compliance, and operational standards for multi-site deployment. And you’ll build the team and operating cadence—metrics, feedback loops, and build/buy choices—that let the company ship faster as deployments multiply across sites.
Role Responsibilities:
System Architecture & Integration
Own end-to-end architecture for the hardware and associated IoT systems
Scale Economics & Platform Development
Build a modular platform (hardware + software) to support multi-site, multi-region deployments, spares strategy, and versioning, as well as bringing down costs over time to ensure scalable unit economics
Platform & User Experience
Manage development of web/mobile UIs for end users, operators, and partners
Technical Leadership
Recruit, mentor, and lead software, hardware, blockchain, web and IoT teams; set engineering practices for safety, security, and quality.
Partnerships & Vendor Collaboration
Work with hardware manufacturers, manage relationships with connectivity providers, cloud platforms, OEM components, and field service partners.
Investor & Stakeholder Engagement
Represent Aquanode’s technology vision with investors, customers, and partners.
Lead technical diligence, articulate scale-up plans, and report on milestones, risks, and mitigations.
What We’re Looking For
Deep engineering expertise building or scaling atmospheric water generation (AWGs), HVAC, or expertise in thermodynamics.
IoT / Network experience: creating a connected network from a series of machines.
Energy systems knowledge: understanding methods for making energy systems viable at scale.
Software/Hardware Delivery: Proven experience shipping IoT + hardware platforms at scale (water/energy/industrial preferred).
Hands-on Architect: Comfortable designing systems and shipping code/firmware in early stages.
Scale Economics Mindset: Demonstrated ability to drive the development of a geographically distributed hardware and software platform
Security-First, Safety-First: Track record implementing secure architectures across device, network, and cloud; rigorous testing and monitoring.
Data and Cloud Architecture
Startup DNA: Operates in ambiguity, balances speed with rigor, and loves building zero to one
Preferred Qualifications
Strong knowledge and expertise in the water or distributed energy infrastructure space
An instinct for how to develop durable products/systems in extreme environments
Track record in early-stage or founding technical roles scaling from prototype to multi-site deployments.
Why Join Us
Become a founding technical leader shaping the future of affordable, reliable water access, with meaningful ownership and long-term upside. You’ll collaborate with top-tier climate investors and partners to build not just a product, but a scalable infrastructure platform with global impact.
Salary & Benefits
This role offers a competitive base salary, equity participation, federal and banking holidays plus additional time off, and a full range of health benefits.
Aquanode is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.