Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Location: Pittsburgh, PA (in-person)
Company: Shelfmark, Inc.
About Shelfmark
Shelfmark is building the next generation of industrial intelligence systems—combining computer vision, machine learning, and productized hardware to detect defects in real time across high-speed manufacturing environments. Our systems operate in some of the most demanding production settings in the world, where milliseconds and microns matter. We imagine a future where continuously flow manufacturing – which accounts for 30% of all global manufacturing – is automated end-to-end, with Shelfmark at the center.
The Role
We are hiring our first Chief Technology Officer to lead Shelfmark’s technical organization through its next phase of growth. This is a hands-on executive role responsible for architecting, building, and scaling a deeply integrated system and team spanning hardware, firmware, software, and machine learning.
You will own the technical vision and execution of the company, ensuring that Shelfmark’s platform evolves into a robust, scalable, and category-defining product.
This role requires a rare combination: systems-level thinking, comfort with real-world industrial constraints, and experience scaling teams and products from early-stage to production at meaningful revenue. The appropriate candidate will also be comfortable in steel toed boots, working side by side with our customers on the factory floor.
What You’ll Do
Technical Leadership & Architecture
Define and own Shelfmark’s end-to-end technical architecture across:
Vision systems (cameras, optics, encoders, lighting)
Edge compute and firmware
Real-time data pipelines and software platform
Machine learning models and deployment infrastructure
Make critical productization and scalability decisions on hardware and software components and implementation
Ensure system reliability at industrial speeds (e.g., high line speeds, high-resolution inspection)
Team Building & Scaling
Build and lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary engineering team across:
Computer vision / ML
Embedded systems / firmware
Full-stack / backend software
Hardware / systems engineering
Recruit top-tier talent and establish a strong engineering culture
Implement processes that enable speed without sacrificing quality, including a robust AI-driven development strategy built for scale
Operational Excellence
Own system performance in real-world deployments (uptime, accuracy, latency)
Build infrastructure for remote monitoring, diagnostics, and continuous improvement
Develop scalable deployment and implementation frameworks across customer sites
Strategic Leadership
Serve as a key member of the executive team
Contribute to fundraising, investor discussions, and technical diligence
Help define the long-term vision of Shelfmark as a category leader in industrial AI
What We’re Looking For
Experience
10+ years in engineering, with significant leadership experience
Prior experience as a senior technical leader (VP Eng, CTO, or equivalent) at a startup or high-growth company
Proven track record of taking a complex technical product from early stage to scaled deployment
Experience in at least two of the following domains, and strong familiarity with the others:
Computer vision / machine learning
Embedded systems / firmware
Industrial hardware systems (cameras, sensors, automation)
Scalable software platforms
Technical Depth
Strong systems thinker who can operate across the full stack—from photons to cloud
Experience with real-time systems and high-throughput data environments
Familiarity with off-the-shelf vision hardware (e.g., industrial cameras, lenses, lighting)
Experience deploying ML models in production, especially at the edge
Leadership & Mindset
Builder mentality: willing to go from whiteboard → prototype → production
High ownership and accountability
Ability to operate in ambiguity and move quickly
Strong communicator who can bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders
Bonus Points
Experience in manufacturing, industrial automation, or inspection systems
Experience with line-scan or high-speed imaging systems
Background working with PLCs or industrial control systems
Prior experience scaling a company from $1M to $10M+ in revenue
Compensation
Competitive salary
Meaningful equity ownership
Opportunity to define and lead the technical foundation of the company
Skills Required
- 10+ years of engineering experience
- Significant engineering leadership experience
- Prior senior technical leadership experience as VP Engineering, CTO, or equivalent at a startup or high-growth company
- Track record taking a complex technical product from early stage to scaled deployment
- Experience in at least two of computer vision or machine learning, embedded systems or firmware, industrial hardware systems, and scalable software platforms
- Experience with real-time systems and high-throughput data environments
- Experience deploying machine learning models in production, especially at the edge
- Familiarity with industrial cameras, lenses, and lighting
- Experience building and leading multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Experience in manufacturing, industrial automation, or inspection systems
- Experience with line-scan or high-speed imaging systems
- Experience with PLCs or industrial control systems
- Experience scaling a company from $1M to $10M or more in revenue
What We Do
Shelfmark is a production intelligence platform for continuous-flow manufacturing. Its managed AI systems automate in-line visual inspection, identify defects, predict recurring problems, and explain their causes. By combining hardware, software, and ongoing support, Shelfmark helps manufacturers improve product quality, reduce manual inspection labor, minimize waste and rework, and increase production efficiency across industrial operations.
