Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Our client specializes in managed IT services, telecommunications infrastructure, public safety communications, and technology interoperability testing.

The ideal candidate is a technically accomplished engineering leader who can balance strategic technology planning, operational oversight, and hands-on technical execution. This position requires a player-coach leadership approach, with continued involvement in engineering decisions, technical problem-solving, and complex technology initiatives.

Candidates currently serving as Directors, Senior Directors, Vice Presidents of Engineering, or comparable technical leaders will be considered. Previous experience holding a CTO title is not required.

Position Overview

The Chief Technology Officer will provide technical leadership and operational oversight across three primary business areas:

• Managed Services: Network infrastructure, managed IT services, cybersecurity, and telecommunications solutions for commercial customers.
• Federal Technology & Consulting: Secure network engineering, telecommunications infrastructure, and technical consulting services supporting government environments.
• Public Safety Communications: Next Generation 911 (NG9-1-1), emergency communications infrastructure, and interoperability testing for mission-critical communications systems.

The CTO will oversee engineering operations, establish technical direction, guide infrastructure and communications initiatives, and ensure the successful delivery of secure, scalable, and reliable technology solutions.

Working closely with executive leadership, this individual will translate business objectives into actionable engineering strategies while maintaining direct involvement in technical architecture, troubleshooting, and operational execution.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Provide strategic and hands-on technical leadership across IP networking, telecommunications, VoIP, cybersecurity, and public safety communications.
• Lead the architecture, design, implementation, and optimization of secure, reliable, and scalable network and communications infrastructure.
• Serve as a senior technical authority for complex engineering challenges, architecture decisions, and critical escalations.
• Maintain active technical involvement in engineering initiatives, ensuring solutions are practical, technically sound, and aligned with operational requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements that enhance performance, reliability, security, and service delivery.

Engineering Operations & Execution

• Oversee day-to-day engineering operations across managed services, federal consulting, and public safety communications programs.
• Develop and execute engineering roadmaps aligned with organizational priorities, customer requirements, and business objectives.
• Manage engineering resources, project timelines, technical deliverables, and operational priorities.
• Ensure engineering initiatives are completed efficiently, within budget, and according to established quality and security standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, technical efficiency, operational scalability, and service reliability.
• Support technical problem-solving and incident resolution involving complex network and communications environments.

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Reliability

• Provide technical oversight for cybersecurity initiatives across network infrastructure and mission-critical communications platforms.
• Ensure appropriate security controls, engineering standards, and risk mitigation practices are incorporated into technology solutions.
• Partner with engineering teams to identify vulnerabilities, improve system resilience, and strengthen infrastructure security.
• Promote secure engineering practices across commercial, government, and public safety environments.

Public Safety & Telecommunications Engineering

• Provide technical direction for VoIP, IP-based communications, and public safety telecommunications solutions.
• Support engineering initiatives involving Next Generation 911 (NG9-1-1), emergency communications systems, and interoperability testing.
• Oversee the technical quality, reliability, and performance of communications infrastructure supporting mission-critical operations.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to address complex integration, interoperability, and network performance challenges.

Engineering Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Establish clear performance expectations, technical standards, and accountability across engineering functions.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented engineering culture that emphasizes technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Participate in technical hiring, workforce planning, professional development, and performance management.
• Balance executive leadership responsibilities with hands-on technical engagement and engineering support.

Business Strategy & Executive Collaboration

• Partner with executive leadership to align technology initiatives with business objectives and customer requirements.
• Translate business priorities into actionable technical roadmaps and engineering deliverables.
• Provide technical guidance for resource planning, operational budgets, and technology investments.
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, operational efficiency, and the scalability of engineering capabilities.
• Support technical planning and decision-making across commercial, federal, and public safety business operations.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in telecommunications engineering, IP networking, network infrastructure, or closely related technical disciplines.
• 7+ years of engineering leadership experience, including managing technical teams, overseeing complex engineering initiatives, and delivering projects through completion.
• Strong technical expertise in IP networking, telecommunications infrastructure, and Voice over IP (VoIP) technologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of cybersecurity principles, network security, and infrastructure protection.
• Experience supporting or working with public safety communications, emergency communications systems, or Next Generation 911 (NG9-1-1) environments.
• Proven ability to balance strategic technology leadership with hands-on engineering involvement.
• Experience developing engineering roadmaps, managing technical resources, and overseeing complex project lifecycles.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and technical decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. government security clearance. An active clearance is not required at the time of application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience serving as a CTO, VP of Engineering, Senior Director of Engineering, Director of Network Engineering, or comparable technical leadership position.
• Direct experience with NG9-1-1 infrastructure, emergency communications networks, or public safety interoperability environments.
• Experience with SIP-based communications, advanced VoIP architectures, and complex telecommunications infrastructure.
• Background supporting Managed Service Providers (MSPs), telecommunications carriers, or Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs).
• Experience delivering technology solutions for federal government customers or regulated, mission-critical environments.
• Familiarity with independent technology testing, systems integration, and interoperability validation.
• Experience overseeing multidisciplinary engineering teams across multiple business units.
• Active U.S. government security clearance.

Leadership & Technical Expectations

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to:

• Maintain hands-on technical engagement while providing executive-level leadership.
• Make informed technical decisions across networking, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and public safety communications.
• Translate business requirements into engineering priorities and measurable deliverables.
• Lead engineering teams through complex technical initiatives and operational challenges.
• Balance strategic planning, resource management, technical execution, and service reliability.
• Establish engineering standards, accountability, and continuous improvement practices.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is based in Winchester, Virginia, with a standard work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

A hybrid work arrangement may be considered for qualified candidates residing outside the immediate Winchester area, depending on business needs and the individual's experience.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

The benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Paid holidays
• Bereavement leave

Location: Winchester, VA (Onsite / Hybrid Considered)
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Eastern Time
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Based on experience
Security Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance; active clearance preferred but not required.