Founding Senior Software Engineer (Path to CTO) – Industrial IoT & AI
Role summary
Innovate-Ops is seeking a Founding Senior Software Engineer to build and scale its Industrial IoT platform, IoT Octopus. This role focuses on evolving the existing system into a production-ready, scalable platform for manufacturers, with a clear path to a CTO role. Responsibilities include designing and implementing scalable data architectures, optimizing data pipelines, developing backend systems and APIs, and contributing to AI-driven insights like anomaly detection and predictive analytics. The ideal candidate has experience building production systems, understanding system architecture and data flow, and is comfortable with cloud platforms and APIs. Experience with IoT, AI/ML in production, and a strong ownership mindset are preferred. This hybrid role offers meaningful equity and the opportunity to shape a company at the intersection of Industrial IoT and AI.
Company Overview
Innovate-Ops is building IoT Octopus, an Industrial IoT platform designed to help manufacturers reduce equipment downtime, prevent failures, and improve energy efficiency.
We have developed and deployed working hardware systems in real industrial environments and are actively working with enterprise customers on pilot implementations. The company is part of leading programs, including Google for Startups Accelerator and The Accelerator Center, supporting our next stage of growth.
We believe the next major wave in technology is the connection between AI and the physical world. While AI has transformed software, its application in industrial operations is still early — creating a significant opportunity to bring real-time intelligence into manufacturing and logistics. Market interest is already reflecting this shift.
Our focus now is to build a scalable technology stack that can support multi-site deployments and apply AI from multiple angles, including anomaly detection, predictive insights, and synthetic data generation, to accelerate learning and improve the reliability of insights.
Our goal is to bring the level of intelligence and decision-making seen in modern software into real-world operations.
Role Overview
We are looking for a Founding Engineer to help build and scale our data platform and technical infrastructure.
This role will focus on evolving an already functioning system into a scalable, production-ready platform capable of supporting multiple customers and sites.
The right candidate will take ownership of key parts of the system early and will have a clear path to grow into a CTO role as the company scales. This includes contributing to technical direction as we move toward Series A and beyond, while building a lean and efficient engineering foundation.
Key Responsibilities
Design and implement scalable architecture for IoT data systems (device to cloud to application)
Build and optimize data pipelines for real-world sensor data
Develop backend systems, APIs, and core platform components
Contribute to approaches for anomaly detection, predictive insights, and synthetic data generation
Work closely with hardware and deployment teams to ensure reliable data flow
Help shape technical decisions and system design as the product evolves
Contribute to building a lean, scalable engineering foundation with a focus on efficiency and long-term maintainability
Qualifications
Experience building and deploying production systems (backend, data, or platform-level)
Solid understanding of system architecture and data flow
Comfortable working with cloud platforms, APIs, and data pipelines
Ability to move quickly and make pragmatic technical decisions
Interest in working in an early-stage, evolving environment
Nice to have
Exposure to IoT systems, hardware integration, or real-time data
Experience applying AI or machine learning in production environments
What We’re Looking For
Strong ownership mindset and willingness to take initiative
Builder mentality focused on solving real problems, not just writing code
Ability to work with imperfect, real-world data and evolving requirements
Interest in applying AI to physical systems and industrial use cases
Motivation to grow into a technical leadership role over time
Alignment with building practical, scalable systems rather than over-engineered solutions
Work Environment
This is a hybrid role that includes time on-site with equipment and customer environments, collaboration in person when needed, flexibility to work remotely, and occasional travel as deployments expand.
We operate as a small, focused team and prioritize speed, clarity, and practical execution.
Compensation
This is a founding team role with a meaningful equity component. We are currently focused on scaling the platform with early customers, with compensation expected to evolve alongside funding and revenue growth.
Why Join Innovate-Ops
Existing product with real-world deployment and enterprise engagement
Backed by leading accelerator programs, including Google for Startups
Opportunity to help define and scale a platform at the intersection of Industrial IoT and AI
Work on high-impact problems in manufacturing and logistics
Join early with meaningful ownership and long-term growth potential
How to Apply
Please apply through LinkedIn or reach out directly with a brief introduction and relevant experience.