Chief Technology Officer (CTO)Aviation Technology Scale-Up | Europe (Spain preferred)
A high-growth aviation technology scale-up is appointing a hands-on Chief Technology Officer to lead the business through a critical phase of rapid expansion and technology transformation across global airline and airport programmes.
This is a doer–leader role for a CTO who combines deep technical credibility with enterprise-grade delivery and a consultative commercial mindset.
Europe-based, with Spain strongly preferred. Relocation support available.
The opportunity
The business is scaling quickly and competing in a demanding aviation technology market. The CTO will play a central role in re-engineering both technology and delivery, while supporting new business growth alongside BAU commitments.You will remain close to the detail — able to understand all areas of the technology, challenge architectural decisions, and step in when required — while setting the direction and raising standards across the organisation.
What you’ll ownEnd-to-end technology leadership across software engineering, architecture, DevOps, SRE, QA, infrastructure, and release management, with an enterprise delivery mindsetDriving process and technology re-engineering, formalising structure, delivery governance, and enterprise interfaces as the company scalesSupporting new business growth alongside BAU delivery, operating in a consultative and commercially aware wayLeading a next-generation platform build as part of a wider technology transformationRestructuring teams and layers to remove overload, improve ways of working, and lift energy — without micromanagementRebalancing a Globally unbalanced team footprint.Strong people leadership, including managing developers in an AI-enabled engineering environment, maximising productivity and quality through effective use of AI
What we’re looking forProven CTO or senior technology leadership experience within a rapidly scaling product or platform business (Airline experience Essential).Or a Senior Product Leader, Head of Architecture, Head of Release, or Head of Software Delivery ready to step into a CTO roleDeep understanding of modern software engineering and delivery at enterprise scaleAviation technology experience is essential — airline, airport, or vendor-side environments. Offer/ Order or NDC very much appreciated.Experience competing in a tough, high-stakes aviation technology marketBackground in organisations that have undergone rapid scale and platform transformation strongly preferredConfident, resilient leader who can balance urgency, quality, and commercial outcomes
This is a rare opportunity to shape the technology strategy and delivery engine of a growing aviation tech business at a pivotal moment in its journey.
For a confidential conversation:Thornton gregoryrachael.thornton@thorntongregory.com+44 (0) 7916 175 390m