Build a better way to search: for users, for Europe, and for the planet.

Ecosia is building a credible alternative to Big Tech search: a mission-driven product that supports climate action with every search.

As our next Chief Technology Officer, you will help shape how millions of people experience search and browsing — at a moment when AI, assistants, and new interaction models are redefining user expectations.

This is a backfill role in a product-led company with a clear mission, an established user base, and exciting technical and strategic challenges ahead.

Your role:

As CTO, you are a product-oriented technology leader: someone who thinks first in terms of user value and outcomes, and uses technology as the lever to deliver them.

Your opportunity to make an impact:

• Own Ecosia’s technology vision and execution, ensuring our platforms evolve quickly to changing needs.
• Co-own product direction with Product and Design, ensuring technology supports efficient iteration and high-quality user experiences
• Establish and enhance a capable engineering leadership team, guiding and supporting a group of engineering managers while promoting clarity, focus, and accountability
• Translate product strategy into technical priorities, balancing speed, quality, cost, and long-term maintainability
• Promote innovation in search and browsing, including AI-assisted experiences, GPT-based interfaces, and emerging paradigms
• Make pragmatic technology decisions that respect Ecosia’s mission, financial constraints, and environmental impact
• Advance European digital sovereignty, deepening our partnership with Qwant and contributing to a more independent search ecosystem with our joint-venture European Search Perspective (EUSP).

Your areas of knowledge and expertise:

• You gained experience as a CTO or senior technology leader in a product-led organization
• Your capability to lead through leaders, to drive transformation, and deliver outcomes in complex situations is evident
• You are tech curious and are comfortable challenging technical assumptions, asking the right questions, and staying close to key architectural decisions
• You successfully drove the adoption of AI-assisted development practices within your organizations
• You acknowledge diversity and understand the importance of creating an inclusive workplace
• You have a bias towards action and pragmatism, both in your own work and in your enablement of others.

The bigger picture:

• You shape what millions of users experience every day, not just internal systems
• You work at the intersection of product, technology, and purpose
• You help define how AI and search can be done responsibly — outside Big Tech
• You contribute to a European technology ecosystem with long-term societal relevance

At Ecosia, we believe great products can drive real change. This role lets you prove it.

Process:

• Talent Partner call (⏱️ 45′)
• Leadership Interview (⏱️ 60′)
• Technical conversation (⏱️ 1h15′)
• Product call (⏱️ 60′)