Chief Technology Officer

Company Description Edge Communication Technologies PLC is a technology solutions and systems integration company established in March 2018, delivering enterprise technology solutions and professional services to organizations across Ethiopia and beyond. With our mission to “Accelerate Africa’s Digital Transformation,” we provide cutting-edge, reliable, and scalable technology solutions across enterprise networking, cybersecurity, systems and cloud infrastructure, datacenter facilities, power technologies, software and AI solutions, and related ICT infrastructure. We work with leading international technology manufacturers, OEMs, and business partners to design, implement, and support mission-critical technology solutions for customers in the financial, education, government, and enterprise sectors. As part of our continued growth and organizational development, we are seeking a highly experienced, strategic, and results-oriented Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead our technology strategy, presales engineering, technical operations, and project implementation activities. Position Summary The Chief Technology Officer will be responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across Edge Comm-Tech’s engineering and technology divisions. The CTO will oversee the complete technical solution lifecycle, including technical presales, requirements assessment, solution architecture, technical proposals, engineering design, implementation, testing, commissioning, technical acceptance, and post-implementation support. The successful candidate must possess strong technical expertise, executive-level leadership capabilities, business awareness, and proven experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams within a systems integrator, technology solutions provider, ICT infrastructure company, or similar organization. The CTO will work closely with the CEO, COO, Marketing & Business Development, Project Management, Supply Chain, and other departments to ensure that technology solutions are technically sound, commercially competitive, delivered successfully, and aligned with customer requirements. Key Responsibilities 1. Technology Strategy & Executive Leadership * Develop and execute the company’s technology strategy in alignment with its mission, business objectives, and growth priorities. * Provide executive leadership for all technology and engineering operations. * Identify emerging technologies, market opportunities, and innovative solutions that strengthen the company’s competitiveness. * Establish technical standards, engineering policies, solution architectures, and operational best practices. * Advise executive management on technology investments, strategic partnerships, technical capabilities, and expansion opportunities. * Ensure that engineering activities contribute to business growth, profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. 2. Presales Engineering & Solution Architecture * Lead and supervise all technical presales activities across the company’s technology solutions portfolio. * Oversee customer requirements assessment, technical consultations, site surveys, solution design, and feasibility studies. * Review and approve technical proposals, system architectures, bills of materials (BoMs), specifications, and solution documentation. * Ensure that proposed solutions comply with customer requirements, tender specifications, industry standards, and OEM guidelines. * Coordinate with Marketing & Business Development to develop competitive, technically compliant, and commercially viable solutions. * Lead technical presentations, solution demonstrations, proof-of-concept activities, and customer technical discussions. * Support strategic tenders, enterprise projects, and complex solution negotiations. * Identify technical risks and ensure proposed solutions are practical, scalable, secure, and cost-effective. 3. Engineering Operations & Project Implementation * Provide technical oversight for engineering operations, project implementation, and onsite technical activities. * Supervise engineering teams throughout installation, configuration, integration, testing, commissioning, and handover. * Work closely with the COO and Project Management teams to ensure successful execution of technology projects. * Monitor project technical quality, engineering resource utilization, implementation schedules, and compliance with approved designs. * Resolve complex technical issues and provide escalation support for critical projects. * Ensure proper preparation and approval of high-level designs (HLD), low-level designs (LLD), implementation plans, testing procedures, and as-built documentation. * Oversee technical acceptance, customer training, knowledge transfer, and post-implementation support readiness. * Ensure engineering deliverables support timely project completion, customer acceptance, invoicing, and payment collection. * Maintain technical quality, safety, and professional standards across onsite engineering activities. 4. Leadership Across Technology Solutions The CTO will oversee engineering capabilities and technical delivery across the following areas: Enterprise Networking & Cybersecurity * Enterprise LAN/WAN, WLAN, SDN, and network management * Network security, firewalls, endpoint protection, and cybersecurity solutions * Unified communications, collaboration, and contact center technologies * Network architecture, integration, optimization, and troubleshooting Systems, Computing & Cloud Infrastructure * Enterprise servers, storage, and backup solutions * Virtualization, hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI), and private/hybrid cloud * Disaster recovery, business continuity, and infrastructure availability * Enterprise computing platforms and systems integration Datacenter Facilities & ICT Infrastructure * Datacenter infrastructure design and implementation * Structured cabling, fiber optics, and physical ICT infrastructure * Precision cooling, environmental monitoring, and supporting facilities * CCTV, access control, and integrated security infrastructure Power Technology & Critical Infrastructure * Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems * Diesel generators and critical power infrastructure * Electrical power distribution and backup systems * Power integration, testing, commissioning, and maintenance coordination Software, AI & Emerging Technologies * Coordinate with specialized teams and partners on enterprise software, AI, automation, and digital solutions. * Evaluate opportunities to integrate emerging technologies into the company’s solutions portfolio. * Ensure technical interoperability across infrastructure, software, and digital solutions. The CTO is not expected to be a hands-on specialist in every technology area but must demonstrate strong multidisciplinary understanding and the ability to lead qualified technical specialists. 5. OEM, Vendor & Technology Partner Management * Establish and maintain strong technical relationships with international OEMs, manufacturers, distributors, and technology partners. * Coordinate technical engagements, product evaluations, solution workshops, and engineering enablement programs. * Work with vendors to resolve technical challenges, product compatibility issues, and project implementation concerns. * Manage technical certifications, partner competency requirements, and engineering development programs. * Support the evaluation and onboarding of new technology partners. * Maintain awareness of OEM technology roadmaps, product developments, and industry best practices. 6. Client Engagement & Technical Business Development * Build and maintain professional relationships with technical decision-makers, IT directors, CIOs, technology managers, and enterprise customers. * Participate in strategic customer meetings, technical workshops, and solution consultations. * Translate customer business challenges into appropriate technology solutions. * Support business development teams in identifying cross-selling, upselling, and new solution opportunities. * Represent Edge Comm-Tech professionally in technical negotiations, industry events, vendor engagements, and customer presentations. * Strengthen customer confidence through technical expertise, reliable solution design, and successful delivery. 7. Engineering Team Leadership & Talent Development * Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams, presales engineers, solution architects, technical team leaders, and specialists. * Establish clear technical responsibilities, performance expectations, and individual development plans. * Assess engineering skills, identify competency gaps, and implement targeted training and certification programs. * Promote knowledge sharing, professional accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. * Support recruitment, technical interviews, succession planning, and development of future engineering leaders. * Foster a positive, solution-oriented, and performance-driven engineering culture. 8. Technical Governance, Quality & Performance Management * Establish engineering KPIs, technical quality standards, and performance monitoring mechanisms. * Implement structured processes for solution review, design approval, technical risk management, and project quality assurance. * Ensure compliance with applicable technical standards, customer requirements, contractual obligations, and safety procedures. * Monitor technical project risks and implement corrective measures. * Ensure engineering documentation, knowledge management, and technical reporting are maintained to professional standards. * Drive continuous improvement in engineering efficiency, technical capability, and customer satisfaction. Qualifications & Experience Educational Requirements * Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Communications Engineering, Information Technology, or a closely related technical discipline. Professional Experience * Minimum 8 years of progressive professional experience in enterprise technology solutions, systems integration, ICT infrastructure, or related technology services. * Demonstrated experience in a senior technical management, engineering leadership, technical director, head of engineering, solutions architecture leadership, or executive-level position. * Strong preference for candidates with experience in systems integrators, enterprise technology solutions providers, ICT engineering companies, or technology consulting organizations. * Proven experience managing multidisciplinary technical teams and overseeing complex enterprise technology projects. * Demonstrated involvement in technical presales, solution design, implementation, and customer engagement. * Experience working with international OEMs, technology vendors, and enterprise customers. * Previous experience supporting large-scale technology projects in banking, government, education, telecommunications, or other enterprise sectors is highly desirable. Professional Certifications Relevant professional certifications from leading international technology vendors are highly desirable, including but not limited to: * Networking: Cisco CCNP/CCIE, HPE Aruba, Juniper , Arista, or equivalent * Systems & Cloud: Oracle , HPE, Dell Technologies, VMware, Microsoft, Nutanix, or equivalent * Cybersecurity: Fortinet NSE/FCP/FCSS, Palo Alto Networks, Sophos, or equivalent * Project & Service Management: PMP, PRINCE2, ITIL, or equivalent * Datacenter & Infrastructure: Uptime Institute, CDCP/CDCS, or equivalent professional certifications * Power & Electrical Infrastructure: Relevant professional certifications or specialized technical training in UPS, power systems, and critical infrastructure Candidates are not expected to possess all the listed certifications. Advanced certifications relevant to their primary area of expertise, combined with broad multidisciplinary knowledge, will be considered favorably. Required Technical & Leadership Competencies The ideal candidate must demonstrate: * Strong knowledge of enterprise technology solutions and systems integration. * Excellent technical presales, solution architecture, and engineering design capabilities. * Ability to evaluate complex technical requirements and develop practical solutions. * Proven engineering operations and project implementation leadership. * Strong executive management, decision-making, and strategic planning skills. * Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and client engagement capabilities. * Strong vendor and OEM relationship management skills. * Financial and commercial awareness, including solution costing, project profitability, and delivery efficiency. * Ability to lead multiple technical teams and manage competing priorities. * Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and risk management capabilities. * High professional integrity, accountability, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning. * Excellent written and spoken English communication skills. Performance Expectations The CTO will be expected to contribute measurable results in the following areas: 1. Presales Effectiveness: Technical proposal quality, solution competitiveness, and presales responsiveness. 2. Engineering Delivery: Successful implementation, technical quality, and timely project acceptance. 3. Technical Capability: Engineering competency development, certifications, and team productivity. 4. Customer Satisfaction: Technical service quality, issue resolution, and customer confidence. 5. OEM Relationships: Strong technical collaboration and improved vendor competency. 6. Operational Efficiency: Engineering resource optimization, technical risk reduction, and continuous improvement. 7. Business Growth: Technical contribution to new opportunities, strategic projects, and profitable revenue growth. 8. Project Closure & Collection Support: Timely technical documentation, milestone acceptance, and resolution of technical issues affecting invoicing and collections.