CTO / Lead Architect

Impactum Insights is a proudly independent Romanian company with over a decade of experience in developing software solutions that capture public opinion and deliver insights. Our platforms combine cutting-edge technology with deep research expertise to simplify and streamline the way organizations understand their audiences.

We’ve led large-scale projects across more than 20 countries on five continents. Today, our focus is on building AI-powered tools for both quantitative and qualitative research—empowering teams to extract deeper insights, faster and with less friction. Whether refining existing products or launching new ones, we’re committed to making research accessible, scalable, and impactful.

Excited to grow? We’re looking for a passionate CTO / Architect role to become part of our Bucharest-based team.

This is a hands-on CTO / Lead Architect role, not a pure management position. You’ll define the technical direction, make key architectural decisions, and actively contribute to building the system.

You’ll work directly with the CEO and lead a small engineering team (currently 4 developers + 1 QA), with plans to grow (including prompt engineers / AI specialists).

Own the Architecture

• Define and evolve system architecture across backend, frontend, and AI layers 
• Ensure scalability, performance, and maintainability as we grow 
• Make pragmatic technology decisions (build vs buy, cloud vs on-prem AI, etc.) 

Build & Ship

• Contribute directly to development (Java, MySQL, JavaScript w/ React) 
• Review code, unblock developers, and maintain high engineering standards 
• Prototype and launch AI-driven features (agents, synthetic personas, automation) 

Lead a Small, Strong Team

• Coordinate and mentor a lean team of engineers 
• Help hire and grow the team (including prompt engineers) 
• Establish lightweight, effective processes (we avoid bureaucracy) 

Drive AI Adoption

• Design and implement AI agent workflows using OpenAI APIs and/or on-prem models 
• Define prompting strategies and evaluation approaches 
• Push the product toward an AI-first experience where it makes sense 

Own Infrastructure & Delivery

• Oversee Google Cloud infrastructure (Compute Engine, self-managed Linux machines) 
• Maintain and improve CI/CD (GitLab CI) 
• Ensure reliability, observability, and cost control 

Partner with the Business

• Work closely with the CEO on product and technical strategy 
• Translate ambiguous ideas into concrete systems and deliverables 
• Balance speed vs quality in a pragmatic way 

Tech Stack

• Backend: Java 
• Frontend: JavaScript w/ React 
• Database: MySQL 
• Infrastructure: Google Cloud (self-managed Compute Engine) 
• CI/CD: GitLab CI 
• AI: OpenAI APIs + on-prem LLM deployments 

• Strong experience as a senior engineer / architect / CTO in a startup or small team 
• Comfortable being hands-on while leading 
• Solid backend experience (Java or similar ecosystems) 
• Good understanding of modern frontend (JavaScript w/ React) 
• Experience with cloud infrastructure and production systems 
• Familiarity with LLMs, AI agents, or prompt engineering (practical, not just theoretical) 
• Ability to operate with autonomy and make decisions in a low-process environment 

Nice to Have

• Experience deploying or running on-prem LLMs 
• Background in data platforms, analytics, or research tools 
• Experience building AI-driven products or workflows

• A relaxed, inspiring workspace in one of Bucharest’s most elegant neighborhoods—surrounded by historic architecture and prestigious institutions
• A young, forward-thinking team that values collaboration, good humor, and smart ideas
• An informal environment where creativity thrives and hierarchies don’t get in the way of innovation
• Access to new technologies and modern tools that support your professional growth
• An energizing culture where coffee chats and spontaneous brainstorming are part of the daily rhythm

This is a place where you can truly grow, feel at ease, and do meaningful work—with people who actually enjoy Mondays.

• A minimum of 23 paid vacation days
• 1 extra paid leave day for each full year in the team
• 24th and 31st December paid days off
• Office-first hybrid work model (4 days a week at the office and one day per week from home - you can choose between Wednesday or Friday to work from home)
• Regina Maria medical subscription for each team member +1 extra family member
• Gym membership
• Full availability to support professional development (e.g. courses, programs, other resources)