Chief Product & Technology Officer at Citizen

New York, New York, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Public Safety, Technology, Mobile AppsIndustries

Requirements

15+ years of technical and product experience in high-growth, product-driven technology companies
5+ years in senior leadership roles overseeing engineering and/or product
Deep engineering background; able to dive into architecture, systems design, and technical decision-making
Demonstrated success delivering enterprise-grade products at scale
Track record of leading engineering-driven teams through growth and complexity
High cognitive horsepower, with evidence of fast trajectory, creative problem solving, and intellectual curiosity
Experience with AI/ML integration a plus
Thrives in ambiguous, fast-moving environments with high ownership
NYC-based or willing to work regularly from our NYC HQ

Responsibilities

Collaborate with executive leadership to define Citizen’s long-term technical and product roadmap
Translate user needs and business goals into a scalable, resilient platform strategy
Serve as a key external technology voice with partners, customers, and investors
Lead high-velocity, high-quality development cycles from concept through launch
Ensure strong technical foundations: scalable systems, robust infrastructure, and disciplined development practices
Integrate AI and automation to accelerate product capabilities and engineering efficiency
Build for performance, security, and enterprise readiness
Build, scale, and inspire a multidisciplinary team across engineering, product, and design with engineering at the core
Foster a culture of technical ownership, speed, and operational rigor
Model and instill product craftsmanship and continuous learning
Own the full lifecycle from technical architecture and prioritization to delivery and iteration
Partner with product and design to deliver elegant, intuitive, and trust-driven experiences
Align with GTM, sales, and enterprise stakeholders to ensure technical fit and scale-readiness

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Product StrategyEngineering LeadershipScalable SystemsInfrastructureAI IntegrationAutomationRoadmap DevelopmentDevelopment Practices

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this role remote or onsite?

This is an onsite position.

What experience level is required for this role?

Candidates need 15+ years of technical and product experience in high-growth, product-driven technology companies, including 5+ years in senior leadership roles overseeing engineering and/or product.

What technical skills are essential for the CPTO role?

A deep engineering background is required, with the ability to dive into architecture, systems design, and technical decision-making.

What is the company culture like at Citizen?

Citizen fosters a culture of technical ownership, speed, operational rigor, product craftsmanship, and continuous learning within a multidisciplinary team across engineering, product, and design with engineering at the core.

What makes a strong candidate for this CPTO position?

Strong candidates have 15+ years of technical and product experience in high-growth companies, 5+ years in senior leadership, a deep engineering background, and the ability to lead with technical depth, execution, and innovation.

Citizen

Mobile app for real-time safety alerts

About Citizen

Citizen provides a mobile application that delivers real-time alerts about emergencies and incidents reported to 911. The app helps individuals, families, and communities stay informed about safety risks in their surroundings. It works by sending alerts within seconds of a 911 call or user report, allowing users to avoid dangerous areas and stay updated on incidents like robberies or road closures. Users can also contribute by sharing live video or updates, enhancing community awareness. Citizen stands out from competitors by focusing on real-time, user-generated content, which offers faster and more accurate information than traditional emergency alert systems. The goal of Citizen is to enhance personal safety and situational awareness for its users.

New York City, New YorkHeadquarters

2017Year Founded

$122.6MTotal Funding

SERIES_CCompany Stage

Consumer Software, CybersecurityIndustries

51-200Employees

Benefits

Stock Options - Competitive options packages.

Growth - Fireside chats with featured speakers, a weekly Q&A with the CEO, a monthly book club, and 100% reimbursement for work-related books.

Health Benefits - Citizen covers 90% of your health, dental, and vision care.

Time Off - For salaried employees, nine company holidays and unlimited paid time off. For hourly employees, 21 days of PTO and overtime eligibility.

Transit - Commute to and from the office with pre-tax commuter card benefits.

Risks

Sequoia Capital's withdrawal may signal financial instability affecting future investments.

Privacy concerns over user-generated content could lead to regulatory scrutiny.

Increased competition from alternative safety apps may reduce Citizen's market share.

Differentiation

Citizen provides real-time alerts sourced from the latest 911 data.

The app features user-generated content for faster, accurate information than traditional systems.

Citizen fosters community safety by connecting users with family, friends, and neighbors.

Upsides

Integration with smart home devices enhances user experience with voice-activated alerts.

Expansion into wearable technology offers hands-free real-time safety alerts.

AI-powered incident prediction could provide proactive safety alerts to users.

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