XploraKōdo is seeking an experienced Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technology Officer (CEO & CTO) to provide both executive and technical leadership. This dual-role position will oversee daily business operations, technology strategy, software engineering, product development, talent management, sales execution, and organizational performance.

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on technical leader capable of working closely with developers while also managing business operations, commercial activities, and international client relationships, particularly within the Japanese technology and enterprise market.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Leadership & CTO Responsibilities

Lead and supervise software engineering and UI/UX teams.

Establish and enforce code review, architecture, development, and quality standards.

Monitor sprint execution, development productivity, and project delivery.

Oversee enterprise AI systems, LLM applications, multi-agent AI frameworks, and cloud infrastructure.

Manage cloud platforms including AWS and GCP.

Review software architecture, code repositories, pull requests, databases, and technical implementations.

Ensure product releases and system deployments meet enterprise-level standards for performance, security, and reliability.

Guide technical teams in adopting modern engineering practices and technologies.

2. Executive & Operational Management

Manage the company's day-to-day operations and overall business execution.

Establish and monitor organizational KPIs and performance standards.

Lead recruitment, team development, performance management, and organizational scaling.

Develop and implement SOPs and operational processes.

Oversee budgets, financial planning, and operational expenses.

Manage vendors, partners, and external stakeholders.

3. Business Development & Commercial Leadership

Drive sales, business development, and account management activities.

Develop and maintain relationships with key clients and business partners.

Lead client negotiations and commercial contract discussions.

Ensure successful delivery of client projects and services.

Identify new business opportunities and support the company's growth strategy.

4. Japan Market & International Operations

Lead business development and client engagement within the Japanese technology and enterprise market.

Manage relationships with Japanese clients, partners, and stakeholders.

Ensure effective communication and delivery in accordance with Japanese business practices.

Support international expansion and global business operations.

5. Governance & Board Reporting

Report directly to the Founder & Executive Chairman / Board of Directors.

Provide regular updates on business performance, operational health, cash flow, and strategic milestones.

Execute approved business strategies and annual budgets.

Make operational decisions within the company's established governance framework.

Maintain accountability for overall organizational performance.

Required Qualifications

Minimum 10+ years of progressive professional experience in software engineering, technical leadership, and business management.

Previous experience as a CTO, Software Architect, Lead Engineer, Engineering Manager, or similar senior technical role.

Strong background in modern web technologies, software architecture, cloud infrastructure, and databases.

Practical experience with AI, Machine Learning, LLM integration, or Agentic AI workflows.

Ability to review source code, repositories, pull requests, and technical architecture.

Proven experience managing software engineering and technical teams.

Strong understanding of Agile development and project delivery methodologies.

Experience with P&L management, budgeting, client negotiations, and vendor management.

Strong business development and commercial management skills.

Business-level or fluent Japanese language proficiency; JLPT N2/N1 equivalent preferred.

Previous experience working with Japanese clients, enterprises, or business stakeholders is essential.

Strong understanding of Japanese business culture and professional practices.