Chief Technology Officer

On the heels of achieving 3X growth, Virginia Transformer is hiring to do it again!

We’re strategically building our team for the next 3X growth cycle — a phase that is both intense and incredibly rewarding. We’re highly selective about who joins us, because this journey isn’t for everyone.

If you have the drive, grit, and expertise to perform at a high level — and you want to grow your career 3X alongside the Company’s growth — we’d love to talk.

Apply below and let’s start the conversation.

Who We Are

Virginia Transformer is the largest U.S.-owned producer of power transformers in North America, and we’ve been able to grow the past 50-plus years through an unwavering focus on delivering for our customers. We’re more than 5,400 people strong and are known throughout the industry for being an engineering company that makes premium quality transformers in the shortest lead times.

As a privately held, organically growing company, we thrive on nimbleness, innovation, and tenacity.

Join Our Team

If you love the thrill of securing the U.S. electric grid, enabling all manufacturing in the country, and the energy of a fast-moving train — this is the place for you. We train hard, grow together, and lead with purpose. Every transformer we build is custom, every challenge unique, and every team member essential.

We’re looking for those ready to lead, fueled by commitment, and driven by impact. We are growing so fast that all our available roles are not yet posted, so let us know if you are interested and we will follow-up.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Company: Virginia Transformer Corporation

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Executive presence required (onsite with travel)

Role Level: C-Suite / Executive Leadership Team

Role Overview

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Virginia Transformer Corporation owns the company’s long-term technology vision and execution, with a primary mandate to leverage AI, advanced systems, and automation to fundamentally change how the business designs, builds, tests, and scales custom power transformers.

This is a post-traditional CTO role—focused not on keeping systems running, but on re-architecting how the company operates using data, intelligence, and technology as force multipliers. The CTO is responsible for AI strategy, enterprise systems (MIS), cybersecurity, automation, advanced design, R&D, and process digitization, ensuring Virginia Transformer stays ahead as manufacturing, grid modernization, and energy infrastructure evolve.

Key Responsibilities

1. AI Strategy & Intelligent Manufacturing

• Define and execute an enterprise AI strategy that improves speed, accuracy, cost, and decision-making across the business
• Apply AI in non-traditional ways advanced integration utilizing AI to enhance traditional people centered work, including:
• Engineering design acceleration and standardization
• Predictive maintenance and asset intelligence
• Demand forecasting and capacity optimization
• Quality trend detection and root-cause analysis
• Test data analytics and failure prediction
• Move AI from experimentation to embedded, production-grade tools

2. Enterprise Systems, MIS & Integration

• Own all enterprise technology platforms, including ERP, MES, PLM, QMS, HRIS, financial systems, and data architecture
• Ensure end-to-end integration across engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, and commercial systems
• Eliminate manual work, shadow systems, and data fragmentation
• Build a reliable, scalable single source of truth for decision-making

3. Technology, Robotics & Automation

• Lead automation strategy across manufacturing, testing, material handling, and engineering workflows
• Evaluate and deploy robotics, automation, and advanced tooling to improve safety, throughput, and repeatability
• Partner with the COO on equipment strategy where technology and automation intersect
• Ensure automation investments are scalable, standardized, and ROI-driven

4. Research & Development / Advanced Engineering

• Own long-term product and technology roadmap in alignment with market needs and grid evolution
• Lead R&D initiatives focused on:
• Advanced transformer design
• Materials innovation
• Efficiency, reliability, and lifecycle performance
• Ensure R&D translates into commercially viable, manufacturable solutions

5. Advanced Design, Quality & Process Control

• Establish design standards, digital engineering tools, and advanced modeling capabilities
• Own process design, documentation, and control frameworks across engineering and manufacturing interfaces
• Integrate quality directly into design and process architecture (design-for-quality, design-for-manufacture)
• Partner with Quality and Engineering leadership to ensure repeatability and compliance

6. Infrastructure & Cybersecurity

• Own enterprise infrastructure strategy, including cloud, on-prem, and hybrid environments
• Ensure cybersecurity, data protection, and system resilience across all facilities and systems
• Protect intellectual property, customer data, and operational systems
• Establish governance and risk management appropriate for critical infrastructure manufacturing

7. Governance, Standards & Technology Leadership

• Define technology standards, architectures, and governance across the enterprise
• Prevent fragmentation, duplication, and technology sprawl
• Build and lead a high-caliber technology, data, and engineering systems team
• Develop succession and future technical leadership

What This CTO Owns (Explicitly)

• AI strategy and deployment
• Enterprise systems (MIS) and integration
• Automation, robotics, and advanced tooling
• R&D and long-term product vision
• Advanced design systems and process control
• Infrastructure and cybersecurity

What this role does not directly own:

• Day-to-day production execution (COO)
• Commercial strategy (CCO)
• Finance and capital approval (CFO)
• People operations (CHRO)

Why This Role Matters at Virginia Transformer

Virginia Transformer operates in a world where:

• Custom engineering is a differentiator
• Manufacturing complexity is rising
• Customers demand speed, reliability, and transparency
• Data and intelligence separate leaders from followers

The CTO ensures technology is not a support function—but a competitive advantage embedded into how the company operates.

Ideal Profile

• Senior technology or engineering executive experience in industrial manufacturing, engineered products, or critical infrastructure
• Demonstrated success deploying AI, automation, and enterprise systems at scale
• Strong understanding of engineering, manufacturing, and quality systems
• Ability to translate strategy into executable technology roadmaps
• Executive presence and credibility with Operations, Finance, and Commercial leaders
• Experience in private, high-growth, or transformation-driven environments preferred

Success Measures (First 18–36 Months)

• AI embedded into core engineering, operations, and quality workflows
• Fully integrated enterprise systems with reliable data
• Measurable productivity, quality, and speed improvements
• Reduced manual processes and decision latency
• Clear long-term product and technology roadmap execution

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline required
• Advanced degree strongly preferred (MS, PhD, or MBA with strong technical focus)

Professional Experience

• 20 years of progressive leadership experience spanning technology, engineering, or advanced manufacturing environments
• 10 years in senior enterprise technology or engineering leadership roles (CTO, SVP Technology, VP Engineering, or equivalent)
• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale technology transformations in industrial, engineered-product, or critical infrastructure organizations
• Demonstrated success moving organizations from legacy systems and manual processes to integrated, data-driven platforms
• Experience operating in capital-intensive, multi-site manufacturing environments, preferably with high product complexity and customization