Chief Technology Officer

Call for Applications for Chief Technology Officer (CTO) – ANNAM.AI Location: ANNAM.AI, Center of Excellence in AI for Agriculture, IIT Ropar Type: Full-Time | Contractual | Renewable based on performance Compensation: ₹40 - 70 Lakhs per annum (Negotiable based on

qualifications

and experience) Performance Incentives: Additional incentives based on performance and outcomes, subject to Governing Board approval Tenure: Initial appointment for 2 years, extendable up to 5 years Age Limit: Preferably under 45 years; Minimum

experience

of 10+ years Role Summary As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at ANNAM.AI, you will lead the development and deployment of cutting-edge AI/ML technologies to transform agriculture. You will oversee AI strategy, platform architecture, R&D roadmap, and innovation pipelines, working closely with academic and industry collaborators to ensure Annam’s technology leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Vision and Architecture: Define and implement a robust and scalable AI architecture tailored for agricultural applications. This includes designing hybrid edge–cloud infrastructures, optimizing machine learning model deployment frameworks, and ensuring system compatibility for field-level deployment in rural and resource-constrained environments. AI Leadership and Supervision: Lead and mentor cross-functional teams of AI/ML researchers and engineers in the development of predictive models for precision agriculture, disease and pest forecasting, crop yield prediction, and climate-resilient farming. Ensure all R&D efforts are aligned with real-world challenges and validated through field data and trials. Collaborative R&D and Ecosystem Engagement: Establish and manage strategic collaborations with premier research institutions, agri-startups, and ecosystem enablers to co-develop, pilot, and scale innovative AI solutions. Drive translational research by facilitating joint studies, data-sharing protocols, and technical exchanges. Integration with IoT and Smart Platforms: Guide the integration of AI models with IoT-based sensor networks, drone imagery, and farm-level data platforms to enable holistic and real-time farm intelligence systems. This includes developing APIs, sensor-data pipelines, and analytics dashboards for actionable insights. Responsible and Ethical AI: Ensure the implementation of responsible AI practices, including model fairness, bias mitigation, data transparency, and compliance with data privacy standards (both domestic and international). Foster trust and accountability in AI applications impacting rural communities and livelihoods. Technical Representation and Advocacy: Represent ANNAM.AI in key technical forums including national grant review panels, policy think tanks, global research consortia, and international conferences. Advocate for science-driven, inclusive, and scalable AI policies for agriculture and rural development.

Candidate Profile

Educational

Qualifications

and

Skills

M.Tech/MS/PhD (preferred) in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or related fields. Minimum 7+ years of

experience

in AI/ML system design, with at least 2 years in a leadership role. Proficiency in frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras; expertise in model training, data pipelines, and AI deployment.

Experience

with agri-tech, remote sensing, or satellite data is desirable. Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities. Performance-Based Incentives: Based on board approval,. linked to KPIs such as fund mobilization, compliance, audit timeliness, digital efficiency, and startup investment governance. Separation Clause: One month’s notice in year one, two months in subsequent years or salary in lieu. Application Process Submit your application through the Zoho Recruit portal Subject Line: Application for CTO – ANNAM.AI Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

and experience) Performance Incentives: Additional incentives based on performance and outcomes, subject to Governing Board approval Tenure: Initial appointment for 2 years, extendable up to 5 years Age Limit: Preferably under 45 years; Minimum

experience

of 10+ years Role Summary As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at ANNAM.AI, you will lead the development and deployment of cutting-edge AI/ML technologies to transform agriculture. You will oversee AI strategy, platform architecture, R&D roadmap, and innovation pipelines, working closely with academic and industry collaborators to ensure Annam’s technology leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Vision and Architecture: Define and implement a robust and scalable AI architecture tailored for agricultural applications. This includes designing hybrid edge–cloud infrastructures, optimizing machine learning model deployment frameworks, and ensuring system compatibility for field-level deployment in rural and resource-constrained environments. AI Leadership and Supervision: Lead and mentor cross-functional teams of AI/ML researchers and engineers in the development of predictive models for precision agriculture, disease and pest forecasting, crop yield prediction, and climate-resilient farming. Ensure all R&D efforts are aligned with real-world challenges and validated through field data and trials. Collaborative R&D and Ecosystem Engagement: Establish and manage strategic collaborations with premier research institutions, agri-startups, and ecosystem enablers to co-develop, pilot, and scale innovative AI solutions. Drive translational research by facilitating joint studies, data-sharing protocols, and technical exchanges. Integration with IoT and Smart Platforms: Guide the integration of AI models with IoT-based sensor networks, drone imagery, and farm-level data platforms to enable holistic and real-time farm intelligence systems. This includ