Engineering leadership for VC-backed startups

Leaders who build
the team and the code.

CTOs, VPs and Heads of Engineering, engineering managers and founding technical leads. For VC-backed startups from New York to San Francisco and Austin.

Book a 15-min callSee our results
What we hire

The people who shape your engineering culture.

At this level, the wrong hire costs you a year. We find leaders who built the system, not ones who bought it.

DirectionCTOsTechnical leaders who set the direction and still read the code.
ScaleVPs of EngineeringLeaders who scale the team, the process and delivery.
Hands-onHeads of EngineeringHands-on heads who build the first team around them.
BuildersFounding technical leadsBuilders on a path to CTO, who lead by shipping.
PeopleEngineering managersManagers who grow engineers and keep delivery on track.
PartnersTechnical co-foundersBuilders ready for equity and real ownership of the technology.
How we assess

We look for leaders who still build.

  1. 01Track record
    Built, not inheritedWe look for leaders who built the system and the team, not ones who took over a finished one.
  2. 02Stage
    Stage fitA great later-stage VP can struggle at seed. We match leaders to the stage you're at.
  3. 03Teams
    Who they hiredWe look at who they hired and who stayed. Great leaders attract and keep great engineers.
  4. 04Week 1
    Your shortlist3 to 5 leaders who fit, each with our honest notes.
Results

Leaders who delivered.

Seed · Fintech AI · $5M+ raisedFounding technical lead
35 dayskickoff to signed offer, with 5 builders shortlisted
Hands-ona builder, not an executive
Codebasetaken over without a hitch
AI agentlive in just over a month
Read the full story
The approachReframed the brief from an executive CTO to a hands-on builder.Went first to a CTO we knew from a past search, whose last product mirrored the brief.Delayed our fee until he was in the seat, to protect the founder through the handover.
Two months laterTook over the entire codebase without a hitch.Built and launched the company’s AI agent in just over a month.Now the product the founder takes to every client.

Recent leadership placements

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Hiring now

Leadership roles we're working on.

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Questions

Hiring engineering leaders, answered.

How long does it take to hire a CTO or VP of Engineering?

Most searches reach a shortlist within a week. Senior leadership offers can take a little longer than our usual 3 to 4 weeks, as more people are involved in the decision.

Do I need a CTO or a VP of Engineering?

A CTO owns technical direction. A VP of Engineering owns the team and delivery. Early on, one person often does both. We'll help you work out which gap matters most right now.

Should my first engineering leader be hands-on?

At seed and Series A, almost always. We often reframe a CTO brief into a founding lead on a path to CTO. It's faster to hire and a better fit at that stage.

Do you hire data leaders too?

Yes. Heads of data and data engineering leaders, as well as engineering leadership.

Where do you hire?

Mainly New York, San Francisco, Austin and Boston, plus remote roles across the US. On-site, hybrid or remote.

Matt Geppert, founder of Open Select
Matt GeppertFounder, since 2011
Why Open Select exists

Most recruiters optimize for speed. I optimize for the hire you're still happy with two years later.

I've recruited engineers for startups since 2011. By the end of our first call I usually already have people in mind, because I've spent years talking to engineers long before your role existed.

  • 01You deal with me. No account managers. No handoffs.
  • 02Straight answers. On candidates, comp and your process, even when it's not what you want to hear.
  • 03I build with AI every day. When an engineer explains their work, I can follow it.
Email MattLinkedIn

Let's build your team.

Pick a time that suits you. A 15-minute call, a search strategy memo, and a decision in 48 hours.

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