Application Guide

How to Apply for Technical Co-Founder (CTO)

at Lichen

🏢 About Lichen

Lichen is a climate-tech startup tackling heat protection compliance with a software-first approach, automating the documentation and response to workplace heat risks. Their focus on applied AI and lean product development makes them a standout in the health and safety space, offering a rare opportunity to build from scratch with real-world impact.

About This Role

As CTO and Technical Co-Founder, you'll own the entire technical stack, architecting and shipping a web product that uses AI to map heat signals to site-specific measures, route actions, and log tamper-proof evidence. This is a 0-to-1 build before the first pilot, giving you full ownership of the product's technical direction and the chance to shape the company's core value proposition.

💡 A Day in the Life

You'd start by reviewing the current product backlog, then dive into coding the core AI workflow that maps heat signals to actions. After lunch, you'd ship a new feature for the evidence logging system, followed by a quick call with the founder to align on user feedback from early testers. The afternoon might involve refactoring the database schema for multi-site scalability before wrapping up with a code review.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Lichen Is Looking For

  • A senior full-stack engineer who has shipped a real product solo or near-solo, demonstrating end-to-end ownership from architecture to deployment.
  • Strong workflow and automation instinct, ideally with experience building operational, compliance, or multi-site software where process mapping is key.
  • Applied AI fluency: hands-on experience with LLM orchestration and data logic in production, not just prototypes.
  • 0-to-1 temperament: comfortable building without a pilot signed, making pragmatic trade-offs, and iterating fast based on user feedback.

📝 Tips for Applying to Lichen

1

Showcase a past project where you built a product from scratch solo or as the lead developer; provide a link to the live product or detailed case study.

2

Highlight any experience with compliance, operational workflow, or multi-site software (e.g., facility management, safety, or logistics tools).

3

Demonstrate applied AI expertise by describing a specific LLM or data logic implementation you've shipped in production, including challenges and outcomes.

4

Explain why climate or health impact drives you—mention a personal story or specific interest in heat protection or workplace safety.

5

If you're not Berlin-based, explicitly state your willingness to relocate or work in a hybrid setup; mention German language skills if you have them.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your 0-to-1 product-building experience and how it aligns with Lichen's need to ship before the first pilot.", 'Connect your workflow automation and compliance software background to their heat protection problem.', 'Detail your applied AI expertise with concrete examples of LLM orchestration or data logic in production.', "Express genuine passion for climate or health impact, linking it to Lichen's mission to protect workers from heat."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Understand the current heat protection compliance landscape in Germany (e.g., regulations, common pain points for employers).
  • → Research Lichen's competitors or adjacent solutions in workplace safety software to identify gaps they might fill.
  • → Look into existing AI applications in compliance or operational software to see how they've been received.
  • → Read about the founder's background and any public statements about Lichen's vision to align your approach.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through the architecture you'd propose for Lichen's product, from data ingestion to AI-driven output.
2 How would you approach building a tamper-proof evidence logging system?
3 Describe a time you had to make a technical trade-off to ship faster; what did you compromise on and why?
4 How would you validate the product concept before the first pilot signs?
5 What's your experience with multi-site or compliance software? Give a specific example of a workflow you automated.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus on enterprise sales or team management experience—this role is about hands-on building, not managing.
  • Avoid generic AI buzzwords without concrete examples of shipped LLM or data logic work.
  • Don't overlook the compliance aspect; treat it as a core feature, not an afterthought.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Lichen!

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