Founding Chief Executive Officer | Waveforge
Overview
Company: Waveforge Design Automation
Location: Remote - UK. Must be able to travel.
Role (Part-Time / Full-Time): Full-Time
Application Deadline: Open
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Waveforge is an AI-native EDA company built on years of analog & RF design automation and optimisation research from the laboratory of academic co-founder Professor Bo Liu. While most AI in EDA is built on large language models, Waveforge's approach is fundamentally different: ground-up, machine-learning-assisted global optimisation that replace legacy methods and deliver higher-quality design outcomes in a fraction of the time. The technology underpins Waveforge's toolsets across analog IC, RFIC, semiconductor device, antenna, and filter design automation, and is validated through rigorous academic benchmarking. Earlier versions of the toolset have been adopted by MathWorks, and collaborations with top EDA providers are ongoing. The science is proven, and the platform relationships are in place. What Waveforge needs now is a person who can take this technology into the customer relationships and commercial structures that will define the next generation of analog design.
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We are seeking a founding Chief Executive Officer to lead Waveforge through its formative commercial stage, working in close partnership with CFT. The role spans go-to-market strategy, customer acquisition, partnership development, management, and fundraising. It is best suited to someone who has operated at the frontier of the EDA or semiconductor IP industry and is ready to become a true owner and strategic architect of a high-potential venture.
You will be directly supported by Cambridge Future Tech (CFT), a deep tech venture builder specialising in creating companies around cutting-edge IP, bringing in the best commercial talent to support technical founders. Our team of expert operators and analysts work alongside the incoming CEO to accelerate and de-risk the early stages of company building.
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Own company strategy, vision, and execution across commercial, product, and operational functions.
Lead GTM strategy for Waveforge's analog/RF IC/semiconductor device/antenna/filter toolsets, drawing on direct customer relationships and deep sector knowledge to identify and convert accounts.
Build and manage strategic partnerships with Tier-1 EDA vendors, semiconductor OEMs, and research-led customers.
Own customer discovery and product direction: work directly with engineers and design teams to validate product-market fit, shape the roadmap, and build early commercial traction through pilots, enterprise agreements, and licensing structures.
Drive fundraising across venture capital and strategic routes, with support from CFT, and articulate the Waveforge vision credibly to both technical and financial audiences.
Hire and develop the early commercial and operational team as the business scales beyond the founding stage.
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Background in electrical engineering, applied physics, or a related hard-science discipline (degree level or equivalent through practice), sufficient to engage credibly with analog and RF design engineers and technical partners. Direct EDA or semiconductor experience is welcome.
Demonstrable commercial experience, including enterprise software or IP licensing sales, product management, partnership development, or scaling an EDA business unit with P&L ownership and product roadmap input.
Proven ability to navigate the commercial and political complexity of semiconductor and EDA organisations, and to secure high-value partnerships or enterprise contracts.
Comfort operating in a capital-constrained early-stage environment: making decisions with incomplete information, moving fast, and doing the work personally alongside directing others.
Track record of raising early-stage capital across at least one of: grants, strategic investment, or venture capital.
Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
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Track record of raising early-stage capital.
Experience as a founder or early commercial hire at an EDA or semiconductor IP company, particularly businesses that were acquired by Tier-1 vendors, or “front-line” leadership within a Tier-1 vendor.
Direct domain fluency in analog and RF electronics, sufficient to engage credibly with engineering teams at target accounts.
Established connections across the analog/RF IC/semiconductor device/antenna/filter environments, and/or the broader wireless and semiconductor OEM ecosystem, with both the breadth and depth to open and close meaningful commercial conversations.
The Opportunity
The position carries a meaningful equity stake, though candidates should expect flexibility around cash compensation prior to the completion of fundraising.
Stay Connected for Industry-Defining Roles
If this opportunity doesn’t align with your expertise, but you’re interested in founding a deep tech venture, we still want to hear from you. Get in touch with us at kelsey@camfuturetech.com, and we will add you to our CXO bench so we can reach out with future opportunities tailored to your expertise.
