Your startup deserves
a tech foundation that lasts.
I help startup CEOs and CTOs make the right architectural decisions — before the wrong ones become expensive.
40 years building systems that cannot fail, from Unit 8200 to space.
Chen Tishler · Fractional CTO · Lead Architect, ULTRASAT Space Telescope SOC · Weizmann Institute
I've been building critical systems for 40 years.
I started programming at 13. Served in Unit 8200. Co-founded Control-Bit in 1986 and spent the next 29 years as chief architect of SESAM — a command-and-control platform deployed in defense and industrial environments worldwide.
Today I lead software architecture for the ULTRASAT Space Telescope SOC at the Weizmann Institute of Science. When the satellite is in orbit, there is no hotfix. That mindset is what I bring to every engagement.
- Worked with Rafael, Medigate (Claroty), INSPEKTO, and Ophthalmic Sciences — across defense, cybersecurity, computer vision, and space operations.
- Founded ProCyber Technologies, GiftLi.me, and CT-WellTech. I know what it means to build a product from zero.
- Mentor at 8200 Beta — supporting the next generation of Israeli tech founders.
Years Building
40+
Current Role
ULTRASAT SOC Lead
Domain
Defense · Space · Cyber
Specialty
Architecture That Lasts
Current flagship role
Lead Software Architect
ULTRASAT Space Telescope SOC
Weizmann Institute of Science
The start year. Architecture, reverse engineering, and command & control.
40+ years of systems that must work
How I Think
- Speed without architecture is just debt that hasn't been paid yet.
- AI multiplies your intent — if your intent is unclear, AI makes it worse, faster.
- Good architecture is the one your next hire understands on day one.
- The CTO's job is to make the right call at the right time — not just write good code.
"There is no git push to space."
How I Help You
Concrete, hands-on engagement for the CEO or CTO who needs real technical leadership — not a consultant's slide deck.
Fractional CTO
Your tech lead — without the full-time hire
I plug in as your CTO for the hours and scope you need. You get the judgment that comes from 40 years of building real systems.
- Define your technical strategy and roadmap
- Guide your team's architecture decisions week-to-week
- Make build-vs-buy calls you'll stand behind in 3 years
- Structure and hire your engineering team
- Represent your technology to investors and board
Architecture & Code Review
Find the problems before they find you
I look at what you've built and tell you what's solid, what's fragile, and what will break under load.
- Audit your system architecture for scalability and reliability risks
- Review your codebase and flag technical debt before it becomes a crisis
- Design the architecture for your next phase of growth
- Define engineering standards and practices for your team
- Evaluate third-party vendors and technology choices without the BS
AI Integration Advisory
Make AI multiply your team, not your mess
I help you use AI to move faster — without creating new problems you'll spend the next year cleaning up.
- Identify where AI can genuinely accelerate your specific team
- Design AI-augmented workflows your engineers will actually adopt
- Ensure AI-generated code meets your quality and security standards
- Build AI features that are maintainable — not black-box dependencies
Systems I've Built
The measure isn't years worked — it's systems still running.
ULTRASAT Space Telescope SOC
Weizmann Institute of Science
Lead Software Architect for Israel's first UV space telescope. I design and build the Science Operations Center — real-time command & control, telemetry processing, and scientific data pipelines. No hotfix once it's in orbit.
SESAM — Command & Control Platform
Control-Bit Technologies
Co-founder and chief architect of SESAM — a mission-critical C2 platform deployed across homeland security, defense, and industrial environments worldwide. Integrated with 50+ external systems. Running continuously for 29 years.
Aerial C2 System
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Architected a command-and-control system for drone-based 3D mapping of complex environments. Built communication solutions for reliable operation over constrained radio networks.
Real-Time Computer Vision
Ophthalmic Sciences · NVIDIA Jetson
Designed a shared-memory bridge between C++ and Python for high-throughput image transfer on embedded NVIDIA Jetson systems. Enabled medical-grade real-time computer vision for camera pipelines.
GiftLi.me
AI Consumer Product
Founded and built GiftLi.me — an AI-powered platform for creating and delivering personalized digital gifts. Zero to product, full-stack.
Let's see if I can help you.
If you're a CEO or CTO dealing with a real technical challenge — architecture, AI integration, team structure, or just something that keeps you up at night — reach out. First conversation is free, no strings attached.
I usually reply within 24 hours.