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- Tasks: Build cutting-edge AI tools and scale applications with a talented team.
- Company: Join a pioneering AI startup founded by top researchers from prestigious institutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, equity options, and relocation support to London.
- Why this job: Work on impactful AI projects with an elite team and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Degree from a top university and experience in AI products required.
- Other info: This is not your typical startup role; it's a chance for early ownership.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 140000 £ per year.
Founding Software Engineer – AI (Python / Typescript) £150,000 – £175,000 + meaningful equity
On-site in London (£10K relocation provided)
Join a deeply technical AI-native startup founded by PhDs and researchers from Cambridge, Imperial, and other top European and US institutions. This is an opportunity to work directly with a team who’ve published at leading AI conferences, built open-source tools used across the industry, and scaled high-performance systems from first principles.
Now, they’re hiring a Founding Software Engineer to help build the next generation of reasoning tools powered by large language models. The product is already live with paying customers, and the company is well-funded with serious growth ambitions.
What you'll work on:
- Architecting and scaling LLM-powered applications
- Building efficient inference pipelines and backend infrastructure
- Working across the stack to ship production-grade code fast
- Collaborating directly with the founders and early technical hires
What they’re looking for:
- A degree from a world-leading university (e.g. Cambridge, Oxford, EPFL, ETH Zurich, ENS, TUM, etc.)
- Experience in AI-focused products, ideally within a high-growth or research-heavy environment
- Strong Python engineering skills; full-stack capability a bonus (Postgres, Typescript, React)
- A bias toward action, autonomy, and technical depth
This isn’t a typical startup job. It’s a chance to work alongside an elite team of engineers and scientists on hard technical problems — with equity and early ownership in a company building something truly original in the AI space.
If you’re ready to build fast, learn constantly, and work on meaningful AI challenges, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Detail:
Better Placed Ltd - A Sunday Times Top 10 Employer! Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land founding AI Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the AI field, especially those who have experience in startups or have worked with large language models. Attend relevant meetups, conferences, or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your technical skills by contributing to open-source projects related to AI or building your own projects that demonstrate your expertise in Python and Typescript. This will not only enhance your portfolio but also give you practical experience that aligns with the job requirements.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and advancements in AI, particularly in reasoning tools and large language models. Being well-versed in current technologies will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and show your passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in high-growth or research-heavy environments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex problems, as this will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a challenging startup atmosphere.
We think you need these skills to ace founding AI Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in AI-focused products and showcases your strong Python engineering skills. Include any relevant projects or roles that demonstrate your ability to work in high-growth or research-heavy environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for AI and your desire to work with an elite team. Mention specific experiences that align with the job description, such as your background in building LLM-powered applications or your familiarity with full-stack development.
Showcase Relevant Projects: If you have worked on any open-source tools or published papers in AI, be sure to include these in your application. This will demonstrate your technical depth and commitment to the field.
Highlight Your Educational Background: Since the company is looking for candidates from world-leading universities, make sure to prominently feature your degree and any relevant coursework or research that aligns with the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Better Placed Ltd - A Sunday Times Top 10 Employer!
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Python and any full-stack capabilities you possess. Highlight specific projects where you've built applications or systems, especially those related to AI or large language models.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Ability
Expect technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely, as this will show your ability to tackle complex challenges in a high-growth environment.
✨Research the Company and Its Founders
Familiarise yourself with the company's background, its founders, and their work in AI. Understanding their vision and the products they are developing will help you align your answers with their goals during the interview.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Spirit
Since you'll be working closely with founders and early hires, highlight your teamwork and collaboration skills. Share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams, particularly in fast-paced or research-heavy settings.
