Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of an AI-powered travel platform from MVP to scalable product.
- Company: The Stay Experts is a travel-tech start-up transforming how people discover and book travel.
- Benefits: Equity-only role with potential for paid compensation, flexible hybrid work, and huge creative ownership.
- Why this job: Join early, shape the product, and evolve into a CTO role while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in full-stack development; proficiency in frameworks like React, Node.js, and AI knowledge is a plus.
- Other info: Ideal for builders wanting to create something meaningful in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Stay Experts is a travel-tech start-up reimagining how people discover and book travel. From curated guidebooks to concierge-style booking to our upcoming AI-powered platform, we help travelers find the world’s best stays, without the overwhelm.
We’re hiring a Founding Full Stack AI Engineer (CTO Track) to join our founding team. This is an equity-only role, ideal for a builder who wants to shape something meaningful from the ground up, with the opportunity to evolve into a full-time CTO role as we raise our first round of funding.
You’ll lead the development of our AI-powered platform, starting with an MVP and growing it into a scalable, high-impact product. From integrating early AI functionality to defining our tech architecture, your work will directly shape how people book their perfect stay.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead development of our full-stack AI-powered platform (MVP and beyond)
- Design, build, and maintain front-end and back-end infrastructure
- Integrate AI capabilities (e.g., LLMs, NLP, APIs, vector databases) to create intelligent and seamless user experiences
- Work closely with the founder to translate business needs into technical execution
- Build scrappy but scalable MVP features that deliver real customer value
- Lead core technical decisions, shape our engineering culture, and help grow the team
- Translate product vision into scalable code
What We’re Looking For
- A long-term partner excited to grow with the company
- Solid experience in full-stack development (front-end + back-end)
- Proficiency in frameworks like React, Next.js, Node.js, Python, or similar
- Understanding of and experience with AI and machine learning is a strong plus
- Passion for building, fast iteration, and launching MVPs
- A self-starter who thrives in early-stage environments and takes full ownership
- Collaborative mindset, comfortable working in a lean, focused team
- Strong product intuition and the ability to balance speed with scalability
- Bonus: Previous start-up or side-project experience
We’re also open to recent grads or early-career candidates who can show strong potential, drive, and a solid portfolio or projects.
What We Offer
- Equity-only to start, with the potential for paid compensation after funding
- A clear path to CTO as we grow
- Huge creative and technical ownership from day one
- A builder’s playground, your decisions will shape the product, brand, and company
- Flexible hybrid work (with in-person catchups when needed)
- A chance to join early, leave your mark, and build something ambitious
Final Note
We’re not just building tech, we’re building trust and long-term impact. If you’re a builder at heart and this feels like the kind of opportunity you’ve been waiting for, we’d love to talk. Let’s build the future of curated travel together.
Founding Full Stack AI Engineer (CTO Track) employer: The Stay Experts
Contact Detail:
The Stay Experts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Full Stack AI Engineer (CTO Track)
✨Tip Number 1
Showcase your passion for building and iterating on projects. When you connect with us, share specific examples of MVPs you've developed or contributed to, highlighting how you approached challenges and delivered value.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your understanding of AI and machine learning by discussing relevant projects or technologies you've worked with. This will help us see your capability to integrate AI functionalities into our platform.
✨Tip Number 3
Emphasise your collaborative mindset and experience in lean teams. We want to know how you've successfully worked with others to translate business needs into technical solutions, so be ready to share those stories.
✨Tip Number 4
If you have any previous start-up or side-project experience, make sure to highlight it. This shows us that you're comfortable in early-stage environments and can take ownership of your work, which is crucial for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Full Stack AI Engineer (CTO Track)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company: Before applying, take some time to understand The Stay Experts and their mission. Familiarise yourself with their products and values, as this will help you tailor your application to show how you align with their vision.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your full-stack development experience, particularly with frameworks like React, Next.js, and Node.js. If you have experience in AI and machine learning, make sure to showcase specific projects or achievements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your technical skills but also expresses your passion for building and your desire to grow with the company. Mention your understanding of the start-up environment and your readiness to take ownership of projects.
Showcase Your Projects: If you have a portfolio or GitHub repository, include links to your projects that demonstrate your skills in full-stack development and AI integration. This will provide tangible evidence of your capabilities and creativity.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Stay Experts
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with full-stack development, particularly in frameworks like React, Next.js, and Node.js. Bring examples of past projects that highlight your ability to integrate AI capabilities and build scalable MVPs.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Building
Express your enthusiasm for creating innovative solutions and your drive to iterate quickly. Share stories about how you've taken ownership of projects and the impact they had on users or businesses.
✨Understand the Company Vision
Familiarise yourself with The Stay Experts' mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their goal of reimagining travel booking and how you can contribute to shaping their AI-powered platform.
✨Prepare Questions for the Founders
Engage with the founders by asking insightful questions about their vision for the company, the challenges they foresee, and how they envision the CTO role evolving. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
