At a Glance
- Tasks: Identify and support exceptional technical founders, guiding them from idea to MVP.
- Company: Join Antler, a global VC firm dedicated to building impactful companies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and 23 days leave plus holidays.
- Other info: Dynamic role with real ownership and growth opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovation, helping founders turn ideas into AI-driven businesses.
- Qualifications: Experience in tech leadership or early-stage investing; deep building experience is essential.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
About Antler
Antler is a global early‑stage VC firm that partners with exceptional founders from day zero to build impactful, scalable companies. We believe exceptional companies are built by exceptional people – often before an idea, team, or company exists. Our role is to find those people early, surround them with the right co‑founders, capital, and conviction, and help them build ambitious, venture‑scale businesses from scratch. In the UK, we are building one of the most active and hands‑on early‑stage investment firms in the ecosystem, backing founders from inception through to scale. Founded in 2017, Antler now operates in 27 cities across six continents. Globally, we’ve helped create and invest in over 1,500 companies and supported more than 10,000 founders – with the ambition to back thousands more over the coming decade.
About the Role
This is a core role on Antler UK's investment team, with a strong emphasis on engineering. We are looking for someone who has been in the weeds of building – someone who can sit with a founder at the earliest stage and help sharpen a problem, scope an MVP, and figure out how to ship. This is a hands‑on investment and coaching role focused on technical decision‑making, product strategy, and execution at zero‑to‑one. You will work closely with the Partners and the wider Investment Team to identify exceptional individuals before they start companies, support them through Antler’s residency, and back them as founders in our portfolio. This is not a passive investing role. You will own opportunities end‑to‑end – sourcing, assessment, technical diligence, memo‑writing, and IC participation – and represent Antler in the UK ecosystem. During residency periods, the pace is intense and highly founder‑facing. This role requires energy, presence, and judgement under pressure. London‑based. Typically 4+ days per week in the office.
What You’ll Do
- Identify and back exceptional technical founders early: Build conviction pre‑traction by assessing engineering judgement, product instinct, and founder‑market fit before data exists.
- Earn credibility within technical communities: Build trusted relationships with engineers, CTOs, AI/ML builders, and product leaders to source and support top founders.
- Turn ideas into AI‑first, shippable companies: Help founders frame problems, scope MVPs, embed modern AI from day one, and ship in weeks—not months.
- Guide early product and technical strategy: Coach on prioritisation, speed vs. quality trade‑offs, architecture, sequencing, and early hiring—without over‑engineering.
- Lead technical/product diligence and investment decisions: Evaluate product vision, technology, defensibility, and execution capability.
- Support fundraising and growth: Shape investor narratives, prepare founders for pre‑seed/seed rounds, leverage networks for talent and customers, and support round execution.
- Strengthen the platform: Improve how we assess and support technical founders, contribute to ecosystem presence, and build AI‑enabled systems that maximise founder‑facing time.
What We’re Looking For
We don’t expect you to tick every box. If this excites you, we’d love to hear from you.
Background
- A founder
- A CPTO, CTO, Head of Engineering, or early technical leader
- An early‑stage investor with deep technical fluency
- VC experience is helpful, but not required. Deep building experience is.
Experience & Capability
- Significant experience as a technical or product‑led operator in high‑growth startups
- Proven track record of shipping in ambiguous, resource‑constrained environments
- Strong product judgement – able to move quickly from problem → user → MVP → execution
- Comfortable coaching technical founders and forming clear views with imperfect information
How You Operate
- Clear, confident communicator – build trust quickly and lead sharp, honest conversations
- Curious, commercially grounded, and energised by early‑stage ambiguity
- Highly independent and accountable for outcomes
- Leverage modern tools and AI workflows to maximise impact
- Direct but kind; intense, low‑ego, and focused on better decisions
What We Offer
- A front‑row seat to helping build companies from day zero
- Real ownership and responsibility from day one
- Close partnership with an ambitious investment team
- Participation in carried interest in UK Fund II
- Competitive salary and performance‑based bonus
- 23 days’ leave plus public holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year
- Clear opportunity for increasing scope and influence as Antler UK scales
We do not sponsor visas. You must have the right to work in the UK.
Our Selection Process
We review applications on a rolling basis and encourage early submissions.
- Introductory conversation to explore your background, judgement, and motivation.
- A working session‑style first interview, including preparation of either an investment memo or structured founder/product assessment (details provided).
- Final conversations with senior members of the UK team, concluding with an in‑person discussion with a UK Partner.
Principal, Investment Team (Engineering Experience) employer: Antler
Antler is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic and hands-on environment for those passionate about early-stage investment and technology. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation, employees are empowered to take ownership of their roles from day one, working closely with ambitious founders to shape the future of impactful companies. Located in London, Antler provides unique opportunities for professional growth, competitive compensation, and a vibrant work culture that thrives on creativity and technical excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal, Investment Team (Engineering Experience)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the investment and tech scene. Attend meetups, workshops, and conferences to meet potential founders and other investors. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you’re chatting with founders or at events, share your insights on product strategy and technical decision-making. This not only builds your credibility but also helps you stand out as someone who can add real value to early-stage companies.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Reach out to founders you admire and offer your support or advice. This hands-on approach can lead to amazing connections and might just land you a role where you can make a real impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for exceptional talent. By applying directly, you’ll show us your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal, Investment Team (Engineering Experience)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your personality and passion for the role. Don’t just list your skills; tell us how your experiences have shaped you as a founder or technical leader.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for this specific role. Highlight your engineering experience and how it aligns with our mission at Antler. Show us that you understand what we do and how you can contribute to building exceptional companies.
Showcase Your Impact:We love to see tangible results! Share examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in high-growth startups. Whether it's shipping a product or mentoring a founder, let us know how you've driven success.
Keep It Concise:While we appreciate detail, clarity is key. Make your application easy to read and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We want to get to know you quickly, so make every word count!
How to prepare for a job interview at Antler
✨Know Your Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge and experience. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This role is all about helping founders with their MVPs, so showing your hands-on experience will really impress.
✨Understand Antler's Mission
Dive deep into Antler's vision and values. Familiarise yourself with their approach to supporting founders and building companies from scratch. Being able to articulate how your background aligns with their mission will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
Antler is looking for someone who can think on their feet. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might need to assess a founder's idea or help them refine their product strategy. Practising these types of discussions will help you demonstrate your problem-solving skills effectively.
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
Networking is key in this role. Try to connect with current or former Antler team members or founders they've backed. Having insights from insiders can give you an edge in understanding the culture and expectations, plus it shows your proactive approach to building relationships in the ecosystem.
