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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to build a groundbreaking app that fosters genuine friendships.
- Company: Arou, a fast-growing community focused on meaningful connections.
- Benefits: Equity-only role with full ownership and a voice in decisions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on tackling loneliness and shaping the future of friendship.
- Qualifications: Experience in software engineering and a passion for community building.
- Other info: Work with a dynamic founding team and enjoy flexible hours.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 £ per month.
About Arou
Over the last six months, Arou has grown into a fast-growing community and a new way for adults to make real friends. We’re now turning that into a product. Arou places you straight into a small group chat with three people around you - same age, location and similar interests. It’s an instant friendship group that helps people go from zero to talking, quickly. We then give you the tools to actually keep those friendships going, not just start them. Think WhatsApp meets Tinder BFF (minus the swiping), built for people who want depth, not endless surface-level connections.
So far, everything has grown organically. We now have over 1,500 community members, and 1,200+ TikTok followers, all through word of mouth. We’ve been deliberately testing different audiences and channels - including a 500-person WhatsApp community - to understand what drives genuine connection and sustainable growth before launch. We know our customers.
The Role
We’re building our founding team and looking for a thoughtful, ambitious engineer who wants to ship fast, learn relentlessly, and help shape the future of how people make friends.
Who You Are
- You have a drive to build products that genuinely improve people’s lives.
- You care deeply about community and connection.
- You’re product-minded and commercial - you want to build something people love and that works as a business.
- You use AI as a force multiplier.
- You have a strong bar for quality, but you’re fast - you know when to ship and iterate.
- You’re pragmatic, and curious.
- You’ve got experience as a software engineer (we’re using React Native/Firebase for our MVP, but we value mindset over specific stack).
- You’re calm under pressure, motivated by purpose, and enjoy collaborating with passionate, driven people.
Commitment & Equity
This is an equity-only role. Everyone on the founding team currently has full-time roles, so this is treated as a passion project - we work evenings or weekends (when we can), with weekly syncs to stay aligned and move fast. You’ll have full ownership from day one, a real voice in product and technical decisions, and the opportunity to shape something that will impact millions. You should be excited about building something of your own.
Why Join
- You’ll help build a product that tackles one of the biggest modern challenges: loneliness.
- You’ll join our team at Day 1, right as we launch our MVP - this has the potential to change so many lives.
- You’ll work alongside a founding team who are building at some of the most exciting, fast-growing startups across People, Product, Engineering and Operations.
- You’ll be part of a small, close-knit founding team with ambition, heart, and a bias for action.
If this sounds exciting, drop us a note at hello@arou.app or share your CV - we’ll grab a virtual coffee to chat.
Founding Engineer - Volunteer (Equity Only) employer: Arou
Contact Detail:
Arou Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer - Volunteer (Equity Only)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who are already part of the community you want to join. Use platforms like LinkedIn or even Twitter to connect and engage with them. Remember, personal connections can often lead to opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or any projects that showcase your engineering prowess, make sure to highlight them. Share your work on GitHub or create a personal website. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Arou, and express your interest. A well-crafted message can go a long way in making a memorable impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for virtual chats! If you get a chance to chat over coffee, be ready to discuss your ideas and how you can contribute to their mission. Show your passion for building connections and improving lives – it’s all about aligning with their vision!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Engineer - Volunteer (Equity Only)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for building connections and improving lives.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with our mission at Arou. Highlight any relevant projects or roles that showcase your ability to create meaningful connections and build products.
Show Your Drive: In your cover letter, express why you’re excited about this equity-only role. We love candidates who are motivated by purpose and eager to contribute to something bigger than themselves!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arou
✨Understand the Product and Community
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Arou's mission and how it aims to foster genuine connections. Familiarise yourself with their current community dynamics and think about how your engineering skills can enhance this experience.
✨Show Your Passion for Building
This role is all about building something meaningful. Be prepared to share examples of past projects where you’ve created products that improved lives. Highlight your passion for community and connection, as this aligns perfectly with Arou's vision.
✨Demonstrate Your Agile Mindset
Arou values speed and quality, so be ready to discuss how you balance these two aspects in your work. Share specific instances where you’ve shipped quickly but maintained a high standard, showcasing your ability to iterate based on feedback.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about Arou’s future plans and the challenges they face. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values, especially regarding collaboration and purpose-driven work.
