Lead AI Systems Developer (Founding Engineer)

Lead AI Systems Developer (Founding Engineer)

Full-Time 60000 - 70000 ยฃ / year (est.) No working from home possible
AXION 4

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of AI systems and create innovative software solutions.
  • Company: Join AXION4, a pioneering tech company transforming business operations with AI.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, and a clear path to leadership roles.
  • Other info: Dynamic remote environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
  • Why this job: Be a founding engineer and shape the future of AI-driven technology.
  • Qualifications: 5-10 years in software development with strong AI and leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 ยฃ per year.

AXION4 builds the intelligent operating infrastructure that businesses run on - AI, automation and custom software engineered into one connected system that measurably improves how a company performs. We work with real businesses across multiple sectors, diagnosing how each one actually operates - where it loses time, leads and margin - then designing and building the systems that fix it. Our principle is simple: we donโ€™t automate chaos, we engineer clarity first.

Weโ€™re hiring our first engineer - a founding technical role with genuine ownership and a clear arc. Youโ€™ll start hands-on, turning specifications into working, deployed, reliable systems. As we grow, youโ€™ll set the engineering standards, choose how we build, and lead the delivery team. And because youโ€™ll understand both the technology and the commercial problem behind it, youโ€™ll move beyond building to specification toward shaping the solution itself. The path: senior builder, to Head of Development, to a technical mind that helps architect what we build.

Youโ€™ve spent the last five to ten years building software and leading the people who build it. You understand engineering deeply - from the fundamentals up, not just framework-deep - and youโ€™ve shipped real, production systems end to end. Youโ€™ve also fully embraced the AI wave. You use the latest AI tooling to accelerate and elevate your craft - not as a crutch, but as a multiplier - and you can tell the difference between AI that adds real value and AI for its own sake. You are the rare engineer who has merged classical engineering depth with AI-native speed. And you think commercially. You can sit with a business owner, understand how their business makes money and where it leaks it, and translate that into the right system - not just the one you were handed. That instinct is what takes you from building systems to designing them.

What Youโ€™ll Do

  • Take detailed specifications and build to them - AI-enabled workflows, automations, integrations, dashboards, portals and custom applications.
  • Own the codebase, repositories and delivery environment, and keep every build maintainable, documented and reliable.
  • Establish the engineering standards, reusable components and patterns that make each build faster than the last.
  • Run QA, testing and deployment so releases are repeatable and dependable.
  • Scope, estimate and stress-test solutions alongside the founders - and increasingly, help shape them.
  • As the pipeline grows, hire, onboard and mentor developers, and build the delivery function youโ€™ll lead.

What Youโ€™ll Bring - Essential

  • Five to ten years (or more) building software professionally, including time leading or running development teams.
  • Deep engineering fundamentals and a track record of shipping production systems end to end.
  • Genuine fluency with modern AI and LLM tooling, and the habit of using AI-assisted development to move faster without dropping quality.
  • Commercial insight - the ability to understand a business problem and design technology that solves it, not just code that runs.
  • The autonomy and judgement to be the first technical hire: setting standards rather than inheriting them, in a remote, fast-moving environment.

Your Technical Breadth

Weโ€™re deliberately tool-agnostic - we choose the right stack for each build, so we donโ€™t require any single one. What we need is genuine breadth and the judgement to pick well. Youโ€™ll likely have worked across several of:

  • Languages wiring CRMs, payments, comms and third-party platforms into one coherent system.
  • Automation how youโ€™ve merged deep engineering with the latest AI tooling; and a time you understood the commercial problem behind the build.

As part of the application process we may ask you to build a mini project from scratch, in order to assess your discipline in planning, execution, versioning, testing and deployment etc. Good luck to all applicants.

Lead AI Systems Developer (Founding Engineer) employer: AXION 4

At AXION4, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. As a founding engineer, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of our technology while enjoying a flexible remote work environment in the UK. We offer competitive salaries, a clear path for career advancement, and the chance to work with cutting-edge AI tools, ensuring that your contributions are both meaningful and rewarding.

AXION 4

Contact Details:

AXION 4 Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice๐Ÿคซ

We think this is how you could land Lead AI Systems Developer (Founding Engineer)

โœจTip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect role or can introduce you to someone at AXION4.

โœจTip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving AI and automation. This is your chance to demonstrate how you've merged engineering depth with AI-native speed, which is exactly what AXION4 is looking for.

โœจTip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by understanding AXION4's mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goal of engineering clarity and improving business performance through technology.

โœจTip Number 4

Apply through our website! Itโ€™s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the team at AXION4 and contributing to their innovative projects.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead AI Systems Developer (Founding Engineer)

Software Development
Team Leadership
AI Tooling
Production Systems
Engineering Fundamentals
Commercial Insight
Codebase Management

Some tips for your application ๐Ÿซก

Show Your Passion for AI:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI shine through! We want to see how you've embraced AI in your work and how it has helped you elevate your projects. Share specific examples of how you've used AI tools to enhance your development process.

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the role of Lead AI Systems Developer. Highlight your experience in building production systems and leading teams, and connect your skills to the specific needs of AXION4. This shows us that you understand what we're looking for!

Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity in communication, so keep your application straightforward. Use bullet points or short paragraphs to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we want to quickly grasp your qualifications and how they align with our mission at AXION4.

Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, itโ€™s the best way to stay updated on your application status!

How to prepare for a job interview at AXION 4

โœจKnow Your Stuff

Make sure youโ€™re well-versed in the latest AI tools and software engineering principles. Brush up on your past projects and be ready to discuss how you've integrated AI into your work. This role is all about merging classical engineering with AI, so show them you can do both!

โœจUnderstand the Business

Get a grip on how businesses operate and where they might lose money. Be prepared to talk about how your technical solutions can solve real-world problems. This isnโ€™t just about coding; itโ€™s about designing systems that make a difference.

โœจShow Your Leadership Skills

As a founding engineer, youโ€™ll need to set standards and lead a team. Share examples of how youโ€™ve mentored others or led projects in the past. They want to see that you can take charge and guide a team towards success.

โœจBe Ready for a Mini Project

They might ask you to build a mini project as part of the application process. Use this as an opportunity to showcase your planning, execution, and testing skills. Make sure you can articulate your thought process and decisions throughout the project.

ยฉ StudySmarter