At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering efforts, build products, and design systems in a cutting-edge cyber security environment.
- Company: Join CodeWall, a VC-backed startup revolutionising cyber security with AI super hackers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful equity, and a hybrid work model in London.
- Other info: Dynamic startup culture with opportunities for rapid career growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Be the first senior engineer and shape the future of cyber security while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in production systems, strong architectural opinions, and team leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
CodeWall is building the future of cyber security and on a mission to create the world's best AI super hackers. We are VC-backed by some of the best and just closed our $4M pre-seed round, the largest ever for a cyber startup in the UK. Come hack the planet with us!
About the role
The first senior engineering hire. You'll own how we build — the architecture, the conventions, the bar for what we ship. You wear many hats: you build products, design systems, and fine tune models. You might tackle moonshots or polish a feature. You do what it takes to fulfill our mission. This is a soft-offered role with meaningful equity for the right person.
What you'll do:
- Set the engineering bar — architecture, code review, what 'good' looks like.
- Own critical platform paths end-to-end: from intake through agent execution to reporting.
- Build and operate the infrastructure the agents run on (multi-target, multi-tenant, scaling).
- Pair with research and AI to translate offensive patterns into shipped code.
- Hire the next five engineers — write the JDs, run the loops, set the rubric.
- Carry the on-call when prod breaks (which it will).
What we're looking for:
- 6+ years building production systems that other engineers depend on.
- Strong opinions on architecture, weakly held — you've watched your own designs rot in prod.
- Comfort across the stack: backend services, frontend, infrastructure, async / agent orchestration.
- A history of shipping fast in early-stage environments where the requirements moved daily (0-1).
- Python preferred (our core).
- Comfortable owning hiring — you've built or led a team before.
Bonus:
- Security or offensive-tooling background.
- Built agent / LLM-orchestration systems in production.
- Open-source projects of substance.
Logistics:
- Location: London, Hybrid with 3/4 days a week in the office.
- Interview process: 40-min intro chat with the founder → 10 minute chat with advisor → in person coffee and offer with the founder.
- Compensation: Competitive, plus meaningful early-hire equity. Specifics in the first call.
If parts of this don't fit but you think you'd be dangerous here anyway — apply and tell us why.
AWS Engineer Contract employer: CodeWall
At CodeWall, we are not just building cutting-edge cyber security solutions; we are fostering a dynamic and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to take ownership of their projects and drive meaningful change. As the first senior engineering hire, you will have the unique opportunity to shape our engineering practices while enjoying competitive compensation and significant equity in a rapidly growing startup environment located in the heart of London. Join us in our mission to create the world's best AI super hackers and be part of a team that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AWS Engineer Contract
✨Get Active on Cybersecurity Forums
Join platforms like Stack Exchange and Reddit’s r/cybersecurity to hang out with industry pros, learn the latest, and share your insights. This will not only boost your visibility but also help you connect with potential clients who might need your freelance services.
✨Show Off Your Skills with Public Projects
Create a few open-source projects or contribute to existing ones that showcase your cybersecurity skills. Use GitHub to display your work, as this is an excellent way to attract clients looking for freelancers with a proven track record.
✨Attend Local Conferences and Meetups
Make sure to hit up cybersecurity meetups, workshops, and conferences in your area. These events are goldmines for networking, and you’ll often find people looking for freelancers after a chat over a coffee – so come prepared with your business cards and a killer elevator pitch!
✨Market Yourself Smartly
Set up a professional website that showcases your portfolio, expertise, and client testimonials. Optimise it for SEO with relevant keywords so potential clients searching for cybersecurity freelancers can easily find you. Don’t forget to link to your site on all your social media and profiles!
We think you need these skills to ace AWS Engineer Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Skills Through a Strong Portfolio:Since you're applying for a freelance role in cybersecurity, it's crucial to showcase your technical skills through a detailed portfolio. Include case studies of projects you've worked on, any security tools you've developed or assessed, and specifics on the methodologies you’ve used. This will help CodeWall understand what you're capable of.
Certifications Matter!:Make sure to list any relevant certifications you hold, such as CISSP, CEH, or CompTIA Security+. Freelance clients often value these credentials as they reflect your expertise and commitment to the field. If you’re actively pursuing more certifications, don’t hesitate to mention that too!
Rates, Availability, and Your Work Style:In your application, it’s essential to be clear about your freelance rates and availability. Clients appreciate transparency. Mention how many hours a week you can dedicate and your preferred working hours, as this sets expectations from the start and shows you're organised and professional.
Tailor Your CV to Highlight Cybersecurity Experience:When crafting your CV, make sure to tailor it specifically to cybersecurity. Highlight projects, tasks, and achievements related to security assessments, vulnerabilities you've mitigated, or compliance work you've undertaken. Keywords relevant to the job can grab attention and increase your chances of landing a spot at CodeWall.
How to prepare for a job interview at CodeWall
✨Showcase Your Cybersecurity Skills
As a freelancer in cybersecurity, it’s crucial we demonstrate not just our knowledge but our practical skills too. Be ready to discuss specific tools you’ve used, like Wireshark or Metasploit, and share relevant experiences where you identified vulnerabilities or mitigated risks in past projects.
✨Prepare Your Portfolio
Unlike traditional roles, freelancing relies heavily on your portfolio. Let’s curate a selection of past work that showcases our best projects. If we’ve handled penetration tests, audits, or incident responses, be sure to highlight these in your portfolio, and share any client testimonials if we have them.
✨Stay Updated on Trends and Tools
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so we should be prepared to chat about recent developments and how they impact our work. Familiarise ourselves with the latest threats, tools, and frameworks, like MITRE ATT&CK, that are pertinent to the projects we’re pitching.
✨Pitching Your Value as a Freelancer
When freelancing, we often need to negotiate our rates and value propositions. Be ready to explain how our skills can help CodeWall protect their assets and manage risks. It can help to outline some potential strategies or improvements we could implement for them based on their current setup.
