At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with cofounders to tackle high-impact challenges and drive projects from zero to launch.
- Company: Join Encord, a leading AI data platform backed by top investors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, generous leave, and a vibrant team culture.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Be part of a rocketship and shape the future of AI with your entrepreneurial spirit.
- Qualifications: Must be a former tech founder with a strong technical background and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Us
Encord is the universal data layer for AI that helps 300+ AI teams train and run models on the right data. Our platform indexes, curates, annotates, and evaluates data across the full AI lifecycle, from development through production. Trusted by Woven by Toyota, AXA, UiPath, Zipline, and more. We're an ambitious team of 100+ working at the frontier of AI and have raised $60M in Series C funding from Wellington Management, CRV, Next47 and Y Combinator.
The role
We're looking for former technical founders who want to get back to building. If you've experienced the thrill of 0 to 1 — the chaos, the ownership, the outsized impact — and you're hungry to do it again inside a rocketship, this is the role for you. At Encord, you won't be a cog in a machine. You'll work directly with the founding team, take on high-stakes problems, and help shape the trajectory of the company. We don't care which box you fit into — we care about what you're capable of building.
What You’ll Do
- Work closely with the cofounders to identify and drive some of the highest-leverage opportunities across product, engineering, GTM, or operations.
- Take ownership of ambitious, ambiguous problems and drive them from zero to shipped.
- Bring an entrepreneurial mindset to everything — spotting gaps, moving fast, and making things happen with limited resources.
- Build internal tools, processes, and systems that help Encord scale.
- Act as a force multiplier across teams, bringing founder-level energy and judgment to whatever you tackle.
Who We’re Looking For
- A former founder — ideally technical — who has built and scaled a product or company, and is eager to get back to the early days of 0 to 1.
- You may have started and exited your business and are ready to experience the journey again in a new context.
- You may not have AI or B2B experience, but you will have excelled at something incredibly challenging that demonstrates your grit and ability to overachieve.
- Deeply comfortable with ambiguity — you don't need a job spec to know what needs doing.
- A builder at heart who thinks from first principles and moves fast without sacrificing quality.
- Someone who takes extreme ownership and thrives without a safety net.
Experience Requirements
- Proven experience founding or co-founding a technology company.
- Strong technical background — you've written production code and understand engineering trade-offs.
- Track record of building and shipping products that users love.
- Experience hiring, leading, and inspiring small, high-performing teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Why Encord
- Competitive salary, commission, and meaningful equity in a high-growth startup.
- Strong in-person culture — most of the team works from our London office 4+ days/week.
- 25 days annual leave + UK public holidays.
- Annual learning & development budget.
- Travel for customer visits, events, and conferences across the UK and Europe.
- Company lunches twice a week.
- Monthly socials & bi-annual team offsites.
Former Tech Founder Wanted: Build 0→1 with a Rocketship employer: Encord
Encord is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the AI space. With a strong in-person culture in our London office, we offer competitive salaries, meaningful equity, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. Join us to collaborate closely with the founding team, tackle high-stakes challenges, and enjoy a vibrant work environment that fosters innovation and camaraderie.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Former Tech Founder Wanted: Build 0→1 with a Rocketship
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world and let them know you're on the hunt for a new adventure. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities at Encord or similar companies.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your entrepreneurial spirit! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share stories of your past successes and how you've tackled challenges. This will demonstrate that you’re not just looking for a job, but are ready to make an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for job postings to appear. If Encord excites you, reach out directly through our website. Express your interest and share how your unique skills can help us build something amazing together.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for ambiguity! Brush up on your problem-solving skills and be ready to discuss how you thrive in uncertain situations. At Encord, we love builders who can navigate chaos and turn it into opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Former Tech Founder Wanted: Build 0→1 with a Rocketship
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit:We want to see that founder mentality in your application! Share stories of how you've tackled challenges and driven projects from 0 to 1. Highlight your ability to spot opportunities and make things happen, even with limited resources.
Be Authentic and Personal:Let your personality shine through! We’re looking for someone who fits into our ambitious culture. Use your application to tell us about your journey, what motivates you, and why you're excited about the opportunity at Encord.
Highlight Technical Skills:Since we’re after a former tech founder, make sure to showcase your technical background. Talk about the production code you've written and any engineering trade-offs you've navigated. This will help us understand your depth of experience.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Encord
✨Know Your 0 to 1 Journey
Make sure you can articulate your past experiences as a founder. Be ready to share specific examples of how you took a product from concept to launch, highlighting the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will show Encord that you understand the chaos and excitement of building something from scratch.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
Since the role requires comfort with ambiguity, prepare to discuss how you've navigated uncertain situations in the past. Think of instances where you identified gaps and took initiative without clear guidance. This will demonstrate your entrepreneurial mindset and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Given the technical nature of the role, brush up on your coding knowledge and be prepared to discuss engineering trade-offs you've made in previous projects. Highlight any relevant technologies or methodologies you've used, as this will reassure Encord of your strong technical background.
✨Communicate Like a Founder
Effective communication is key, especially when working closely with co-founders. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss how you've inspired and led teams in the past, as well as how you manage stakeholder relationships. This will help convey your leadership qualities and collaborative spirit.
