At a Glance
- Tasks: Build AI-powered software from scratch and shape product direction with founders.
- Company: Exciting AI startup with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: On-site role in London, perfect for those who thrive in fast-paced startup culture.
- Why this job: Join a pioneering team and lead the development of next-gen AI products.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in full-stack engineering, strong skills in TypeScript, React, and Node.js.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location
London, United Kingdom (On-site, 5 days/week)
Employment
- Full-time
- About the Opportunity
- An ambitious, well-funded AI startup is looking for its
Founding Product Engineer to help build the next generation of AI-powered software from the ground up.
This is a true
0-to-1 opportunity where you'll work directly with the founders to define the product, own major technical decisions, and build customer-facing experiences from concept to production.
If you're excited by high ownership, rapid iteration, and using AI as a core part of software development, this role offers the chance to have a lasting impact from day one.
The Role
As the Founding Product Engineer, you'll own the product across the full stack, from frontend interfaces and APIs to AI-powered workflows and developer infrastructure.
This isn't a traditional engineering role.
You'll be expected to contribute to product thinking, architecture, customer conversations, and technical strategy while shipping production-ready features at startup speed.
You'll thrive if you enjoy solving difficult technical problems, have strong opinions backed by experience, and prefer building over maintaining.
What You'll Do
- Build and launch product features end-to-end, from idea to production.
- Design scalable APIs and backend systems.
- Develop modern frontend experiences using React and Type Script.
- Integrate LLMs and AI agents into production workflows.
- Collaborate directly with founders and early customers to shape product direction.
- Make key architectural and product decisions.
- Continuously improve development velocity using AI-powered engineering workflows.
- Help establish the engineering culture and technical foundations of the company.
What We're Looking For
Required Experience
- 6+ years of full-stack software engineering experience (exceptional candidates with fewer years will also be considered).
• Strong expertise in
- Type Script
- React
- Node. js
- Experience building products from
0 to 1 in startup environments.
- Hands-on experience integrating LLM APIs (Open AI, Anthropic, or similar) into production applications.
- Strong product intuition with the ability to balance technical excellence and user needs.
- High level of ownership and autonomy.
Ideal Background
You'll stand out if you have one or more of the following
- Experience at a high-performing technology company or AI-focused organization.
- An impressive portfolio of personal projects, open-source contributions, or startup experience.
- Published technical research, conference talks, or notable technical achievements.
- Strong architectural thinking and the ability to influence product direction.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely with founders.
- AI-First Engineering
This team believes AI is fundamentally changing software development.
The ideal candidate already relies heavily on AI coding assistants such as Claude, Copilot, Cursor, or similar tools as a core part of their engineering workflow—not as an occasional productivity boost.
- Tech Stack
- You'll work across a modern AI-native technology stack including
Type Script, React, Node. js, Rust, Azure, Docker, RESTful API design, AI agents, Large Language Models (LLMs), and full-stack application development . Experience integrating
Open AI, Anthropic, or similar LLM APIs into production environments is highly valued, along with a strong understanding of building scalable, AI-powered products from concept to deployment.
Who You'll Enjoy Working With
You're likely a great fit if you
- Love building products from scratch.
- Enjoy startup environments where speed matters.
- Think like both an engineer and a product builder.
- Take ownership rather than waiting for tickets.
- Like debating architecture, product decisions, and emerging AI technologies.
- Want to help shape both the product and the company.
- Please Note
This is a fully on-site position in London (5 days per week) .
Candidates must already have the legal right to work in the UK.
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Founding Product Engineer (AI-First) employer: Ersilia
Ersilia is an exceptional employer that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where employees are empowered to drive growth in the FMCG sector. With a strong focus on professional development, team members have access to ongoing training and mentorship opportunities, ensuring they can thrive in their roles while enjoying the flexibility of remote work across the Midlands and East Anglia. Join us to be part of a supportive environment that prioritises employee well-being and fosters meaningful relationships with clients.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Product Engineer (AI-First)
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Ersilia or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Ersilia.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Ersilia.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Ersilia that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Product Engineer (AI-First)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Ersilia.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Ersilia and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ersilia
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Ersilia uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
