Founding Engineer

Founding Engineer

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a pioneering team to build AI-driven products and scale innovative technology.
  • Company: Elite tech startup with world-class talent and groundbreaking research.
  • Benefits: Top-tier salary, equity stake, and flexible hybrid working model.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of AI while collaborating with leading experts in the field.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in engineering, experience with scalable machine learning systems, and strong Python skills.
  • Other info: Dynamic startup environment with significant career growth and mentorship opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 Β£ per year.

Job Description

Founding Engineer – Early-Stage Deep Tech Startup

Full-time | Onsite in London

Β£180,000 + Substantial Equity

An early-stage, stealth-mode startup is looking for a Founding Engineer to join the team in central London. This is a unique opportunity to help build a transformative new platform at the intersection of software systems, automation, and intelligent infrastructure.

Founded by leading academics and proven entrepreneurs, the business is backed by top-tier investors and is solving complex technical problems that demand creativity, rigour, and ambition.

The Role

  • Build and own core systems and architecture from the ground up
  • Work closely with the founding team on product direction and technical strategy
  • Make key decisions across the full stack β€” from infrastructure to user-facing elements
  • Contribute to the early engineering culture, processes, and hiring

Ideal Background

  • Experience building complex systems in a startup or high-growth tech environment
  • Strong computer science fundamentals; comfortable working across multiple layers of the stack
  • Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-moving, ambiguous environments
  • Bonus: familiarity with compilers, distributed systems, systems design, or programming languages theory

Offer

  • Β£180,000 base salary
  • Significant equity in a high-potential startup
  • London-based, full-time β€” onsite collaboration with a world-class founding team

Founding Engineer employer: Explore Group

As a Founding Engineer at our innovative London-based start-up, you will be part of an elite team shaping the future of AI technology. We offer a top-tier salary and significant equity, alongside a flexible hybrid working model that fosters collaboration and deep work. Our culture prioritises mentorship and growth, providing you with unique opportunities to influence cutting-edge projects while working alongside world-class researchers and product leaders.
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Contact Detail:

Explore Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who are already working at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and even referrals that could get your foot in the door.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving React and Python. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills. Remember, confidence is key, so don’t forget to showcase your problem-solving mindset!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to join our elite team. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with our mission and the exciting work we’re doing in AI and machine learning.

We think you need these skills to ace Founding Engineer

React
Python
Machine Learning
Reinforcement Learning
Large Scale Model Training
MLOps
Data Pipelines
Model Versioning
Continuous Integration
Cloud Native Development
Containerisation
Orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
Problem Solving
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫑

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about joining our elite founding engineering team and contributing to groundbreaking projects.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience with scalable, machine learning intensive systems. We’re looking for specific skills in React, Python, and cloud-native development, so don’t be shy about showcasing those!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share your journey, your achievements, and how you can contribute to shaping our technology platform from the ground up.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our innovative team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Explore Group

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in React and Python, as well as any relevant frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch. Brush up on your knowledge of large-scale model training and MLOps best practices, as these will likely come up during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles, especially those involving scalable, machine learning-intensive systems. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your entrepreneurial mindset.

✨Demonstrate Collaboration Experience

Since this role involves working closely with researchers and product strategists, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Talk about how you’ve contributed to team projects and influenced outcomes through effective communication.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the company’s direction and technology. Inquire about their approach to scaling infrastructure or how they envision the future of AI-driven products. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Founding Engineer
Explore Group
Location: London

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