Founding Engineer

Founding Engineer

Full-Time 90000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a small team to revolutionise aviation with innovative software solutions.
  • Company: Fleetcraft, a pioneering tech company at the intersection of aerospace and AI.
  • Benefits: Highly competitive salary, equity, and flexible working arrangements.
  • Other info: Dynamic startup environment with high trust and ownership opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of aviation while solving real-world problems with your code.
  • Qualifications: 2+ years in software development, experience with full-stack products and AI systems.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.

We are a small team of engineers and scientists trying to create a golden age in aviation by reshaping how aircraft are built and maintained. Fleetcraft’s mission is to enhance humanity’s access to the sky by accelerating innovation in aerospace and reducing the risk of bringing new aircraft to market. We are growing fast and looking for an exceptional full-stack founding engineer to join our team.

Why Join Us?

  • We are building at the intersection of aerospace and AI - modernising one of the world’s most complex and critical industries.
  • Solve real-world problems: Your code won’t just ship; it will define how aircraft are inspected, maintained, and trusted worldwide.
  • Join from the start: We’re growing fast and already working with some of the largest aviation companies in the world. You’ll be here from day one, helping shape the future.
  • High trust, high ownership: Make decisions that move the whole company forward. We value autonomy, speed, and impact.

Stack: Build with modern tools — Python, FastAPI, TypeScript, LLMs, MLOps

What We’re Looking For

  • 2+ years of software development experience
  • Proven track record of building and shipping full-stack products in fast-paced, product-driven teams
  • Hands-on experience building production AI systems with Python, PyTorch, and LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.), integrated into real user workflows
  • Familiarity with MLOps tools and CI/CD for both traditional and ML-driven systems
  • Strong backend and API development skills - comfortable owning systems end-to-end, from data pipelines to user-facing interfaces
  • Passion for building clean, usable products that solve real problems, fast
  • Comfortable wearing multiple hats, challenging assumptions, and shaping product direction in ambiguous environments

Bonus Points

  • Prior startup or 0→1 product experience
  • Contributions to open-source AI/ML projects
  • Experience with aviation, aerospace, or other safety-critical domains

You Should Apply If...

  • You love building real products that users depend on - not just prototypes
  • You’re energised by fast feedback loops and high-leverage work
  • You want to work close to users and shape what gets built
  • You thrive in ambiguous, high-trust, high-ownership environments

You Should Not Apply If...

  • You prefer clearly defined tasks over autonomous problem-solving
  • You’re uncomfortable working in a fast-moving, high-ambiguity startup
  • You’re looking for a large team with established roadmaps and guardrails

Tech Stack

  • Core: Python, FastAPI, TypeScript, React
  • AI/ML: OpenAI, Anthropic, computer use, evals, voice agents
  • Infrastructure: Azure, Docker

Process:

  • Initial Screen (30 min video call with one of the founders)
  • Take-Home Test (1h45 on HackerRank)
  • Interview (30 min video call with one of the founders)
  • In-Person Interview

Working at Fleetcraft

Our office is in central London, off Oxford Street. Being in the same room helps us move fast, make better decisions, and build with urgency. We’re comfortable with chaos and energised by the pace. We also get that life isn’t always predictable. When something personal comes up, we trust each other to handle it with flexibility and maturity.

Compensation + Benefits

Highly Competitive: £90k-£120k + equity

We’ll Back You to Do Your Best Work. Need to relocate? Working late? Want a tool that helps you move faster? We’ve got you. Just tell us what you need we’ll make it happen. Fleetcraft is an equal opportunities employer.

Founding Engineer employer: Fleetcraft

Fleetcraft is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant Greater London area, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, equity options, and ample opportunities for professional growth, all while working on impactful AI-driven projects that shape the future of customer implementations. Join a team that values adaptability and technical expertise, making every day a rewarding experience.

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Contact Details:

Fleetcraft Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer

Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Fleetcraft’s mission and values, and think about how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building connections can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which can significantly boost your chances of landing that interview.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the technical challenges ahead! Brush up on your coding skills, especially in Python and FastAPI, and get comfortable with the tools mentioned in the job description. Practising coding challenges can help you ace the take-home test and interviews.

Tip Number 4

Show your passion for innovation! During interviews, share examples of how you've tackled real-world problems in your past projects. Highlight your experience with AI systems and how you’ve contributed to building products that users love. This will resonate well with Fleetcraft's mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Founding Engineer

Software Development
Full-Stack Development
Python
FastAPI
TypeScript
AI Systems Development
MLOps

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for aviation and technology shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about reshaping the future of aerospace.

Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in software development and AI systems. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so connect your past projects to what we do at Fleetcraft.

Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to show your personality! We value high trust and ownership, so being yourself in your application will help us see if you’re a good fit for our team culture.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at Fleetcraft

Know Your Tech Stack

Familiarise yourself with the core technologies mentioned in the job description, like Python, FastAPI, and TypeScript. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them in past projects, especially in building full-stack applications.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare examples of real-world problems you've solved using AI and MLOps. Fleetcraft values innovation, so be ready to explain how your contributions have made a tangible impact in previous roles, particularly in fast-paced environments.

Emphasise Autonomy and Ownership

Since the role requires high trust and ownership, share experiences where you took initiative and made decisions that positively affected your team or project. Highlight your comfort in ambiguous situations and how you thrive when given autonomy.

Engage with Their Mission

Research Fleetcraft’s mission to reshape aviation and enhance access to the sky. During the interview, express your passion for this mission and how your skills align with their goals. Showing genuine interest can set you apart from other candidates.