Founding Product Engineer in London

Founding Product Engineer in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
FlightStory

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Own the front-end experience and design user-friendly interfaces for hiring teams.
  • Company: Join CultureTest, a dynamic venture within the Steven.com ecosystem.
  • Benefits: Enjoy high autonomy, minimal process, and the chance to shape product culture.
  • Other info: Ideal for those with startup experience looking for growth and ownership.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by building innovative solutions in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in React, Next.js, TypeScript, and a passion for UX quality.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

This role sits within CultureTest, a venture within the Steven.com ecosystem - one of the companies we are building and backing as we scale the infrastructure behind high-performing teams.

Most hiring decisions rely on CVs, interviews and gut feel - all weak signals that rarely predict how someone will actually behave inside a company. As teams scale and founders step back from hiring, the decisions that matter most often get made with the least structure.

CultureTest introduces company-specific, scenario-based behavioural screening early in the hiring process. Instead of generic personality tests, we help teams evaluate candidates against how their company actually works, before interviews shape perception. Culture Test are early-stage, working directly with customers, shipping quickly and iterating based on real usage.

ROLE MISSION

Own the front-end experience end to end - designing and shipping the interfaces hiring teams and candidates interact with every day - and help define how CultureTest builds product as the platform scales. As the first dedicated frontend engineer, you'll take ownership of the existing frontend, build in Next.js and TypeScript, and have the opportunity to contribute across the whole stack over time. You'll work closely with the CTO to shape frontend architecture, product decisions and engineering standards, with a high level of autonomy and real influence over both the product and the engineering culture.

KEY OUTCOMES

  • Take ownership of the existing frontend and ship core product features in Next.js (App Router) and TypeScript
  • Define and own the frontend architecture across a growing SaaS platform
  • Translate product ideas into fast, polished, highly usable experiences
  • Shape how behavioural data is presented so hiring teams can interpret and act on it
  • Collaborate on API contracts and system design with the CTO
  • Help establish early engineering practices and standards as the team grows

CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Deep expertise in React, Next.js (App Router) and TypeScript
  • Strong product instincts and a high bar for UX quality
  • Systems thinking - designs in systems, not just components
  • Comfort operating in ambiguity, defining solutions without heavy process
  • Clear collaboration on API design and full-stack concerns

YOU'LL THRIVE HERE IF

  • You've shipped real SaaS products and want first-engineer-level ownership
  • You enjoy high autonomy, minimal process, and shaping both product and engineering culture
  • You're curious about the full system (Go / PostgreSQL / AWS), even with a frontend focus
  • You like working directly with customers and iterating on real usage
  • You hold a high bar for UX and care about how the work feels, not just that it ships

IDEAL BACKGROUND

  • A strong frontend or product engineer who has shipped real, production SaaS
  • Deep, hands-on experience with React, Next.js and TypeScript
  • Able to think in systems and interested in broader system ownership over time
  • Startup or early-stage experience is a strong plus

Founding Product Engineer in London employer: FlightStory

CultureTest is an exceptional employer for those seeking to make a significant impact in the tech industry. Located in London, we foster a dynamic work culture that prioritises autonomy and innovation, allowing our Founding Product Engineer to take ownership of their projects while collaborating closely with leadership. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and the opportunity to shape both product and engineering standards from the ground up, CultureTest offers a unique environment for passionate individuals eager to contribute to a transformative hiring solution.

FlightStory

Contact Details:

FlightStory Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Founding Product Engineer in London

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 FlightStory 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 FlightStory.

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 FlightStory.

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 FlightStory 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 in London

React
Next.js (App Router)
TypeScript
Frontend Architecture
User Experience (UX) Design
API Design
Systems Thinking

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 FlightStory.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at FlightStory 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 FlightStory

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 FlightStory 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.