At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build ethical tech systems for memory and identity.
- Company: Forgiveness Labs, a pioneering applied research studio.
- Benefits: Equity ownership, influence on tech roadmap, and competitive salary post-funding.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for ownership and growth.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team to create impactful, non-extractive technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in scalable systems, data ethics, and privacy-focused applications.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Forgiveness Labs is an applied research studio building ethical systems for memory, identity, and crisis intelligence. Our work focuses on restoring cultural continuity and protecting vulnerable populations without surveillance. We develop infrastructure for under-documented and displaced communities, including: Humaniti, a real-time crisis intelligence layer ingesting diaspora signals, open satellite/climate feeds, and humanitarian datasets; Lineage.ai, an ancestry protocol built from voice, testimony, and consent-based cultural knowledge. Our mandate is simple: build non-extractive technology that strengthens human dignity.
We are hiring a Founding Engineer and Co-Founder to define and build the technical core of Forgiveness Labs. This role is hands-on, architecture-driven, and suited for someone who wants ownership, autonomy, and long-horizon work. You will design system architecture, implement critical infrastructure, write production-grade code, and shape the engineering culture from day one. You will work across Humaniti and Lineage.ai, integrating secure data pipelines, mapping components, and consent-governed memory systems. This role is based in London (on-site) or remote for the right candidate.
Responsibilities- Design system architecture for Humaniti and Lineage.ai
- Implement critical infrastructure and write production-grade code
- Shape engineering culture from day one
- Integrate secure data pipelines and mapping components
- Build consent-governed memory systems
- Experience designing and deploying scalable distributed systems, including cloud infra and database management
- Competence in building privacy-preserving, security-first applications
- Sound understanding of data ethics, consent logic, and responsible data handling
- Ability to work in a small, high-context, interdisciplinary environment
- Bias toward clarity, reliability, and long-term architectural thinking
- Degree in a technical field or equivalent real-world engineering expertise
- Experience with mapping stacks, ML systems, cryptographic protocols, or real-time data ingestion pipelines
- Exposure to humanitarian tech, civic tech, or culturally sensitive data environments
Full-time commitment expected. London-based or remote for the right candidate.
What you get- Meaningful equity ownership in the company
- Direct influence over the technical roadmap
- Salary begins after pre-seed funding round
- Opportunity to build alongside the founder and own critical systems
- Material stake in a long-horizon infrastructure project
Founding Engineer & Co-Founder in London employer: Forgivenesslabs
Forgiveness Labs is an exceptional employer for those passionate about ethical technology and social impact. With a focus on meaningful equity ownership and direct influence over the technical roadmap, employees are empowered to shape the future of critical systems in a collaborative and innovative environment. Located in London, or available remotely for the right candidate, the company fosters a culture of autonomy and long-term thinking, making it an ideal place for engineers looking to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer & Co-Founder 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 Forgivenesslabs 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 Forgivenesslabs.
✨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 Forgivenesslabs.
✨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 Forgivenesslabs 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 Engineer & Co-Founder in London
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 Forgivenesslabs.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Forgivenesslabs 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 Forgivenesslabs
✨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 Forgivenesslabs 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.
