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- Tasks: Lead the design and production of AI systems for a cutting-edge FinTech startup.
- Company: High-growth FinTech startup in Central London with a focus on AI-powered solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful equity, and hybrid working model.
- Why this job: Join a founding team and shape the future of predictive intelligence in finance.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in LLM engineering and Python; STEM degree required.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic environment with significant ownership and influence.
The predicted salary is between 86000 - 103000 £ per year.
A high-growth FinTech startup in London is building an AI-powered Predictive Intelligence Platform for corporates and financial institutions. Their technology connects market events, client data, and emerging opportunities through advanced agentic AI and RAG-based systems, helping financial institutions anticipate client needs before they arise.
They have built a live MVP in record time, with enterprise client demos underway, and are now hiring a Lead AI Engineer to join as permanent hire number four in the founding technology team. This is a rare opportunity to join at the inflection point — a hands-on, high-ownership, high-impact role where you’ll shape the AI core of a company redefining predictive intelligence in finance.
Role Overview
Reporting directly to the CTO, you’ll lead the design and productionisation of the company’s core AI systems. You will architect, implement, evaluate, and scale RAG pipelines, agentic workflows, and LLM-based intelligence frameworks, driving real-world impact across financial markets. The role is approximately 80% hands-on and 20% strategic, covering Python engineering, system architecture, and model evaluation, while collaborating closely with product and domain experts.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and deploy RAG pipelines, agentic AI workflows, and LLM integration frameworks
- Own AI evaluation, guardrails, and observability systems
- Translate financial workflows into scalable AI capabilities
- Collaborate directly with the CTO and external development teams
- Help shape the AI roadmap and mentor future hires
About You
- Strong experience in LLM engineering, RAG systems, prompt orchestration, and agentic architectures
- Proven experience delivering ML/AI systems into production environments
- Excellent Python engineering and system design skills
- Familiarity with APIs, MLOps, and cloud deployment (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
- Clear communicator, comfortable in fast-paced, early-stage environments
- STEM degree required; MSc in AI, Computer Science, or a related field preferred
- You have experience in financial services/regulated industry
- You have B2B experience
What’s on Offer
- £100k-£120k base salary plus meaningful equity
- Join at ground level (hire number four) with real ownership and influence
- Work with an exceptional founding team from top-tier consulting, technology, and finance backgrounds
- Hybrid working model: 2–3 days a week in Central London
- Visa sponsorship not available
Founding Lead AI Engineer in City of London employer: Harnham
Contact Detail:
Harnham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Lead AI Engineer in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Lead AI Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to LLM engineering and RAG systems. This will give you an edge and demonstrate your hands-on experience to the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your Python engineering and system design skills. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments like startups.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Lead AI Engineer in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Lead AI Engineer. Highlight your experience with LLM engineering and RAG systems, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your hands-on skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about AI in finance and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Include specific examples of Python engineering, system architecture, and any ML/AI systems you've delivered. This will help us understand your hands-on capabilities.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at the heart of our founding team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harnham
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of LLM engineering, RAG systems, and agentic architectures. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role. This is a hands-on position, so demonstrating your technical expertise will be key!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments. Think of examples where you've built or deployed AI systems that had a real-world impact, particularly in financial services. This will show that you can think on your feet and adapt to new situations.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Lead AI Engineer, you'll need to collaborate with various teams. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. This will not only help you during the interview but also demonstrate your ability to work well with non-technical stakeholders.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Research the startup's mission and their predictive intelligence platform. Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with their goals and how you can contribute to shaping the AI roadmap. Showing genuine interest in their vision will set you apart from other candidates.
