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- Tasks: Lead the design and production of AI systems for a cutting-edge predictive intelligence platform.
- Company: High-growth FinTech startup in Central London with a dynamic founding team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful equity, and hybrid working model.
- Why this job: Join at ground level and shape the future of AI in finance.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in LLM engineering and Python; STEM degree required.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with real ownership and influence.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ 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 London employer: Harnham
Contact Detail:
Harnham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Lead AI Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the AI and FinTech space. Attend meetups, webinars, or industry events to meet potential employers and showcase your passion for predictive intelligence.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your projects related to LLM engineering and RAG systems. Share it on platforms like GitHub or your personal website to give hiring managers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its technology stack. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around Python engineering and AI workflows.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're serious about joining our team and gives us a chance to get to know you better right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Lead AI Engineer in 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 excited about joining our startup and how your background aligns with our mission to redefine predictive intelligence in finance. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to detail your Python engineering prowess and any experience with cloud deployment. We want to see how you can contribute to building and deploying our core AI systems right from the get-go.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
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 them you can think on your feet and deliver results.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Lead AI Engineer, you'll need to collaborate with various teams. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. They’ll want to see that you can communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so be prepared for some scenario-based questions.
✨Understand Their Vision
Research the company’s mission and their Predictive Intelligence Platform. Be ready 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.
