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- Tasks: Build AI-powered tools to enhance productivity in a fast-paced cybersecurity environment.
- Company: Join ISTARI, a leading strategic cybersecurity advisory firm with a bold vision.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, flexible remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of cybersecurity consulting with innovative AI solutions.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in software development and experience with AI coding assistants.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for extension and significant impact on the team.
ISTARI is a strategic cybersecurity advisory company with a bold vision; to curate the defining cybersecurity ecosystem of our time, uniting enterprise, academia, government, and innovators to build collective resilience. At the heart of this mission, ISTARI helps clients achieve lasting organisational cyber resilience by convening and applying world‑class talent, expertise, and innovation through a uniquely powerful network, with ISTARI as the central orchestrator.
The Opportunity: We are seeking an entrepreneurial, AI‑native developer to join ISTARI as a contract developer and help transform how we deliver our consulting work. You will be the founding technical resource responsible for building a suite of AI‑powered internal tools that dramatically improve productivity across our Advisory practice. This is not a traditional development role. You will be expected to leverage AI coding assistants (such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, and similar tools) as force multipliers, enabling you to deliver at the speed and scope of a small team. You will work directly with partners and consultants to understand their pain points, translate business requirements into technical solutions, and rapidly iterate on tools that make a measurable impact. If you thrive at the intersection of cutting‑edge AI tooling and practical business problem‑solving, and you want to shape how a fast‑growing cybersecurity firm operates, this role is for you.
What You'll Do (Key Responsibilities)
- AI‑Powered Tool Development
- Rapid Prototyping: Design, build, and deploy internal tools that automate repetitive consulting tasks – from report generation to data analysis to client deliverable creation.
- AI‑Assisted Development: Use AI coding tools (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot) as your primary development methodology, demonstrating best practices for AI‑augmented software engineering.
- Full Stack Ownership: Own the entire technical stack – from frontend interfaces to backend services to deployment infrastructure – as the sole developer.
- Business Translation & Requirements
- Stakeholder Engagement: Work directly with Partners, Principals, and Consultants to understand workflows, identify inefficiencies, and prioritize high‑impact automation opportunities.
- Requirements Definition: Translate ambiguous business needs into clear technical specifications. Ask the right questions, propose solutions, and iterate quickly based on feedback.
- User‑Centric Design: Build tools that consultants actually want to use – intuitive, reliable, and genuinely time‑saving.
- Technical Infrastructure
- Architecture Decisions: Make pragmatic technology choices that balance speed of delivery with maintainability and security requirements appropriate for a cybersecurity firm.
- Security‑First Mindset: Ensure all tools meet ISTARI's security standards. We advise clients on cybersecurity – our internal tools must reflect that expertise.
- Documentation & Handover: Maintain clear documentation so tools can be supported and extended as the team grows.
- Stay Current: Keep pace with the rapidly evolving AI development landscape. Evaluate new tools, techniques, and models that could accelerate our capabilities.
- Knowledge Sharing: Help upskill the broader team on AI tools and techniques. Demonstrate what's possible and help consultants incorporate AI into their own workflows.
- Measure Impact: Track and communicate the productivity gains from tools you build, helping justify continued investment.
What You'll Bring (Candidate Profile)
- Experience & Target Background
- We are looking for developers who have embraced AI‑assisted development as a core part of their workflow.
- Target Backgrounds:
- AI‑Native Developers: Engineers who have integrated Claude Code, Cursor, or similar AI coding assistants into their daily workflow and can demonstrate significant productivity gains.
- Full Stack Generalists: Developers comfortable across the stack – web frontends, APIs, databases, cloud infrastructure – who can ship complete solutions independently.
- Startup/Scale‑up Experience: Engineers who have worked in resource‑constrained environments where they owned entire product areas and delivered quickly with minimal oversight.
- Proven Delivery Track Record: Demonstrated ability to ship working software quickly. We value pragmatic delivery over perfect architecture.
- Business Acumen: Experience working directly with non‑technical stakeholders, gathering requirements, and translating them into technical solutions.
- AI Tool Fluency: Expert‑level proficiency with AI coding assistants. Candidates should be prepared to pair‑program using AI tools during the interview process and provide portfolio examples of work built with AI assistance.
- Technical Breadth: Comfortable with modern web technologies (e.g. React, Node.js, Python, or equivalent), cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), and database technologies. Not necessarily expert in all, but capable of learning quickly and building effectively. We value adaptability over specific stack expertise.
- Communication Skills: Able to explain technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders and ask clarifying questions that get to the heart of business problems.
- Self‑Direction: Comfortable working autonomously, managing your own priorities, and proactively identifying opportunities to add value.
- Security Awareness: Understanding of secure development practices. You'll be building tools for a cybersecurity company – security cannot be an afterthought.
Technical Requirements
- Required: 3+ years of professional software development experience. Demonstrated experience with AI‑assisted development tools.
- Preferred: Experience building internal tools or productivity applications. Familiarity with LLM APIs and prompt engineering. Background in consulting, professional services, or B2B environments.
How We Measure Success (KPIs)
- Delivery (Output): Number of tools shipped and actively used by the team. Speed from concept to deployed solution.
- Impact (Outcomes): Measurable time savings for consultants using your tools. User adoption and satisfaction scores from internal stakeholders.
- Quality (Reliability): Tool uptime and stability. Security review pass rate. New AI techniques or tools successfully integrated into workflows. Knowledge transfer and enablement of broader team.
Duration: Initial 6‑month engagement with potential for extension
Commitment: Full‑time equivalent (~40 hours/week)
Location: London or fully remote. Remote candidates must have significant overlap with UK business hours (minimum 4 hours daily) and hold existing right‑to‑work as a contractor in their country of residence.
Day Rate: £500–700/day depending on experience
Security: No security clearance required, but candidates must be comfortable working under client confidentiality requirements typical of cybersecurity engagements. Background check may be required for certain client projects.
If you are a builder who thrives with AI tools and wants to help shape how a growing cybersecurity firm operates, we encourage you to apply.
AI-First Full Stack Developer (Contract) employer: ISTARI
Contact Detail:
ISTARI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land AI-First Full Stack Developer (Contract)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the cybersecurity and AI space on LinkedIn or at industry events. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than a CV.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing projects where you've used AI coding assistants. This will not only demonstrate your technical prowess but also your ability to deliver impactful solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for a chat! Prepare to discuss how you’ve tackled real-world problems using AI tools. Employers love hearing about your thought process and how you translate business needs into tech solutions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our mission at ISTARI.
We think you need these skills to ace AI-First Full Stack Developer (Contract)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your AI Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience with AI coding assistants like Claude Code or GitHub Copilot. We want to see how you've integrated these tools into your workflow and the impact they've had on your productivity.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match our job description. Show us how your background aligns with the role of an AI-First Full Stack Developer.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language to explain your technical skills and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ISTARI
✨Know Your AI Tools
Make sure you’re well-versed in AI coding assistants like Claude Code and GitHub Copilot. Be ready to demonstrate how you've used these tools in your past projects, as this role heavily relies on AI-assisted development.
✨Understand the Business Needs
Before the interview, research ISTARI's mission and their approach to cybersecurity. Prepare to discuss how you can translate business requirements into technical solutions, showcasing your ability to engage with non-technical stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Full Stack Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience across the entire tech stack. Highlight specific projects where you’ve owned both frontend and backend development, and how you’ve delivered complete solutions independently.
✨Prepare for Practical Problem-Solving
Expect to tackle real-world problems during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process when developing tools that improve productivity, and be ready to iterate on your ideas based on feedback.