At a Glance
- Tasks: Build AI systems to tackle cognitive threats and lead a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Exciting pre-seed AI defence tech startup with a mission-driven focus.
- Benefits: Equity options, hands-on leadership role, and the chance to shape technology from scratch.
- Other info: Opportunity for true co-founder autonomy in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Join a pioneering team at the forefront of AI and national security.
- Qualifications: Experience as a CTO or technical founder with deep AI/ML expertise.
Job Title
CTO / Head of Engineering
Salary
Not Disclosed
Company Description
Pre-seed AI defence tech startup
Job Description
As the founding CTO of this pre-seed AI defence tech startup, you will build the technical foundation from zero. You will architect multi-agent systems to simulate information warfare and cognitive threats for EU government institutions. This is a hands‑on leadership role combining high-level strategy with deep model development and team building.
Location
London, UK
Why this role is remarkable
- Mission-driven work at the intersection of AI and national security, tackling the defining global challenge of cognitive threats.
- Founding-stage opportunity at a pre‑seed startup backed by the urgent demand for European defence sovereignty and resilience.
- True co‑founder autonomy to shape the technical architecture, engineering culture, and product direction from day one.
What You Will Do
- Architect and build multi-agent systems for population-level cognitive impact modelling and sophisticated threat simulation.
- Lead hands‑on development including training and fine‑tuning LLMs while managing complex data architectures for government clients.
- Recruit and lead the initial engineering team while establishing robust security and compliance standards for defence‑grade technology.
The ideal candidate
- Proven track record as a CTO or technical founder at an early‑stage startup, ideally having scaled through growth rounds.
- Deep technical expertise in AI/ML, specifically with hands‑on experience training or fine‑tuning LLMs and complex agent frameworks.
- Based in London (or willing to relocate) with a strong desire to build mission‑critical technology from the ground up.
CTO / Head of Engineering (+ Equity) at pre-seed AI defence tech startup employer: Jack & Jill
At Jack & Jill, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture. Our team enjoys a range of benefits including flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and growth. Located in a vibrant area, we offer unique advantages such as access to cutting-edge technology and the chance to work with industry leaders in AI-driven marketing strategies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CTO / Head of Engineering (+ Equity) at pre-seed AI defence tech startup
✨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 Jack & Jill 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 Jack & Jill.
✨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 Jack & Jill.
✨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 Jack & Jill 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 CTO / Head of Engineering (+ Equity) at pre-seed AI defence tech startup
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 Jack & Jill.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Jack & Jill 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 Jack & Jill
✨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 Jack & Jill 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.
