At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build an AI-native game engine from scratch, shaping the future of mobile gaming.
- Company: Join Kantrip, a pre-seed startup revolutionising game development with cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Be part of a pioneering team with potential for significant impact in a booming market.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with opportunities to shape engineering culture and product direction.
- Why this job: Lead the charge in redefining game development and work directly with visionary founders.
- Qualifications: 1-4 years of experience in TypeScript and React; AI-native development skills are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Kantrip is a pre‑seed, VC‑backed London startup building an AI‑native game engine to democratize mobile game development. Backed by top gaming and consumer investors, Kantrip is creating a TypeScript‑based agentic pipeline that allows anyone to ship high‑performance, native mobile games without the traditional complexity of legacy engines.
As the first hire at Kantrip, you will architect an AI‑native game engine from scratch. You will build the core systems that enable agents to generate and ship native mobile games, working directly with the founders in London. This is a high‑intensity, founding role for a builder who wants to redefine game development.
Location: London, UK
Why this role is remarkable:
- You will be the very first engineer on the ground, shaping the technical architecture, engineering culture, and product direction from day zero.
- Work at the bleeding edge of AI and systems engineering by building a custom, TypeScript‑based game engine designed specifically for agentic workflows.
- Join a pre‑seed startup backed by elite gaming and consumer VCs, offering the unique opportunity to disrupt a $150bn+ market currently gated by legacy tooling.
What You Will Do:
- Design and build the core engine and agentic pipeline, translating the vision of AI‑generated games into a high‑performance, native reality.
- Collaborate daily with the founder to navigate architectural tradeoffs, aiming for a rapid vertical slice while maintaining a high quality bar.
- Establish an engineering culture that prioritises speed, performance, and an AI‑native workflow, ensuring games scale efficiently on real mobile devices.
The ideal candidate:
- A high‑calibre builder with 1‑4 years of experience, ideally from a top‑tier computer science program or a highly respected engineering team.
- Deeply proficient in TypeScript and React; experience with React Native is a significant advantage for building native mobile experiences.
- An AI‑native developer who integrates tools like Cursor and Claude into their daily workflow to ship faster and solve complex systems problems.
Founding Engineer at Kantrip 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 Founding Engineer at Kantrip
✨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 Founding Engineer at Kantrip
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.
