At a Glance
- Tasks: Architect and implement AI delivery systems while solving real-world operational challenges.
- Company: Join LockStep, a pioneering UK firm transforming private equity operations with AI.
- Benefits: Gain meaningful equity and ownership in a high-growth tech environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to scale the engineering team and drive innovation.
- Why this job: Become a technical founder and redefine how businesses operate with cutting-edge AI.
- Qualifications: Proven full-stack engineer with experience in production-grade AI systems.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
- Job Title
- Founding Engineer
- Salary
- Not Disclosed
- Company Description
Lock Step is a UK-based firm helping private equity-backed businesses transform operations through production-grade AI systems and redesigned workflows.
Job Description
Join Lock Step as a Founding Engineer to bridge the gap between bespoke consulting and static software.
You will architect a delivery system that scales AI implementations across entire private equity portfolios.
By automating complex workflows and building reusable infrastructure, you'll directly impact EBITDA for mid-sized enterprises while defining the technical foundation of the company.
- Location
- London, UK
- Why this role is remarkable
- Become a technical founder of a business with a proven market and a full customer pipeline through the end of 2026.
- Move beyond "chatbot" AI into building mission-critical systems that fundamentally redesign how mid-sized, PE-backed businesses operate.
- Secure meaningful equity and genuine ownership of the technical direction while building a compounding delivery engine from day one.
What You Will Do
- Architect and implement the core delivery system, focusing on reusable infrastructure, workflow patterns, and deployment tooling.
- Balance technical leadership with hands‑on delivery, spending 40% of your time working directly with clients to solve messy, real-world operational challenges.
- Scale the engineering team and create internal knowledge systems that turn project experience into shared, automated capabilities.
- The ideal candidate
- Proven full‑stack engineer who has shipped production‑grade AI systems, moving beyond simple prototypes to resilient, real‑world applications.
- Exceptional ability to identify reusable patterns within fragmented data and complex workflows to build scalable software solutions.
- Practical, curious, and ambitious leader ready to own technical strategy and build the foundation of a high‑growth AI delivery platform.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Founding Engineer at LockStep 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 LockStep
✨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 LockStep
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.
