At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a groundbreaking software platform for national security.
- Company: Fortalis, a high-growth startup in defence and national security.
- Benefits: Equity options and the chance to shape a foundational technology stack.
- Other info: Join as the founding technical hire and own the architectural roadmap.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national resilience and solve critical data challenges.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in building complex systems; hands-on leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
Technical Lead / CTO role at Fortalis, London, UK. Founding technical hire to architect and build a modular software platform designed for high consequence environments; integrate disparate data sources and SME technologies into a unified operational picture for national resilience. This is a hands-on leadership role combining product strategy with first principles engineering from a blank slate.
Location
London, UK
Salary
Not Disclosed + Equity
Company Description
Fortalis - High growth defence and national security startup
Responsibilities
- Architect and build an interoperable platform that ingests and synthesises cross domain signals from multiple external data sources and SME technologies
- Collaborate directly with the CEO to translate complex real world security problems into robust, scalable, and deployable software solutions
- Lead the development of distributed systems and integration heavy APIs to produce decision ready intelligence for government and critical infrastructure clients
Qualifications
- 5-10 years of experience building and designing complex, integration heavy distributed systems while remaining a hands on, high output individual contributor
- Strong architectural judgment with the ability to leverage AI tools and modern workflows to own the output of a foundational platform
- A mission driven mindset with the desire to work in the defence and national security sector; prior experience in secure environments is a plus
Why this role is remarkable
- Founding ownership: As the first technical hire, you own the entire architectural roadmap and technology stack from day one without legacy constraints
- Mission critical impact: Build the software layer for national resilience, solving fragmented data challenges for defenders in cyber, physical, and information domains
- High upside equity: This role offers meaningful co founder level equity or early employee stakes for a mission driven leader shaping a foundational security platform
Technical Lead/CTO (+ Equity) at Fortalis employer: Job Search Place Limited
Fortalis is an exceptional employer for those seeking to make a significant impact in the defence and national security sector. As a high-growth startup based in London, we offer a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration, alongside unique opportunities for personal and professional growth. With the chance to take on a founding role and receive meaningful equity, you will be at the forefront of developing critical software solutions that enhance national resilience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Lead/CTO (+ Equity) at Fortalis
✨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 Job Search Place Limited 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 Job Search Place Limited.
✨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 Job Search Place Limited.
✨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 Job Search Place Limited 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 Technical Lead/CTO (+ Equity) at Fortalis
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 Job Search Place Limited.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Job Search Place Limited 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 Job Search Place Limited
✨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 Job Search Place Limited 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.
