At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of an AI-driven product and enhance user experience.
- Company: Early-stage, mission-led software business with a strong market presence.
- Benefits: Founding-level opportunity, equity options, hybrid work, and direct access to founders.
- Other info: Fast-paced, dynamic role with significant career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape an innovative AI-native product and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering background and experience in startup environments.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
We're working with an early-stage, mission-led software business looking to hire a Founding Engineer to play a key role in the next evolution of their product. The business already has a live platform and strong market relevance — the next phase is about rebuilding and improving the product for the AI era, with a particular focus on user experience, intelligent workflows, and mobile-first product thinking.
This is a rare opportunity to join at a genuinely influential stage, working directly with the founders to help shape what gets built, how it gets built, and where the product goes next. If you're the kind of engineer who enjoys owning product problems, building in ambiguity, and turning ideas into shipped features, this is a very interesting role.
What You'll Be Doing
- Taking a hands-on role in the evolution of the core product and mobile experience
- Building and shipping features using modern AI tooling, including LLMs, prompt engineering, and agent-based workflows
- Improving and shaping the user experience through better product thinking, architecture, and delivery
- Working closely with the founders to turn product ideas into scalable, high-quality software
- Identifying where AI can genuinely improve customer outcomes — not just where it looks good on a roadmap
- Making practical decisions around architecture, integrations, tooling, and technical direction
- Helping establish the foundations for the future engineering roadmap and team
What We're Looking For
- Strong hands-on software engineering background
- Experience building and shipping real product in startup, scale-up, or high-ownership environments
- Experience working on customer-facing applications, ideally with some exposure to mobile / app-led products
- Practical experience using AI in production, including areas like:
- LLMs
- prompt engineering
- AI-assisted workflows
- agent-based functionality
- Comfortable working across product, engineering, and technical problem-solving
- A strong builder mindset — someone who enjoys getting things live, improving products, and solving meaningful user problems
- Comfortable in a fast-moving, founder-led environment
Nice to Have
- Experience with consumer products, engagement-led products, or behaviour-driven applications
- Exposure to open banking, fintech, or data-led products
- Experience working as an early technical hire or in a Founding Engineer / first product engineer type role
- Interest in helping shape technical direction as the business grows
Why Join
- Founding-level opportunity with genuine ownership
- Direct access to founders and product direction
- Opportunity to help shape an AI-native product in a meaningful way
- High-impact role where you can influence both what gets built and how it gets built
- Hybrid working in Manchester
- Equity opportunity as part of the package
Lead Software Engineer in Manchester employer: LinkedIn
Join a pioneering software business in Manchester as a Lead Software Engineer, where you'll have the unique opportunity to shape an AI-native product from its foundational stages. With a strong emphasis on innovation and user experience, this role offers direct access to the founders, a hybrid working environment, and the chance to make a significant impact on the product's evolution. Enjoy a culture that values ownership, creativity, and collaboration, alongside equity opportunities that reward your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and contributions. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities in a way that words on a CV can't.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to the role. Think about how you can highlight your experience with AI tooling and user experience improvements during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Plus, it gives you a better chance of getting noticed by the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Software Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on software engineering background and any experience with AI tooling, as this will catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're excited about this opportunity. Share specific examples of how you've tackled product problems in the past and how you can contribute to shaping our AI-native product.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on customer-facing applications or mobile products, don’t forget to include them! We love seeing real-world examples of your work, especially if they demonstrate your builder mindset and problem-solving skills.
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 this exciting founding-level opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at LinkedIn
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest AI tools and technologies, especially LLMs and prompt engineering. Brush up on your experience with mobile-first product thinking and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled product challenges in ambiguous situations. Highlight your hands-on experience in building features that genuinely improve user experience and customer outcomes.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Research the company’s mission and current product offerings. Be ready to share your thoughts on how you can contribute to their evolution, particularly in shaping an AI-native product that resonates with users.
✨Be Ready for a Dynamic Discussion
Expect a conversational interview style where you’ll discuss not just your technical skills but also your mindset as a builder. Prepare to engage with the founders about your vision for the product and how you can help steer its future direction.
