At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a new interactive web platform from scratch.
- Company: Exciting stealth startup with a focus on innovation and creativity.
- Benefits: High ownership, potential equity, and a chance to shape the product's future.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and to evolve into a founding role.
- Why this job: Join a small team and make a real impact in an early-stage startup.
- Qualifications: Strong full-stack engineering skills and a product-focused mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re currently partnered with a stealth, early-stage consumer startup building a new interactive web platform. They’re looking for a Lead / Founding Engineer to join at an early stage and take ownership of building the product from the ground up. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working from 0 → 1 and wants to play a key role in shaping both product and technical direction.
What you’ll be doing:
- Building and shipping the core product across the full stack
- Turning an early prototype into a scalable, production-ready platform
- Working closely with the founder on product decisions and UX
- Designing and implementing core backend systems and user-facing features
- Integrating third-party services and lightweight AI functionality where relevant
What they’re looking for:
- Strong full-stack engineering experience (modern JS frameworks, APIs, databases)
- Comfortable owning the entire stack end-to-end
- Product mindset — able to think beyond just implementation
- Experience building and shipping real products
- Self-starter who thrives in early-stage, ambiguous environments
Nice to have:
- Experience with consumer-facing products
- Experience building interactive or data-driven platforms
- Familiarity with AI APIs and integrations
Why this role:
- Opportunity to join at a very early stage as a key technical hire
- High ownership and direct impact on product direction
- Small, fast-moving team
- Clear pathway to evolve into a long-term founding role with meaningful equity
Further details on application.
Lead Software Engineer employer: Novera Search
Contact Detail:
Novera Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those that align with the role you're after. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your full-stack engineering experience and product mindset.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Think about how you would approach building a product from scratch and be ready to discuss your thought process. Remember, they want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re all about making connections, so don’t hesitate to submit your application directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm for joining the team at this exciting early stage.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about building something from scratch and shaping the product's future.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your full-stack engineering experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We’re looking for someone who can own the entire stack, so showcase how your skills align with what we need!
Think Beyond Code: We love a product mindset! In your application, share examples of how you’ve contributed to product decisions or user experience in past roles. This will show us that you’re not just about implementation but also about creating value.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Novera Search
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the modern JS frameworks, APIs, and databases mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you’ve used these technologies to build scalable products.
✨Showcase Your Product Mindset
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to think beyond just coding. Discuss how you've contributed to product decisions in previous roles and how you can bring that mindset to this startup.
✨Emphasise Your Self-Starter Attitude
This role is all about taking ownership and thriving in ambiguity. Share stories that demonstrate your initiative and how you’ve successfully navigated early-stage environments in the past.
✨Be Ready to Discuss AI Integrations
Since they’re looking for someone familiar with AI APIs, brush up on any relevant experience you have. Be prepared to discuss how you could integrate lightweight AI functionality into their platform.