At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build AI-driven enterprise platforms while collaborating with early customers.
- Company: Join an innovative tech startup focused on AI, cyber security, and data solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, private medical insurance, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Be part of a small, dynamic team with significant growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment and shape the future of AI technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in software or AI engineering, strong Python skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: London (Hybrid / Flexible)
Salary: Competitive DOE + Bonus + Equity
Company Overview
We are working with an early-stage technology company building AI-native systems that help large organisations better understand, govern, and secure complex data and identity ecosystems. Operating at the intersection of AI, cyber security, and enterprise data platforms, the business is focused on transforming how organisations model access, risk, and data relationships across increasingly distributed cloud environments. The team is small, highly technical, and product-focused, with a strong bias toward ownership, rapid iteration, and building systems that operate in complex, real-world enterprise environments. Engineering sits at the centre of everything, and individuals are expected to have a direct impact on product direction and architecture.
The Role
We are seeking a Founding AI Engineer / Engineering Lead to join the business at a pivotal stage as the platform moves from early MVP into scalable production use with enterprise customers. This is a hands-on technical leadership role, not a product management position. You will be responsible for designing, building, and scaling core components of an AI-driven enterprise platform, working across data, machine learning, and distributed systems. You will also work directly with early customers to understand real-world use cases and translate them into robust, scalable product capabilities. This role suits someone who still enjoys building and shipping code, but is comfortable influencing architecture, mentoring engineers, and shaping technical direction.
You will have significant influence over:
- Core system architecture
- AI/ML strategy and implementation
- Data modelling and enterprise integration patterns
- Early product design decisions
- Engineering standards and scalability approach
Key Responsibilities
- Design and build core components of an AI-native enterprise platform from the ground up
- Develop and deploy machine learning and LLM-based systems in production environments
- Build scalable data and AI pipelines across complex enterprise datasets
- Work closely with early enterprise customers to refine requirements and shape product direction
- Define and implement system architecture for AI, data, and integration layers
- Build agentic AI workflows and knowledge-driven systems using modern LLM frameworks
- Implement robust MLOps pipelines for model training, deployment, monitoring, and governance
- Contribute directly to production code in Python and related AI/data tooling
- Support technical decision-making around cloud architecture, scalability, and system design
- Help establish engineering best practices in a fast-moving early-stage environment
Tech Stack
- Python
- TensorFlow / PyTorch
- LLM frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph, or similar agentic AI tooling)
- AWS / Azure cloud platforms (including AI services such as Bedrock)
- Data engineering tools (e.g. AWS Glue or equivalent)
- NLP, embeddings, vector databases, RAG architectures
- MLOps tooling for model deployment and monitoring
Required Skills & Experience
- Several years' experience in software engineering, data engineering, or AI engineering roles
- Strong academic background in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or similar
- Experience working in a product-led technology environment (SaaS, AI platform, or similar)
- Proven ability to ship production-grade AI or data systems
- Strong Python engineering capability
- Experience with modern ML / LLM systems and frameworks
- Exposure to cloud-based AI/ML platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Comfortable working in early-stage environments with ambiguity and ownership
- Strong communication skills and ability to work directly with technical and non-technical stakeholders
Bonus Experience (Highly Valued)
- Cyber security / identity / access management (IAM / IdAM) exposure
- Cloud operations, DevSecOps, or infrastructure-heavy environments
- Experience in regulated or enterprise-scale domains
- Knowledge of enterprise data governance, data modelling, or integration architecture
How You Work
- Highly hands-on and enjoys building systems end-to-end
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and shaping problems as well as solving them
- Strong bias toward delivery, iteration, and practical engineering outcomes
- Collaborative, but able to take full ownership of technical decisions
- Interested in building foundational systems, not just features
What We Offer
- Highly competitive base salary (DOE) + bonus
- Equity / stock options in a high-growth early-stage business
- Private medical insurance
- Hybrid working (London-based, flexible model)
- High ownership role with significant influence on product and architecture
Founding Engineer in Cheltenham employer: Oscar Associates (UK) Limited
Join an innovative early-stage technology company in London, where you'll play a pivotal role as a Founding AI Engineer. With a strong focus on ownership and rapid iteration, you'll have the opportunity to directly influence product direction and architecture while working in a collaborative, flexible environment. Enjoy competitive compensation, equity options, and the chance to shape cutting-edge AI solutions that transform enterprise data management.
Contact Details:
Oscar Associates (UK) Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer in Cheltenham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the AI and tech space. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone in the industry. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to AI and data engineering. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about reaching out! If you see a role that excites you, apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email to the hiring team. Express your enthusiasm for the position and mention any relevant experience that makes you a great fit.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding the company’s products. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in building scalable AI systems. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Engineer in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for AI and how it can transform businesses. Share any personal projects or experiences that highlight your skills in AI engineering and how they align with our mission.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Founding AI Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Python, machine learning frameworks, and any relevant cloud platforms to catch our eye!
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oscar Associates (UK) Limited
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the tech stack mentioned in the job description, especially Python, TensorFlow, and any LLM frameworks. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies and how you've applied them in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in previous roles. Highlight your ability to work in ambiguous environments and how you’ve shaped problems into solutions, especially in AI or data systems.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the company’s mission and the specific challenges they face in AI and cyber security. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can directly contribute to their goals, particularly in building scalable enterprise solutions.
✨Engage with Real-World Use Cases
Since this role involves working closely with early customers, think about potential use cases for the technology. Prepare to discuss how you would gather requirements and translate them into robust product capabilities that meet customer needs.
