At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build AI-native systems for enterprise data management and security.
- Company: Early-stage tech company focused on AI, cyber security, and data platforms.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, private medical insurance, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant influence on product direction and architecture in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Join a small, innovative team and shape the future of AI-driven enterprise solutions.
- 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 Slough 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 that values technical excellence and employee growth. Enjoy competitive compensation, equity options, and the chance to shape cutting-edge AI solutions in a dynamic setting.
Contact Details:
Oscar Associates (UK) Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer in Slough
✨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 put in a good word for you.
✨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
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and understanding the latest AI frameworks. Practice common interview questions and scenarios that relate to the role. We want you to feel confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and being part of something exciting.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Engineer in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with AI, data engineering, and the tech stack mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Projects:Include examples of projects where you've designed and built AI systems or worked with distributed data. This is your chance to show us your hands-on experience and how you tackle real-world problems.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your technical skills and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!
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 opportunity with our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oscar Associates (UK) Limited
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, like Python, TensorFlow, and AWS. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled complex engineering challenges. Think about situations where you had to design scalable systems or work with ambiguous requirements, as this role demands a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the company’s mission and the impact of AI on enterprise data management. Being able to articulate how your skills can help them achieve their goals will demonstrate your genuine interest and alignment with their vision.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect to dive deep into technical topics during the interview. Brush up on your knowledge of AI/ML strategies, system architecture, and MLOps pipelines. Practising coding problems or system design scenarios can also give you an edge.
