At a Glance
- Tasks: Build integrations and data pipelines for security systems, ensuring reliable software.
- Company: Join Refractal, an AI security company tackling modern threats with cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, equity options, private healthcare, and relocation support.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of transparency, public service, and rapid experimentation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI security while working with top experts from MIT and NASA.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, data engineering, and API integration is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 115000 £ per year.
About Refractal
Refractal is an AI security company building the infrastructure organisations need to defend against autonomous AI threats. The challenge now is modernising security to stop AI-enabled threats, whether they come from internal agents going rogue or from attackers using AI to become more dangerous. Refractal was founded on cybersecurity and AI expertise from MIT, Microsoft, NASA and the U.S. Navy. Our product lets organisations detect AI-enabled threats at low cost without sacrificing detection quality. We take a practical approach to AI risk, combining proven cybersecurity methods with frontier AI security research. Today, we work with governments and organisations that can't afford to get security wrong. We're backed by leading deep-tech and cybersecurity investors and are growing the team to deliver on this mission.
The role
You'll connect Refractal to the security systems our customers already use, building the integrations and data pipelines that make their security data usable. You'll work closely with our security engineers and with customers to understand their environments and turn their requirements into reliable software.
What you'll do
- Build and maintain integrations with security and observability tools, including platforms such as Splunk.
- Develop pipelines to ingest, validate and transform security data, accounting for inconsistent formats, incomplete records and changing source systems.
- Design clear interfaces between integrations and the wider product, working with platform engineers to keep responsibilities well defined.
- Make integrations reliable in production through testing, monitoring, useful error messages and safe handling of credentials and sensitive data.
- Investigate customer integration issues and turn recurring problems into product improvements, documentation and reusable implementation patterns.
Success in your first six months
- You've shipped and supported priority integrations that customers can use with clear setup guidance.
- The data flows you own handle common failures predictably and make problems straightforward to diagnose.
- You've established reusable patterns that make the next integration easier to build and maintain.
About you: essential
- Experience building and maintaining software, with a clear approach to testing, debugging and code review.
- Familiarity with data engineering concepts, including ingestion, transformation, data quality and pipeline reliability.
- Experience working with APIs and external systems, including authentication, pagination, rate limits and error handling.
- Ability to investigate unfamiliar systems and turn incomplete requirements into a practical implementation.
- Clear communication and a willingness to own work through deployment and ongoing support.
Nice to have
- Experience integrating with Splunk or other SIEM and observability platforms.
- Familiarity with security telemetry, event schemas or detection workflows.
- Experience with high-volume data processing or customer-facing integration projects.
Our values
- Radical transparency. We believe the best work happens when everyone feels able to give and receive honest, constructive feedback.
- Public service. We see AI security as a form of public service. Getting the AI transition right means putting the right infrastructure in place to manage the threats that come with it, and our work helps protect the institutions and services society depends on.
- Fail fast. We test ideas early, seek feedback and learn quickly. We experiment rapidly and change course when something isn't working, without compromising on security.
- Pragmatism, not dogmatism. We choose approaches based on how well they solve the problem. That means combining established cybersecurity methods with frontier AI research, questioning our assumptions, and changing our minds when the evidence changes.
Compensation and benefits
- Salary: £60,000–£115,000
- Competitive equity to share in Refractal's growth
- Pension contribution
- Private medical and dental cover
- Visa and relocation support
Software Engineer employer: Refractal
Refractal is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the field of AI security. As a founding AI Research Engineer, you will join a dynamic team with unparalleled expertise from prestigious institutions and have the opportunity to shape the future of AI safety while enjoying competitive compensation, equity, and a culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in London. With direct access to high-stakes projects and a clear path for career advancement, Refractal offers a unique environment for ambitious individuals eager to drive real-world change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer
✨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 Refractal 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 Refractal.
✨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 Refractal.
✨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 Refractal 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 Software Engineer
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 Refractal.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Refractal 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 Refractal
✨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 Refractal 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.
