Founding Engineer in City of London

Founding Engineer in City of London

City of London Full-Time 60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
S

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build core backend services using Python and create intuitive user experiences.
  • Company: Join a mission-driven tech company tackling real-world problems.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, meaningful equity, and a founding role in a Tech4Good business.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in shaping technology that genuinely matters and aligns with your values.
  • Qualifications: Strong Python experience and confidence in both backend and frontend development.
  • Other info: Thriving in a fast-paced startup environment is essential for success.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.

Location: London (hybrid)

Salary: Up to £100,000 (+/- 10% DOE) + equity

Tech Stack:

  • Python ecosystem - experience with Django, Flask, or FastAPI
  • TypeScript & React across the frontend - any frontend experience beneficial
  • Cloud native environment

This is not a “slot into an existing team” role. This is a build it, shape it, own it role.

We are partnered with a mission driven technology company tackling complex, real world problems through software. The product is live, the ambition is big, and the next stage of growth depends on getting the technical foundations right. That is where you come in.

They are looking for a Founding Engineer who wants responsibility, pace, and influence. Someone who is comfortable making decisions, writing production grade Python, and working across the stack to ship meaningful features quickly.

If you are energised by early stage environments, imperfect information, and the chance to build technology that genuinely matters, read on.

The role:

  • Join as a founding member of the engineering function with real ownership from day one
  • Design and build core backend services and APIs using Python
  • Work end to end across the stack to deliver clean, intuitive user experiences
  • Make pragmatic architecture decisions that balance speed, scale, and long term health
  • Work closely with product and design to turn ideas into working software fast
  • Set technical direction, standards, and ways of working as the team grows

What they are looking for:

  • Strong commercial experience building production systems in Python
  • Confidence working across backend and frontend when needed
  • Experience in fast paced startup or scale up environments
  • Comfort operating with ambiguity and making decisions without perfect information
  • A bias toward action, ownership, and outcomes
  • Clear communicator who collaborates well in a hybrid setup
  • Genuine motivation to work on purpose led technology with positive impact

The kind of person who thrives here:

  • You care about what you build and why it exists.
  • You enjoy momentum.
  • You are not waiting to be told what to do.
  • You see problems, take ownership, and move.
  • You want your work to matter, not just function.
  • You are excited by responsibility rather than intimidated by it.
  • You would rather help shape a product and a team than inherit someone else’s decisions.

This is a chance to be early, to be heard, and to build something that aligns with your values as well as your technical ambition.

Benefits:

  • Hybrid working in London
  • Salary up to £100,000 with flexibility
  • Meaningful equity
  • The chance to play a genuine founding role in a Tech4Good business

If you are looking for a Founding Engineer role where you can move quickly, take ownership, and build technology that actually makes a difference, get in touch at imogen@sr2rec.co.uk for a confidential conversation.

Founding Engineer in City of London employer: SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™

Join a mission-driven technology company in London as a Founding Engineer, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape and build impactful software from the ground up. With a hybrid working model, competitive salary, meaningful equity, and a culture that values ownership and innovation, this role is perfect for those who thrive in fast-paced environments and want their work to make a difference. Be part of a team that prioritises collaboration and purpose-led technology, ensuring your contributions are both significant and rewarding.
S

Contact Detail:

SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™ Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer in City of London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Founding Engineer role.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those using Python and full-stack technologies. We want to see what you can do, so make it easy for us to find your work!

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by practising common technical questions and scenarios. We’re looking for someone who can think on their feet, so be ready to discuss how you’d tackle real-world problems in a fast-paced environment.

Tip Number 4

Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Founding Engineer in City of London

Python
Django
Flask
FastAPI
TypeScript
React
Cloud Native Development
Backend Development
Frontend Development
API Design
Production Systems
Decision-Making
Collaboration
Adaptability
Ownership

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 genuinely care about building technology that makes a difference and that you're excited about the chance to shape something from the ground up.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience with Python and any frontend technologies you've worked with. We’re looking for someone who can work across the stack, so don’t be shy about showcasing your full range of skills!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and motivations are easy to spot. Remember, we’re looking for clear communicators who can collaborate well in a hybrid setup.

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 it gets into the right hands quickly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our mission-driven team!

How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™

Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re well-versed in the Python ecosystem, especially Django, Flask, or FastAPI. Brush up on your TypeScript and React skills too, as they’ll come in handy when discussing frontend experiences. Being able to talk confidently about your technical expertise will show that you’re ready to take ownership of the role.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare examples from your past experiences where you tackled complex problems in fast-paced environments. Highlight how you made decisions with imperfect information and the outcomes of those decisions. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in ambiguity, which is crucial for a Founding Engineer.

Communicate Clearly and Collaboratively

Since this role involves working closely with product and design teams, practice articulating your ideas clearly. Be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated in hybrid setups before. Good communication skills will be key to showing that you can work effectively with others while taking ownership of your projects.

Express Your Passion for Purpose-Led Technology

Be prepared to discuss why you’re excited about working on technology that has a positive impact. Share your motivations and how they align with the company’s mission. Showing genuine enthusiasm for the role and its purpose will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about what they build.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

S
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>