Founding Engineer in London

Founding Engineer in London

London Full-Time 95000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join a dynamic start-up as a Founding Engineer and shape innovative software solutions.
  • Company: Exciting London-based start-up with a focus on growth and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work schedule, and opportunities for personal development.
  • Other info: Work in a fast-paced environment with great career advancement potential.
  • Why this job: Be part of a pioneering team and make a real impact in the tech world.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in React, TypeScript, Python, Django, and AWS required.

The predicted salary is between 95000 - 100000 £ per year.

Salary: Up to £115,000 + meaningful equity

Location: London, hybrid

This is for those who are serious about mission & impact.

I'm working with an early-stage AI company building technology for safety-critical, highly regulated environments.

The product is already live, paid for and being used daily, so this isn't an AI idea waiting around for a use case. The next phase is about taking something that's working, scaling the platform and expanding into new markets.

The role

You'll join a team of around 10 as a Founding Engineer, working closely with the founders and taking genuine ownership across product and engineering.

You'll be:

  • Building production-grade agentic AI workflows and LLM-powered product features
  • Owning backend development using Python and FastAPI
  • Designing APIs, services and data architecture using PostgreSQL
  • Working across architecture, infrastructure, CI/CD and Azure
  • Contributing across React/TypeScript where needed
  • Working directly with users to understand messy real-world problems and turn them into simple products
  • Influencing technical architecture, product direction and engineering standards as the company grows

There won't always be a perfectly written ticket waiting for you. A big part of the job is working out what should actually be built, then making it happen.

What they're looking for

The backend bar is important. You'll need strong commercial Python experience and ideally experience building modern web applications with FastAPI, Django, Flask or similar.

Beyond that, they're looking for:

  • Roughly 1–5 years of commercial engineering experience
  • Strong software engineering and architectural fundamentals
  • Experience building LLM/AI functionality in production, rather than purely personal experimentation
  • Evidence you've thrived in an early-stage environment or another high-calibre engineering team
  • A product mindset and willingness to work across the stack
  • High ownership, curiosity and comfort operating without everything being predefined

Experience with clean architecture, domain-driven design and event-driven systems would be particularly useful.

Why this one?

Tech4Good with teeth. The software you build will directly affect how teams operate within safety-critical environments.

You'll get founding-level ownership without being pre-product, working alongside an ambitious technical team with paying customers and real-world validation already behind them.

There's also significant scope to shape the architecture, product and engineering culture while the company is still small enough for your decisions to matter.

If you're an ambitious Python Engineer who wants to build real AI products, solve difficult problems and have considerably more influence than your job title normally allows, I'd love to speak.

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

At SR2, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a culture of inclusivity and innovation. Our Bristol-based team thrives in a hybrid work environment, offering the flexibility to work from home while remaining deeply connected to our vibrant company culture. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide ample opportunities for our Technical Leads to engage with cutting-edge technologies and make a meaningful impact on client solutions.

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Contact Details:

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

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

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

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who have experience in start-ups. A personal introduction can make all the difference when you're aiming for that Founding Engineer role.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects with React, TypeScript, Python, and Django. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise and passion for Full Stack Software Engineering.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of AWS and how it applies to start-ups. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to a fast-paced environment and bring your ambition to the table.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to help you every step of the way in landing that dream job.

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

React
TypeScript
Python
Django
FastAPI
AWS
Full Stack Software Engineering

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your expertise in React, TypeScript, Python, Django, and FastAPI. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant experience!

Show Your Passion:In your application, let us know why you’re excited about the role of Founding Engineer. We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about Full Stack Software Engineering, so share your enthusiasm and any personal projects that reflect this!

Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate a professional tone, don’t hesitate to inject a bit of your personality into your application. We’re looking for someone with a great personality, so let that shine through in your writing!

Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets to us quickly, apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you faster about lining up a call!

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

Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you brush up on your expertise with React, TypeScript, Python, Django, and FastAPI. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used these technologies, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Show Your Start-Up Spirit

Since they're looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, be prepared to share examples of how you've adapted to change or taken initiative in previous roles. Highlight your passion for working in start-ups and what excites you about this opportunity.

Demonstrate Your AWS Knowledge

Familiarise yourself with AWS services relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you've used AWS in a commercial setting, including any specific tools or services that you've implemented in past projects.

Bring Your Personality

They want someone with a great personality, so let your enthusiasm shine through! Be genuine and approachable during the interview. Share your ambitions and determination, and don't hesitate to express why you're passionate about Full Stack Software Engineering.