At a Glance
- Tasks: Build scalable backend systems and design impactful AI features.
- Company: Join a mission-driven AI startup with a strong founding team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, and the chance to shape engineering culture.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with high ownership and growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while solving complex engineering challenges.
- Qualifications: Strong Python experience and a passion for building from scratch.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Cambridge | Hybrid | Salary: £70,000-£80,000 + Equity
Tech stack:
- Python (FastAPI)
- React & TypeScript
- PostgreSQL
- Azure
- Docker
- AI / LLMs
Some startups are trying to make meetings 3% more efficient. This one is tackling a problem that affects millions of people every day, even if they never realise it. We're working with an AI-native startup building software for one of the UK's most complex and highly regulated industries. Their platform is already live, solving real customer problems, and they're now looking for a Founding Engineer to help scale both the product and the business.
This isn't joining a team of 50 engineers. It's joining a small, exceptionally bright group where your decisions will influence the product, architecture and engineering culture for years to come. You'll spend as much time solving problems as you do writing code. One morning might involve designing a new backend service. The afternoon could be spent working alongside customers to understand how they actually use the product before shipping improvements into production.
You'll be expected to work backwards from user problems, challenge assumptions, and help decide what should be built in the first place.
You'll be responsible for:
- Building scalable backend systems using Python and FastAPI.
- Designing clean APIs, data models and software architecture that will stand the test of time.
- Building AI-powered product features that deliver real value in production.
- Working across the stack with React and TypeScript where appropriate.
- Helping shape engineering standards, tooling and technical direction as one of the earliest hires.
They're looking for someone who:
- Loves building products from zero to one.
- Has strong commercial Python experience and enjoys designing well-structured systems.
- Has worked with LLMs or AI features in production (rather than simply experimenting).
- Enjoys operating with ambiguity and taking ownership without waiting for perfect requirements.
- Thinks about users and product outcomes just as much as technical implementation.
- Wants to help build an engineering culture, not just contribute to one.
Why join?
- Become one of the earliest engineers in a genuinely mission-driven AI company.
- Work on software with measurable real-world impact across critical infrastructure.
- Join an exceptionally strong founding team with a very high technical bar.
- Shape product, architecture and engineering culture from an early stage.
- Meaningful equity alongside a competitive salary.
- Greenfield thinking, high ownership and the opportunity to build something that genuinely matters.
If you're excited by difficult engineering problems, real ownership, and building AI products that have genuine impact beyond another productivity tool, I'd love to tell you more.
Founding Engineer in Cambridge employer: SR2
At SR2, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Senior Product Manager in our fraud tools team, you will benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities, a collaborative environment, and the chance to make a significant impact in the fight against financial crime. Located in a vibrant area, we offer competitive benefits and a commitment to work-life balance, making SR2 an exceptional place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer in Cambridge
✨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 SR2 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 SR2.
✨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 SR2.
✨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 SR2 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 Founding Engineer in Cambridge
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 SR2.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at SR2 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 SR2
✨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 SR2 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.
