Founding Engineering Manager

Founding Engineering Manager

Full-Time 145000 - 145000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and grow a team of engineers while shaping technical direction.
  • Company: Exciting AI start-up backed by major tech giants like Google and NVIDIA.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, and benefits in a fast-paced environment.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with significant influence over team culture and technical standards.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in AI development and build high-performing teams.
  • Qualifications: Engineering management experience and strong software engineering background required.

The predicted salary is between 145000 - 145000 £ per year.

I'm working with a New York-based AI start-up that's looking to hire a Founding Engineering Manager for its brand new London office. They've recently secured $25 million in Series A funding and have been publicly recognised by Google, NVIDIA and Microsoft separately as one of the most exciting AI start-ups in the space.

This is a player‑coach role. You'll lead, grow and hire a team of around 8-10 engineers, help shape technical direction, and work closely with senior leadership in both London and New York. The company is building AI teammates and agent‑based systems for enterprise customers, automating sales, service and operational workflows using proprietary language models and AI agents. They already have the technology deployed at household-name companies.

You’ll have significant influence over hiring, engineering standards, team culture and technical direction as the London office scales. They're looking for someone with previous engineering management experience, a strong software engineering background, and experience shipping AI-powered products into production. TypeScript experience is important, while exposure to LLMs, AI agents or machine learning products would be highly beneficial.

The business moves quickly, gives engineers real ownership, and avoids unnecessary process. If you enjoy building high-performing teams while staying close to technical decision‑making, this could be a great fit.

Founding Engineering Manager employer: Tact

Join a dynamic and innovative AI start-up in London, where you'll have the opportunity to lead and shape a talented engineering team while working on cutting-edge technology recognised by industry giants like Google and NVIDIA. With a strong focus on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and the chance to make a significant impact from day one, this role offers not just a competitive salary and equity but also the excitement of being part of a rapidly scaling company at the forefront of AI development.

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Contact Details:

Tact Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Founding Engineering Manager

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 Tact 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 Tact.

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 Tact.

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 Tact 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 Engineering Manager

Communication Skills
Python
Problem-Solving Skills
SQL
Data Engineering
ETL/ELT Processes
Data Pipeline Development

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 Tact.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Tact 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 Tact

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 Tact 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.