Founding Engineer in Slough

Founding Engineer in Slough

Slough Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Tarka Talent

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Own the technical direction of an innovative AI platform and lead its evolution.
  • Company: Join a tech-enabled advisory firm transforming financial services with cutting-edge technology.
  • Benefits: Equity participation, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be a founding engineer and shape the future of AI in finance.
  • Qualifications: Strong background in software engineering and experience with AI/ML systems.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with direct impact on team growth and engineering practices.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

My client is a tech-enabled advisory business serving insurance, wealth management, and broader financial services. They combine deep industry partners, a high-calibre consulting network, and a proprietary AI platform that's already live and in production. They're looking for someone who will own the full technical direction of the platform and grow with the Firm on this unique and exciting journey.

The platform is real: a 25+ entity relational data model, multi-LLM orchestration across Claude, Gemini, and GPT, deep Microsoft 365 integration, and a commercial intelligence layer built on Microsoft Fabric and Power BI.

What you'll own:

  • End-to-end architecture: frontend, backend, data layer, AI infrastructure
  • Evolution toward a scalable, modular, multi-tenant platform
  • RAG pipelines, document indexing, LLM orchestration at scale
  • Data integrations: SharePoint, Fireflies, Zapier, Xero and Zoho
  • Team growth and engineering practice maturity
  • AI strategy conversations directly with senior partners and clients.

Tech stack: Next.js · Node.js / Express · Azure · MS SQL · MongoDB · LlamaIndex · BullMQ · Redis · Microsoft Fabric · Power BI · GitHub Actions

Who this is for: A senior or staff engineer ready for full ownership. You've shipped production systems, you think clearly about architecture, and you can hold a room with non-technical stakeholders. We'll also consider a PhD, with the right type of exposure, knowledge, and approach. Financial services experience is also a genuine advantage — but not a requirement. Equity participation is also part of the package for the right candidate.

Essential requirements:

  • Strong academic background — a rigorous foundation matters here
  • At least 2 years working with AI or ML systems in production and 3–5 years of substantive software / platform engineering
  • Deep JavaScript / Node.js skills
  • Azure Fluency
  • JSON data structures, REST API design, and complex semi-structured data
  • Practical LLM application — RAG architectures, prompt engineering etc
  • Comfort with both relational (MS SQL) and document (MongoDB) databases

This is a founding role in every sense. If this sounds like you, or someone you know, happy to share more details confidentially.

Founding Engineer in Slough employer: Tarka Talent

Join a pioneering tech-enabled advisory firm that is at the forefront of transforming financial services through innovative AI solutions. As a Founding Engineer, you will not only shape the technical direction of a cutting-edge platform but also enjoy a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and offers equity participation. Located in a vibrant tech hub, this role provides unique opportunities to engage directly with senior partners and clients, making a meaningful impact in the industry.
Tarka Talent

Contact Detail:

Tarka Talent Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

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

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to AI and software engineering. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your expertise and passion directly to potential employers.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios relevant to the role. Think about how you would approach end-to-end architecture or LLM orchestration, and be ready to discuss your thought process with confidence.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our exciting journey at StudySmarter.

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

End-to-end architecture
Frontend development
Backend development
Data layer management
AI infrastructure
RAG pipelines
Document indexing
LLM orchestration
Data integrations
Team growth
Engineering practice maturity
AI strategy
JavaScript
Node.js
Azure fluency
MS SQL
MongoDB
JSON data structures
REST API design
Prompt engineering

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Tech: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology and innovation shine through. We want to see how excited you are about the role of Founding Engineer and how you can contribute to our unique journey in the financial services sector.

Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to showcase your experience with AI and ML systems, as well as your software engineering background. We’re looking for someone who has shipped production systems, so don’t hold back on those achievements!

Tailor Your Application: Customise your application to reflect the specific requirements mentioned in the job description. Mention your familiarity with our tech stack, like Node.js and Azure, and how your skills align with the end-to-end architecture we’re aiming for.

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. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Tarka Talent

✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the tech stack mentioned in the job description. Brush up on Next.js, Node.js, Azure, and the databases listed. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects and how they can be applied to the role.

✨Showcase Your Architectural Thinking

Prepare to talk about your experience with end-to-end architecture. Think of specific examples where you’ve designed scalable systems or worked on multi-tenant platforms. This will demonstrate your ability to take ownership of the technical direction.

✨Engage in AI Strategy Conversations

Since this role involves AI strategy discussions, be prepared to share your insights on AI and ML systems. Discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving RAG architectures or prompt engineering, to show your practical knowledge.

✨Connect with Non-Technical Stakeholders

This position requires you to hold a room with non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Think of ways to relate your technical expertise to business outcomes, which will highlight your communication skills.

Founding Engineer in Slough
Tarka Talent
Location: Slough

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