Founding Engineer (Master's / PhD Student) — AI Startup (London)
Posted
Summary
Founding engineer at an early-stage London AI startup, expanding, testing, and validating an existing MVP through pilot projects while shaping technical decisions alongside senior engineers. Work touches Python, LLMs, FastAPI, React, Flutter, and Swift; remote is possible. No fixed salary initially, with potential paid role or equity later.
We're building an innovative AI startup based in London — and we're looking for a Founding Engineer who wants to be part of our journey from the start. We already have an excellent first MVP — the focus now is on expanding it, hardening it with tests, and validating it through further pilot projects.
This role is aimed at Master's students, PhD candidates, or graduates in Computer Science, AI, Software Engineering, or related fields.
You'll work on a real AI product, actively shape technical decisions, and get direct insight into building an international startup — working closely with experienced senior software engineers.
Ideally, you bring
● A Master's degree, PhD, or completed degree in Computer Science, AI, Software Engineering, or a related field
● Interest in AI, software, or app development
● Some experience with Python, LLMs, React, Flutter, Swift, FastAPI, or similar technologies
● Experience with AI agents, RAG, AI infrastructure, real-time AI avatars, or mobile apps is a plus, but not required
● Initiative, curiosity, and a genuine enjoyment of building things
What to expect
● Joining on the basis of an existing MVP — focused on further development, testing, and validation through pilot projects (not starting from zero)
● Flexible time commitment (summer project, alongside your studies, or longer-term)
● Collaboration with experienced senior software engineers
● Responsibility and input from day one
● Insight into product development, tech architecture, and building an international startup
● Remote working is possible
Compensation
As with most startups in the founding phase, there's no fixed salary at the start — you'd be joining the early build-out and working on a product that forms the basis for our first funding round.
If the collaboration works out well and we grow successfully, there's the possibility of a paid role and/or equity in the company.
Interested? We'd love a short message — GitHub, portfolio, or projects welcome (a traditional CV isn't required), along with your motivation, availability, and skills.
