Founding Engineer - Generative & Applied AI - Start up

About

Our client is a newly established and well-funded AI venture on a mission to create technologies that redefine how humans and machines collaborate. Rather than improving existing solutions, the company is building from first principles, assembling a small team of exceptional technologists to identify meaningful problems and develop entirely new AI-driven capabilities.

This is a rare opportunity to join at the earliest stage and play a foundational role in shaping both the technology and the organisation.

As a Member of Technical Staff, you will operate as a founding technologist, working across Generative AI, Applied AI, and scalable infrastructure. You will take ownership of ambiguous challenges, define new problem spaces, and deliver innovative solutions that enhance human potential.

This role is ideal for individuals who combine deep technical expertise with entrepreneurial thinking and a passion for building impactful systems from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and define novel problem spaces where AI can meaningfully augment human capability.
• Design, build, and deploy cutting-edge solutions using Generative AI and machine learning.
• Develop scalable and reliable AI systems and infrastructure.
• Translate research ideas into production-ready applications.
• Collaborate with a small, high-calibre team to shape the technical vision and roadmap.
• Take end-to-end ownership of projects, from ideation to delivery.

Required Experience

• Exceptional software engineering skills, particularly in Python and/or C++ (Rust is a plus).
• Strong background in Generative AI, Applied AI, Machine Learning, or AI infrastructure.
• Proven ability to deliver complex technical projects with significant ownership.
• Experience in high-impact environments such as leading AI organisations or innovative startups.
• Stable career progression demonstrating commitment and impact.
• A PhD is welcome but not required.

Preferred Backgrounds

• Experience with large language models, multimodal systems, or agentic AI.
• Exposure to distributed systems, MLOps, or large-scale data infrastructure.
• Previous founding or early-stage startup experience.
• Backgrounds from organisations such as leading AI labs or innovative technology companies.

What’s on Offer

• Founding-level impact with the opportunity to shape entirely new AI products.
• Top-of-market compensation, aligned with US benchmarks
• A culture focused on excellence and sustainable high performance.
• The chance to work on technology designed to enhance human capability.

International applications are encouraged as visa and relocations support is available.