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Job Description

Founding Lead Engineer (CTO-Track) | Early-Stage AI Startup | UK - up to £150,000

We’re supporting a well-funded early-stage AI startup that’s entering its next phase of growth and is now looking for a Founding Lead Engineer to take ownership of the technical function.

This role is ideal for a hands-on senior engineer who wants real influence, enjoys building product, and is ready to step into technical leadership — with a clear path toward a CTO-level role.

What you’ll be doing

Owning technical direction across a small but strong engineering team

Remaining hands-on in code (this is a player-coach role, not a pure management position)

Partnering closely with the founder on product decisions and technical strategy

Helping scale the team post-fundraise while keeping things lean and high-impact

Representing technical leadership as the company prepares for its next funding round

The profile we’re looking for

Senior / Lead Engineer experience in startup or scale-up environments

Strong backend background (Elixir experience is ideal, but leadership + product mindset matter more than purity)

Comfortable overseeing how frontend and backend work together

Has seen a team or product scale , even if they weren’t the original CTO

Product-focused — challenges what to build, not just how to build it

Embraces modern tooling and AI-assisted development

Low-ego, pragmatic, and enjoys ownership

What’s on offer

Founding-level impact with real ownership and influence

Competitive salary today with a clear uplift post-fundraise (up to ~£150k)

Meaningful equity

Fast, human interview process (no take-home tests or heavy tech exercises)

One day per week in London (UK-based candidates , flexible location otherwise)

If you’re someone who wants genuine ownership over a product, a team, and a technical direction — and enjoys operating at an early-stage level — this is a rare opportunity.

If this sounds like you (or someone you know), feel free to reach out directly.

If you are interested in applying for this job please press the Apply Button and follow the application process. Energy Jobline wishes you the very best of luck in your next career move.