> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2308166-founding-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2308166-founding-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Founding Engineer - **Company:** ByteSearch - **Location:** Greater London, UK - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Distributed Systems, Systems Integration, Real Time Systems, Large Language Models, Backend, Stream Processing, Data Pipelines - **Published:** August 30, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.collegerecruiter.com/job/2815623558-founding-engineer ## About the Role * Experience building and shipping AI / LLM-powered systems * Solid understanding of scalable system design and distributed architectures * Experience with data pipelines, retrieval systems or similar * Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, early-stage environment * Ability to take full ownership from idea to production Nice to have: * Experience with real-time systems or communication platforms * Exposure to voice, messaging or streaming systems * Previous startup or founding engineer experience * Early-stage, high-growth environment * Direct impact on product and technical direction * Large, complex market with significant upside * Strong ownership and autonomy from day one ## Description You'll be responsible for architecting and building the core system that powers the product, working directly with the founders and shaping both the technical direction and product itself. If you're someone who enjoys high ownership, fast pace, and building from scratch, this is one of those rare roles where you can have a genuine impact. What you'll be doing: * Designing and building the core backend systems powering AI-driven workflows * Owning architecture across APIs, data pipelines and distributed systems * Working on LLM orchestration and retrieval systems in production * Integrating with external platforms and third-party systems * Contributing across the stack where needed ## Related Videos - [Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100360-developing-the-backend-with-stefan-lingler-cto-at-shpock) - [Why and when should we consider Stream Processing frameworks in our solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1085-why-and-when-should-we-consider-stream-processing-frameworks-in-our-solutions) - [For the Cars and the Curious: Android Drift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/499-for-the-cars-and-the-curious-android-drift) - [AI Vector Search at Scale - Ewa Szyszka - Ewa Szyszka](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2161-ai-vector-search-at-scale-ewa-szyszka-ewa-szyszka) - [Python-Based Data Streaming Pipelines Within Minutes](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1233-python-based-data-streaming-pipelines-within-minutes) - [Nest.js - TypeScript in the backend can also be clean](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1033-nest-js-typescript-in-the-backend-can-also-be-clean) ## Related Articles - [The Best X (Twitter) Accounts for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/294-the-best-x-twitter-accounts-for-developers) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [Dev Digest 137 - AI'm not sure about this](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/485-dev-digest-137-ai-m-not-sure-about-this) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline)