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# Founding Engineer (AI Startup) (E438C4D)

- **Company:** Referment Limited
- **Location:** Greater London, UK
- **Experience:** Experienced
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Airflow, Software as a Service, Compilers, Cyber Security, Databases, Software Debugging, Programming Tools, Django Web Framework, Github, System Programming, Workflow Management Systems, ReactJS, Flask (Web Framework), Backend, Fastapi, Front End Software Development
- **Published:** September 10, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.collegerecruiter.com/job/2847390972-founding-engineer-ai-startup-e438c4d

## About the Role

* Deep technical focus on hard engineering and complex backend architecture
 * Strong Python backend fundamentals with high-level application of tools like FastAPI, Django, or Flask
 * Senior-level technical sophistication and the ability to move beyond routine maintenance tasks
 * Verifiable track record of technical contributions and honest project claims (e.g. active GitHub or OSS presence)
 * React experience or willingness to work across the frontend
 * Startup mentality with genuine product ownership
 * Around 3-6 years' experience with a focus on engineering depth

Extra points for experience with:

 * Founding or leadership roles (e.g. Co-Founder or CTO)
 * Building internal developer tools, DSLs, or compilers
 * Multi-language proficiency (e.g. Go, C, or Rust)
 * Cybersecurity
 * Workflow orchestration (Prefect, Airflow)
 * High-growth SaaS

## Description

Rather than owning a small corner of a huge codebase, you'll own products end-to-end

 * You'll design complex backend architecture and systems.
 * Ship React interfaces.
 * Build internal developer tools and agentic consoles.
 * Improve databases and handle systems programming.
 * Debug production and deploy continuously.
 * Help shape both the product and the engineering culture., * Your focus is primarily on product management or innovation titles rather than hands-on engineering
 * You consider routine infrastructure maintenance to be your core focus area
 * You need detailed specs before starting work
 * You only enjoy one part of the stack
 * You avoid production responsibility
 * You're looking for a comfortable corporate engineering role
 * You're currently splitting your attention with another startup


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