Founding Software Engineer
Founding Software Engineer
Location: Hertfordshire- Hybrid
Salary: £100,000-£150,000
Our client is a well-established, successful organisation embarking on a significant technology transformation and is seeking an exceptional Founding Engineer to lead the creation of its engineering and AI capability
.
This is a rare opportunity to join an established business at a pivotal point in its evolution. Backed by senior leadership and long-term investment, the successful candidate will take ownership of software engineering, technical architecture, AI adoption, and technology delivery across the organisatio
n.
Unlike many founding engineering opportunities, this role combines genuine ownership and influence with the stability, resources, and commercial maturity of an established compa
ny.
The successful candidate will define engineering strategy, establish development standards and processes, drive AI-first ways of working, and build the foundations of a scalable engineering function. They will also remain hands-on, leading the design and delivery of modern software platforms that support critical business objecti
ves.
The Opport
unityAs the organisation's most senior engineering hire, you
- will:Own and shape the software engineering function from the grou
- nd upEstablish and lead the company's AI-first development str
- ategyDefine architecture, tooling, engineering standards, and delivery proc
- essesLead the development of business-critical software products and plat
- formsDrive adoption of modern AI-assisted engineering prac
- ticesPartner directly with senior stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solu
- tionsBuild the foundations for future engineering team g
- rowthAct as the principal technical authority across the organis
ation
This is a highly visible role with significant autonomy and influence, offering the opportunity to shape the future technology direction of a growing bus
iness.
Key Responsib
ilitiesEngineering Lea
- dershipLead the design and delivery of scalable, secure, high-quality software
- systemsDefine architectural principles, technical standards, and development best pr
- acticesMake strategic technology decisions that balance speed, scalability, and maintain
- abilityRemain hands-on with software development, technical design, and code
- reviewsChampion engineering excellence across the software li
fecycle
AI & Technology Transf
- ormationEstablish an AI-first engineering culture and operati
- ng modelEvaluate, implement, and govern AI-assisted development tools and w
- orkflowsDrive improvements in productivity, quality, testing, and delivery through effective u
- se of AIIdentify opportunities to leverage AI across engineering and wider business p
rocesses
Delivery &
- OwnershipTake end-to-end ownership of major technology in
- itiativesDeliver resilient, production-ready software
- solutionsManage technical risk, dependencies, and delivery p
- rioritiesWork closely with stakeholders to align technology delivery with busin
ess goals
Building
- CapabilityCreate the foundations of a scalable engineering or
- ganisationMentor future team members and contribute to hiring
- activitiesEstablish processes that support long-term growth and operational
excellence
Candid
ate ProfileWe are interested in speaking with experienced software engineering leaders who combine strong technical depth with a builder
's mindset.
You will
- likely have:Significant experience delivering complex software systems in production
- environmentsStrong expertise in one or more modern languages such as TypeScript, JavaScript, Python,
- Java, or C#Deep understanding of software architecture, APIs, cloud-native systems, and scalable applic
- ation designExperience working with AWS, A
- zure, or GCPStrong DevOps, CI/CD, automation, and engineering operation
- s experienceA track record of leading technical projects and influencing engineer
- ing strategyExcellent stakeholder management and communic
- ation skillsExperience operating in fast-moving, high-growth, or transformational
environments
Experience building teams, establishing engineering functions, or driving technology transformation programmes would be particula
rly valuable.
This role offers a unique c
- ombination of:Genuine ownership of an entire engineering a
- nd AI functionSignificant influence over technology strateg
- y and deliveryExecutive-level visibili
- ty and supportThe opportunity to build something lasting from
- the ground upThe backing, stability, and resources of an establishe
- d organisationA chance to define how AI is embedded within a modern engineer
- ing capabilityFor ambitious engineering leaders seeking broad ownership and the opportunity to make a lasting impact, this represents a genuinely exceptiona