Founding AI Engineer

Tech4 Ltd; City Of London; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic tech startup is seeking a Founding AI Engineer to enhance their voice-driven storytelling platform aimed at children. You'll lead the software development, integrate AI technologies, and work alongside innovative partners. The role is remote with one monthly meeting in London, offering founding equity and a creative, mission-driven environment.

Benefits

Founding equity

Flexible role/schedule

Collaboration with partners and advisors

Opportunity to represent at Web Summit Lisbon

Qualifications

• Senior software engineer with experience in LLM technologies, preferably in a startup or product environment.
• Ability to work with early-stage prototypes and iterate quickly.
• Commitment to ethical, age-appropriate technology for children.

Responsibilities

• Enhance voice-to-voice architecture with LLMs, STT/TTS, and sound design.
• Take ownership of the full software stack and ensure seamless voice/hardware interaction.
• Define the company's technical roadmap and infrastructure needs.

Skills

LLM technologies

Software architecture

Audio engineering

AI/LLM integration

Prototype development

Job description

Overview

Founding AI Engineer - LLMs, software, hardware - is required by a fast growing and highly ambitious voice-powered storytelling companion designed to ignite children\'s imagination without screen time. By combining storytelling with responsible AI, they aim to support learning at home in innovative ways. Be part of the next Unicorn! They are seeking a Founding AI Engineer to lead the next phase of their software platform. Their first prototype is live — now they need your expertise to evolve the tech, enhance the voice-driven storytelling experience, and scale responsibly. You\'ll collaborate with our current hardware partner during the prototype phase, then take the lead on ensuring software/hardware integration as we move toward production.

Responsibilities

• Enhance our voice-to-voice architecture with LLMs, STT/TTS, and sound design.
• Take ownership of the full software stack: from the low-level code running on the SoC all the way to the backend services. Collaborate with the hardware lead for seamless voice/hardware interaction.
• Work with our partner to design and implement our AI safety layer. Define the company\'s technical roadmap and infrastructure needs.
• Establish the foundation for future hires and workflows.

Experience required

• Senior software engineer with experience in LLM technologies (startup/product experience preferred).
• Expertise in software architecture, audio engineering, or AI/LLM integration.
• Ability to work with early-stage prototypes and iterate quickly.
• A curious mind that actively explores and adopts new AI tools and workflows.
• Commitment to ethical, age-appropriate technology for children.
• Collaborative spirit, working closely with founders.

Benefits

A mission-driven, creative, and impactful product. Founding equity and flexible role/schedule. Small salary with growth post-funding. Collaboration with partners, advisors, and supporters. Optionally represent the company at Web Summit Lisbon in November (with the rest of the team).

Based remote, with one monthly meeting in London