Founding AI Engineer

Tech4 Ltd; London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A mission-driven tech startup in London is looking for a Founding AI Engineer to lead the development of their innovative voice-powered storytelling platform. You'll enhance their software stack and collaborate closely with partners as the company aims to support children's learning through ethical technology. This role offers founding equity, flexibility, and an opportunity to represent the company at notable events.

Benefits

Founding equity

Flexible role/schedule

Opportunity to represent at Web Summit Lisbon

Qualifications

• Senior software engineer with startup/product experience preferred.
• Ability to work with early-stage prototypes.
• Commitment to ethical, age-appropriate technology for children.

Responsibilities

• Enhance voice-to-voice architecture with LLMs, STT/TTS, and sound design.
• Take ownership of full software stack and collaborate with hardware lead.
• Establish the foundation for future hires and workflows.

Skills

Experience in LLM technologies

Software architecture

Audio engineering

AI/LLM integration

Collaborative spirit

Job description

Founding AI Engineer - LLMs, software, hardware - is required by 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