Founding Engineer

Axe; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing AI logistics startup in the United Kingdom is seeking innovative engineers to join their team. You will focus on creating voice automation solutions that improve customer workflows, working closely with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Ideal candidates have a background in high-growth startups, possess strong communication skills, and are experienced in using AI tools. This role offers stock options, health benefits, and generous paid time off, with a remote work environment.

Benefits

Stock options

Health Insurance

Life Assurance cover

Generous Paid Time Off

Annual company-wide offsite

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience at a high growth startup, with previous founder or founding engineer background.
• Daily use of AI tools for development.
• Strong communication skills for remote collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Talk to customers to understand workflows and build voice agents.
• Integrate voice agents into customer systems and extend existing tools.

Skills

Forward-deployed engineering

AI-native with tools like Claude Code/Cursor/Codex

Exceptional communication

Product-minded

Curious about voice AI and telephony

Tools

Python (FastAPI)

TypeScript & React (Next.js)

PostgreSQL

AWS

Job description

What We Do

Axe builds AI agents for logistics and supply chain operations. Logistics is a trillion-euro industry still powered by billions of phone calls, emails, and spreadsheets. Axe replaces this manual work with intelligent AI agents – so human teams can focus on high-impact, strategic work.

Founded by James McElroy and Dan Quill (exits to Blackstone and Wayflyer), Axe has grown rapidly in its first 7 months. We now operate across Europe and the U.S., partnering with some of the world’s largest logistics providers and backed by top tier EU VC's. You can learn more about our vision in our Manifesto.

We’re building a world-class team to create a generational AI company and modernise how the physical economy runs.

Who we're looking for

We’re looking for engineers who could start their own company, but have decided (at least for now) to join one instead.

You’ll have all of the positive parts of the founder experience : autonomy, direct customer interactions, building from scratch, shaping culture and technical direction, without the months of fundraising and figuring out whether anybody actually wants what you’re building.

At Axe, that part is done. ARR is doubling month-on-month; we’re live with the largest auto-shipper in America and we’re working with several of Europe’s leading carriers. Customer demand is outpasing our capacity to onboard them. The question is no longer “does this work”, it’s “how do we build fast enough to meet demand?”

What you’ll actually do

• Forward-deployed engineering : you’ll talk to customers, understand their phone workflows, and build voice agents that automate them.
• You’ll integrate into their systems, and extend ours when it doesn’t do what you need yet.

Who we’re looking for

• Experience (5y+) at a very early stage, high growth startup : previous founder, founding engineer, or very early employee.
• AI-native : building with Claude Code / Cursor / Codex etc daily. This isn’t a preference, this is how we work.
• Exceptional communicator : this is a remote role, so communication with both technical and non-technical team members is critical.
• Product-minded : You are comfortable talking to customers, understanding their requirements, and figuring out what needs building.
• Curious : You have a genuine interest in voice AI, telephony, and AI agents.

Our Tech Stack

• Python (FastAPI), TypeScript & React (Next.js), PostgreSQL
• AWS for infrastructure
• Various AI models and tooling : OpenAI, LangGraph, Google VertexAI

James (CEO) built and exited a marketplace to 1M+ users. Dan (CTO) exited an AI lending startup and has deep logistics experience. Chris (Founding Engineer #1) brings telephony expertise. You'd be #2 or #3, working directly with everyone. Remote within UK / Ireland. Daily standups, monthly in-person, lots of pair programming on video.

Key Benefits

• Stock options
• Health Insurance
• Life Assurance cover
• Generous Paid Time Off – work hard and take the time you need
• Annual company-wide offsite