Founding Head of Engineering / CTO

Equal Teaching; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 88,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive education technology startup is seeking a Founding Head of Engineering / CTO. This role involves architecting an AI-native platform to tackle teacher retention. Ideal candidates will have full-stack experience and a passion for education. The position offers a competitive salary with equity options and flexible work arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Equity options

Flexible work setup

Mission-driven work

Qualifications

• Experience building scalable products in fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams.
• Strong understanding of system architecture.

Responsibilities

• Own the system architecture and core technical roadmap.
• Lead development of a scalable AI-powered platform.
• Partner with the CEO to define product vision.

Skills

Full-stack experience

Experience with AI/ML integration

Scrappy, fast-moving startup mentality

Understanding of education technology

Tools

React

Python/Django

AWS

Job description

Founding Head of Engineering / CTO

Location: Austin, SF Bay Area, London, or Cardiff (hybrid/flexible)

Compensation: Competitive salary + meaningful equity

Equal Teaching is reimagining how schools hire teachers for the school-choice era. With the rise of microschools, online schools, and AI-powered learning, the old models of teacher recruitment don't work anymore. We're already working with fast-growing alternative education providers — and now we're building the platform to scale globally.

We're looking for a Founding Head of Engineering / CTO to join our CEO (ex-teacher, product-first) in building an AI-native HRTech platform from the ground up.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Build from 0 → 1 — architect and ship our core product
• Tackle one of education's biggest challenges: teacher retention & mobility
• Embed AI, automation, and matching intelligence from day one
• Shape how credentials, skills, and experiences are captured and verified in new ways
• Join a mission-driven startup at the fastest-growing edge of K12 education
  
  

What You'll Do

• Own the system architecture and core technical roadmap
• Lead development of a platform that scales with AI, automation, and security baked in
• Partner closely with the CEO to shape product vision and execution
• Build and grow a small but mighty engineering team
  
  

Requirements

You Might Be a Fit If You...

• Have full-stack experience (e.g. React, Python/Django, AWS or similar)
• Have shipped scalable products, ideally with AI/ML integration
• Thrive in 0→1 startup environments — scrappy, fast-moving, and impact-driven
• Care about education and believe tech can help great teachers thrive
  
  

Benefits

Competitive salary + equity

Real influence on product and company direction

Flexible work setup: Hybrid/flexible in Austin, SF Bay Area, London, or Cardiff

Mission with impact: Help solve the teacher retention crisis and shape the future of education

Equal Teaching is on a mission to help teachers find the schools where they can thrive, not just survive — and in doing so, to transform education for the next generation.

Sound like you? Let's talk.