Lead Software Engineer

Intellect Group; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A tech startup based in the UK is seeking a Founding Engineer to join their hybrid London team. This role is an opportunity to shape engineering direction while tackling complex infrastructure and AI challenges. Ideal candidates will have strong backend engineering experience in Python and be comfortable designing scalable systems. They will work closely with the founding group, implementing impactful solutions. Competitive salary range is £80,000 - £120,000 with equity options included.

Benefits

Meaningful equity package

Collaborative environment

Autonomy and influence in early team

Qualifications

• Strong backend engineering experience in Python is essential.
• Experience with frameworks like FastAPI, Django, or Flask is required.
• Confidence in designing system architecture from scratch is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Design and build backend systems using Python and frameworks like FastAPI.
• Create reliable architecture for real-time decisioning systems.
• Implement caching, queuing, load balancing, and distributed processing.

Skills

Backend engineering experience in Python

Experience with FastAPI

Designing system architecture

Working in ambiguous environments

Ownership and initiative

Tools

Django

Flask

Job description

Founding Engineer / Lead Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer

London (Hybrid)

Full-time

Salary - £80,000 - £120,000 + Equity

We’re looking for a Founding Engineer to help build the foundations of a new product tackling complex infrastructure and AI behaviour challenges.

This is an early opportunity to take real ownership in a small, fast-moving team working on hard technical problems with meaningful impact.

You’ll be working across backend engineering, system design, and building production-ready infrastructure from scratch.

If you enjoy autonomy, moving quickly, and shaping both product and engineering direction, you’ll fit right in.

What you’ll work on

• Designing and building backend systems using Python and frameworks like FastAPI , or similar.
• Creating reliable, scalable architecture for real-time decisioning systems.
• Implementing caching, queuing, load balancing, and distributed processing.
• Shipping high-quality code quickly in an environment where done is better than perfect.
• Building internal tools, APIs, and core services that support the entire product.
• Working closely with the founding group to define engineering culture, processes, and standards.

What we’re looking for

• Strong backend engineering experience Python .
• Experience with FastAPI , Django , Flask , or related frameworks .
• Confidence designing system architecture from scratch and making pragmatic trade-offs.
• Comfort working in ambiguous, high-autonomy environments. A bias toward shipping and iterating rather than over-engineering.
• Interest in challenges involving AI behaviour , infrastructure , or regulated environments .
• Someone who enjoys taking ownership and shaping direction, not just following tickets.

Nice to have

• Experience in fintech , health tech , defence , or other regulated spaces .
• Exposure to AI / ML systems .
• Open-source contributions or independent projects.
• Experience building real-time or safety-critical systems.

What you’ll get

• The autonomy and influence that comes with being part of an early engineering team.
• The chance to work on real, unsolved problems with serious technical depth.
• A meaningful equity package.
• A collaborative environment focused on learning, ownership, and speed.