Software Engineer

Explore Group; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading AI startup is seeking a Founding Engineer to join a world-class team in San Francisco. You will design and scale transformative AI systems while collaborating with elite talent. This role offers a base salary of up to $180,000, meaningful equity, and full visa sponsorship for relocation from the UK. Ideal candidates are motivated problem solvers who thrive in fast-paced startup environments and are excited about innovative technology applications.

Benefits

Equity ownership

Visa sponsorship

Relocation support

Qualifications

• Experience with TypeScript, React, Node.js, or Python.
• Hands-on experience building and shipping production systems.
• Exposure to AI tools or machine learning platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and scale core AI-driven systems and platforms.
• Translate complex ideas into production-ready software.
• Own technical decisions and shape long-term architecture.

Skills

TypeScript

React

Node.js

Python

System design

Performance optimization

Scalability

Job description

🚀 Founding Engineer, World Class AI Startup

Location: San Francisco, relocation from the UK provided, visa sponsorship available

Compensation: Up to $180,000 base, plus equity and benefits

About the Opportunity

We are looking for an exceptional Founding Engineer to join a world class team building transformative artificial intelligence technology. This is a rare opportunity to work on cutting edge AI systems that will redefine how intelligence is built, deployed, and owned.

You will be joining a highly selective group of engineers and researchers, including individuals from Oxford and Cambridge, working at the frontier of AI infrastructure and product innovation. The long term upside is significant, with the potential for genuinely life changing financial outcomes through equity participation.

Why This Role Is Special

• Work on transformative AI technology that challenges cloud first paradigms and enables powerful AI systems to run efficiently across diverse environments
• Collaborate with elite technical talent from leading global universities
• Gain meaningful equity ownership in a company with exceptional growth potential
• Relocate to San Francisco with full visa sponsorship and support
• Have direct influence over product direction, architecture, and engineering culture

Role Responsibilities

• Design, build, and scale core AI driven systems and platforms
• Work closely with research, product, and engineering to translate complex ideas into production ready software
• Own technical decisions and help shape long term architecture
• Move fast, experiment often, and build systems that can scale globally

Technical Experience

• Experience with TypeScript, React, Node.js, Python, or similar backend languages
• Hands on experience building and shipping production systems
• Exposure to AI tools, machine learning platforms, or AI powered products
• Strong understanding of system design, performance, and scalability

Who You Are

• Highly motivated, curious, and driven by solving hard problems
• Comfortable working in fast moving, high ownership environments
• Excited by early stage startups and building from first principles
• Ambitious, with a desire to build something category defining

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary up to $180,000
• Meaningful equity with long term upside
• Visa sponsorship and relocation support from the UK to San Francisco
• Work alongside some of the most talented engineers in the industry