Founding Engineer - Tower Incubations

Tower Research Capital; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off policies

Hybrid working opportunities

Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily

Company-sponsored sports teams and fitness events

Volunteer opportunities and charitable giving

Workshops and continuous learning opportunities

Job summary

Tower Research Capital is looking for a Founding Engineer to drive foundational engineering efforts. This role involves designing, building, and launching the core product, ideal for engineers passionate about building in a startup environment.

With responsibilities including establishing a technical roadmap and mentoring team members, candidates should have a strong technical background with experience in machine learning. Tower values collaboration and offers a high-impact, fast-paced work culture, along with competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of full-time engineering experience with backend or ML/AI specialization.
• Strong knowledge of Python and experience with ML frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and build the core product from the ground up.
• Establish and maintain a technical roadmap for the company.
• Mentor and collaborate with new team members as the engineering team grows.

Skills

Machine Learning Engineering

Backend Engineering

Git

CI/CD Pipelines

Python

ML Frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow)

Linux

SQL

Bash Scripting

Applied AI (Computer Vision, NLP, etc.)

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Git

CI/CD Tools

MLOps Tools

ML Frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow)

Job description

Tower Research Capital is a leading quantitative trading firm founded in 1998. Tower has built its business on a high‑performance platform and independent trading teams. We have a 25+ year track record of innovation and a reputation for discovering unique market opportunities.

Tower Research Ventures (TRV), the venture arm of Tower Research Capital, is dedicated to building and investing in category‑defining companies with the same enthusiasm and discipline that Tower applies to public markets. We closely partner with our portfolio companies, offering a diverse set of business, technical, and financial expertise to help them reach their goals, from product development to business growth and beyond.

We are seeking a Founding Engineer to join our incubation efforts for TRV and drive foundational engineering efforts. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for designing, building, and launching the core product from the ground up. This position is tailored for engineers with a passion for building, particularly those experienced in machine learning (ML) engineering and startup environments.

Responsibilities

• Acting as a ‘zero to one’ engineer, building out core features and infrastructure
• Establishing and maintaining a technical roadmap for the company
• Evaluating the technical feasibility and scalability of product features
• Leading and building out the engineering side of the organization
• Mentoring and collaborating with new team members as the engineering team grows

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
• Strong technical background of 6+ years of full-time engineering experience, with a preference for backend or ML/AI specialization
• Experience with Git, CI/CD pipelines and MLOps for automating model deployments
• Strong knowledge of Python and ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow and proficiency in Linux, SQL, Git and Bash scripting
• General understanding of end‑to‑end ML processes
• Expertise in at least one area of applied AI, such as Computer Vision, Language Modeling, Reinforcement Learning, Generative Modeling (e.g. image, video, audio)
• Preference for practical AI knowledge through previous on‑the‑job experience, as opposed to purely academic or research‑based knowledge
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment
• Strong communication skills

Why Join

• High‑Impact, Fast‑Paced Environment: This is the ideal role for engineers who thrive on variety, problem‑solving and rapid execution. You’ll get to prototype, iterate and deploy real‑world solutions quickly, ensuring constant learning and engagement.
• Resource‑Rich with Startup Agility: Benefit from the backing of Tower Research Capital, gaining access to deep technical expertise, financial support, and a network of top‑tier engineers and founders—all while working in an agile, fast‑moving startup‑style environment.
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside curious, driven and highly collaborative engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs who are passionate about solving complex problems and building category‑defining companies.
• Endless Growth Opportunities: Play a foundational role in shaping the technical direction and culture of a rapidly growing startup. As an early team member, you’ll have a significant impact on the product, technology, and team.

If you’re an engineer who loves building from scratch and working on high‑impact projects, TRV offers an unparalleled opportunity to do just that.

Anticipated annual base salary range $175,000 - $250,000, plus eligible for discretionary bonus.

Benefits

Tower’s headquarters are in the historic Equitable Building, right in the heart of NYC’s Financial District and our impact is global, with over a dozen offices around the world.

At Tower, we believe work should be both challenging and enjoyable. That is why we foster a culture where smart, driven people thrive – without the egos. Our open concept workplace, casual dress code, and well‑stocked kitchens reflect the value we place on a friendly, collaborative environment where everyone is respected, and great ideas win.

• Generous paid time off policies
• Savings plans and other financial wellness tools available in each region
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily
• Company‑sponsored sports teams and fitness events (JPM Corporate Challenge, Cycle for Survival, Wall Street Rides FAR and more)
• Volunteer opportunities and charitable giving
• Social events, happy hours, treats, and celebrations throughout the year
• Workshops and continuous learning opportunities

At Tower, you’ll find a collaborative and welcoming culture, a diverse team and a workplace that values both performance and enjoyment. No unnecessary hierarchy. No ego. Just great people doing great work – together.

Tower Research Capital is an equal opportunity employer.