Founding Engineer / CTO (Early-Stage Startup)
Location: Onsite, 5 days a week
Salary: £70,000-£100,000 (based on equity package) + significant equity
Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Are you an exceptional engineer ready to shape the future of an ambitious early-stage startup? We're seeking a Founding Engineer / CTO to lead the technical buildout of our innovative product through to a major exit. This is a rare opportunity to architect a company's technical foundation, build a world-class team, and take significant ownership in a high-potential venture.
What You'll Do:
Lead the technical development of our product, shipping high-value code as a hands-on individual contributor.
Architect and build a scalable, innovative platform from the ground up.
Collaborate closely with the founding team to align technical strategy with our business vision.
Build and eventually lead a small, high-caliber engineering team (1-20 engineers).
Drive technical decisions that will shape the company's trajectory through upcoming growth phases.
Who You Are:
An exceptional coder with a proven ability to ship business-critical code.
Intellectually curious, with a passion for learning and building outside the 9-5 (e.g., open-source projects, side ventures, or technical writing).
Charismatic and inspiring, with the ability to attract and motivate top engineering talent.
Ideally, you have a STEM degree from a top university and startup experience in early-stage environments.
Bonus points for a GitHub portfolio showcasing personal or open-source projects, or a tech blog with published content.
Comfortable with an onsite, 5-day-a-week role and excited to work closely with the founding team.
Interview Process:
Review our business thesis and answer 35 structured mindset questions + 7 engineering-specific questions.
Join us for an informal get-to-know-you coffee or meal.
Participate in a paid trial: either a 3-5 day contractor engagement with the team or a weekend sprint with the founder.
Why Join Us?
Competitive salary (£70k-£100k) with a significant equity package, offering real ownership in our journey.
Be a core part of an early-stage startup with a clear path to a major exit.
Shape the technical vision and culture of a company from day one.
Apply Now: If you're ready to build something groundbreaking and lead with code, curiosity, and charisma, send us your CV, a link to your GitHub or tech blog (if applicable), and a brief note on why you're excited about this role.
RSG Plc is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
