Founding Engineer - Chief of AI and Computer Vision

Flyer Ai; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative tech startup is seeking a Founding Engineer – Chief of AI and Computer Vision to join their dynamic team in Salisbury. This role involves architecting computer vision systems and developing generative AI applications that propel engineering efforts. Candidates should have deep knowledge of computer vision, experience with sensor fusion algorithms, and a passion for technological innovation. As a founding team member, you will receive significant equity and play a key role in shaping the company's future.

Benefits

Significant equity

Unlimited paid time off

Competitive salary with uplift post fundraising

Immediate impact on shaping engineering culture

Qualifications

• Passionate and driven team players dedicated to making a difference.
• Familiarity with commercial/open-source UAV flight controllers and firmware is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Architect the computer vision and sensor fusion stack for the aircraft.
• Deploy generative AI to enhance engineering and operational capabilities.
• Own the development of the intelligent AI autopilot for the aircraft.

Skills

Deep knowledge of computer vision

Proficiency in testing tools and frameworks for AI-driven systems

Intuitive problem-solving skills

Experience in integrating computer vision hardware and algorithms

Experience developing sensor fusion algorithms

Fascination with frontier labs' foundation models

Job description

Founding Engineer - Chief of AI and Computer Vision

The first stage of our application process is a short Q&A session with our LLM interviewer. If you don't wish to proceed at any stage, you may type 'end interview'

Where you'll fit in

A small and focussed team has been developing our prototype aircraft for technical demonstrations and seed fundraising in Q1 2026. Now in receipt of 2 separate grant funding awards, Flyer is expanding our 3-person founding team with 3 key, critical roles.

You will join this incredible team, onsite, working directly with the founder and our expanding team to take Flyer from tech startup to global phenomenon over the next 5 years.

LOCATION

We are currently located near the beautiful and vibrant city of Salisbury, in Wiltshire. A move early next year to premises nearer Bristol or London is under consideration.

What you'll be doing

As a founding engineer and Chief of AI and Computer Vision you will be the architect of our intelligence. Your dual mandate: architect the computer vision and perception systems that guide our aircraft, and deploy the generative intelligence that allows our small team to outpace giants.

Specifically:

Detect & Avoid - you will own the computer vision and sensor fusion stack for our aircraft, ultimately developing our intelligent (AI) autopilot.

AI force multiplier – you will mastermind the deployment of generative and agentic AI apps within our team to supercharge our engineering and operational progress.

Our vehicle is not just an aircraft – it is a complex robotic system integrating multiple sensors and processors, and executing multiple functions. Leveraging AI in all areas is critical to effective progress with a small team.

What we're looking for

We are not looking for ordinary people. We're looking for passionate, driven and enthusiastic team members who dream of doing impossible things with technology, and changing the world around us.

• Team players who live our values: passion, commitment, courage, integrity, and trust.
• Deep knowledge of computer vision, machine learning and AI.
• A fascination in the frontier labs' foundation models and their deployment in ingenious apps.
• Experience in integrating computer vision hardware and algorithms.
• Experience developing sensor fusion algorithms.
• Proficiency in testing tools and frameworks for AI-driven systems.
• Intuitive problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt on the fly.
• Familiarity with commercial / open source UAV flight controllers and firmware.

What you'll get

• Significant Equity – as a founding team member, you will own a significant stake in the future we are building.
• Immediate Impact - you will be one of the first 6 employees, shaping the engineering culture from day one.
• Competitive salary – an initial stipend plus salary uplift following Q1 2026 fundraising.
• Unlimited paid time off – take what you need, when you need it.