Summary: This Founding Software Engineer role offers full technical ownership in an AgTech/IoT startup, building a hardware+software product with an AI-first approach and a clear path to CTO. Highlights: 1. Full technical control across hardware & software 2. Path to Head of Engineering / CTO 3. Real-world impact on sustainable agriculture ##### **Founding Software Engineer (Path to CTO)** Remote (Europe preferred) \| ️ Regular travel to South America Partner Company – AgTech / IoT Startup (Pre\-seed) ##### **This is not a typical engineering role** We’re not looking for someone who just wants to write code. We’re looking for a **builder** — someone excited by ambiguity, ownership, real\-world problems, and the opportunity to help build a company from the ground up. You’ll be the **sole engineer**, working **AI\-first**, shipping a real hardware \+ software product, and testing it in cattle fields in South America. If you’re looking for a polished corporate environment, a large team, or clearly defined processes from day one, this role is **not** for you — and that’s completely fine. ##### **About the Partner Company** Our partner is an **early\-stage AgTech / IoT startup** focused on building sustainable, technology\-driven solutions with real\-world impact. * **Stage:** Pre\-seed * **Focus:** Virtual fencing technology for livestock * **Operations:** Europe (founders \& HQ) \+ South America (field operations) * **Mission:** Create sustainable value where progress and responsibility for people and planet go hand in hand * **Culture:** High ownership, AI\-first mindset, field\-driven problem solving This is a company where **one strong engineer \+ AI** is expected to outperform traditional teams. ##### **The Role** As **Founding Software Engineer**, you’ll own and ship the entire technical stack and play a central role in shaping the product, the architecture, and the technical direction of the company. This role offers a **clear path to Head of Engineering / CTO**, depending on interest and performance. You’ll work directly with the founders and have full technical ownership from day one. ##### **What You’ll Be Doing** * Own the **entire technical stack**: embedded firmware, cloud backend, and iOS app * Take over, iterate, and optimise existing **STM32\-based firmware** * Design and build **cloud infrastructure** from scratch (APIs, data, scalability) * Build an **iOS app** designed for low\-literacy, non\-technical users (UX, visuals, text\-to\-speech) * Collaborate closely with hardware manufacturing partners * Use **AI coding tools (Cursor, Claude, GitHub Copilot)** as core development partners * Travel regularly for **hands\-on field testing and product launches** * Ship V1 to market in 2025 and continuously improve reliability and usability ##### **What We’re Looking For (Must\-Haves)** * Strong software engineering fundamentals (language\-agnostic) * **Heavy, demonstrated use of AI coding tools** in daily development * Experience shipping complete products independently * iOS development experience (**Swift / SwiftUI**) * Systems thinking across firmware, backend, and mobile * Comfort working autonomously as the **sole engineer** * At least **5\+ years of hands\-on engineering experience** ##### **Nice to Have** * Embedded / firmware experience (C, STM32\) * IoT protocols (e.g. LoRaWAN) * Cloud backend development (any modern stack) * Experience with hardware products * Spanish language skills * AgTech, robotics, or physical\-world product exposure ##### **This Role Is NOT for You If…** * You need a large team to be productive * You’re skeptical about AI\-assisted development * You prefer highly structured corporate environments * You’re looking for feature\-only work without ownership * You’re uncomfortable with ambiguity, iteration, and field conditions ##### **Who Thrives in This Role** * Autonomous, resourceful builders * Low\-ego, high\-ownership mindset * Comfortable with uncertainty and responsibility * Strong product sense and user empathy * Excited by real\-world, physical impact ##### **Compensation \& Benefits** * **Base salary:** €40,000 – €120,000 (depending on equity track and seniority) * **Equity:** Significant founding\-team level equity with vesting over 3 years * **Contract:** Full\-time employment * **Vacation:** 28 days per year * **Working model:** Remote\-first (Europe preferred) with regular travel * **Upside:** Clear path to Head of Engineering / CTO ##### **Why Join?** * Founding\-team level ownership * Full technical control across hardware \& software * Real\-world impact on sustainable agriculture * Opportunity to prove the power of **AI\-first development** * Build something tangible, meaningful, and challenging