Founding Principal Engineer

→ This role is based on-site in London, UK

→ We offer UK visa sponsorship for exceptional candidates

→ Compensation: £80K – £140K + significant equity (0.5% – 1%)

• Do you get excited by tackling engineering challenges that others deem impossible?

• Are you ready to discover the new exciting world of digital biology?

• Do you like working in a team with only the absolute best of the best?

If your answers are yes, then you should keep reading.

🚀 About the Role

We’re now looking for a Founding Principal Engineer, who together with the other founders will work as a full-stack on building out our core observability platform in London. Your work is a crucial role in influencing not only the product, but also transforming high-performance computing.

💻 You’ll love our tech stack

• Rust (because we like our code like we like supercomputers - insanely fast)

• ClickHouse (regular databases just can't keep up with our data)

• AWS + Terraform (infrastructure that builds itself)

• Next.js + TypeScript (because front-end should be sexy too)

💼 Key Responsibilities:

• Architect and develop our Rust-based client for robust data ingestion

• Design and implement advanced features including:

• Data ingestion connectors

• Logs management systems

• Intuitive observability interfaces

• Sophisticated error resolution tools

• Drive core architecture decisions and lead platform deployment on customer cloud environments

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to align technical solutions with business objectives

• Educate and guide other engineers, fostering a culture of engineering excellence

🌟 What We Are Looking For:

• 5+ or ideally 10+ years veteran in Software Engineering

• Strong background in high-performance data infrastructure, cloud computing, data science, or observability space

• Proven track record of shipping products at high velocity

• Experience working at an early-stage observability/cybersecurity startup and bonus points for having joined earlier.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and wear multiple hats

⚒️ Our Recruitment Process

Introductory Call (15-30 mins): Call with our hiring manager to discuss your background, motivations, and learn more about Tracer

Role Fit Interview (45 mins): Meet with your manager or a similar-level team member to review your working style, skills, and fit for the role

Take-home & Competency Deep Dive (1 hour): Complete a practical exercise (e.g., case study, presentation, or technical problem-solving) to explore the role's responsibilities and expectations

On-site meetup (Half Day): On-site interviews and team lunch at our headquarters to ask any questions and experience our office and culture firsthand

Offer: Final decision and offer