Founder's R&D
Role Overview
This role involves building full-stack systems from scratch using Python, Rust, and JavaScript frameworks, with a focus on prototyping and iterating on new ideas directly with the CEO. It is suited for engineers at any career stage who thrive in ambiguity and take ownership of projects that could become standalone businesses. The position requires designing and developing innovative systems like crypto exchanges or betting platforms, with high autonomy and minimal supervision.
Perks & Benefits
The role is remote, though it mentions working five days a week in the office with the CEO, suggesting potential hybrid expectations. Benefits include four-year vesting options, a pension scheme, private medical insurance, free meals and snacks, a yearly £1,000 personal development budget, 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, and social events. The culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and merit-based rewards in a low-bureaucracy environment.
Full Job Description
At Smarkets, we’re on a mission to change the world of Sports betting. Literally.
Smarkets is an international B2C betting exchange for sports and political events that has handled £29 billion in traded volume since 2010. We are rebuilding how betting works by bringing in transparency and tech-led.
The Role
We’re currently building a new R&D team to take big bets on ideas, people, and the future. You’ll work directly with our CEO to prototype and ship products that could transform our business or even create entirely new ones.
This is not your average software engineering job. This is an invitation to build something world-changing
This is not a role for someone who just wants to sit back and follow instructions. We are looking for someone at any stage of their career; all you have to be is hungry to learn, ready to take ownership and excited by the chance to work directly with leadership on projects you will not find anywhere else.
Whether you are experienced or just kicking things off, if you have the drive we want to hear from you.
Why is this a great opportunity:
Direct access to the CEO: Help shape company direction from day one.
Greenfield Innovation: Architect systems like crypto exchanges or experimental betting platforms.
No bureaucracy: Try ideas. If they work, scale them.
Technical Playground: Write real code, get your hands dirty, and build something that lasts.
Path to Foundership: Ideal for engineers who want to one day launch their own company(ies)
In detail, you will:
Build full-stack systems from scratch (Python, Rust, JS frameworks)
Design and build a crypto exchange or novel betting architecture
Prototype ideas quickly, test, and iterate with the CEO
Own the tech direction of projects that could become standalone businesses
Collaborate with trading, product, and design to identify real business opportunities
Be both the architect and the builder
Establish dev standards in a high-autonomy, zero-handholding environment
We’d love to talk if you have:
Computer Science degree
You love coding, computers, and the power of software
You thrive in ambiguity and see it as an opportunity, not a blocker
You’re deeply technical and take pride in clean, well-architected systems
You’re naturally curious about business, markets, and crypto
You have a founder’s mindset and want to learn what it takes to start something
You’re not afraid to fail if it means learning and trying again
Ok working five days a week in the office alongside the CEO
Bonus point if you:
Have experience with trading systems, exchanges, or crypto
Have built something cool on your own (share it with us!)
Have attended an entrepreneurial school, accelerator, or incubator
Contributed to or founded a side project/startup
However, this is not for you if:
You prefer clearly defined tasks over open-ended challenges
You're not comfortable getting hands-on with code every day
You’d rather follow a roadmap than explore uncharted territory
You're looking for a highly structured or process-heavy environment
You’re not interested in the entrepreneurial side of building products
Our Values
Push to win
Make others better
Give a shit
Be a pro
Bring the energy
Our Culture
Our vision at Smarkets is to fix the betting industry with the best products and prices. Smarkets is a Series B-funded company that brings a professional, tech-led approach to the sports and political betting industry with a sophisticated platform that has handled over £29 billion in traded volume.
We embrace collaboration, trust, innovation and scientific rigour, while we celebrate ambitious goals and passionate energy. We push ourselves to be the best and lean into challenges to ensure that we are continually developing at both an individual and organisational level. This has enabled us to be where we are today and will lead us to where we want to be next.
Our culture rewards people on merit and excellence and we strive to provide a working environment where recognition, challenges, support, collaboration, interesting benefits and shared meals provided by our chefs mix together to let you unlock your potential, grow with us and become your best self.
Smarkets is an equal opportunities employer and takes active steps to prevent bias and discrimination in our interview process. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity.
Why join us?
We have designed our offering around; Health, Wealth, Lifestyle and Development! These include:
Four-year vesting options
Pension scheme, should you wish to take part via Aviva pension scheme
Private Medical Insurance
In-house Chef who freshly prepares meals (and all the free snacks and drinks you want in between!)
Yearly budget of £1,000 for personal development
25 days paid holiday per annum plus bank holidays
Cycle to work scheme
Social events
We will not be providing visa sponsorship for this role.
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