Founding Engineering Team Lead (HandsOn) | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Arbeitnow
• Location: Berlin
• Job Type: Full-Time

Job Description

Berlin • Cybersecurity & AI Startup • Recently Funded

A newly funded cybersecurity startup in Berlin is looking for a Engineering Team Lead to join as a founding team member and help design the core security, identity, and enforcement foundations of a next-generation AI-powered risk management platform.

We are an early-stage startup founded by experienced cybersecurity leaders with backgrounds in Israeli intelligence units.
We are looking for a hands-on Founding Engineering Team Lead for a hybrid role based in central Berlin. If you are passionate about cybersecurity and AI, thrive in fast-paced startup environments, and enjoy building complex platforms from the ground up, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.

We’re building a next-generation cyber risk platform that helps enterprises understand, measure, and reduce identity risk at scale. Our goal is to turn complex identity and security data into clear, actionable risk insights that CISOs and CTOs can trust. You will work from scratch on core platform components from day one, shaping how modern enterprises manage and reason about risk using cloud-native systems, AI-driven analysis, and automated enforcement through AI agents.

Tasks

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a small, high-performing engineering team while remaining hands-on
• Design, build, and review production backend and platform code alongside the team
• Own delivery of the engineering roadmap, balancing speed, quality, and security
• Act as a technical leader by setting architecture direction and enforcing engineering standards
• Contribute directly to critical features, integrations, and platform foundations
• Establish lightweight engineering processes that enable fast execution without bureaucracy
• Mentor engineers through code reviews, pairing, and technical guidance
• Contribute hands-on in design and build architecture, configure systems, code 70% of the time in GoLang.
• Remove blockers and unblock delivery across backend, frontend, data, and DevOps
• Collaborate closely with CEO, CPTO, and product leadership on technical and execution decisions
• Support hiring, onboarding, and technical evaluation of engineers
• Foster a culture of ownership, pragmatism, and low ego
• Build whole Security platform setup from scratch
• Partner closely with backend and AI engineers to design secure service boundaries and deployment models
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex production incidents across infrastructure, networking, and application layers
• Build PoCs and validate infrastructure and security design decisions in an early-stage environment
• Support compliance readiness by enabling controls, logging, and evidence collection for security frameworks
• Continuously improve platform cost efficiency, reliability, and operational maturity
• This role reports directly to CEO & CPTO

Requirements

Must have skills

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams while remaining hands-on
• 3+ years of GoLang experience
• 3+ years experience with AWS in production environments
• Strong code quality bar and experience with architectural reviews
• Ability to context-switch between technical topics and people leadership
• Strong execution mindset and comfort operating under ambiguity
• Hands-on coding mentality; can build things from scratch including security architecture yourself
• Hands-on experience with Docker, Kubernetes (EKS) and containerized workloads
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions or similar)
• Experience with monitoring, logging, observability (Grafana, OpenTelemetry, Prometheus)
• Experience with Coding CoPilots (Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, AWS CodeWhisperer, Codex, etc.)
• Knowledge of Experience supporting production SaaS platforms
• High ownership mentality, startup mindset, and ability to move quickly
• Experience in startup or scale-up environments
• Low ego, high commitment, and a true tech startup mentality
• Excellent English communication skills

Nice-to-have requirements

• Previous experience as a founding or early-stage Engineering Manager
• Experience in cybersecurity, identity, or enterprise SaaS platforms
• Exposure to DevOps, SRE, or data engineering
• Experience scaling teams and systems simultaneously
• Experience with security architecture, identity security, or security engineering
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks (NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, SOC 2)
• Understanding of OAuth/OIDC, API tokens, IdP, scopes, SSO, SCIM, roles, RBAC/ABAC, service accounts
• Familiarity with cloud identity and security controls (e.g. IAM, CloudTrail, Azure Active Directory / Entra ID)
• Hands-on with SIEM platforms such as Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, or IBM QRadar
• Experience designing permission models, identity graphs, or access control frameworks
• Knowledge of tokenization, Zero Trust principles, least privilege, and continuous verification
• Experience with Security related to AI/LLM systems, agent logic, or willingness to learn fast
• Familiarity with AI agent behavior, LLM security, or agent sandboxing
• Previous experience in cybersecurity, identity startups
• You are a fan of rock or metal music
• Excellent German communication skills

Benefits

Benefits

• Founding Team Member Equity — ESOPs in a cybersecurity company
• Competitive Compensation — salary aligned with market, flexible early-stage arrangements possible
• Founding Team Member Status — shape the company from day one and own critical technical decisions
• Fresh Funding Secured — immediate runway to build, hire, and execute fast
• Security Contribution — contribute to security architecture across identity, AI agents, and enforcement
• High Autonomy — freedom to design and build without corporate overhead
• Work with a Technical CEO and CPTO — fast iteration, strong alignment, clear direction
• Cutting-Edge Domain — identity security, SaaS-to-SaaS access, AI agent governance
• Massive Learning Curve — quickly gain depth in cybersecurity, identity, and AI systems
• Fast Career Path — opportunity evolve into leadership as we scale the engineering team
• Berlin Location — top-tier tech environment with strong cybersecurity and AI ecosystems
• Direct Impact — your architecture and code become the foundation of the entire platform
• Best Equipment and Tools - High quality equipment and modern tools to help you do your best work from day one
• Team Offsites - Regular team offsites designed to build strong connections, alignment, and shared momentum

Find more English Speaking Jobs in Germany on Arbeitnow

Expert Career Tips for Founding Engineering Team Lead (HandsOn) Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Founding Engineering Team Lead (HandsOn), you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Founding Engineering Team Lead (HandsOn) requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Berlin and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Berlin, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Founding Engineering Team Lead (HandsOn) position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.