Founding Engineer

📋 Description

• Your primary objective will be to significantly enhance the likelihood that n8n thrives in the AI-native future by swiftly identifying, validating, and developing the next generation of AI-native products and experiences.

• Investigate the future of AI-driven work by consistently examining emerging trends in AI interfaces, orchestration, agents, and autonomy through practical experimentation and ecosystem research.

• Maintain strong connections within the AI ecosystem through founder networks, user interactions, Product Hunt, Reddit, GitHub, X, events, and new tooling.

• Recognize unmet needs and potential opportunities that could influence n8n’s long-term product strategy.

• Create and launch 0→1 products by quickly prototyping, validating, and introducing new AI-native product concepts with minimal assistance and a high degree of autonomy.

• Operate with a resourceful, execution-oriented mindset across product, design, engineering, and go-to-market functions.

• Bring in the appropriate tools, personnel, contractors, or external assistance as necessary to accelerate progress and remove obstacles.

• Assess opportunities and shape strategic initiatives using structured thinking, research, and experimentation to determine n8n’s investment priorities over the next 1–3 years.

• Validate concepts through user discussions, market indicators, prototypes, and rapid feedback loops instead of extended planning cycles.

• Utilize strong product intuition and reasoning to assist leadership in navigating uncertainty and emerging AI trends.

• Develop strategic product initiatives for n8n by collaborating closely with n8n’s founder and Product leadership to brainstorm ideas, assess opportunities, and test assumptions.

• Disseminate insights and findings with the broader organization to ensure n8n remains at the forefront of the AI landscape.

• You will function within a remote-first culture that prioritizes speed, experimentation, ownership, and a builder mindset.

⛳️ Requirements

• 🚀 Experience in 0→1 product development: You have successfully built and launched products from the ground up, preferably in the AI domain, and understand how to transition from concept to real-world validation swiftly.

• 🤖 AI-native product insight: You possess a deep understanding of how AI is transforming user behavior, workflows, interfaces, and product experiences.

• 🛠️ Practical execution: You are adept at building, prototyping, experimenting, and working with minimal structure or guidance.

• 🧠 Product intuition & problem-solving: You blend strong product instincts with structured thinking and can swiftly assess whether an idea merits exploration.

• 🔮 Vision for products: You are recognized for identifying non-obvious opportunities and anticipating market trends.

• ⚡ Agility & resourcefulness: You excel in uncertain environments, act quickly, and know how to creatively overcome obstacles to achieve progress.

• 🤝 Collaboration & communication: You can collaboratively develop ideas with senior leaders, thoughtfully challenge assumptions, and engage others through clear reasoning.

• 📡 Immersion in the AI ecosystem: You actively track emerging products, models, startups, communities, and technical trends across the AI landscape.

• 🎙️ Curiosity about the ecosystem: You naturally stay informed about developments through podcasts, X, Reddit, Product Hunt, events, and founder/operator communities.

• 🧪 Experience as a founder: You have previously founded or been an early member of a startup and understand what it entails to build amidst uncertainty.

• 🧰 Technical versatility: You are comfortable utilizing AI coding tools, low-code/no-code platforms, or independently creating lightweight prototypes.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive compensation 💸 – We provide fair and attractive remuneration.

• Ownership 💪 – Our core value is "empowering others," and we mean it—you’ll receive a share of n8n in equity.

• Work/life balance 🏖️ – We work diligently but ensure you have time to recharge:

• Europe: 30 days of vacation, plus public holidays based on your location.

• US: 20 vacation days, 8 sick days, plus public holidays applicable to your location.

• Health & wellness 🩺 –

• Europe: We provide benefits in accordance with local country standards.*

• US: A variety of low-premium, low-deductible medical plans offering coverage for individuals and families—plus a no-cost premium HDHP option with a pre-funded HSA, along with dental and vision coverage.

• Future planning 💰 –

• Europe: We provide pension contributions according to local country standards.*

• US: 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match.

• Financial security 🛡️ –

• Europe: We offer benefits in accordance with local country standards.*

• US: Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance, along with life insurance to support you and your loved ones.

• Career growth 📈 – We hire rising stars who grow alongside us! You’ll receive €1K (or equivalent) annually to invest in courses, books, events, or coaching to enhance your skills.

• A passionate team 🤩 – We are enthusiastic about our product, demonstrated through regular hackathons to see who can build the most innovative creations with it!

• Remote-first 🌏 – Our team operates remotely across Europe, with regular off-sites for team bonding. Some roles, such as sales in the US, are hybrid—please check the job description for details.

• Giving back 🤝 – We are strong advocates of open source, and you’ll receive $100 per month to support projects you are passionate about.

• AI enablement 🤖 – We believe in working smarter—everyone has an unlimited AI budget to explore and utilize the best tools for enhancing productivity and creativity.

• Transparency 🙏 – We maintain clarity about what everyone is working on and the company's overall performance—the complete picture.

• An ambitious yet kind culture 😍 – Our employees enjoy working here—our eNPS for 2024 is 94!