Tech Lead / Lead Software Engineer Bristol - 2 days a week Up to £90k React.js, TypeScript, Node.js, and AWS I'm excited to share an incredible opportunity to join a groundbreaking start-up that’s transforming mental health and neurodiversity support through technology. About Spicy Minds Spicy Minds is at the forefront of creating AI-powered applications that make evidence-based psychological support accessible to everyone. Their mission is deeply personal, founded by a parent who understands the challenges faced by young people and families navigating ADHD and autism. The team is driven by a commitment to delivering real impact and supporting mental well-being worldwide. The Role Spicy Minds is seeking a Tech Lead to be the technical driving force behind their evolution. As their first full-time in-house engineer, you’ll have a unique chance to shape their systems and lead the transition from early-stage products to regulated medical devices. The Impact You’ll Have Make foundational technical decisions as the first in-house engineer. Architect and develop scalable, life-changing solutions. Lead the transformation of their MVP into medical-grade software. Design systems that prioritise security and privacy at every step. Build innovative AI-powered features that bring therapy to more people. Influence the company’s technical culture and play a key role in building the engineering team. Technical Challenges You’ll Tackle Develop secure, scalable, and optimised features for a mental health platform. Ensure medical-grade reliability and compliance with ISO 27001, ISO 13485, and DCB0129. Design AI integration systems that meet both technical and clinical standards. Build infrastructure to handle sensitive mental health data securely. Create robust testing and evaluation frameworks for AI-assisted mental health tools. Why This Opportunity Stands Out Meaningful Impact : Address a critical mental health crisis affecting millions. Technical Innovation : Work at the intersection of mobile, AI, and healthcare. Career Growth : Shape the company’s technical direction as an early senior hire. Supportive Environment : Collaborate with clinical psychologists and domain experts. What They’re Looking For A problem-solver who thrives on tackling complex technical challenges. Someone who values thoughtful and maintainable solutions over complexity. A passionate individual who wants to make a genuine difference in mental health care. A hands-on engineer ready to ship impactful solutions, not just manage teams. Technical Stack Current : Flutter, GCP, Firebase, OpenAI, Anthropic. Future : This will evolve with your expertise and input Hybrid Role Requirements This position is based in Bristol, with a hybrid working model of at least 2 days per week in the office to foster collaboration and innovation. About Spicy Minds’ Stage The company is bootstrapped with two years of runway, paying users, and a clear growth trajectory. This is a chance to join a mission-driven organisation at the perfect stage to make a significant impact. Candidate Requirements Strong computer science and engineering fundamentals. Proven experience shipping production-ready web or mobile applications. Expertise with modern JavaScript/TypeScript, React, and React Native. Familiarity with mature databases (e.g., Postgres/SQL Server). Experience with cloud services (AWS, GCP, or Azure). A demonstrated ability to own features end-to-end, from database to UI. Qualities They Value Ability to move quickly and make sound architectural decisions under uncertainty. A fast learner who adapts to new technologies. Commitment to security, data privacy, and user-first design. What’s on Offer Up to £90k (BOE) Mission-driven culture with growth opportunities. Flexible hybrid working model (2 in-office days in Bristol). 25 days annual leave. Paid volunteer days. Comprehensive well-being support. If this role aligns with your skills and passion for mental health innovation, I’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to shape the future of mental health support with a team that’s making a tangible difference