Founding Engineer - Tower Incubations

About the role

Tower Research Capital is a leading quantitative trading firm founded in 1998. Tower has built its business on a high-performance platform and independent trading teams. We have a 25+ year track record of innovation and a reputation for discovering unique market opportunities.

Tower Research Ventures (TRV), the venture arm of Tower Research Capital, is dedicated to building and investing in category-defining companies with the same enthusiasm and discipline that Tower applies to public markets. We closely partner with our portfolio companies, offering a diverse set of business, technical, and financial expertise to help them reach their goals, from product development to business growth and beyond.

We are seeking a Founding Engineer to join our incubation efforts for TRV and drive foundational engineering efforts. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for designing, building, and launching the core product from the ground up. This position is tailored for engineers with a passion for building, particularly those experienced in machine learning (ML) engineering and startup environments.

Responsibilities:

Acting as a ‘zero to one’ engineer, building out core features and infrastructure

Establishing and maintaining a technical roadmap for the company

Evaluating the technical feasibility and scalability of product features

Leading and building out the engineering side of the organization

Mentoring and collaborating with new team members as the engineering team grows

Qualifications:

A bachelor’s or master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

Strong technical background of 6+ years of full-time engineering experience, with a preference for backend or ML/AI specialization

Experience with Git, CI/CD pipelines and MLOps for automating model deployments

Strong knowledge of Python and ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow​ and proficiency in Linux, SQL, Git and Bash scripting

General understanding of end-to-end ML processes

Expertise in at least one area of applied AI, such as: Computer Vision, Language Modeling, Reinforcement Learning, Generative Modeling (e.g. image, video, audio)

Preference for practical AI knowledge through previous on-the-job experience, as opposed to purely academic or research-based knowledge

Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Strong communication skills

Why Join?

High-Impact, Fast-Paced Environment: This is the ideal role for engineers who thrive on variety, problem-solving and rapid execution. You'll get to prototype, iterate and deploy real-world solutions quickly, ensuring constant learning and engagement.

Resource-Rich with Startup Agility: Benefit from the backing of Tower Research Capital, gaining access to deep technical expertise, financial support, and a network of top-tier engineers and founders—all while working in an agile, fast-moving startup-style environment.

Collaborative Culture: Work alongside curious, driven and highly collaborative engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs who are passionate about solving complex problems and building category-defining companies.

Endless Growth Opportunities: Play a foundational role in shaping the technical direction and culture of a rapidly growing startup. As an early team member, you'll have a significant impact on the product, technology, and team.

If you're an engineer who loves building from scratch and working on high-impact projects, TRV offers an unparalleled opportunity to do just that.

Anticipated annual base salary range $175,000 - $250,000, plus eligible for discretionary bonus

Benefits

Tower’s headquarters are in the historic Equitable Building, right in the heart of NYC’s Financial District and our impact is global, with over a dozen offices around the world.

At Tower, we believe work should be both challenging and enjoyable. That is why we foster a culture where smart, driven people thrive – without the egos. Our open concept workplace, casual dress code, and well-stocked kitchens reflect the value we place on a friendly, collaborative environment where everyone is respected, and great ideas win.

Our benefits include:

Generous paid time off policies

Savings plans and other financial wellness tools available in each region

Hybrid working opportunities

Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily

Company-sponsored sports teams and fitness events (JPM Corporate Challenge, Cycle for Survival, Wall Street Rides FAR and more)

Volunteer opportunities and charitable giving

Social events, happy hours, treats, and celebrations throughout the year

Workshops and continuous learning opportunities

At Tower, you’ll find a collaborative and welcoming culture, a diverse team and a workplace that values both performance and enjoyment. No unnecessary hierarchy. No ego. Just great people doing great work – together.

Tower Research Capital is an equal opportunity employer.