As the first product-focused engineer, you will own the user experience and visualization layer of our subsurface mapping platform. You’ll transform complex ML models into interactive 3D tools that global mining leaders trust to make multi-million dollar drilling decisions, helping secure the essential minerals needed for the global energy transition.
Founding Engineer - Product at Material Difference
Join Material Difference as a Founding Engineer and help solve the looming critical mineral crisis. You will be our first product hire, owning the interactive 3D visualization layer that turns complex geoscience models into high-stakes drilling decisions. If you are a front-end expert with deep WebGL/Three.js skills and a passion for climate-tech, this is your chance to shape a generational company from day one in the heart of London.
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Location
London, United Kingdom
Compensation
£90k-£120k + Equity
Company
Material Difference
Role overview
Uncertainty-aware, explainable AI for critical mineral exploration.
What you will do
- Build and own interactive 3D subsurface visualizations using WebGL/Three.js to make complex geological uncertainty legible for expert and executive decision-makers.
- Collaborate directly with the ML team to integrate explainable AI models into a reliable, enterprise-grade product used by the world’s largest mining companies.
- Iterate rapidly on workflows and interfaces based on real-world user feedback from pilots, moving the platform from a powerful demo to a must-have product.
Who this is a fit for
- Deep expertise in TypeScript and React with a proven track record of shipping production-grade 3D, WebGL, or geospatial visualizations like Three.js, deck.gl, or Cesium.
- Experience building B2B or enterprise SaaS products that have navigated complex security and procurement reviews, ideally within scientific, engineering, or geospatial domains.
- An entrepreneurial, self-directing mindset with the resilience to thrive in an ambiguous, early-stage environment without a defined playbook and a passion for climate-tech mission.
Why this role is remarkable
- Work on a mission-critical problem: the world needs more copper and lithium than ever before, and your code directly accelerates the global energy transition.
- True founding-team impact as the first product engineer, shaping the technical architecture and engineering culture from day one with significant equity and ownership.
- High-caliber environment within a Cambridge spin-out supported by industry veterans and $4m in fresh funding to scale breakthrough geoscience technology to the world’s largest miners.
How Jack & Jill work together
I get to know what you’re great at, then find roles you’d never find yourself.Ok, I'll go first. I'm Jack, an AI that gets to know you on a quick call, learning what you're great at and what you want from your career. Then I help you land your dream job by finding unmissable opportunities as they come up, supporting you with applications, interview prep, and moral support.
I recruit from Jack’s network and make the intro when I spot a great match.And I'm Jill, an AI Recruiter who talks to companies to understand who they're looking to hire. Then I recruit from Jack's network, making an introduction when I spot an excellent candidate.
Jack gets to know what you're great at and what you want next, then searches 15 million jobs daily and helps you discover roles at companies like this.
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What happens next?
Jack’s an AI agent for job searching and career coaching. He works for you.
Jill is the AI recruiter working for the company. She recruits from Jack’s network.
If your profile’s a match and Material Difference wants to meet, Jill will make the intro. In the meantime, Jack will send you excellent alternatives.