Founding Designer

Founding Designer

Full-Time 88000 - 104000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product design from concept to high-fidelity UI, shaping user experience.
  • Company: Join a cutting-edge defence tech company revolutionising AI and autonomous systems.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a dynamic work environment in Central London.
  • Why this job: Be the first Product Designer, influencing design strategy and company direction.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in software design, user research expertise, and startup experience required.
  • Other info: Work in the office 3-4 times a week for collaborative innovation.

The predicted salary is between 88000 - 104000 £ per year.

Founding Designer – £110k-£130k + Equity – London – Seed AI We\’ve partnered with a cutting-edge defence tech company , £7M Seed-backed by a renowned VC, building AI and software to power the autonomous age. Their mission is to revolutionise how organisations work with sensors, robots, and autonomous systems to leverage data for defence and democracy. As their first Product Designer , you will play a pivotal role in defining the user experience, working hands-on with engineers and customer-facing teams to create intuitive, impactful designs. You’ll have full ownership from day one, with the opportunity to shape both design strategy and company direction as they scale. Key Responsibilities: Lead end-to-end product design, from concepts to high-fidelity UI, building and maintaining a design system. Conduct user research to identify pain points and inform design decisions. Collaborate closely with engineers to ensure seamless integration of design and functionality. Partner with Product and Strategy teams to contribute to product vision and direction. Define efficient design processes and help build the design team as the company scales. Required Skills & Experience: 5+ years of experience designing complex software, both for desktop and mobile environments. Proven experience in conducting user research and turning insights into actionable design solutions. A track record of establishing design processes in a fast-paced, startup environment. Good to have: Experience designing software/hardware for defence, robotics, drones, maps or geospatial. Experience leading/building design teams. Other Info They work in the Central London office 3-4 times a week.

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Contact Detail:

Zest Search Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Founding Designer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in AI and defence technology. Understanding the specific challenges and innovations in this sector will help you speak confidently about how your design skills can contribute to their mission.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare a portfolio that showcases your experience in designing complex software, particularly any projects that involved user research and collaboration with engineers. Highlighting relevant case studies will demonstrate your ability to lead end-to-end product design.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with professionals in the defence tech and AI sectors. Attend industry events or join online forums to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the company culture and expectations.

✨Tip Number 4

Be ready to discuss your approach to building design processes and teams. Since this role involves shaping the design strategy, demonstrating your leadership skills and vision for team development will set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Founding Designer

User Experience Design
UI Design
Design System Development
User Research
Prototyping
Collaboration with Engineers
Design Process Establishment
Software Design for Desktop and Mobile
Visual Communication
Problem-Solving Skills
Agile Methodologies
Team Leadership
Stakeholder Engagement
Attention to Detail
Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Founding Designer position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with them.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in product design, user research, and any work you've done in fast-paced environments. Make sure to showcase your ability to lead design processes and collaborate with engineering teams.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only expresses your enthusiasm for the role but also demonstrates your understanding of the company's mission. Mention specific experiences that relate to their focus on defence technology and autonomous systems.

Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a link to your portfolio that features examples of your best work, particularly projects that involved complex software design. Highlight any relevant case studies that demonstrate your design process and user research capabilities.

How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Search

✨Showcase Your Design Process

Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail. Highlight how you approach user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing. This will demonstrate your ability to lead end-to-end product design effectively.

✨Prepare for Technical Collaboration

Since you'll be working closely with engineers, brush up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with technical teams in the past and how you ensure seamless integration of design and functionality.

✨Demonstrate Your Impact

Share specific examples of how your designs have positively impacted user experience or business outcomes. Quantifying your achievements can help illustrate your value as a designer.

✨Understand Their Mission

Familiarise yourself with the company's mission to revolutionise defence tech. Show genuine interest in their work with AI and autonomous systems, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals.

Founding Designer
Zest Search
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