At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and prototype AI-powered tools to enhance employee experiences at Airbnb.
- Company: Join Airbnb, a global leader in unique stays and experiences.
- Benefits: Flexible contract work with opportunities for creativity and innovation.
- Other info: Collaborate with a dynamic team and contribute to meaningful projects.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI design, shaping the future of employee interactions.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in UX/UI or product design, strong coding skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
This temporary assignment will be working at Airbnb, and may involve working at an Airbnb site, you will however be contracted through Magnit Global, a UK registered employment business. Temporary work opportunities align well with people who are looking for career flexibility and less traditional ways of working, but at the same time are people driven to deliver amazing work in high-profile situations.
About The Role
The Employee Experience (EX) team at Airbnb is building a suite of AI-powered tools that make work better for employees and managers. We’re looking for a Product Design Engineer who builds what they design — someone who thinks in interaction patterns and user flows, can prototype in high fidelity, and is just as particular about the craft of a micro-interaction as they are about the quality of the component underneath it. This is not a graphic design or traditional UX role. The work sits at the intersection of employee experience and AI-native product design, and you’ll be working directly in our codebase alongside AI engineers as a peer.
What You’ll Do
- Help define the design language for our AI-native employee tools, building on Airbnb’s Design Language System where it fits and establishing new patterns, components, and principles where the demands of employee experience require something distinctly our own.
- Design and iterate on experiences for AI-powered tools across EX’s four signature services: Gathering, Onboarding, Performance Management, and Workforce Planning.
- Design, prototype, and productize AI-powered experiences across EX’s four signature services, using Figma, Claude Code, and our broader toolset.
- Hands-on experience designing for agentic or AI-native interfaces, including multi-step task flows, proactive systems, and experiences where the user is collaborating with AI across input types (text, voice, and ambient).
- Familiarity with how LLM-based systems actually behave – including orchestration patterns, model handoff, and how to design meaningful user control when the system is acting on someone’s behalf.
- Partner with AI engineers and product managers on EX’s internal production platform (Hyperloop), bridging design intent and technical execution through the full build cycle.
- Conduct lightweight usability testing with Airbnb employees and managers to validate and iterate on design decisions.
- Contribute to the EX AI knowledge base by ensuring tool documentation and user-facing content is clear, well-organized, and visually consistent.
What We’re Looking For
- 5+ years of UX/UI, product design, design engineering, or hybrid design/frontend role, with a portfolio that includes web application work.
- Expertise with Figma, specifically experience designing, modifying, and maintaining component specs and systems.
- Strong React proficiency and working knowledge of HTML and CSS; you should be comfortable working directly in a codebase, contributing to pull requests, and collaborating with engineers as a technical peer.
- Experience designing AI-native or conversational interfaces, with a solid understanding of the design challenges unique to LLM-powered products.
- Strong instincts around information architecture and emerging AI interaction patterns, informed by hands-on experience with tools like the Google AI Suite, Claude Enterprise, Glean, or similar.
- Experience designing for non-technical end users in an enterprise or internal tools context, with the craft of consumer-grade products.
- Comfort moving fast with incomplete information, our tools and user needs are evolving and your designs will too.
Nice to Have
- Prior experience designing a formal design system, not just consuming or contributing to it.
- Experience with HR tech, people operations tools, or workplace experience products.
- Experience working in or alongside a platform engineering team.
What Success Looks Like
In six months, you’ll have meaningfully contributed to two production-ready EX tools and a series of prototypes and features that move our product roadmap forward. You’ll have co-authored a design language for AI-native employee experiences – the components, interaction patterns, and principles – that give our tools a coherent identity and a playbook others can build on.
Our Commitment to Inclusion & Belonging
Airbnb is committed to working with the broadest talent pool possible. We believe diverse ideas foster innovation and engagement, and allow us to attract creatively-led people, and to develop the best products, services and solutions. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
Product Design Engineer, Employee Experience AI (contract) employer: Airbnb
Airbnb is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of creativity and connection, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful work in the innovative field of AI-powered employee experience. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are encouraged to bring their unique perspectives to the table, while also benefiting from opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with top talent in a dynamic environment. The chance to work on cutting-edge projects alongside passionate individuals in a globally recognised company makes this role particularly rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Design Engineer, Employee Experience AI (contract)
✨Get Your Work Out There
As a temporary UX/UI designer, it’s crucial to have a solid portfolio that showcases your best projects. Share your designs on platforms like Behance or Dribbble, and don't shy away from seeking feedback in design communities. The more visible you are, the better your chances of snagging that next gig!
✨Join Design Meet-ups
Networking in the UX/UI design field can be a game changer. Attend local design meet-ups or workshops to connect with other designers and potential employers. These casual settings often lead to freelance or temporary job opportunities that are not advertised widely. Plus, it’s a great way to share ideas and get inspired!
✨Flexible Platforms for Temporary Roles
Use job platforms that focus on temporary roles, like Creative Circle or Similar. These sites often have listings specifically for short-term design projects, making it easier for you to find quick gigs. Make sure your profiles on these platforms are up to date and highlight your availability!
✨Slide into Direct Applications
When you see a company like Airbnb is looking for a Product Design Engineer, Employee Experience AI (contract), don’t just rely on job boards. Check out their careers page and apply directly! Companies often prefer candidates who show initiative and genuine interest in their work, plus you might find opportunities that haven't been widely advertised yet.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Design Engineer, Employee Experience AI (contract)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your portfolio:Since you're diving into UX/UI design, make sure your portfolio is front and centre. We want to see your design process, not just the final products. Share case studies that explain your thought process, the problems you solved, and how you approached user research!
Tailor your CV for the design world:In UX/UI design, your CV should reflect your creative side! Highlight relevant design skills, software you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and any user experience methodologies you’ve employed. Keep it sleek and visually appealing—after all, we’re in design!
Emphasise your adaptability:Because this is a temporary role with Airbnb, we want to see that you can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, mention examples of how you’ve adapted to tight deadlines or changing project scopes in the past. Showcase that flexibility and eagerness to learn!
Highlight collaboration experience:UX/UI design is all about teamwork. When you’re applying, mention any experiences where you’ve worked closely with developers, product managers, or other designers. Let Airbnb know how you can effectively communicate and collaborate to create fantastic user experiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at Airbnb
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When interviewing for a temporary UX/UI design role at Airbnb, your portfolio is your best friend. Bring along a digital copy and be ready to discuss your design process, the challenges you faced in your past projects, and how you solved them. This is a great opportunity to showcase your adaptability and how quickly you can deliver results.
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
In the world of UX/UI design, familiarity with tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD is crucial. Make sure you can comfortably talk about projects you’ve completed with these tools and any unique features you’ve leveraged. The interviewer might throw in some technical questions about these tools, so be prepared!
✨Understand the Company’s Design Voice
For a temporary gig at Airbnb, it's key to understand their brand and design ethos. Dive into their past projects or any current designs they may have on their website. Showing that you’re aligned with their visual style and user experience approach will help you stand out during the interview.
✨Flexibility is Key
As it’s a temporary position, highlight your ability to adapt and learn quickly. Discuss previous experiences where you’ve had to pivot your design approach or work under tight deadlines. Employers like Airbnb will appreciate someone who can hit the ground running and be a quick study.
