At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build user interfaces that are both delightful and technically excellent.
- Company: Join Granola, a dynamic startup in London focused on innovative AI-driven tools.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and relocation assistance for new team members.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of user experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in design engineering with strong skills in React and Figma.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Design Engineer to bridge the gap between design and engineering, helping us craft polished, delightful, and technically excellent user experiences. You will play a critical role in evolving how Granola feels in the hands of our users.
In this role, you will:
- Build and maintain a robust, scalable design system in both Figma and code (React, Tailwind etc.)
- Prototype and ship high-quality, production-ready UI that nails the details — from typography and color to motion and microinteractions
- Collaborate closely with Product, Design, and Engineering to bring new features to life, from early concept to polished implementation
- Maintain consistency as we grow across multiple platforms (Mac, Windows, iOS)
- Identify and fix gaps between design and engineering, raising the quality bar across the product
- Help invent new interaction patterns for AI-driven tools
Your background looks something like:
- Experience working as a Design Engineer, frontend engineer with strong design skills, or designer with strong engineering skills
- Highly proficient with React, TypeScript, Tailwind and have a solid grasp of modern frontend architecture
- Strong visual and interaction design skills — you care deeply about details, polish, and making things feel "just right"
- Natural prototyper who’s comfortable exploring in Figma, code, or AI tools, depending on what’s fastest
- Worked on (or are drawn to) design systems and component libraries, and know how to balance consistency with flexibility
As a person, you…
- Are first and foremost a builder
- Are excited to work in-person from our office in London (most of the time)
- Love working in a startup environment (you either have experience working in a startup or are really drawn to the zero-to-one phase)
- Value working with people who are kind, ambitious, and pragmatic
- Thrive in a fast-paced iterative startup environment where experimentation is encouraged
Why this role is special:
You won’t just hand off designs to engineers or code up specs you didn’t influence. You’ll be both designing and building the Granola interface. We’re inventing new AI-powered workflows. This means prototyping, testing, and refining interactions that don’t yet have established patterns. You will work closely with Sam (co‑founder & designer), our founding designer, and our talented engineering team, all of whom care deeply about product quality. You’ll have space and support to push for exceptional user experiences.
About the opportunity:
We want to assemble the best crew to build this future together, here in London. Our compensation philosophy is to pay slightly above market on salary and above market on equity. We do our best work in person, and so our team spends time together five days per week in our new, bright, and spacious office at Old Street. We are happy to offer relocation assistance to candidates who’ll be moving to London to join us. Lastly, we think amazing talent comes from all kinds of life journeys and experiences. If what has been written above speaks to you, whether you look like a fit on paper or not, please reach out.
Design Engineer London employer: Granola inc
Granola Inc. is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of London. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer extensive opportunities for professional development and a competitive salary package, including equity, to reward your contributions. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the tech landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Engineer London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Granola inc or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Granola inc.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Granola inc.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Granola inc that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Engineer London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Granola inc.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Granola inc and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Granola inc
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Granola inc uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
