Design Engineer London

Design Engineer London

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Granola inc

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

At Granola, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and collaborative work culture that thrives on innovation and creativity. As a Design Engineer in our London office, you'll enjoy competitive compensation, including above-market salary and equity, while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to crafting exceptional user experiences. With opportunities for personal growth and the chance to influence cutting-edge AI-driven workflows, Granola is the perfect place for builders who are eager to make a meaningful impact.
Granola inc

Contact Detail:

Granola inc Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Engineer London

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know Granola! Dive into their website and social media to understand their culture and projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine interest during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Design Engineer role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare a killer portfolio! Showcase your best design and engineering work, especially projects that highlight your skills in Figma and React. Make sure it reflects your ability to bridge design and engineering.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Granola team!

We think you need these skills to ace Design Engineer London

Figma
React
TypeScript
Tailwind
Frontend Architecture
Visual Design Skills
Interaction Design Skills
Prototyping
Design Systems
Component Libraries
Collaboration
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Startup Environment Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for design and engineering shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the role and what we’re building at Granola.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Figma, React, and design systems. We love seeing how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!

Be Yourself: We value authenticity, so don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. Share your journey, your interests, and what makes you tick as a designer and engineer. We want to know the real you!

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of getting noticed, make sure to apply directly through our website. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Granola inc

✨Know Your Tools Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in Figma, React, and Tailwind. Bring examples of your previous work that showcase your design and coding skills. Being able to discuss how you’ve used these tools to create polished user experiences will impress the interviewers.

✨Showcase Your Prototyping Skills

Prepare to demonstrate your prototyping abilities. Whether it’s through a live demo or a portfolio piece, show how you can quickly iterate on designs and bring ideas to life. Highlight any innovative interaction patterns you've created, especially those that align with AI-driven tools.

✨Emphasise Collaboration

Since this role involves working closely with Product, Design, and Engineering teams, be ready to discuss your collaborative experiences. Share specific examples of how you’ve successfully bridged gaps between design and engineering in past projects.

✨Be Ready for Fast-Paced Questions

Expect questions that reflect the startup environment. Be prepared to talk about how you handle rapid iterations and experimentation. Show your enthusiasm for building and your adaptability in a dynamic setting, as this is key to thriving at Granola.

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