At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build user-friendly interfaces using Figma and code.
- Company: Join Granola, a dynamic startup revolutionising user experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and relocation assistance for London movers.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team crafting AI-driven workflows and exceptional user experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in design engineering or frontend development with strong design skills.
- Other info: Collaborative office environment in London, fostering creativity and growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are 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 be a hybrid thinker and maker, comfortable working in both Figma and code, and 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 colour 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 is 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 are living in the most exciting time for tool builders since Engelbart’s demo in 1968. 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
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 the company inside out! Before your interview, dive into Granola's mission and values. This will help you connect your skills as a Design Engineer to what they’re building, showing that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Bring examples of your work that highlight your design and engineering skills. Make sure to include projects where you’ve built design systems or prototypes, as this aligns perfectly with what Granola is looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your collaboration skills! Since you’ll be working closely with Product, Design, and Engineering teams, think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated on projects. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between design and engineering.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really want to be part of the Granola team!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Engineer London
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. Show us how your skills align with what we're looking for in a Design Engineer.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your past roles; share specific projects where you’ve bridged the gap between design and engineering. We love details, so tell us about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from 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. Familiarise yourself with the latest features and best practices. Being able to discuss your experience with these tools confidently will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Prepare to walk through your design process during the interview. Bring examples of past projects where you’ve bridged the gap between design and engineering. Highlight how you tackled challenges and improved user experiences, as this aligns perfectly with what Granola is looking for.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with Product, Design, and Engineering teams, be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve contributed to team success and maintained consistency across platforms.
✨Be Ready to Prototype on the Spot
Expect to demonstrate your prototyping skills during the interview. Practice creating quick mock-ups or prototypes based on hypothetical scenarios. This will showcase your ability to think on your feet and your comfort with both design and code.