Design Engineer

Design Engineer

Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Granola

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build and maintain a scalable design system using Figma and code.
  • Company: Exciting startup in London focused on innovative AI-powered workflows.
  • Benefits: Above-market salary, equity options, and relocation assistance available.
  • Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Design and build impactful user experiences in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in design engineering with strong skills in React and TypeScript.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

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’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 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 is written above speaks to you, whether you look like a fit on paper or not, please reach out.

Design Engineer employer: Granola

At our London-based startup, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture where Design Engineers can thrive. With a focus on building exceptional user experiences, we offer competitive compensation, including above-market salaries and equity, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth. Our vibrant office environment encourages teamwork and creativity, making it an ideal place for those passionate about shaping the future of AI-driven tools.
Granola

Contact Detail:

Granola Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend design meetups, or join online forums. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream job.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that showcase your design and engineering prowess. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common design and engineering questions. Be ready to discuss your thought process and how you tackle challenges. Remember, they want to see how you think!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who are excited about building innovative tools together.

We think you need these skills to ace Design Engineer

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

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience with React, TypeScript, and Tailwind in your application. We want to see how you've used these tools to create stunning designs and robust systems, so don’t hold back!

Be a Storyteller: When you describe your past projects, tell us the story behind them! Explain your thought process, the challenges you faced, and how you collaborated with others. This helps us understand your approach and passion for design.

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application. Make it personal! Align your experiences with what we’re looking for in the job description. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team and how you can contribute to our exciting journey.

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. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Granola

✨Know Your Tools Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in Figma, React, and Tailwind. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them to create design systems or prototypes. Bring examples of your work that showcase your skills and attention to detail.

✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills

This role involves working closely with Product, Design, and Engineering teams. Prepare to share specific examples of how you've collaborated in the past, especially in a startup environment. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them together.

✨Demonstrate Your Prototyping Process

Be prepared to walk through your prototyping process, whether it’s in Figma or code. Discuss how you approach testing and refining interactions, especially for new AI-driven tools. This will show your ability to innovate and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

✨Emphasise Your Passion for User Experience

Talk about your commitment to creating exceptional user experiences. Share your thoughts on what makes a design feel 'just right' and how you ensure consistency across platforms. This will resonate well with the team’s focus on quality and detail.

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