Head of Design - AI in Belfast

Head of Design - AI in Belfast

Belfast Full-Time 90000 - 95000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
MCS Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead UX design for cutting-edge AI platforms in mission-critical environments.
  • Company: Belfast-based AI tech company focused on secure, enterprise-grade solutions.
  • Benefits: Up to £95,000 salary, hybrid working, and strong work-life balance.
  • Other info: Opportunity for high ownership and visibility in a dynamic environment.
  • Why this job: Shape impactful AI products and mentor a collaborative design team.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in product design, experience with complex systems, and AI exposure.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 95000 £ per year.

MCS Group are delighted to be partnering with a Belfast-based AI technology company building secure, enterprise-grade artificial intelligence solutions for highly regulated industries including defence, national security, government, financial services, healthcare and education. Founded nearly a decade ago, the business began as a specialist AI consultancy delivering complex projects in secure environments before evolving into a product-led organisation with its own proprietary AI platform. Their flagship platform is an AI operating system designed to operate in cloud, edge and highly secure environments.

The Opportunity

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll shape the UX and interaction design of a complex AI platform used in real-world, mission-critical environments. You'll:

  • Lead end-to-end product design from discovery to delivery
  • Design AI-first interfaces, including application builders and natural language workflows
  • Own and evolve the internal design system
  • Work closely with Product and Engineering to influence roadmap and strategy
  • Mentor designers and help scale design best practice

This role suits someone who enjoys solving complex problems and shipping production-grade products in fast-moving environments.

What We're Looking For

  • 8+ years' product design experience (enterprise/B2B preferred)
  • Experience designing complex platforms or systems
  • Exposure to AI / Generative AI environments
  • Strong systems thinking and stakeholder communication skills
  • Comfortable working hands-on while influencing strategic direction
  • Ability to obtain UK Security Clearance (preferred)

Why Join?

  • Work on cutting-edge AI products with real-world impact
  • High ownership and visibility
  • Collaborative, close-knit product team
  • Hybrid working (Belfast-based with a 4 day week at times throughout the year)
  • Up to £95,000 + strong work-life balance benefits

If you're a Lead Product designer ready to shape AI-driven products at scale, we'd love to speak with you. To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please contact Rachael Walker, IT Recruitment Manager at MCS Group or click the apply button below. If this position is not right for you, we have others that are. Please visit MCS Group to view a wide selection of our current jobs or give us a call. All conversations will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Head of Design - AI in Belfast employer: MCS Group

Join a pioneering Belfast-based AI technology company that is at the forefront of developing secure, enterprise-grade solutions for critical industries. As an employer, we offer a collaborative and innovative work culture, with opportunities for personal and professional growth, including mentorship roles and a strong focus on work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements. With competitive salaries and the chance to work on impactful AI products, this is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful contribution in a fast-paced environment.
MCS Group

Contact Detail:

MCS Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Design - AI in Belfast

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend design meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your work! Create a portfolio that highlights your best design projects, especially those related to AI or complex systems. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing – first impressions matter!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common design questions and scenarios. Think about how you’d approach UX challenges specific to AI platforms. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design - AI in Belfast

Product Design
User Experience (UX) Design
Interaction Design
AI-first Interface Design
Design System Development
Systems Thinking
Stakeholder Communication
Mentoring Designers
Complex Problem Solving
Experience in AI / Generative AI Environments
Hands-on Leadership
Strategic Influence
Collaboration Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Design role. Highlight your experience in product design, especially in AI or complex platforms, and show us how your skills align with our needs.

Showcase Your Work: Include a portfolio that demonstrates your design process and the impact of your work. We want to see how you've tackled complex problems and delivered user-centric solutions in previous roles.

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value creativity and individuality, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for design and AI in your writing.

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at MCS Group

✨Know Your AI Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and technologies in AI, especially those relevant to user experience design. Brush up on how AI can enhance user interfaces and workflows, as this will show your potential employer that you’re not just a designer, but someone who understands the tech behind it.

✨Showcase Your Design Process

Prepare to discuss your design process in detail. Be ready to walk through past projects where you led end-to-end product design. Highlight how you approached complex problems and the impact your designs had on user experience, especially in regulated environments.

✨Communicate Like a Pro

Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Think about how you would explain your design decisions to stakeholders from different backgrounds, including technical and non-technical team members.

✨Be Ready to Collaborate

This position involves working closely with Product and Engineering teams. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Show that you can influence strategic direction while also being hands-on in the design process.

Head of Design - AI in Belfast
MCS Group
Location: Belfast

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