At a Glance
- Tasks: Design user-friendly interfaces and collaborate with a dynamic team to shape AI-native development.
- Company: Fast-growing London startup revolutionising software development with AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a warm, inclusive environment that values diversity and creativity.
- Why this job: Join an innovative team and redefine how developers interact with technology.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in product design with a strong portfolio and curiosity about tech.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
Tessl is a fast-growing Series A startup based in London, founded by Guy Podjarny. We have raised over $100M from world-class investors including Index Ventures, Accel, GV, and Boldstart. This year we were ranked #2 in Sifted EU's B2B SaaS Rising 100 and #20 in Sifted's AI 100. At Tessl, we believe AI is transforming software development. AI Native Developers will define features, architecture, and workflows in specs, not code, guiding the work of AI agents. We are building the pioneering platform for this new paradigm and leading the developer movement and ecosystem around it. Joining Tessl means becoming an early team member with the opportunity to shape the future of how software is created and maintained.
About the role: Tessl is building the foundational infrastructure for how developers work with AI agents: the systems, standards, and tooling that make agent-assisted software development reliable, repeatable, and trustworthy at scale. We are a small team working on a genuinely new class of problem, and design is central to how we solve it.
We are looking for a Member of Design Staff who brings real craft and genuine curiosity. You will work closely with product managers, engineers, and researchers to shape how developers interact with technically complex systems and workflows. This is not execution work within a settled product. The patterns are still forming, and the person we hire will have a direct hand in shaping them. We also expect this person to be building a genuinely AI-native design practice: using the best available tools to move faster, think more clearly, and raise the quality of our work. We are not looking for someone who uses AI occasionally. We want someone who is actively developing how they work with it.
What you will work on:
- Design clear, usable interfaces across core product surfaces and developer workflows, balancing simplicity with the depth and configurability that expert users need.
- Translate nuanced system concepts into experiences that feel considered rather than overwhelming, grounding design decisions in real user behaviour and research.
- Run user research with developers and engineers, turning genuine observations into well-reasoned, specific design decisions.
- Collaborate daily with product managers and engineers throughout the full cycle of work: contributing early, iterating often, and treating designs as living documents rather than fixed deliverables.
- Contribute to a growing design system, bringing visual rigour and coherence to shared foundations that will hold up as the product and team scale.
- Develop an AI-native design process: use current tools across research, prototyping, and visual production, share what you learn with the team, and raise the bar for how design work gets done.
What we are looking for:
- Experience: 3 to 5 years of experience in product design, or equivalent, with a portfolio showing end-to-end ownership of real, shipped work. Strong visual design sensibility evident throughout.
- Technical fluency: A track record of designing for technically sophisticated users. You do not need to be an engineer, but you should be genuinely curious about how the systems you design for actually work.
- Tools and working practice: Strong proficiency in Figma, including component architecture and design system contribution. Comfort using AI tools as a serious part of your workflow, from research through to production. Familiarity with tools such as Dovetail is a plus.
- Collaboration: You work well in a fast-moving environment where priorities can shift and process is still forming. You are confident enough to take the lead on design direction and bring a clear point of view, but equally comfortable running with an idea that comes from elsewhere in the team.
- Domain experience: Prior experience in developer tools, productivity software, or AI/ML applications. You understand what it means to design for expert users.
We do not have all the answers yet. This is a role where you will help define new patterns, work at the edge of what is known, and shape how design is practised at a company that is still figuring things out in the best possible way. If that kind of challenge excites you, and you feel you would be a strong fit even if you do not meet every criterion listed, we would encourage you to apply.
Application Process: Here's an outline of what you can expect during our interview process:
- Introductory call
- Portfolio Review with Designer(s)
- Case study / White boarding
- Meet with Head of Product
- Leadership discussion
We care deeply about the warm, inclusive environment we're building at Tessl and we value diversity – we welcome applications from those typically underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this role but are not totally sure whether you're the right person, do apply anyway!
Member of Design Staff - Product Designer in London employer: Tessl
Tessl is an innovative and rapidly growing startup in London, offering a unique opportunity for design professionals to shape the future of AI-assisted software development. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and creativity, employees are encouraged to explore new design practices while working alongside talented product managers and engineers. The company fosters a warm, inclusive culture that values diversity and provides ample growth opportunities, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and impactful work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Member of Design Staff - Product Designer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially projects that highlight your design process and how you’ve tackled complex problems. Remember, we want to see your thought process, not just the final product.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Tessl on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interviews by diving deep into AI-native design practices. Brush up on how AI tools can enhance your workflow and be ready to discuss how you’d apply them in your role. Show us you’re not just familiar with AI, but excited to use it every day!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t shy away from asking questions during your interviews! We want to see your curiosity and engagement. Ask about the team dynamics, design challenges, or how we envision the future of AI in software development. It shows you’re serious about joining us!
We think you need these skills to ace Member of Design Staff - Product Designer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Craft:Make sure your portfolio shines! We want to see your end-to-end design work, so pick projects that showcase your skills and thought process. Highlight how you tackled complex problems and the impact of your designs.
Be Curious About AI:Since we're all about AI at Tessl, let us know how you've integrated AI tools into your design process. Share examples of how you've used these tools to enhance your workflow and improve your designs.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to align your experience with what we’re looking for in the job description. Show us how your background in product design and collaboration fits perfectly with our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tessl
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Tessl's mission and the role of AI in software development. Familiarise yourself with their product and think about how your design experience can contribute to shaping user interactions with complex systems.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail. Highlight projects where you’ve taken end-to-end ownership and demonstrate your design process. Be ready to explain how you’ve used AI tools in your workflow and how they’ve improved your design outcomes.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Tessl values teamwork, so be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with product managers and engineers. Discuss how you handle feedback and adapt your designs based on team input, showcasing your flexibility and leadership in design direction.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
During the interview, ask questions that show your curiosity about the role and the company’s future. Inquire about their design processes, how they envision AI shaping their products, and what challenges they face in creating user-friendly interfaces for technically sophisticated users.