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- Tasks: Lead product design from concept to high-fidelity UI, shaping user experience.
- Company: Join a pioneering defence tech company backed by a top VC, focused on AI and autonomy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a dynamic work environment in Central London.
- Why this job: Be the first Product Designer, influencing design strategy and company direction in an innovative field.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software design, user research expertise, and startup experience required.
- Other info: Work in the office 3-4 times a week, collaborating with a passionate team.
The predicted salary is between 88000 - 104000 £ per year.
We’ve partnered with a cutting-edge defence tech company, £7M Seed-backed by a renowned VC, building AI and software to power the autonomous age. Their mission is to revolutionise how organisations work with sensors, robots, and autonomous systems to leverage data for defence and democracy.
As their first Product Designer, you will play a pivotal role in defining the user experience, working hands-on with engineers and customer-facing teams to create intuitive, impactful designs. You’ll have full ownership from day one, with the opportunity to shape both design strategy and company direction as they scale.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead end-to-end product design, from concepts to high-fidelity UI, building and maintaining a design system.
- Conduct user research to identify pain points and inform design decisions.
- Collaborate closely with engineers to ensure seamless integration of design and functionality.
- Partner with Product and Strategy teams to contribute to product vision and direction.
- Define efficient design processes and help build the design team as the company scales.
- 5+ years of experience designing complex software, both for desktop and mobile environments.
- Proven experience in conducting user research and turning insights into actionable design solutions.
- A track record of establishing design processes in a fast-paced, startup environment.
- Experience designing software/hardware for defence, robotics, drones, maps or geospatial.
- Experience leading/building design teams.
They work in the Central London office 3-4 times a week.
Founding Designer employer: Zest Search
Contact Detail:
Zest Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the defence tech and AI sectors. Attend industry events, meetups, or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture at StudySmarter.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in product design, especially in AI and autonomous systems. Being well-versed in current technologies will help you stand out during discussions with our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous design projects in detail, focusing on your role in user research and how you translated insights into design solutions. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to work collaboratively by highlighting examples of successful partnerships with engineers and product teams. This is crucial for the role, as collaboration is key to creating impactful designs.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in product design, especially in complex software environments. Emphasise any relevant projects that showcase your ability to lead design processes and collaborate with engineers.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the defence tech industry and how your skills align with the company's mission. Mention specific experiences where you've successfully conducted user research and implemented design solutions.
Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a link to your portfolio that demonstrates your design process and outcomes. Highlight projects that involved user research and collaboration with cross-functional teams, as these are key aspects of the role.
Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your design philosophy and how you approach user research. Prepare examples of how you've established design processes in previous roles, particularly in fast-paced environments, as this will be crucial for the company.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Search
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail. Highlight how you approach user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing. This will demonstrate your ability to lead end-to-end product design effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with engineers, brush up on your understanding of technical constraints and possibilities. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with engineering teams in the past to ensure seamless integration of design and functionality.
✨Emphasise User-Centric Design
Given the focus on user experience, prepare examples of how you've conducted user research and turned insights into actionable design solutions. This will show your commitment to creating intuitive and impactful designs.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As the first Product Designer, you'll have a significant impact on the design team and processes. Share your experiences in leading design initiatives or building teams, even if it's in a less formal capacity, to illustrate your potential for leadership.
