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- Tasks: Lead product design from concept to high-fidelity UI, shaping user experience.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge defence tech company revolutionising AI and autonomous systems.
- 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.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software design, user research expertise, and startup experience required.
- Other info: Work in the office 3-4 times a week for collaborative innovation.
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, webinars, or meetups to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your design portfolio effectively. Make sure it highlights your experience with complex software and includes case studies that demonstrate your user research skills and design process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in a startup environment. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've established design processes and collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve successful outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company's mission and values thoroughly. Understanding their focus on defence and democracy will help you align your design philosophy with their goals during interviews.
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 end-to-end design processes.
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 collaboration with engineers and product teams, as well as any experience in fast-paced startup environments.
Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your design philosophy and how you approach user research. Prepare examples of how you've defined design processes and contributed to product vision in previous roles, particularly in tech or startup settings.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Search
✨Showcase Your Design Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best work. Focus on projects that demonstrate your ability to design complex software and how you've tackled user research and design processes in previous roles.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with the company's mission to revolutionise defence technology. Be prepared to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their vision of leveraging data for defence and democracy.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your experience with design systems and collaboration with engineers. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've integrated design with functionality in past projects, especially in fast-paced environments.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Potential
As the first Product Designer, you'll have a significant impact on the team and company direction. Highlight any experience you have in leading design initiatives or building teams, and express your enthusiasm for shaping the design strategy as the company scales.
