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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 backed by a renowned VC, revolutionising autonomous systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and the chance to shape company direction.
- Why this job: Be the first Product Designer, making a real impact in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software design, user research expertise, and startup experience required.
- Other info: Work in Central London office 3-4 times a week.
The predicted salary is between 88000 - 104000 £ per year.
£110k-£130k + Equity - London - Seed AI
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 (London Area) employer: Zest Search
Contact Detail:
Zest Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Designer (London Area)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in AI and defence technology. Understanding the industry will not only help you during interviews but also allow you to speak confidently about how your design skills can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare a portfolio that showcases your end-to-end design process, especially projects where you've conducted user research and collaborated with engineers. Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate your ability to take ownership and work cross-functionally.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the defence tech space. Attend relevant meetups or online forums to connect with others in the field. This could lead to valuable insights and potentially even referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your approach to building design systems and processes. The company is looking for someone who can define efficient design workflows, so having concrete examples of how you've done this in the past will set you apart.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Designer (London Area)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in product design, especially in complex software environments. Emphasise any work you've done in user research and design processes, as these are key for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for design and how it aligns with the company's mission in defence tech. Mention specific projects where you've led design efforts and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
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 engineers, as these experiences will resonate well with the hiring team.
Prepare for Design Challenges: Be ready to discuss your design philosophy and approach during interviews. Think about how you would tackle design challenges specific to the defence tech sector and be prepared to share examples from your past work.
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 successfully collaborated with technical teams in the past.
✨Demonstrate Your Impact
Share specific examples of how your designs have positively impacted user experience or business outcomes. Use metrics or feedback to illustrate your contributions, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Align with Company Mission
Research the company's mission and values, particularly their focus on defence and democracy. Be prepared to articulate how your design philosophy aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their vision.
