Founding Product Designer

Title of Role: Founding Product Designer
Location: San Francisco, CA (Hybrid, 3 days/week in-office)
Company Stage of Funding: Seed/Series A (venture-backed, ~$5M raised)
Office Type: Hybrid (in-person collaboration with flexibility)
Salary: $150,000 – $200,000 base, plus equity

Company Description

We are partnering with a fast-growing AI startup on a mission to redefine how people connect—with themselves and with others. Backed by top-tier investors (including founders and early executives from iconic tech companies), this team is building the most emotionally intelligent AI product on Earth.

With a small but mighty group of ~7 employees, the company is scaling quickly and looking to bring on a Founding Product Designer who will own the end-to-end product design vision. This is a rare opportunity to join a startup at the ground floor and shape both the product and brand experience in a transformative space.

What You Will Do

• Design with Impact: Own UX/UI across mobile and web, delivering seamless, emotionally resonant experiences.

• Shape the Brand: Establish a cohesive, elevated visual identity across product, marketing, and web.

• Prototype & Iterate: Create wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes while shipping pixel-perfect designs at speed.

• Lead with Empathy: Leverage research and behavioral insights to design solutions that feel personal, intuitive, and emotionally intelligent.

• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner closely with engineering, product, and marketing to take ideas from concept to launch.

Ideal Candidate Background

• 4+ years of product design experience, ideally in consumer tech, AI, or fast-paced startups.

• Strong UX and UI craft across mobile and web applications.

• Mastery of Figma and design systems; ability to design at scale.

• Experience blending product and brand design to create iconic, personality-driven experiences.

• Hands-on knowledge of HTML/CSS and ability to support website implementation (e.g., Webflow).

• A portfolio that demonstrates tasteful, warm, and unique designs (avoiding sterile, cookie-cutter SaaS aesthetics).

Preferred

• Experience in high-ownership roles (e.g., building design systems, spanning product + brand).

• Previous work at top design agencies or admired consumer products (Duolingo, Calm, Headspace, Strava, etc.).

• Background in Human-Computer Interaction or design programs from leading universities.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $150K – $200K base

• Equity: Competitive stock options with significant upside potential

• Work Environment: Hybrid role based in San Francisco (in-office 3 days/week for collaboration)

• Culture: High autonomy, fast execution, mission-driven team with radical candor and zero ego culture

This role offers a rare chance to be a founding team member at an early-stage AI company during a moment of hypergrowth. You’ll have the opportunity to set the creative direction, build products that matter, and grow with a team that is passionate about shaping a more emotionally connected world.