About This Opportunity
This is a founding designer role at a venture-backed AI startup creating a new category of research and design technology used by global brands. The company is recruited via Scion Technology, meaning the actual startup name is undisclosed until later in the process.
Key aspects:
- End-to-end ownership of product design
- Direct collaboration with founding team on product direction
- Establishing design frameworks, brand patterns, and interaction standards
- Building design at the foundation of a rapidly scaling organization
Why Apply
- Founding Role - Rare opportunity to define design from the ground up
- AI/Research Focus - Compelling product space
- High Compensation - $200K-$230K + equity is excellent
- Ownership - End-to-end design process ownership
- Scaling Impact - Category-creating technology for global brands
Honest Assessment
Very strong fit:
- 7 years experience exceeds 5+ requirement
- UI + UX mastery demonstrated in portfolio
- Design systems experience is a core strength
- Cross-functional collaboration with engineering is daily practice
- Figma expertise confirmed
- AI/research products bonus—can speak to this genuinely
Considerations:
- Onsite - Full-time in SF, no hybrid mentioned
- Startup via staffing firm - Company identity unknown until later
- Posted October 2025 - Check if still active
- “Founding” pressure - High expectations, likely long hours
Key Qualifications Match
| Requirement | My Experience |
|---|---|
| 5+ years product design | 7 years |
| UI and UX mastery | Core practice |
| Startup/fast-moving teams | CCA is nimble org |
| Design systems | Built and maintained |
| Figma expertise | Daily use |
| Cross-functional collaboration | Engineering partnership |
| AI/research products (bonus) | Actively exploring |
Questions to Ask
- What’s the company name and product?
- Team size and current design resources?
- What does “category-creating” mean specifically?
- Onsite expectations—5 days/week?
- Timeline for funding/growth?