AI Research Lab UI/UX & Brand Designer (100 % remote) (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: AI Research Lab UI/UX & Brand Designer (100% Remote)

Company: EWOR GmbH

Location: Bucharest, Romania (Remote)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UI/UX & Brand Design Operations / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-25

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the 0-to-1 initiatives within a cutting-edge AI Research Lab, focusing on UI/UX and Brand Design to establish market presence and product identity.

• Translate high-level strategic vision into actionable design roadmaps, ensuring rapid implementation from prototype to production for new AI technologies.

• Architect and execute scalable design solutions that support the department's rapid growth and potential spin-off strategy.

• Collaborate directly with a world-class team of engineers, researchers, and commercial leaders, reporting to the department founder.

• Leverage a high-agency builder mindset to take extreme end-to-end ownership of design strategy and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a nascent "AI Research Lab" department at EWOR GmbH, indicating a strong emphasis on innovation and rapid development. The "0-to-1 initiatives" and "spin-off" potential suggest a startup-like environment within a larger, well-backed entity. The UI/UX and Brand Designer will be crucial in shaping the user-facing aspects and market perception of these new AI ventures, bridging the gap between complex research and tangible product offerings. This requires a blend of design expertise, strategic thinking, and operational execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end UI/UX design process for new AI research initiatives, from conceptualization and wireframing to high-fidelity prototyping and user testing.

• Develop and implement comprehensive brand guidelines and visual identities for the AI Research Lab and its specific projects, ensuring consistency and impact.

• Translate complex AI concepts and research findings into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces and experiences.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and researchers to define user needs, product requirements, and design specifications.

• Drive the execution of design roadmaps, ensuring timely delivery of design assets and prototypes that align with strategic objectives and market validation goals.

• Architect scalable design systems and components that can be adapted across various AI products and platforms.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather feedback and iterate on designs, optimizing user engagement and satisfaction.

• Contribute to the strategic vision of the AI Research Lab by providing design insights and identifying opportunities for innovation.

• Ensure all design outputs are aligned with the overall company brand and mission while establishing a distinct identity for the AI initiatives.

• Manage design projects, timelines, and deliverables effectively in a fast-paced, agile environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a dual focus on UI/UX design and Brand Design, critical for establishing a new department. The emphasis on "0-to-1 initiatives," "prototype to production," and "scalable solutions" indicates a need for a designer who can not only create aesthetically pleasing interfaces but also build robust design frameworks that support rapid iteration and future growth. The role demands a proactive approach to defining processes and driving execution, rather than merely executing pre-defined tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, or a related field. A Master's degree or equivalent practical experience is highly preferred.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in UI/UX design and brand design, with a significant portion focused on product development in technology or software environments. Proven track record of working on "0-to-1" initiatives or in startup-like settings is a strong advantage.

Required Skills:

• UI/UX Design: Proficient in user research, wireframing, prototyping, interaction design, and usability testing. Expertise in industry-standard design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite).

• Brand Design: Strong understanding of brand strategy, visual identity development, style guides, and asset creation. Ability to translate brand vision into compelling visual elements.

• Strategic Vision: Ability to understand and contribute to high-level strategic objectives and translate them into design strategies.

• Product Prototyping: Experience in creating interactive prototypes for user testing and stakeholder presentations.

• Scalable Solutions: Design thinking focused on creating systems and components that can scale with product growth.

• Roadmap Execution: Proven ability to manage design projects, timelines, and deliverable from inception to completion.

• AI Research Context: Familiarity with or strong interest in AI and machine learning concepts to effectively design for these domains.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication in English, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Builder Mindset: Proactive, self-starter attitude with a strong desire to build, iterate, and improve.

• End-to-end Ownership: Demonstrated ability to take full responsibility for design outcomes and drive projects independently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with design systems and component libraries.

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineering teams.

• Experience in rapid prototyping and A/B testing for design optimization.

• Knowledge of emerging design trends and technologies, particularly in the AI space.

• Experience working in a fully remote, distributed team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level and skills required point to a senior-level designer who can operate autonomously and strategically. The "builder mindset" and "end-to-end ownership" are critical indicators of the type of candidate EWOR GmbH is seeking – someone who can take initiative and drive results without constant supervision. The emphasis on AI research context suggests that candidates with prior exposure to technical or research-oriented product design will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end UI/UX design and brand development for complex products or initiatives.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process followed, key challenges encountered, and the solutions implemented.

• Highlight projects that involved translating strategic vision into tangible design outputs and driving them from concept to a tangible state (prototype, beta, or production).

• Include examples of brand identity development, including logo design, style guides, and application across various touchpoints.

• Demonstrate experience in creating scalable design systems or component libraries that facilitate efficient product development. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail the user research methodologies employed, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing reports.

• Illustrate the wireframing, prototyping, and iteration cycles, showing how feedback was incorporated into the design.

• Provide examples of how you translated technical requirements or complex concepts into intuitive user flows and interface designs.

• Document the brand development process, from initial concept and mood boards to final brand assets and guidelines.

• Showcase how you managed design timelines and collaborated with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, research) throughout the project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on "0-to-1 initiatives" and "rapid implementation," the portfolio needs to go beyond static visuals. It must demonstrate a structured approach to design thinking, problem-solving, and iterative development. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process, explain their rationale, and quantify the impact of their design decisions, even if the project is not yet in full production.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the 5-10 years of experience requirement, the remote nature, and the company's backing by serial entrepreneurs (implying a strong financial position and focus on attracting top talent), an estimated salary range for a UI/UX & Brand Designer in Europe with this experience level, working remotely, would typically fall between €60,000 - €95,000 annually. This range can vary significantly based on specific skills, portfolio strength, and the ultimate location within Europe or the Americas.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation: Attractive base salary commensurate with experience and skills.

• Equity upside: Significant potential for equity in the new department or spin-off venture, reflecting the high-ownership culture.

• Maximum ownership: Complete autonomy in architecting systems and driving strategy.

• High-growth environment: Focus on rapid market validation and execution.

• Elite team collaboration: Direct reporting to the department founder and interaction with world-class professionals.

• Flexible remote work: 100% remote position allowing work from anywhere within specified regions (Europe or Americas).

• Professional development: Opportunities to work on cutting-edge AI research and build category-defining initiatives.

Working Hours: The role is listed as FULL_TIME, implying approximately 40 hours per week. However, the emphasis on "high-growth environment" and "fast execution" suggests a need for flexibility and dedication, where results and impact are prioritized over strict adherence to hours. Collaboration with teams across potentially different time zones will require some flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation estimate is based on typical salary benchmarks for experienced UI/UX and Brand Designers in Western and Northern Europe, adjusted for the remote nature and the high-impact, startup-like environment. The inclusion of "equity upside" is a significant factor, suggesting that total compensation could be considerably higher than the base salary. The "maximum ownership" and "high-growth environment" are presented as key benefits, aligning with the company's operational philosophy.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (AI Research, Software Development), Venture Building. EWOR GmbH operates at the intersection of deep technology research and venture creation, aiming to build impactful, category-defining technology companies.

Company Size: While EWOR GmbH's overall size isn't specified, the context of launching "cutting-edge new initiatives" and a "new department" suggests a dynamic, potentially lean, and agile organizational structure within the company. This new department is likely operating with the speed and focus of a startup.

Founded: EWOR GmbH is backed and led by serial entrepreneurs Paul Müller (founder of Adjust) and Petter Made (founder of SumUp). This signifies a strong foundation built on proven entrepreneurial success and a deep understanding of scaling technology ventures from the ground up.

Team Structure:

• The AI Research Lab is a new department, likely structured to be lean and highly collaborative.

• The designer will report directly to the department founder, indicating a direct line of communication and influence.

• The team will consist of world-class engineers, researchers, and commercial leaders, fostering a multidisciplinary and expert-driven environment.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, with a strong emphasis on shared goals and rapid execution. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making: Emphasis on market validation, traction, and results over extensive documentation or approval processes.

• Agile and iterative development: Focus on fast execution, rapid prototyping, and continuous improvement based on feedback.

• Ownership and autonomy: Empowering individuals to take complete control over their areas and drive initiatives from inception to completion.

• Strategic alignment: Ensuring all efforts are directed towards achieving high-level strategic vision and market impact.

Company Website: https://eworgmbh.teamtailor.com (Note: This URL appears to be a careers page, the primary company website is likely ewor.com based on domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a strong entrepreneurial spirit, a focus on execution, and a commitment to building high-impact ventures. The "no corporate red tape" and "good ideas and fast execution are what matter" statements are key indicators of a culture that values speed, innovation, and individual initiative. The presence of highly successful serial entrepreneurs as founders provides credibility and a clear vision for the ventures being built.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a Senior to Principal level UI/UX & Brand Designer position. It's not just about executing design tasks but about architecting design strategy, establishing foundational elements (brand, design systems), and driving critical initiatives from conception through early-stage development. The "0-to-1" nature of the work and potential for spin-off indicate a high-impact role with significant career growth potential.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report directly to the department founder, offering a unique opportunity for mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and high visibility within the new department. This direct reporting line allows for swift decision-making and direct influence on strategic direction.

Operations Impact: The UI/UX & Brand Designer will have a direct and significant impact on the success of the AI Research Lab's initiatives. By shaping the user experience and brand identity, they will influence market perception, user adoption, product validation, and ultimately, the potential for securing institutional backing or a successful spin-off. Their work will be instrumental in translating complex AI research into commercially viable products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Opportunity to build and lead the design function for new AI ventures, potentially growing into a Head of Design or similar leadership role as the department scales or spins off.

• Strategic Influence: Direct involvement in strategic planning and execution, allowing for development of business acumen alongside design expertise.

• Cutting-edge Technology Exposure: Deep immersion in AI research and development, positioning the designer at the forefront of technological innovation.

• Entrepreneurial Experience: Gaining hands-on experience in building ventures from the ground up, learning valuable skills applicable to future entrepreneurial endeavors.

• Specialization: Developing deep expertise in designing for AI/ML products and complex technological domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential in this role is substantial, driven by the "0-to-1" nature of the work and the possibility of a spin-off. Candidates are not just joining a project but are being invited to help build something from its inception, offering a unique career trajectory that blends deep design expertise with entrepreneurial experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote (100% remote). This allows for flexibility in work location as long as it is within Europe or the Americas.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company is based in Germany, and the department founder is likely in a timezone conducive to European or Americas collaboration. The specific location of the designer is flexible within Europe or the Americas. Bucharest, Romania, is listed as a derived location, suggesting it's a potential hub or a location where the company has a presence or is actively recruiting.

Workspace Context:

• Autonomous work: Expect a high degree of autonomy and self-management, typical of remote, high-ownership roles.

• Digital collaboration tools: Reliance on digital platforms for communication, project management, and design collaboration (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Figma, Asana/Jira).

• Cross-functional interaction: Regular engagement with engineers, researchers, and commercial leads through virtual meetings and collaborative design sessions.

• Focus on output: The remote environment emphasizes productivity and results over physical presence.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours/week, the "high-growth environment" and "fast execution" imply that flexibility and dedication are key. Occasional work outside standard hours may be required to accommodate urgent project needs or cross-time zone collaboration, particularly when aiming for rapid market validation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role necessitates strong self-discipline, excellent time management, and proficiency with remote collaboration tools. The company's operational philosophy suggests an environment where individuals are trusted to manage their work effectively to achieve ambitious goals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, focusing on specific case studies that demonstrate your UI/UX and Brand Design expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to execute from 0-to-1. Expect detailed questions about your process, decisions, and outcomes.

• Founder/Department Head Interview: A discussion with the department founder to assess your strategic vision, builder mindset, end-to-end ownership capabilities, and cultural fit within a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment. This will likely involve scenario-based questions about tackling new initiatives.

• Technical/Skills Assessment (Potential): A brief exercise or discussion to gauge your proficiency in specific design tools or your approach to a design challenge relevant to AI research.

• Final Round: May involve meeting with other key team members or a final discussion on compensation and role expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UI/UX and Brand Design skills, particularly those involving new product development, strategic branding, or complex problem-solving. Prioritize projects that demonstrate a "0-to-1" journey.

• Tell a story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your unique contribution, the design process, key decisions, challenges, and measurable outcomes or learnings. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight ownership: Emphasize your end-to-end involvement and how you took initiative to drive the project forward. Showcase your builder mindset and ability to execute autonomously.

• Quantify impact: Where possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, adoption metrics). If direct metrics are unavailable, discuss qualitative feedback or anticipated impact.

• Prepare for detail: Be ready to discuss your design choices, tools, and methodologies in depth. Understand how your design work aligns with business objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design thinking: Be prepared to discuss your approach to solving ambiguous problems and translating abstract ideas into concrete design solutions.

• AI context: Consider how you would approach designing for AI products, focusing on user trust, transparency, and intuitive interaction with complex systems.

• Brand strategy: Think about how you would establish a brand identity for a new, innovative AI research lab, considering its target audience and unique value proposition.

• Execution focus: Demonstrate an understanding of rapid prototyping and iterative development cycles common in fast-paced environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not just design skills but also the candidate's ability to operate autonomously, think strategically, and contribute to building a new venture. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates the "why" and "how" behind design decisions, along with evidence of end-to-end ownership, will be critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UI/UX Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly preferred for collaborative workflows), Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision.

• Brand Design & Asset Creation: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects for motion graphics/animation), Affinity Designer.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).

• Project Management: Asana, Jira, Trello, Monday.com (or similar tools for tracking tasks and roadmaps).

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Feedback Tools: Hotjar, UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms.

• Analytics Platforms (for understanding user behavior): Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude (understanding how users interact with products).

• Data Visualization (for presenting findings): Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio (less likely for a pure designer, but useful for understanding data context).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by the designer, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can provide context on how user data flows and impacts marketing/sales efforts.

• Understanding of automation platforms (e.g., Zapier) might be beneficial for understanding workflow efficiencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern, collaborative design tools like Figma is likely paramount. The ability to integrate design work with project management and communication platforms is essential for a remote, fast-paced environment. While direct management of analytics or CRM tools isn't expected, an understanding of their purpose and how design impacts data collection and user journey is advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking full responsibility for outcomes and driving initiatives to completion without constant oversight.

• Execution & Speed: Prioritizing rapid implementation and results over extensive planning or approvals. "Good ideas and fast execution are what matter."

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore cutting-edge domains like AI and build category-defining ventures.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively with a diverse, elite team and communicating openly to achieve shared goals.

• Impact-Driven: Focusing on achieving strong market validation and scalable traction.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration: Seamless collaboration with engineering, research, and commercial teams is expected, with design serving as a critical bridge between technical capabilities and user needs.

• Agile and iterative feedback loops: Embracing continuous feedback and iterative design processes to ensure rapid progress and alignment.

• Direct communication: Encouraging clear, concise, and direct communication, leveraging virtual tools to foster connection and efficiency.

• Problem-solving orientation: A collective focus on identifying and solving complex challenges through creative and data-informed approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values revolve around a startup mentality: agility, ownership, and a relentless focus on execution and impact. Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with these values, showing initiative and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity: Navigating the inherent uncertainty of building new initiatives from scratch in cutting-edge fields like AI research.

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting designs quickly to evolving research findings, technical constraints, and market feedback.

• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Ensuring that cutting-edge AI features are translated into user-friendly and accessible experiences.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication within a fully remote environment.

• Scalability Demands: Designing solutions that can grow exponentially as the department and its products mature.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep AI Exposure: Gaining unparalleled insight into the latest advancements in AI research and development.

• Venture Building Experience: Learning the intricacies of launching and scaling new technology ventures from successful serial entrepreneurs.

• Strategic Design Leadership: Developing skills in setting design strategy, building design systems, and influencing product direction at a foundational level.

• Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Enhancing understanding of engineering, research, and commercial strategy through close collaboration.

• Potential for Equity and Upside: Direct financial benefit tied to the success of the new ventures being built.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges but also offers exceptional growth opportunities for individuals eager to operate at the forefront of technology and entrepreneurship. The ability to thrive in ambiguity and drive execution will be key to overcoming challenges and capitalizing on growth potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a 0-to-1 initiative from a design perspective. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus: Ownership, Execution, Problem-Solving)

• "How would you approach establishing a brand identity for a new AI Research Lab, considering its unique mission and the need for both credibility and innovation?" (Focus: Brand Strategy, Strategic Vision, Domain Context)

• "Imagine we've developed a novel AI algorithm. How would you translate this into a user interface and experience that is both intuitive and trustworthy for end-users?" (Focus: UI/UX Design, AI Context, Problem-Solving) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to EWOR GmbH's approach to building new ventures, particularly the emphasis on 'maximum ownership' and 'fast execution'?" (Focus: Cultural Fit, Alignment with Values)

• "How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication within a fully remote, cross-functional team?" (Focus: Collaboration Style, Remote Work Proficiency)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work, especially in an environment focused on rapid iteration and market validation?" (Focus: Impact Measurement, Data-Driven Approach) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your narrative: Begin with the overall strategic goal or problem, then detail your specific role and design process, highlight key decisions and challenges, and conclude with the outcomes or learnings.

• Emphasize the "0-to-1" journey: For relevant projects, clearly show the evolution from initial concept to a tangible output, demonstrating your ability to build from scratch.

• Showcase brand building: Dedicate time to illustrate your brand strategy, visual identity development, and how you applied it across touchpoints.

• Be prepared for deep dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, the trade-offs you made, and how your work contributed to business objectives.

• Articulate your builder mindset: Use examples that showcase your proactivity, problem-solving skills, and willingness to take on broad responsibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative design talent, strategic thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process, justify their decisions with business context, and showcase their ability to drive impact in a fast-paced, remote environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the EWOR GmbH Teamtailor careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your UI/UX and Brand Design expertise in creating new products or initiatives from scratch ("0-to-1"). Emphasize your strategic thinking, end-to-end ownership, and ability to translate complex concepts into user-friendly designs.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience level (5-10 years), your builder mindset, your proven ability for end-to-end ownership, and any specific experience with AI, new product development, or startup environments. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Practice articulating your strategic vision and how you approach building brands and user experiences from the ground up.

• Research EWOR & Founders: Understand EWOR GmbH's mission, the backgrounds of Paul Müller and Petter Made, and their philosophy on building ventures. This will help you articulate your alignment with the company's culture and operational approach.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.