Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer

Company: Merge API

Location: New York, NY / San Francisco, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-11T20:29:17

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the evolution and execution of Merge's visual brand identity across all customer-facing touchpoints, ensuring consistent and compelling storytelling.

• Design and produce high-impact brand assets for key initiatives, including product launches, marketing campaigns, sales collateral, and event materials.

• Develop and maintain a scalable brand design system, encompassing comprehensive frameworks, documentation, and asset libraries to ensure brand consistency and efficiency.

• Collaborate closely with marketing, product, and engineering teams to translate complex B2B tech and AI infrastructure concepts into accessible and inspiring visual narratives.

• Embrace an AI-first design mindset, experimenting with cutting-edge AI tools and workflows to innovate creative output and accelerate production processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the Marketing and Design categories, focusing on brand strategy and visual execution for a B2B SaaS company in the AI and API infrastructure space. The emphasis on "agentic tools and customer-facing integrations for frontier LLMs" indicates a need for sophisticated, technically-aware design that resonates with a developer and product-focused audience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the strategic evolution and consistent application of Merge's visual brand identity across all channels: web, print, social media, video, events, and physical touchpoints, ensuring cohesive storytelling and brand integrity.

• Design and produce high-impact brand assets, including creative campaigns, product launch materials, executive presentations, sales collateral, and event branding, aligning with strategic marketing objectives.

• Own design projects from initial concept through final execution with a high degree of autonomy, fostering strong collaborative relationships with marketing, product, and engineering teams.

• Build, document, and maintain scalable brand design systems, including comprehensive frameworks, style guides, and asset libraries, to empower internal teams and ensure brand consistency.

• Proactively experiment with and integrate cutting-edge AI tools and emerging design workflows to push creative boundaries, enhance efficiency, and pioneer new approaches to visual communication in the B2B tech landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "translating complex API and AI infra concepts into striking, accessible visual stories" and designing for an audience of "builders: developers, product managers, and technical professionals" is crucial. This implies a need for design that is not only aesthetically sophisticated but also technically informed and clear.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of design principles and their application in a technical B2B context is paramount.

Experience: 5+ years of full-time professional design experience, with a significant portion dedicated to brand development and visual identity systems.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in creating and evolving comprehensive brand design systems, demonstrating strong systems thinking and meticulous attention to detail.

• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with marketing, product, and engineering stakeholders.

• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design software including Adobe Illustrator, After Effects, InDesign, Cinema 4D, Figma, and Webflow.

• A proven passion for AI tools and a proactive approach to integrating them into creative workflows for innovation and accelerated production.

• Demonstrated experience in motion design, including the ability to define motion libraries and animate static designs to bring them to life.

• A robust portfolio showcasing conceptual range, sophisticated visual execution, refined typography, and compelling storytelling across both digital and physical mediums.

• Ability to thrive in an autonomous and collaborative startup environment, with a strong capacity for soliciting and integrating feedback.

• Experience working with technical products or developer tools, with the ability to quickly grasp and visually communicate complex product offerings. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing for developer tools or infrastructure-focused technology companies.

• Familiarity with UI/UX principles as they apply to brand integration within product interfaces.

• Experience in conceptualizing and executing integrated marketing campaigns that span digital and physical touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for proficiency in a wide array of tools, including 3D software (Cinema 4D) and Webflow, alongside standard Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, suggests a need for a versatile designer capable of producing diverse and high-quality assets. The emphasis on AI tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to design processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive collection of work demonstrating expertise in brand identity development and evolution, with clear examples of system thinking.

• Case studies detailing the process of creating or significantly updating a brand design system, highlighting the frameworks, documentation, and asset libraries developed.

• Examples of high-impact brand assets designed for product launches, campaigns, or sales enablement, showcasing strategic visual storytelling and execution across various mediums.

• Demonstrations of how complex technical concepts (e.g., API integrations, AI infrastructure) were translated into visually clear and compelling designs.

• Evidence of motion design capabilities, showcasing the ability to animate static elements and create engaging motion graphics. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of documented design system components, including style guides, component libraries, and usage guidelines.

• Illustrate workflows for project management, from concept initiation and stakeholder collaboration to final asset delivery, emphasizing efficiency and quality control.

• Provide insights into how AI tools were integrated into the design process, documenting the benefits and impact on workflow or creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on a technical B2B audience and the company's position in AI/API infrastructure, the portfolio must emphasize clarity, sophistication, and the ability to communicate complex ideas visually. Demonstrating experience with design systems and AI tools is critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 USD per year. This range is based on the provided cash compensation figures.

Benefits:

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 10 Company Holidays

• 100% Covered Health Insurance

• 100% Covered Vision Insurance

• 100% Covered Dental Insurance

• 401K Plan

• $200 one-time Home Office Stipend

• Free dinner provided when working past 7 PM

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard 40-hour work week is assumed for a full-time role, with flexibility implied by the "Unlimited PTO" policy and the provision of free dinner for late-night work, indicating a culture that supports dedicated effort.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on health coverage and flexibility (Unlimited PTO). The home office stipend and free dinner are practical perks that support remote or hybrid work and acknowledge employee dedication.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Development / Artificial Intelligence / API Infrastructure. Merge operates at the forefront of integrating AI with enterprise software, providing essential tools for LLM applications and customer-facing integrations.

Company Size: The description implies a growing startup environment, likely in the range of 50-200 employees, given the need for a dedicated Brand Designer to shape identity and the mention of a "dynamic, fast-paced startup."

Founded: The company was founded in 2020, indicating a relatively young but rapidly evolving organization with a focus on innovation in the AI/API space.

Team Structure:

• The Brand Designer will likely be part of the Marketing team, reporting to a Marketing Lead or Director.

• Close collaboration is expected with Product Management, Engineering, and Sales teams to ensure brand alignment and support product development and go-to-market strategies.

• The team structure fosters autonomy and direct impact, typical of a startup where individuals are empowered to take ownership of significant projects. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Brand Strategy: While not explicitly stated, a modern tech company like Merge likely uses data to inform brand decisions, measure campaign effectiveness, and understand audience reception.

• Agile Creative Development: The fast-paced nature of a startup suggests an agile approach to design projects, allowing for rapid iteration, feedback integration, and quick adaptation to market needs.

• AI-First Innovation: A core principle is the integration of AI into workflows, encouraging experimentation and the adoption of new technologies to enhance creativity and efficiency.

Company Website: merge.dev

📝 Enhancement Note: Merge's focus on "frontier LLMs," "API," and "AI infra" positions it as a high-growth, technically sophisticated company. The brand needs to reflect precision, craft, and intelligence to appeal to its developer-centric audience. The culture likely values innovation, autonomy, and a results-oriented approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior individual contributor position, likely falling into the "Senior Designer" or "Lead Designer" bracket, depending on the scope of "driving the evolution" of the brand. It offers significant ownership and strategic input.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will likely report to the Head of Marketing or a similar senior marketing leadership role. They will collaborate extensively with product and engineering leaders.

Operations Impact: The Brand Designer's work directly impacts Merge's market perception, brand recognition, and ability to attract both customers (developers, product managers) and talent (engineers, designers). A strong, consistent brand is crucial for establishing credibility and differentiation in the competitive AI/API infrastructure space.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Brand Development: Opportunity to significantly shape and define the brand identity of a fast-growing AI infrastructure company.

• Skill Expansion in AI Design: Deepen expertise in leveraging AI tools for creative production and workflow optimization, becoming a leader in this emerging field.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain in-depth understanding of product development, engineering challenges, and go-to-market strategies within the B2B SaaS and AI sectors.

• Potential for Team Growth: As the company scales, there may be opportunities to build and lead a design team or expand the scope of brand initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for a designer who wants to make a tangible impact on a company's identity and is excited by the prospect of working with cutting-edge technology. The growth potential is tied to the company's expansion and the individual's ability to lead and innovate in the brand space.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a physical office presence in either New York City or San Francisco. The company likely offers a modern, collaborative office space designed to foster teamwork and innovation.

Office Location(s): New York, NY and San Francisco, CA. These are major tech hubs, providing access to talent, industry events, and a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is expected to facilitate spontaneous interactions, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional team meetings, crucial for aligning brand vision with product development.

• Technology-Rich: Access to high-performance workstations, relevant software licenses (Adobe Suite, Figma, etc.), and potentially advanced creative tools or hardware.

• Team Integration: Opportunities for direct engagement with marketing, product, and engineering teams, fostering a shared understanding of company goals and brand messaging.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an implied standard work week. However, the "Unlimited PTO" and "Free dinner when working past 7pm" suggest a culture that values dedication and offers flexibility, while also acknowledging the demands of a fast-paced startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which is often beneficial for brand development and team cohesion. The choice of locations in NYC and SF places the designer in prime tech ecosystems.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of the resume and portfolio by the recruiting team to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely Head of Marketing) to delve into experience, design philosophy, and suitability for the team and company culture. Expect questions about brand systems, AI integration, and B2B tech design.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Presentation: A practical exercise or a deep dive into the candidate's portfolio. This will likely involve presenting key projects, discussing design rationale, process, and the impact of their work, particularly concerning brand systems and technical products.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Engineering, or Sales to assess collaboration skills and understanding of the technical B2B landscape.

• Final Interview: A conversation with a senior leader or executive to discuss overall fit, strategic vision, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Brand Systems: Dedicate a significant portion of your portfolio to examples of robust brand design systems, detailing their architecture, components, and implementation guidelines.

• Highlight Technical Translation: Include case studies that explicitly demonstrate how you translated complex technical concepts (like APIs or AI infrastructure) into clear, sophisticated visual narratives.

• Demonstrate AI Integration: If possible, showcase projects where you leveraged AI tools in your workflow, explaining the process, benefits, and outcomes.

• Motion Design Emphasis: Clearly present examples of your motion design work, particularly how it enhances brand storytelling and product engagement.

• Tell a Story: For each project, articulate the problem, your approach, the solutions you designed, and the measurable impact or outcomes. Focus on the "why" behind your creative decisions.

• Tailor to Merge: Research Merge's current brand and target audience. Highlight projects that align with their values of precision, craft, technical sophistication, and appeal to a developer audience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach evolving Merge's current brand identity, considering its AI/API infrastructure focus.

• Practice articulating your design process and decision-making, especially when dealing with abstract or technical subject matter.

• Think about how you would build and maintain a design system for a rapidly growing tech company.

• Prepare to discuss your experience with AI design tools and how you see them shaping the future of brand design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking, technical understanding, collaboration ability, and cultural fit within a fast-paced startup. A strong portfolio presentation is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, After Effects, InDesign. Essential for vector graphics, motion graphics, and print/layout design.

• Figma: Crucial for collaborative design, prototyping, and building design systems.

• Cinema 4D: Used for 3D rendering, motion graphics, and creating sophisticated visual assets.

• Webflow: For designing and building websites, indicating a need for designers who can translate brand into functional web experiences.

Brand System & Asset Management:

• Tools for creating and managing comprehensive design systems (likely within Figma or dedicated platforms).

• Potential use of DAM (Digital Asset Management) systems for organizing and distributing brand assets. AI & Automation Tools:

• Explicitly mentioned as a focus. Candidates are expected to be familiar with or eager to learn and integrate AI-powered design tools for ideation, asset generation, workflow automation, and efficiency improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in this specific stack is a hard requirement, reflecting the company's need for a versatile designer capable of producing high-quality, diverse assets and managing complex design systems. The emphasis on AI tools indicates a commitment to cutting-edge practices.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craft & Precision: A strong emphasis on high-quality execution, attention to detail, and technical sophistication in all design outputs.

• Innovation & AI-First: A forward-thinking mindset that embraces new technologies, particularly AI, to push creative boundaries and improve efficiency.

• Clarity & Authenticity: Designing for a technical audience requires clear, intelligent communication that respects their expertise and avoids generic marketing jargon.

• Collaboration & Feedback: A culture that encourages open communication, constructive feedback, and teamwork across departments.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Empowering individuals to take initiative, own their projects, and drive results in a dynamic startup environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Marketing, Product, and Engineering to ensure brand vision is aligned with product strategy and business goals.

• Iterative Process: A willingness to engage in iterative design cycles, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders to refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment where designers share best practices, insights on AI tools, and learnings from creative experiments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with a sophisticated, technically-minded designer who can operate autonomously while also being a strong team player. The emphasis on "craft," "precision," and "technical sophistication" is key for this role's success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Technical Complexity and Visual Appeal: Effectively translating abstract AI and API concepts into visually engaging and understandable designs for a discerning technical audience.

• Establishing and Evolving a New Brand: Defining and scaling a brand identity for a rapidly growing startup in a cutting-edge industry, ensuring consistency as the company expands.

• Rapid Pace of Innovation: Keeping pace with the fast-evolving AI landscape and integrating new design tools and methodologies effectively.

• Balancing Autonomy with Collaboration: Managing individual project ownership while ensuring alignment and strong communication with multiple cross-functional teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI/API Design: Becoming an expert in designing for the AI infrastructure and API integration space, a rapidly growing and critical field.

• Mastery of AI Design Tools: Gaining cutting-edge skills in leveraging AI for creative production, setting oneself apart in the design industry.

• Strategic Brand Leadership: Opportunity to influence and direct the brand strategy of a high-growth B2B SaaS company.

• Exposure to Product and Engineering: Gaining valuable insights into the product development lifecycle and technical challenges within AI and enterprise software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a fast-growing, innovative tech startup. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to shape a brand from its formative stages and become a leader in AI-driven design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach evolving Merge's current visual brand identity to better reflect its position in AI and API infrastructure?" (Prepare to discuss brand audits, strategic visual shifts, and target audience considerations).

• "Describe your process for building and maintaining a scalable brand design system. What are the key components and governance strategies you employ?" (Focus on systems thinking, documentation, and how to ensure adoption).

• "How do you translate complex technical concepts into clear, compelling visual narratives for a sophisticated audience like developers?" (Provide specific examples from your portfolio and discuss your methodology).

• "What are your favorite AI tools for design, and how have you integrated them into your workflow to improve efficiency or creative output?" (Be ready to discuss specific tools, your experience, and potential applications at Merge). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Merge's mission and its role in the AI/API infrastructure space?" (Research Merge's products, recent news, and industry impact).

• "How do you approach collaboration with product and engineering teams to ensure brand consistency and effectiveness?" (Highlight your experience working cross-functionally and your communication strategies).

• "Describe a time you received critical feedback on your design work. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your ability to be receptive to feedback and iterate constructively). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating your core skills (brand systems, motion design, technical translation).

• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your strategic approach, the design process, the final solution, and the impact. Use visuals effectively but don't neglect the narrative.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, brand consistency scores).

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design process, especially how you approach problem-solving, research, ideation, and iteration.

• Focus on Relevance: Select projects that best showcase your ability to design for technical products and your expertise in brand systems and AI tools. Tailor your presentation to Merge's specific needs.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your technical choices, design rationale, and problem-solving methods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of brand strategy, systems thinking, technical communication, and a forward-looking approach to design with AI.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your best work relevant to brand systems, technical product design, and motion graphics, and clearly articulates your design process and impact.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of experience, specific tool proficiencies (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema 4D, Webflow), and any experience with AI design tools or B2B tech branding. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design philosophy, your approach to building brand systems, and your excitement for Merge's mission and the AI/API space. Be ready to discuss specific portfolio pieces in detail.

• Research Merge: Thoroughly understand Merge's products, target audience, and current brand presence. Identify areas where you believe you can make the most significant impact.

⚠️ 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.

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