Expressions of Interest - AI-First Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Expressions of Interest - AI-First Product Designer

Company: me&u

Location: Australia

Job Type: Permanent employee

Category: Product Design / AI-First Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: 5-10 years (Inferred)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design ownership, from initial concept framing to the delivery and measurement of impactful releases.

• Champion an AI-first approach to design, leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, accelerate workflows, and explore novel design possibilities.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering and product, to ensure seamless integration and coherent user experiences across all touchpoints.

• Maintain a deep connection with customers and venue operators, translating user insights into rapid, actionable design improvements and product enhancements.

• Contribute to the evolution of our design systems and best practices, actively participating in code-based prototyping and design system maintenance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is described as an "Expression of Interest" for an "AI-First Product Designer," indicating a forward-thinking and potentially evolving role. The emphasis on "owning work end-to-end," "staying close to customers," "thinking in systems," and "working in the medium" (including code and AI tools) strongly suggests a senior-level individual contributor role focused on strategic product development and execution within an AI-integrated environment. The inferred experience level of 5-10 years is based on the depth of responsibilities, expectation of end-to-end ownership, and the requirement to influence commercial outcomes and mentor others.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle, encompassing discovery, user research, problem framing, user flow design, UI/UX creation, copywriting, and post-launch performance analysis.

• Develop and maintain design systems within Storybook, ensuring consistency and reusability across the product suite, and actively contribute to its evolution.

• Leverage AI tools and technologies (e.g., Claude, upcoming tools) alongside traditional design software (Figma) to rapidly prototype, iterate, and deliver working UI components.

• Conduct in-depth user research through customer calls, on-site visits, session replays, and support thread analysis to inform design decisions and identify opportunities for immediate improvement.

• Design holistic systems and coherent user experiences that extend beyond single screens, considering the ripple effects of interactions across various product surfaces.

• Champion product quality through exceptional taste, intuition, and judgment, ensuring that all delivered designs meet a high standard of user experience and commercial impact.

• Collaborate with engineers to implement AI-powered features and agent orchestration, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.

• Provide thoughtful, specific, and actionable feedback to team members and stakeholders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the design and product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of traditional product design skills with a strong emphasis on AI integration, customer-centricity, and practical implementation through code and design systems. The expectation to "ship a fix the same week" an operator's frustration is identified underscores a bias for action and rapid iteration, typical of fast-paced tech environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating a deep understanding of design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and practical application is paramount. Candidates with degrees in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or related fields will likely possess a strong foundation.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant track record of shipping scalable, high-impact products. Experience in fast-paced, agile environments, particularly within tech or SaaS companies, is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in end-to-end product design, including discovery, UX/UI design, interaction design, and user research.

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Figma.

• Experience working with and contributing to design systems, with a preference for those maintained in Storybook.

• Demonstrated ability to prototype and build in code or leverage AI tools for rapid iteration and implementation.

• Strong systems thinking capabilities, with the ability to design cohesive user experiences across multiple platforms and features.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (engineering, product management, marketing, etc.).

• A customer-centric mindset with a demonstrated ability to gather and translate user feedback into actionable design solutions.

• Ability to analyze commercial outcomes (e.g., conversion, Average Order Value (AOV), upsell attach rates) and tie design decisions to business goals. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-first product development and leveraging AI tools for design acceleration.

• Familiarity with agent orchestration and AI-powered feature implementation.

• Experience in the hospitality or food and beverage industry.

• Understanding of front-end development principles and technologies.

• Experience in a startup or rapidly scaling environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI-First" aspect, coupled with the mention of "agent orchestration" and "prototyping in code," indicates a need for designers who are not just users of tools but are comfortable with the technical underpinnings of product development and can bridge the gap between design and engineering. The emphasis on commercial outcomes suggests a strategic design approach.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design ownership, detailing your process from problem identification to shipped, measured outcomes.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the user problem, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the measurable impact (e.g., conversion improvements, AOV increases).

• Examples of how you have leveraged AI or innovative technologies to enhance design workflows or product functionality.

• Demonstrations of your ability to think in systems, showcasing how you've designed for consistency and coherence across multiple product surfaces.

• Evidence of your ability to prototype and build in code or through AI-assisted methods, rather than solely static Figma files. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to user research and customer engagement, including how you gather insights and translate them into design decisions rapidly.

• Detail your experience in designing and maintaining design systems, with specific examples of components, patterns, and their implementation (e.g., Storybook).

• Illustrate your workflow for collaborating with engineering and product teams, highlighting how you ensure alignment and shared understanding throughout the development lifecycle.

• Provide examples of how you measure the success of your designs against key business metrics and how you iterate based on that data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "working in the medium" and "prototyping in code" means the portfolio should move beyond static mockups to demonstrate tangible output and a hands-on approach to development. The "AI-First" nature of the role suggests including examples of how AI was used in the design process or product.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the inferred experience level (5-10 years), the role's focus on AI-first product design, and the location in Australia, a competitive salary range is estimated. For a Senior Product Designer role in Australia with these responsibilities, the typical range could be AUD $120,000 - $180,000 per annum, depending on specific experience, location within Australia (e.g., Sydney/Melbourne vs. other regions), and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work: Options to tailor your work schedule to suit your routine and personal needs.

• Remote-Friendly Environment: Support for remote work, allowing for a better work-life balance.

• Hybrid Work Model: Designated days in the office (e.g., 1 day per week in Sydney or Melbourne) for collaborative team activities.

• Inclusive Leave Options: Comprehensive leave policies to support personal wellbeing and life events.

• Mental Health Support: Access to mental health days and dedicated support programs to prioritize wellbeing.

• Supportive Team Culture: A collaborative, diverse, and inclusive team environment that fosters growth and mutual support.

• Professional Development: Opportunities to learn, grow, and take on new challenges as the company scales globally.

• Impactful Work: The chance to contribute to a mission-driven company in the hospitality and entertainment sectors.

Working Hours: While specific daily hours are flexible, the role likely aligns with a standard full-time commitment of approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate different routines. The hybrid model implies a need to be available for in-office collaboration on designated days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for senior product designers in Australia, factoring in the specialized "AI-First" aspect and the company's described culture. Benefits are directly extracted from the job description and tailored to highlight aspects relevant to operations and design professionals. The mention of specific office locations (Sydney and Melbourne) for hybrid work is noted.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the Food & Beverage and Hospitality/Entertainment sectors, providing a personalized menu and ordering platform. This context means the product design will directly impact customer dining experiences and venue operator efficiency.

Company Size: me&u is a significant player, serving over 25 million foodies across 6,000+ locations. While the exact employee count isn't specified, this scale suggests a mature, well-funded organization with established processes, yet still agile enough to embrace new technologies like AI. The "product team gathers each week" in Sydney and Melbourne indicates a distributed yet connected team structure.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the scale of operations (6,000+ locations, 25 million users) implies a company that has achieved significant growth and market traction, likely founded within the last decade.

Team Structure:

• The Product and Tech organization is described as "shifting, blending, & blurring," indicating a dynamic and cross-functional structure. Designers work alongside product and engineering, suggesting agile squads or feature teams.

• Designers are expected to "move between shaping direction and making it real," implying a high degree of autonomy and influence within their teams.

• There's a clear emphasis on collaboration with "cross-functional partners both in and out of the product/tech org," suggesting integration with business, marketing, and potentially operations teams.

• The expectation for designers to "level up the team" points to a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing and mentorship are valued. Methodology:

• AI-First Approach: The company is actively exploring and integrating AI into its product development and design workflows, aiming to "move faster and go further."

• Customer-Centricity: A core methodology involves staying "close to customers," with a bias for rapid action based on user feedback.

• Systems Thinking: Designers are expected to design holistically, considering the interconnectedness of features and flows.

• End-to-End Ownership: The design process is viewed holistically, from problem framing to shipped, measured releases, with accountability for outcomes.

• Iterative Development: The culture supports rapid iteration and experimentation, with an acceptance of learning from failures.

Company Website: https://www.meandu.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by dynamism, innovation (especially with AI), customer focus, and a strong sense of ownership. The structure appears to be agile and collaborative, with designers playing a pivotal role in shaping the product and its future direction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior individual contributor level, likely equivalent to a Senior Product Designer or Lead Product Designer, given the expectation of end-to-end ownership, systems thinking, influencing commercial outcomes, and mentoring other designers. The "AI-First" aspect also suggests an opportunity to specialize and become a leader in a cutting-edge design discipline.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, designers likely report into a Head of Design, Design Manager, or a Product Lead within a cross-functional team. The emphasis on working "alongside cross-functional partners" suggests that direct reporting lines might be less critical than collaborative team dynamics.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on revenue and business decisions through its influence on:

• Conversion Rates: Improving the ease and effectiveness of ordering.

• Average Order Value (AOV): Designing features that encourage larger orders or add-ons.

• Upsell Attach Rates: Creating opportunities for customers to discover and select premium options.

• Customer Experience: Enhancing user satisfaction and loyalty among both diners and venue operators.

• Operational Efficiency: Streamlining workflows for venue staff through intuitive interfaces.

• Product Strategy: Contributing to the strategic direction of the product, particularly in the integration of AI.

Growth Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Become a subject matter expert in AI-first product design, shaping how AI is integrated into user experiences.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives within squads, and potentially move into management roles as the team grows.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Deepen understanding of business operations, engineering, and product strategy through close collaboration.

• Impactful Product Shipping: Gain experience shipping high-impact features to millions of users in a fast-paced, scaling environment.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to defining new ways of working for product teams in the AI era, particularly within the hospitality sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential is strong, particularly for individuals who can adapt to and lead in the evolving landscape of AI-driven product development. The emphasis on commercial outcomes and direct business impact provides a clear path for career advancement based on tangible results.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates a hybrid work model, with product teams gathering in offices located in Sydney and Melbourne on a designated day each week. This suggests a blend of focused individual work (remote) and collaborative team engagement (in-office).

Office Location(s): me&u has offices in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. These are likely hubs for in-person collaboration, team meetings, and fostering company culture.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggest an environment where open communication and team interaction are encouraged, especially during in-office days.

• Tools & Technology: Designers will have access to industry-standard tools like Figma, Storybook (for design systems), and potentially AI prototyping tools. The expectation to work with code implies access to development environments and tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for interaction with designers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders, both remotely and in person.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a key benefit, allowing employees to structure their day to suit personal routines while meeting the demands of the role and team collaboration needs. The hybrid model requires presence in the office on specific days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is designed to balance the benefits of remote work (flexibility, focus) with the advantages of in-person collaboration. The specific office locations are important for candidates considering the commute for designated team days.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience. Be prepared to highlight your most impactful projects.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a detailed case study from your portfolio. This will likely focus on your problem-solving approach, systems thinking, AI integration ideas, and ability to articulate commercial impact.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other stakeholders to assess your collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion about your career aspirations, experience, and how you align with the team's vision and me&u's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase End-to-End Ownership: Clearly detail your role and contributions in each project, from initial problem definition to final shipped product and its measured impact.

• Highlight AI Integration: If possible, include projects where you've explored or implemented AI in the design process or product features. Explain the rationale and outcomes.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Use visual aids or detailed explanations to show how your designs integrate into a larger system and maintain coherence.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics (conversion, AOV, user satisfaction, efficiency gains) to demonstrate the commercial and user value of your work.

• "Work in the Medium" Evidence: Include examples of interactive prototypes, code snippets (if applicable to your role), or detailed explanations of how you moved beyond static designs.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies to tell a compelling narrative about the problem, your journey, and the solution's success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research me&u's mission, product, target audience (both diners and venue operators), and competitive landscape.

• Focus on AI: Consider how AI can be applied to enhance the user experience for both diners and venue operators within the hospitality context.

• Systems & Scalability: Think about how to design for a platform serving thousands of locations and millions of users, emphasizing scalability and consistency.

• Rapid Iteration: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a problem with speed and a bias for action, translating insights into quick wins.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your design decisions, rationale, and the business impact of your proposed solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. The portfolio review is critical, and candidates should tailor their presentations to highlight the specific requirements of an "AI-First" role with an emphasis on end-to-end ownership and commercial impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, and prototyping. Proficiency is essential for creating visual designs and user flows.

• Storybook: Used for maintaining and developing the design system in production. Expect to contribute to and utilize components within Storybook.

• AI Prototyping Tools (e.g., Claude, upcoming tools): Expected to be used for accelerating design workflows, generating content, or exploring AI-driven design possibilities.

• Code (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript frameworks): Designers are expected to "build" and "work in the medium," which may involve prototyping directly in code or collaborating closely with engineers on implementation. The level of coding proficiency required will vary.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for session replays, user feedback collection, and analysis (specific tools not mentioned but implied by "watch session replays," "track support threads").

• Product Analytics Tools: Likely used to track conversion rates, AOV, upsell attach rates, and other key business metrics. Examples could include Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management): While not explicitly mentioned for designers, understanding how customer data is managed is beneficial.

• Workflow Automation: The "AI-First" approach suggests an interest in tools and methodologies that automate design and development processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes a blend of traditional design tools with a strong push towards code-based design and AI integration. Designers are expected to be hands-on and comfortable working with development artifacts.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: A strong emphasis on asking questions, exploring new tools and methods, and believing in the potential for improvement.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for work end-to-end, from conception to measured outcomes, and driving projects to completion.

• Customer Focus: Deeply understanding and prioritizing the needs of both venue operators and diners, translating insights into rapid action.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with cross-functional partners, sharing knowledge, and actively contributing to team growth.

• Taste & Judgment: Valuing intuition, aesthetic quality, and well-considered decisions in design execution.

• Impact & Commerciality: Focusing on designs that deliver tangible business results and drive commercial success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are embedded within product/tech teams and work closely with engineering and product management.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open feedback, knowledge sharing, and working in the open to improve craft and processes.

• Agile & Iterative: A culture that embraces rapid iteration, experimentation, and learning from both successes and failures.

• Empowerment: Designers are empowered to shape direction, identify problems, and act quickly on customer insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at me&u values proactive, curious, and impact-driven individuals who thrive in a collaborative and evolving environment. The blend of AI innovation with a strong customer focus and business acumen is central to their operational values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining AI-First Design: Navigating the ambiguity and evolving landscape of AI integration in product design, establishing best practices, and proving value.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Delivering rapid design iterations and fixes while maintaining a high standard of quality and coherence across a large-scale product.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless collaboration and communication across diverse teams (product, engineering, business) to achieve shared goals.

• Customer Insight Translation: Efficiently gathering, interpreting, and acting upon diverse customer feedback streams to drive immediate product improvements.

• Technical Constraints: Designing within real-world code, time, and platform constraints while pushing creative boundaries.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Deep dive into AI-driven design tools, prompt engineering for design, and ethical AI considerations in product development.

• Advanced Prototyping: Develop skills in code-based prototyping and integrating AI into interactive design workflows.

• Product Strategy & Business Acumen: Gain a deeper understanding of commercial outcomes and how design directly influences business success in the hospitality tech sector.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and contribute to the growth of the design team.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to cutting-edge methodologies in product development, AI integration, and design systems within a scaling tech company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant opportunities for growth in a rapidly evolving field. Candidates who are adaptable, proactive, and eager to learn will find ample room for development, particularly in the domain of AI-first product design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned a product feature end-to-end. What were the key challenges, how did you measure success, and what was the commercial impact?" (Focus on process, metrics, and outcomes).

• "How would you approach designing an AI-powered feature to help venue operators manage inventory or predict demand?" (Assess AI thinking, problem framing, and user-centricity).

• "Imagine a customer complains about a specific UI element. How would you investigate, prioritize, and implement a fix within a tight timeframe?" (Evaluate speed, customer empathy, and iterative process).

• "How do you ensure design consistency and coherence across a complex product with multiple features and surfaces?" (Probe systems thinking and design system knowledge). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about me&u's mission and our AI-first approach to product design?" (Assess research and genuine interest).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment and help level up the skills of your peers?" (Evaluate teamwork and mentorship potential).

• "Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders who had different priorities. How did you navigate that?" (Assess communication and influence skills).

• "How do you stay curious and keep up with the latest trends in design and AI technology?" (Probe continuous learning mindset). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process (including research, ideation, iteration), the solution, and the measurable impact.

• Quantify Everything Possible: Use data and metrics to support your claims about the success of your designs. Show ROI where applicable.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, interactive prototypes, and even code snippets (if relevant to your experience) to demonstrate your work.

• Highlight AI & Systems Thinking: Explicitly call out how AI was used, or could be used, in your projects, and demonstrate your ability to think holistically about product systems.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design decisions, trade-offs, and challenges encountered. Be prepared to defend your choices with clear rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a proactive, AI-aware, and commercially-minded approach to product design. Candidates should be ready to showcase their ability to not only design but also to build, measure, and iterate effectively within a dynamic environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this AI-First Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the me&u careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your most relevant projects, especially those demonstrating end-to-end ownership, AI integration, systems thinking, and quantifiable commercial impact. Ensure it reflects your ability to "work in the medium."

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "AI-First," "product design," "Storybook," "prototyping in code," "user research," "systems thinking," and "commercial outcomes." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and handling ambiguity.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research me&u's product, mission, target market, and recent news. Understand their AI strategy and how design contributes to their business goals. Be ready to discuss your vision for AI in hospitality tech.

⚠️ 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.