Founding Product & Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding Product & Brand Designer

Company: Nunchux AI

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product & Brand Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-04

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the product design and brand identity for a cutting-edge generative AI infrastructure company, Nunchux AI.

• Drive UI/UX improvements for an existing live product and design user experiences for new feature development.

• Create compelling launch materials, marketing collateral, and brand assets to support product go-to-market strategies.

• Collaborate closely with founders and engineers in a fast-paced startup environment to bring design visions to life.

• Contribute to the visual direction of Modelverse pages, showcasing AI model capabilities effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is primarily a design function, its impact on go-to-market (GTM) strategy, product launch materials, and brand consistency positions it as a critical component of GTM operations, especially in an early-stage startup where design directly influences market perception and user acquisition. The emphasis on improving the product and designing launch assets aligns with operational objectives of driving adoption and market penetration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth UI/UX audits of the Nunchux product to identify and resolve usability issues, enhancing overall user satisfaction and adoption.

• Design intuitive and engaging user interfaces and workflows for new product features, ensuring seamless integration with the existing platform.

• Develop visually appealing and informative Modelverse pages, including user interface elements and compelling visual examples that clearly articulate AI model functionalities.

• Create a range of impactful launch materials such as videos, posters, landing pages, and interactive product demos to support marketing campaigns and product releases.

• Maintain and evolve brand assets, including updating presentation templates, event materials, swag designs, and other corporate collateral to ensure brand consistency.

• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure design feasibility and efficient implementation of UI/UX solutions.

• Work closely with founders to translate loose briefs into concrete design concepts and iterate based on feedback.

• Contribute to the visual storytelling of the Nunchux brand through various marketing and communication channels.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of foundational product design (UI/UX improvements, new feature design) and critical GTM support (launch materials, marketing assets). This dual focus is common in early-stage startups where design functions are integrated into broader business objectives. The "Build Modelverse pages" responsibility suggests a need for designing specific product-related content that serves as both a user-facing feature and a marketing tool for showcasing AI capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in digital product design, with a proven track record of designing and shipping user-facing products from concept to release.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Expertise: Demonstrated ability to design and iterate on digital products, with a strong understanding of user-centered design principles and UX best practices.

• UI/UX Design Proficiency: Extensive experience in creating wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes using tools like Figma.

• Visual Craftsmanship: A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional visual design skills, including examples of effective UI design, layout, typography, and color theory.

• Brand Design Acumen: Ability to understand and extend an existing visual identity, creating cohesive brand assets for various marketing and communication needs.

• Figma Mastery: Deep proficiency in Figma for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.

• Prototyping Skills: Experience in creating interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Marketing & Launch Asset Design: Proven ability to design compelling launch pages, campaign assets, posters, and other marketing collateral that drive engagement.

• Motion Graphics/Video Editing: Competency in creating or editing short product videos and motion pieces using preferred design tools.

• Adaptability & Iteration: Ability to work with loose briefs, produce initial designs, effectively incorporate feedback from founders and engineers, and drive projects to completion.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for developer tools, B2B SaaS platforms, APIs, or data products.

• Familiarity with AI/ML products and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into user-friendly designs.

• Experience using image or video generation tools, or skill in selecting compelling examples to showcase model strengths.

• Previous experience as an early designer at a startup, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities.

• Basic proficiency in front-end prototyping or making small UI code adjustments (e.g., HTML/CSS) to expedite design implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "3+ years of designing and shipping digital products" is a standard mid-level requirement. The emphasis on a portfolio that shows work from "early idea to a live release" indicates a need for candidates who understand the full product development lifecycle. The "comfortable switching between product UI and visual marketing work" is a key differentiator for this role, requiring versatility beyond pure product design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of 3-5 projects that demonstrate a strong progression from initial concept to a successfully launched digital product.

• Clear case studies for each project, detailing the problem statement, your design process, key decisions, challenges encountered, and measurable outcomes or impact.

• Specific examples of UI/UX design work for web or mobile applications, showcasing wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Visual examples of brand or marketing collateral, including landing pages, posters, campaign assets, or short videos that highlight your visual craft and ability to communicate effectively.

• Evidence of collaborative work, illustrating how you've worked with engineers and stakeholders to bring designs to fruition. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, outline the design methodology followed, emphasizing user research, ideation, prototyping, user testing (if applicable), and iteration.

• Clearly articulate the tools and technologies used in the design and prototyping process, with a focus on proficiency in Figma.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design decisions contributed to business objectives, such as user engagement, conversion rates, or adoption metrics.

• Showcase examples of how you managed feedback and iterated on designs to improve product usability or marketing effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an early-stage startup, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to showcase not just aesthetic skill but also a deep understanding of the product development lifecycle, the ability to work autonomously, and the capacity to deliver tangible results. The emphasis on "shipping digital products" and "launch pages, campaign assets" means the portfolio should reflect both product design and marketing design capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $160,000 - $220,000 USD per year. This range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for a mid-level Product & Brand Designer in San Francisco, CA.

Benefits:

• Equity: Stock options, providing ownership and participation in the company's growth.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage for employees.

• 401(k): Retirement savings plan to support long-term financial well-being.

• Visa Sponsorship: Support for H-1B and other work visas for exceptional candidates, facilitating international talent acquisition.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, with flexibility expected due to the startup environment. The role requires 4 days in the San Francisco office and 1 day remote, totaling approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range of $160,000 - $220,000 USD for a mid-level designer in San Francisco aligns with industry standards, especially for a role in a high-growth startup backed by top VCs. The inclusion of equity is a significant component for early-stage roles, reflecting the potential for substantial upside. The hybrid work model is also typical for attracting talent in major tech hubs like SF.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Generative AI infrastructure and model serving. Nunchux AI operates in a rapidly evolving and competitive sector, focusing on making advanced AI models more accessible and efficient for enterprises and developers.

Company Size: Early-stage startup, approximately 15 employees. This size suggests a lean, agile, and highly collaborative environment where each team member has a significant impact.

Founded: Nunchux AI was founded by MIT PhDs and a CMU Professor, bringing together deep academic research expertise with production systems experience. The company is built on foundational research from MIT and CMU, including the widely adopted "nunchaku" project.

Team Structure:

• The design team is currently composed of this "Founding Product & Brand Designer" role, meaning you will be the sole designer initially.

• You will report directly to the founders and work closely with a core team of world-class researchers and engineers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close partnerships with founders, product managers (if applicable), and engineers to define and execute design strategies. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated for design, the company's focus on AI and infrastructure suggests an underlying appreciation for data-informed decision-making. Designs should aim to be measurable in their impact.

• Agile Development: Given the startup nature and the involvement of engineers, expect an agile or iterative product development process where design is integrated throughout sprints.

• Research-Backed Innovation: The company's origins in top-tier research institutions imply a culture that values deep understanding, scientific rigor, and pushing the boundaries of technology.

Company Website: https://nunchux.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: As the "first full-time designer," this role has a unique opportunity to shape the design culture and standards from the ground up. The company's foundation in AI research from MIT and CMU suggests a technically sophisticated and innovation-driven environment. The small team size means direct interaction with leadership and a high degree of autonomy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Founding" designer, indicating a senior individual contributor role with significant ownership and influence. It's a critical hire that will set the direction for product aesthetics and brand presentation.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report directly to the founders, providing a direct line of communication and rapid feedback loops. This structure allows for significant influence on product strategy and company direction.

Operations Impact: The designer's work will have a direct and immediate impact on:

• User Acquisition & Retention: Through intuitive product design and compelling marketing materials.

• Brand Perception: Establishing a strong, professional, and innovative visual identity in the AI market.

• Product Adoption: By making complex AI infrastructure easier to understand and use.

• Go-to-Market Success: By creating effective launch assets that resonate with target audiences.

Growth Opportunities:

• Foundational Role: Opportunity to build and lead the design function as the company scales.

• Skill Expansion: Develop expertise in designing for AI/ML products, developer tools, and B2B SaaS, broadening your technical and industry knowledge.

• Leadership Potential: As the first designer, there's a clear path to becoming a Design Lead or Head of Design as the company grows.

• Strategic Influence: Directly influence product roadmap and marketing strategies through design contributions.

• Learning Environment: Work alongside leading researchers and engineers, fostering continuous learning in a cutting-edge field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Founding" title signifies a high-impact role where career growth is tied to the company's success. The opportunity to shape design processes and potentially build a team offers significant leadership development. The exposure to advanced AI technologies also provides a unique learning curve.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model with 4 days in the San Francisco office and 1 day remote. This suggests a structured approach to in-person collaboration while offering some flexibility.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA. This location places the designer within a major tech hub, offering access to a vibrant ecosystem of talent, events, and resources.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model emphasizes in-office days for team collaboration, brainstorming, and direct interaction with founders and engineers.

• Tooling: Access to necessary design tools, likely including Figma and potentially others for video editing and motion graphics. The company will support the acquisition of preferred tools.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for design reviews, feedback sessions, and joint problem-solving with cross-functional teams. The close-knit nature of a 15-person team facilitates strong working relationships.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours, with the expectation of flexibility common in startup environments. The hybrid schedule means specific days will be dedicated to in-office work, promoting focused collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 4-day in-office requirement for a hybrid role in San Francisco is standard for many tech companies aiming to foster team cohesion and collaboration. This setup should provide ample opportunities for direct interaction and rapid iteration cycles, crucial for an early-stage design role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you present your work, focusing on 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your product and brand design capabilities, problem-solving skills, and impact. Expect deep dives into your design process and decision-making.

• Founder/Team Interviews: Discussions with founders and potentially key engineers to evaluate your technical skills, cultural fit, strategic thinking, and ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge (Potential): You may be asked to complete a small design exercise or discuss how you would approach a specific design problem relevant to Nunchux AI.

• Final Round: Likely includes further discussions with founders to finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your ability to handle both product UI/UX and brand/marketing design. Highlight work that demonstrates impact and shipped products.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges, and the outcomes. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Versatility: Emphasize your comfort and skill in switching between distinct design disciplines (product vs. brand).

• Showcase Tools: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Figma and any other relevant design or video tools.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrates the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Nunchux AI's product, its target audience (enterprises, developers), and its core technology (generative AI infrastructure).

• Analyze Competitors: Research other companies in the AI infrastructure and model serving space to understand their design approaches and market positioning.

• Prepare for "Loose Briefs": Be ready to discuss how you take ambiguous requirements and turn them into actionable design solutions. Think about your initial steps for discovery and ideation.

• Articulate Your Process: Be prepared to explain your design thinking framework and how you adapt it to different project types and team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Founding" and "First full-time designer" means the interview process will likely focus heavily on assessing your ability to operate independently, take initiative, and contribute strategically from day one. Your portfolio is your primary tool to demonstrate these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Expect advanced usage and potentially setting up design systems.

• Prototyping Tools: Likely integrated within Figma, but familiarity with standalone prototyping tools might be beneficial.

• Video Editing Software: Tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or even simpler tools for creating product demos and launch videos.

• Motion Graphics Software: Tools like Adobe After Effects or similar for creating animated elements for marketing or product interfaces.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how to interpret product analytics (e.g., user engagement metrics, conversion rates) will be crucial for informing design decisions and demonstrating impact. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or Mixpanel could be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's primary toolset, but understanding how marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) and CRMs (e.g., Salesforce) are used for GTM campaigns can provide context for designing landing pages and marketing assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. The need for video and motion work indicates a requirement for creative tool versatility beyond standard UI design. The company will likely provide access to preferred tools, but having a foundation in industry-standard creative software is expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Research: Driven by a foundation in cutting-edge AI research, Nunchux AI values pushing technological boundaries and exploring novel solutions.

• Efficiency & Speed: As an early-stage startup in a fast-moving field, the company prioritizes rapid development, efficient workflows, and quick iteration cycles.

• Impact & Ownership: Each team member is expected to take ownership of their work and contribute directly to the company's success, with a focus on measurable impact.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working closely with founders and engineers in a small team fosters a culture of open communication, shared problem-solving, and mutual support.

• User-Centricity: While focused on advanced technology, the goal is to make AI accessible and usable, implying a commitment to understanding and serving user needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Iterative: Expect frequent feedback loops with founders and engineers, encouraging a dynamic and iterative design process.

• Cross-Functional Integration: The designer will be deeply integrated with product and engineering teams, working collaboratively to define features and solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture of learning and sharing expertise, especially given the team's strong research background.

• Pragmatic & Results-Oriented: The focus is on delivering high-quality work that drives business outcomes, balancing creative vision with practical implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture will likely be fast-paced, technically oriented, and highly collaborative. As the first designer, you'll have a significant role in shaping how design is perceived and integrated into the company's operations and product development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing Design Standards: As the first designer, you will be responsible for defining and implementing design processes, style guides, and best practices from scratch.

• Balancing Product & Brand: Effectively switching between detailed product UI/UX work and broader brand/marketing design tasks requires strong organizational and time management skills.

• Working with Ambiguity: Early-stage startups often have evolving requirements; adapting to and thriving in this environment with loose briefs will be key.

• Technical Complexity: Designing for advanced AI/ML products and developer tools requires understanding complex technical concepts and translating them into intuitive user experiences.

• Resource Constraints: As an early-stage company, resources may be limited, requiring creative problem-solving and prioritization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep AI/ML Expertise: Gain hands-on experience designing for cutting-edge generative AI technologies and infrastructure.

• Startup Leadership: Develop skills in building and scaling design functions, potentially leading a team in the future.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skills: Enhance capabilities in product design, brand strategy, motion graphics, and video production.

• Industry Exposure: Work with world-class researchers and engineers, staying at the forefront of AI innovation.

• Business Acumen: Develop a strong understanding of startup operations, go-to-market strategies, and the business impact of design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the "founding" nature of the role – building something new and establishing its foundation. This is also where the greatest growth opportunities lie, offering unparalleled impact and learning potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for our generative AI platform, starting from a loose brief?" (Focus on your discovery, ideation, and iteration process.)

• "Describe a time you had to balance urgent marketing design needs with ongoing product UI/UX development. How did you prioritize?" (Assess your time management and prioritization skills.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different mediums, from product interfaces to marketing collateral?" (Evaluate your understanding of brand systems and application.)

• "What is your process for gathering and incorporating feedback from founders and engineers, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Test your collaboration and communication style.)

• "How would you approach designing the 'Modelverse' pages to effectively showcase AI model capabilities to both technical and non-technical users?" (Assess your ability to tailor designs to specific audiences and product features.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why Nunchux AI, and what excites you about working in the generative AI space?" (Gauge your genuine interest and research.)

• "Describe your ideal work environment in an early-stage startup." (Assess cultural fit and expectations.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends, especially in fast-evolving fields like AI?" (Understand your commitment to continuous learning.)

• "What are your expectations for collaboration with engineers and founders in a hybrid work setting?" (Evaluate your understanding of team dynamics.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically, starting with an overview of Nunchux AI and the role, then diving into your selected projects.

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, and the positive outcomes or impact achieved. Use metrics where possible.

• Showcase Process: Walk through your design thinking, emphasizing how you approached challenges and made key decisions. Highlight your use of Figma and other tools.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Ensure your presented work clearly shows your capabilities in both product UI/UX and brand/marketing design.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, technical skills, and collaboration experiences. Practice explaining complex ideas clearly and concisely.

• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewers about the team, product roadmap, design challenges, and company culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is the first designer role, expect questions that probe your ability to establish and lead design initiatives, your comfort with ambiguity, and your strategic thinking regarding both product and brand. Your portfolio presentation should explicitly demonstrate these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Founding Product & Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Nunchux AI careers page on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that showcase both your product design (UI/UX) and brand/marketing design skills. Emphasize work that demonstrates shipping digital products and creating launch assets.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3+ years of experience, proficiency in Figma, and experience with product launches. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on telling compelling stories about your design process and impact. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Nunchux AI, its product, the generative AI market, and its founders. Understand their mission and how your design skills can contribute to their success.

⚠️ 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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