Founding Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding Product Designer

Company: Clera

Location: Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Support

Date Posted: 2026-08-28

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

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end product design for a seed-stage AI SaaS platform, focusing on automating office operations for field service businesses.

• Translate complex workflows into intuitive and beautiful user interfaces, directly impacting daily business operations and user adoption.

• Collaborate closely with founders and engineering teams to rapidly iterate on product features and ensure high-quality user experiences.

• Establish foundational design systems and standards to support future product growth and team scaling.

• Leverage AI-assisted design tools and rapid prototyping techniques to accelerate the design and development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the emphasis on automating office operations for field service businesses and the "0-to-1" product development aspect strongly suggests a need for understanding and designing for operational efficiency, making this role highly relevant to GTM Operations support and understanding core business processes. The "founding" aspect implies a significant impact on shaping the operational workflows and user journeys from inception.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle, from initial concept generation and user research to final UI polish for a complex, feature-rich B2B platform.

• Conduct rigorous customer interviews and user research to gain deep insights into the operational challenges faced by field service businesses, translating these findings into actionable design solutions.

• Develop rapid prototypes using Figma, AI-assisted tools (Lovable, Cursor), and potentially code to quickly validate design concepts and user flows.

• Partner closely with frontend engineers, primarily working with React/TypeScript, to ensure seamless implementation of designs and maintain high-quality user experiences.

• Contribute broadly to the early-stage startup environment, assisting with product flows, marketing surfaces, and pitch decks as needed, demonstrating a flexible and proactive approach to design challenges.

• Lead the establishment and maintenance of design systems, style guides, and best practices to ensure consistency and scalability across the product as the company grows.

• Actively participate in product strategy discussions, providing design perspectives on user needs, market opportunities, and competitive landscapes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a hands-on, end-to-end ownership role critical for a seed-stage company. The emphasis on B2B, complex workflows, and customer interviews aligns with operations-centric product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly stated, but a strong portfolio and practical experience are prioritized over formal education for this role.

Experience: 3+ years of product design experience, with a significant focus on early-stage startups and 0-to-1 product development.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience designing complex, data-rich B2B products with extensive feature sets.

• Proficiency in Figma for UI design and rapid prototyping.

• Proven ability to conduct customer interviews and translate user insights into design decisions.

• Experience designing for early-stage startups and contributing to product development from inception.

• A scrappy, hands-on approach with a bias for action and ownership.

• Low ego, high ambition, and the ability to thrive in intense, fast-moving team environments. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with AI-assisted design and coding tools such as Lovable, Cursor, or Webflow.

• Comfort or foundational knowledge of React/TypeScript for frontend development collaboration.

• Experience establishing and scaling design systems for growing products.

• Experience in automating operational workflows or designing for field service industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "exceptional recent graduates with a strong track record of building and shipping projects" suggests that while 3+ years is preferred, a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant skills and experience can outweigh strict years of experience requirements for this founding role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design projects that demonstrate problem identification, user research, ideation, prototyping, UI design, and successful implementation.

• Highlight projects involving complex B2B platforms or data-rich applications, detailing the challenges and how design solutions addressed them.

• Include case studies that specifically address the design for operational efficiency, workflow automation, or streamlining of business processes.

• Present examples of contributions to early-stage startups or 0-to-1 product development, emphasizing rapid iteration and adaptability.

• Demonstrate proficiency with Figma and any other design/prototyping tools mentioned. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the design process followed for each portfolio project, from initial discovery to final delivery.

• Detail how user feedback and customer interviews were integrated into the design and iteration cycles.

• Explain the rationale behind design decisions, linking them to user needs, business objectives, and operational impact.

• Showcase the development or application of design systems, style guides, or UI components.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "founding" role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display design craft but also strategic thinking about product-market fit, operational impact, and the ability to build from scratch. Demonstrating an understanding of B2B SaaS operational challenges will be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 – $180,000 USD annually.

Benefits:

• Visa sponsorship is available, indicating support for international talent.

• Opportunity to be a foundational member of an AI SaaS startup, offering significant impact and equity potential (though equity is not explicitly mentioned, it's a common benefit for founding roles).

• Flexible work environment with a fully remote setup.

• Potential for significant professional growth and the chance to shape product direction.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week expected, typical for full-time roles, but a "scrappy, hands-on" culture may imply flexibility and a willingness to go above and beyond during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in USD, which is common for startups seeking global talent. For candidates in Denmark, it's crucial to consider the cost of living and potential tax implications compared to US standards. The provision of visa sponsorship is a significant benefit for candidates requiring relocation assistance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AI SaaS, Field Service Management Software, Office Operations Automation.

Company Size: Seed-stage startup, implying a small, agile, and highly collaborative team. This means all members wear multiple hats and contribute across functions.

Founded: Clera is a seed-stage company, suggesting a focus on rapid product development, market validation, and building a core user base.

Team Structure:

• As a founding designer, you will work directly with the founders and a small engineering team.

• The structure is flat, emphasizing direct communication and collaborative decision-making.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with close partnerships between design, product, and engineering. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, informed by customer interviews and product analytics.

• Agile development methodologies with rapid iteration cycles.

• Emphasis on building intuitive, user-centric solutions for complex operational challenges.

• Proactive problem-solving and a "move fast" mentality.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "founding" nature of this role suggests a high-impact, high-autonomy environment. Candidates should be comfortable with ambiguity and the challenges of building a product and company from the ground up.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Founding" role, placing it at a crucial early stage of a company's growth. It offers immense opportunities for impact and influence on the product's trajectory and the company's operational foundation. It's beyond a typical mid-level role due to its foundational nature.

Reporting Structure: You will report directly to the founders, providing a close working relationship and direct access to leadership.

Operations Impact: As the founding designer, your work will directly shape how field service businesses manage their office operations through Clera's AI SaaS platform. This involves creating the user experience that drives efficiency, adoption, and ultimately, the success of Clera's customers and the company itself. You will be instrumental in defining the "look and feel" of operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Lead the design function as the company scales, potentially building and managing a design team.

• Deepen expertise in AI-driven product design and operational automation for specific industries.

• Gain extensive experience in 0-to-1 product development, market validation, and startup growth.

• Develop strong cross-functional leadership skills by working closely with founders and engineers.

• Potentially contribute to product strategy and business development as a key early team member.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are significant, tied directly to the success of the startup. This role is ideal for someone who wants to build something impactful and has a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote, with a preference for candidates in European time zones or US East Coast time zones to facilitate collaboration.

Office Location(s): Remote-first, with no fixed physical office specified.

Workspace Context:

• A fully remote, asynchronous-friendly work environment is implied, though time zone alignment is preferred for real-time collaboration.

• Access to modern design and development tools, including Figma and potentially AI-assisted coding tools.

• A culture that values speed, iteration, and direct feedback.

• Opportunities for deep collaboration with a small, dedicated team.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the startup environment may require flexibility during critical development phases. The focus is on output and impact rather than strict adherence to hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be comfortable with remote work dynamics, self-management, and proactive communication. The preference for specific time zones suggests a need for overlap for real-time meetings and collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess relevant experience, design craft, and startup suitability.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A deep dive into 2-3 key portfolio projects, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, user research methodologies, and the impact of your designs. Expect to discuss your role in B2B SaaS or complex platform design.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Potentially a take-home assignment or a live design exercise to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to work with constraints. This might involve a specific operational workflow.

• Founder/Team Interviews: Discussions to assess cultural fit, ambition, collaboration style, and understanding of the startup environment. Questions will likely probe your "scrappy" and "low ego, high ambition" qualities.

• Reference Checks: Standard procedure.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you solved, your process, and the tangible results or impact of your design. Quantify where possible (e.g., "improved user task completion by X%," "streamlined workflow Y").

• Showcase B2B & Complexity: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to design for complex business needs, data-rich interfaces, and operational workflows.

• Startup Mentality: Include examples of 0-to-1 product development, rapid prototyping, and how you adapted to user feedback in early stages.

• Process Transparency: Walk through your design process clearly, explaining your rationale at each step.

• Tool Proficiency: Mention and demonstrate your skills with Figma and any other relevant tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to analyze a hypothetical operational problem and propose design solutions.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and trade-offs clearly and concisely.

• Understand the core business of Clera (automating office operations for field service businesses) and how design can support this mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a "founding" role, the interview process will likely be rigorous, focusing heavily on your ability to operate autonomously, drive product vision, and contribute to the foundational elements of the company.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design and rapid prototyping.

• Lovable, Cursor: AI-assisted design and coding tools; familiarity is a plus.

• Webflow: Mentioned as a potential plus for prototyping or marketing surfaces.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, expect to work with product analytics tools to understand user behavior and inform design decisions. Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude are common. CRM & Automation:

• The product itself aims to automate office operations for field service businesses, implying an understanding of CRM principles, workflow automation, and data integration within business contexts. Familiarity with how CRM systems function and integrate is beneficial.

• React/TypeScript: Collaboration with engineers using these technologies means an understanding of frontend development principles is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Figma is non-negotiable. Familiarity with AI-assisted tools and frontend technologies will significantly boost a candidate's profile for this role, especially given the company's focus on AI SaaS.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: Focus on creating designs that directly improve operational efficiency and business outcomes for customers.

• User-Centricity: Deeply understanding and advocating for the needs of B2B users in field service operations.

• Speed & Agility: Embracing rapid iteration, quick decision-making, and a fast-paced development cycle.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking full responsibility for design outcomes and driving projects to completion.

• Collaboration: Working closely and transparently with founders and engineers to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with direct communication channels between design, product, and engineering.

• Emphasis on constructive feedback and rapid iteration based on team input and user insights.

• A culture that encourages proactive contribution and shared problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "low ego, high ambition" and "scrappy, hands-on" descriptors point to a culture that values hard work, initiative, and a team-first mentality, common in successful early-stage startups.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• 0-to-1 Product Development: Building a product from scratch with limited resources and evolving requirements.

• Complex B2B Workflows: Designing for intricate operational processes within field service businesses requires deep understanding and careful consideration.

• Establishing Design Foundation: Creating design systems and standards that will scale with the company.

• Remote Collaboration: Ensuring effective communication and collaboration in a fully remote, seed-stage environment.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Maintaining high design quality while iterating rapidly to meet business objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Product Strategy Influence: Directly impacting the product roadmap and business strategy.

• AI & Automation Design: Gaining specialized expertise in designing AI-powered operational tools.

• Startup Growth Experience: Learning the full spectrum of building and scaling a tech company.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunity to lead design efforts and potentially build a team.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Developing a holistic understanding of product development, engineering, and business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges but offers commensurate growth opportunities for ambitious designers looking to make a substantial impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a complex B2B product from scratch. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your 0-to-1 experience and problem-solving.)

• "How would you approach understanding the operational needs of field service businesses for our AI SaaS platform?" (Demonstrate your user research and empathy skills.)

• "Walk us through your process for establishing a design system for a new product." (Highlight your ability to build scalable foundations.)

• "How do you balance rapid iteration with maintaining design quality, especially in a startup environment?" (Showcase your agility and pragmatic approach.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in a founding design role at a seed-stage startup like Clera?" (Connect your ambition to the company's mission.)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration with engineers and founders. How do you handle disagreements?" (Assess your teamwork and communication skills.)

• "How do you embody a 'scrappy, hands-on' mentality and low-ego approach?" (Provide concrete examples of your work ethic.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem, Your Role, Solution (Process & Design), Impact (Quantifiable if possible), and Key Learnings.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about how you solved a user's problem and delivered business value.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and user flow diagrams.

• Process Emphasis: Clearly detail your research, ideation, and iteration phases.

• Tool Showcase: Briefly mention the tools used (especially Figma, AI tools) and how they aided your process.

• B2B Focus: Ensure your examples highlight experience with complex business applications and operational workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI tools and your understanding of operational efficiency in the context of field service businesses. Your ability to articulate your strategic thinking and your fit with a fast-paced startup culture will be as important as your design skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this founding product design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience with complex B2B platforms, early-stage startups, and your process for user research and rapid prototyping. Emphasize any work related to operational efficiency or workflow automation.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly states your years of experience, key skills (Figma, B2B design, user research), and any experience with AI-assisted tools or frontend technologies. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for Portfolio Walkthrough: Be ready to present and discuss 2-3 key projects in detail, focusing on your problem-solving methodology, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Practice articulating your process for a technical and business-savvy audience.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Clera, its mission, the field service industry, and the challenges of automating office operations. Understand their AI SaaS approach and be prepared to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their goals.

⚠️ 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.