Founding Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding Product Designer

Company: Clera

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations (Design Focus)

Date Posted: 2026-09-26

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end product design process for an early-stage AI voice platform, directly impacting the user experience and product strategy.

• Drive customer-centric design initiatives by collaborating directly with clients to understand needs and iterate on solutions.

• Develop intuitive interfaces for AI-first workflows, pushing the boundaries of traditional UI/UX patterns.

• Partner closely with engineering teams to ensure pragmatic, high-quality feature delivery in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Identify and explore new AI product opportunities, translating concepts into tangible prototypes and user-tested designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is "Product Designer," its emphasis on direct customer collaboration, understanding business impact, and working closely with engineering and product leadership positions it as a critical GTM-adjacent role. The "founding" aspect implies a significant degree of strategic input and ownership, aligning it with high-impact operations functions that drive market adoption and product-market fit.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle, from initial concept and user research to high-fidelity prototyping and final implementation for new features.

• Conduct in-depth customer interviews and user research to gather insights and validate design decisions, ensuring product-market fit for B2B SaaS solutions.

• Develop innovative UI/UX designs for AI-driven workflows, focusing on usability and efficiency where standard design paradigms may not apply.

• Create and maintain design systems, style guides, and documentation to ensure consistency and scalability across the product.

• Collaborate iteratively with engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to define scope, address technical constraints, and ensure successful feature launches.

• Proactively identify and propose new AI product opportunities based on market trends, customer feedback, and technological advancements.

• Design and prototype AI-native user experiences, leveraging tools and techniques that facilitate rapid iteration and testing.

• Measure and analyze the impact of design decisions on key business metrics, such as user adoption, engagement, and conversion rates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic design thinking and tactical execution, typical of a founding role in a startup. The focus on AI-native workflows and customer collaboration suggests a need for strong analytical and problem-solving skills, aligning with operational efficiency and Go-to-Market strategy considerations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: 3+ years of progressive experience in product design, with a significant portion focused on early-stage B2B SaaS startups.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in end-to-end product design, from ideation to delivery, with a strong portfolio showcasing this capability.

• Mastery of modern design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma, Lovable, V0, and Figma Make.

• Demonstrated experience working closely with software engineers, understanding technical trade-offs, and ensuring design feasibility.

• Hands-on experience with AI and LLM-driven products, with a deep understanding of AI-native development principles and user experience considerations.

• Proven ability to conduct customer interviews and translate direct customer feedback into actionable design improvements.

• Track record of designing products that have achieved measurable business impact.

• Pragmatic approach to design, prioritizing rapid iteration and shipping over perfection.

• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, particularly with engineering and product teams. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in building and maintaining design systems for scalable products.

• Familiarity with voice user interface (VUI) design principles and best practices.

• Experience with A/B testing and data-driven design optimization.

• Understanding of Agile development methodologies.

• Experience with front-end development principles (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) for better collaboration with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific tools like Figma, Lovable, V0, and Figma Make, combined with experience in AI/LLM products and B2B SaaS, highlights the technical proficiency required. The "founding" nature of the role implies a need for strong self-management, strategic thinking, and the ability to define processes from scratch, which are critical in operations-focused roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong grasp of UI/UX principles, aesthetic taste, and rapid prototyping capabilities.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable business impact achieved.

• Examples of AI-native product designs and how you approached unique UX challenges associated with AI interactions.

• Prototypes showcasing intuitive interface design for complex AI-driven workflows.

• Evidence of direct customer collaboration and iteration based on user feedback. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you've documented design processes, including user research methodologies, design decision frameworks, and collaboration protocols.

• Demonstrate experience in creating and maintaining design systems or style guides to ensure product consistency and scalability.

• Include examples of how you've worked with engineering to define implementation details and ensure smooth handoffs.

• Evidence of using data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure post-launch performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a founding designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase aesthetic and UX skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities within the AI/SaaS context, and a clear understanding of how design contributes to business objectives and operational efficiency. The ability to document and streamline processes is also a key indicator of operational mindset.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 to $160,000 USD annually. Note: This range is provided in USD. For candidates based in Berlin, Germany, salary will be adjusted to reflect local market rates and cost of living, while remaining competitive within the provided USD range.

Benefits:

• Visa sponsorship available for eligible candidates.

• Opportunity to be a founding member of the design team, with significant equity potential (to be discussed).

• Direct impact on product strategy and company direction.

• Collaborative and innovative work environment.

• Potential for professional growth and development in a rapidly evolving AI space.

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits (details to be confirmed).

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, approximately 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be offered, but the role is on-site in Berlin, requiring consistent presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in USD, which is common for early-stage startups seeking global talent. However, for an on-site role in Berlin, local compensation practices will likely apply, necessitating careful conversion and adjustment. The "founding" aspect implies significant equity opportunities, which are crucial for attracting top talent in early-stage ventures.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (AI Voice Platform, B2B SaaS)

Company Size: Early-stage startup (specific employee count not provided, but implied to be small and growing).

Founded: Early-stage company (founding date not provided).

Team Structure:

• As the founding designer, you will be a key early member of the product and engineering team.

• You will likely report directly to a co-founder or Head of Product/Engineering.

• Close collaboration with a small, agile team of engineers and product leads is expected.

• Cross-functional interaction will be frequent and essential for rapid development and iteration. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, with a strong emphasis on customer feedback and measurable business impact.

• Agile and iterative development processes, prioritizing speed and learning.

• AI-native approach to product development, exploring innovative solutions for voice and AI workflows.

• Collaborative and transparent communication across all team members.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "founding" nature of this role strongly suggests a lean, fast-paced startup environment. Operations professionals looking at this role should expect a high degree of autonomy, responsibility, and the need to establish processes rather than follow them. The company's focus on AI voice platforms positions it within a high-growth, competitive technology sector.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Founding Contributor / Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced individual who can operate with significant autonomy and strategic input.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports directly to a co-founder or Head of Product/Engineering, with direct access to leadership.

Operations Impact: As the founding designer, your work will directly shape the core product offering, influencing user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the company's revenue potential and market position. You will be instrumental in defining the user experience that drives business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

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

• Potential for significant equity and career advancement as the company grows.

• Deep specialization in AI-native product design and B2B SaaS UX.

• Become a key strategic voice in product development and company direction.

• Mentorship from experienced founders and early team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique growth trajectory. Beyond mastering AI product design, the "founding" aspect implies potential leadership development, strategic planning, and the ability to influence organizational structure and operational workflows as the company matures. This is a high-risk, high-reward opportunity for ambitious operations-minded designers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Berlin, Germany.

Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany. Specific office details (e.g., co-working space, dedicated office) are not provided but imply a physical presence is required.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative open-plan office environment is likely, fostering direct interaction with engineers and product teams.

• Access to modern design tools and technology stack necessary for AI product development.

• Opportunities for informal brainstorming sessions and design critiques with the core team.

• A dynamic and evolving workspace reflecting the startup's growth.

Work Schedule: On-site, full-time. While flexibility might be present, the expectation is consistent physical presence in the Berlin office to facilitate close collaboration and rapid iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Berlin is critical for this role. It signifies a preference for in-person collaboration, which is often crucial for early-stage startups to foster quick decision-making and a strong team culture. Operations professionals should consider the implications of relocation and daily commute.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call to assess basic qualifications, motivation, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Case Study: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, focusing on specific case studies that highlight your approach to AI product design, customer collaboration, and measurable impact. Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail.

• Technical/Design Challenge: You may be asked to complete a short design exercise or solve a hypothetical problem related to AI voice interfaces or B2B SaaS workflows.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with engineering leads, product managers, and founders to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and strategic alignment.

• Final Interview: Discussion with co-founders to finalize fit and discuss role expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI & B2B SaaS: Focus on projects that demonstrate your experience with AI-native products and B2B SaaS challenges.

• Showcase Customer Collaboration: Clearly articulate how you involved customers in your design process and how their feedback shaped the outcome.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, present metrics demonstrating the business impact of your designs (e.g., increased conversion, reduced support tickets, improved user engagement).

• Demonstrate Pragmatism: Showcase projects where you made pragmatic design decisions to ship quickly while maintaining quality.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma, Lovable, V0, and Figma Make, and how you leverage them for efficient prototyping.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with common UI/UX challenges in AI and voice interfaces.

• Practice articulating your design process and rationale concisely.

• Be prepared to think on your feet and demonstrate problem-solving skills under pressure.

• Consider how your design approach would align with the company's goal of shipping quickly and iterating.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge indicates that practical skills and problem-solving abilities are highly valued. Operations candidates should prepare to articulate their process, demonstrate quantifiable results, and showcase their ability to collaborate effectively within a fast-paced, product-led environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (required), Lovable, V0, Figma Make (required).

• Collaboration: Slack, Jira, Confluence (or similar project management/documentation tools).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to track user behavior and design impact is a plus.

• Familiarity with A/B testing tools for design validation. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding CRM principles and how design impacts sales and customer success workflows in a B2B SaaS context is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and AI-specific design tools like Lovable, V0, and Figma Make is explicitly required. This suggests the company is leveraging cutting-edge design technology to build its AI-native product, demanding a designer who is not only skilled but also forward-thinking in their toolset.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and solving customer problems through design.

• Bias for Action: A preference for shipping and iterating quickly, embracing a pragmatic approach to development.

• Data-Driven: Using data and customer feedback to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships with engineering, product, and other stakeholders.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies like AI to create groundbreaking user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with frequent interaction and shared ownership across product, engineering, and design.

• Open communication and constructive feedback are encouraged to drive continuous improvement.

• Team members are expected to be proactive and take initiative in their respective areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a startup mentality focused on speed, customer needs, and innovation. Operations professionals will find that a proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented approach is essential for success in this environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing intuitive user experiences for novel AI-first workflows where traditional patterns may not apply.

• Balancing speed of execution with the need for high-quality, user-centric design in an early-stage startup.

• Defining and establishing design processes and standards from scratch as the founding designer.

• Staying ahead of rapid advancements in AI technology and their implications for product design.

• Effectively communicating complex AI concepts through clear and simple user interfaces. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep dive into cutting-edge AI and LLM technologies and their application in B2B SaaS.

• Opportunity to shape the future of voice-based AI product design.

• Gain extensive experience in rapid prototyping and iterative design in a startup context.

• Develop leadership skills by building out the design function as the company scales.

• Attend industry events and potentially pursue certifications in AI or UX design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the innovative and pioneering nature of the role. Successfully navigating these will require strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a continuous learning mindset, all critical for operations roles that face evolving market demands.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design an AI-native product experience. What were the unique challenges, and how did you address them?"

• "How do you approach gathering customer feedback for an early-stage B2B SaaS product, and how do you translate that into design decisions?"

• "Walk us through a project where you collaborated closely with engineers. How did you ensure your designs were technically feasible and shipped efficiently?"

• "What is your process for identifying and validating new product opportunities, particularly in the AI space?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Clera and our mission to build an AI voice platform?"

• "How do you handle ambiguity and rapid change in a startup environment?"

• "Describe your ideal collaboration dynamic with product management and engineering teams."

• "What does 'pragmatic design' mean to you, and how have you applied it in previous roles?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by case study, clearly outlining the problem, your process, your role, the solution, and the measurable outcome.

• Focus on AI: For relevant projects, explicitly call out how you leveraged AI principles or designed for AI-driven functionalities.

• Quantify: Use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your design work.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about each project, highlighting your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Tool Demos: Be prepared to show interactive prototypes and discuss your use of Figma and other specified tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative design skills, strategic thinking, a strong understanding of AI and B2B SaaS, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment. Emphasize your ability to drive measurable business impact through design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Founding Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with B2B SaaS, AI/LLM products, and your proficiency with Figma, Lovable, V0, and Figma Make. Quantify your achievements with specific metrics.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in AI-native design, customer collaboration, end-to-end product design, and measurable business impact. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and professionally presented.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, your process for tackling AI-specific UX challenges, and how you contribute to business objectives. Practice presenting your portfolio projects concisely.

• Research Clera: Understand their mission, product, and target market. Prepare thoughtful questions about their product roadmap, design challenges, and company culture.

⚠️ 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.