Founding Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding Product Designer

Company: Sapiom

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-13

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Founding Product Designer role at a well-funded startup (Sapiom) building financial infrastructure for the machine economy, enabling AI agents to transact safely and securely.

• This position requires ownership of the end-to-end design process for complex, high-stakes financial transaction flows, ensuring developer trust and usability.

• The role involves deep collaboration with Product and Engineering to shape strategic direction, not just execute specifications, influencing the product roadmap.

• Focus on defining and evolving Sapiom's design system and establishing shared standards for product quality and consistency across the organization.

• Opportunity to work on challenging UX problems including agentic spend authorization, policy enforcement, real-time transaction monitoring, and developer-facing configuration flows.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for a foundational product in a nascent market (AI agent financial transactions). The "Founding" title implies a high degree of ownership, strategic input, and the opportunity to shape design culture from the ground up. The emphasis on "developer trust" and "complex technical domains" suggests a need for a designer with strong systems thinking and experience in B2B SaaS or infrastructure products.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire design lifecycle, from ideation and user research through wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design for Sapiom's core financial infrastructure platform.

• Conduct user research and discovery sessions with developers and internal stakeholders to thoroughly understand complex requirements for AI agent financial transactions, spend controls, and policy management.

• Translate intricate financial and risk-related concepts into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for both developer-facing tools and operational dashboards.

• Develop and meticulously maintain Sapiom's comprehensive design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all product touchpoints.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to define product strategy, roadmap priorities, and feature specifications, advocating for user-centered design principles.

• Partner with Software Engineers throughout the development process to ensure accurate implementation of designs, providing detailed specifications and interactive prototypes.

• Champion design quality and consistency across the organization, establishing best practices and fostering a culture of design excellence.

• Contribute to the definition and evolution of AI-driven design tooling and processes, leveraging tools like v0, Cursor, or Claude Code for rapid prototyping and implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product involvement and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "delivering the right artifact at the right moment" and using a spectrum of tools (FigJam, Figma, v0/Cursor/Claude Code) indicates a need for a pragmatic and adaptable designer who can move fluidly between conceptualization and execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

• 5-10 years of professional experience in Product Design, UX/UI Design, or Interaction Design, with a significant portion focused on complex technical domains. Required Skills:

• Proven track record designing and shipping interactive products in challenging technical areas such as developer tooling, infrastructure software, fintech, or security.

• Exceptional craft in visual design, UI design, and interaction design, with a strong understanding of design principles and best practices.

• Proficiency in modern design tooling, including collaborative workshops (e.g., FigJam), high-fidelity design (e.g., Figma), and experience with code-based prototyping tools (e.g., v0, Cursor, Claude Code, or similar).

• Strong systems thinking capabilities, enabling the design of coherent and scalable user experiences for complex platforms.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate design perspectives, provide constructive feedback, and influence cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in fast-paced, agile engineering environments.

• Capacity to operate comfortably in ambiguity, contributing to the definition of a function and product early in its lifecycle.

• A genuine openness to feedback and a collaborative spirit, prioritizing team outcomes over individual ego. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for API-first products or developer platforms.

• Familiarity with financial systems, payments infrastructure, or regulatory compliance challenges.

• Experience contributing to or leading the development of design systems.

• Understanding of AI/ML concepts and their application in product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "complex technical domains" and "sophisticated users" points towards a need for a designer who can grasp deep technical concepts and translate them into clear, functional interfaces. The mention of "no ego about the work, full investment in the outcome" suggests a culture that values collaboration and collective success.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating ownership of the end-to-end design process for complex interactive products.

• Prioritize projects in technical domains such as developer tools, infrastructure, fintech, or enterprise software, highlighting challenges related to complex workflows and sophisticated user bases.

• Clearly articulate your role, the design challenges, your process, the solutions you developed, and the measurable impact of your work.

• Include examples of how you have collaborated with Product and Engineering teams, and how you have advocated for design decisions.

• Demonstrate proficiency with key design tools (Figma, FigJam) and any experience with code-based prototyping (v0, Cursor, Claude Code). Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail your approach to user research, requirements gathering, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and user testing.

• Provide insights into how you defined and evolved design systems, including examples of components, patterns, and guidelines.

• Illustrate your method for handling ambiguity and iterating on designs based on feedback and technical constraints.

• Show how you translated complex requirements into clear, actionable design specifications for engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, as it directly demonstrates the candidate's ability to handle the complexity and technical nature of Sapiom's product. Emphasis should be placed on the design process, problem-solving, and quantifiable outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Founding Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in San Francisco, California, in a well-funded Series A/B startup in the fintech/infrastructure space, the estimated annual salary range is $150,000 - $200,000. This range also includes potential equity compensation, which is standard for founding roles in early-stage startups. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Equity/stock options as part of the founding team.

• Professional development budget for conferences, courses, and learning resources.

• Opportunity to shape company culture and product direction.

• Relocation assistance may be available for candidates relocating to San Francisco. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility for project deadlines and collaborative needs. The role is on-site in San Francisco.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical compensation for similar roles in San Francisco's tech hub, factoring in the startup's funding stage, the "founding" nature of the role, and the specialized technical domain. Equity is a significant component of compensation for founding team members.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

• Sapiom operates at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Financial Technology (Fintech), and Infrastructure Software. They are building the foundational economic layer for the emerging machine economy, which presents a unique market opportunity and a complex set of technical and design challenges. Company Size:

• Early-stage startup, likely with a small, agile team (less than 50 employees). This means a high degree of individual impact, broad responsibilities, and a close-knit working environment. Founded:

• Founded recently, with significant backing ($15.75M from Accel, Menlo, and Anthropic), indicating strong market validation and ambitious growth plans. Team Structure:

• As an early design hire, you will likely be the sole or one of the first dedicated product designers. You will report directly to a Head of Product or CEO/CTO.

• You will work very closely with a small, cross-functional team including Product Managers, Software Engineers (potentially with AI/ML and backend infrastructure expertise), and leadership.

• Collaboration will be highly integrated, with design input expected from the earliest stages of product strategy and roadmap planning. Methodology:

• Sapiom's methodology is expected to be agile and iterative, driven by rapid product development and continuous learning.

• Emphasis will be placed on data-driven decision-making, leveraging user feedback and system performance metrics to inform design and product evolution.

• A strong focus on building scalable, robust, and secure financial infrastructure will be paramount.

Company Website: https://www.sapiom.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture will be fast-paced, innovative, and demanding, typical of a well-funded early-stage startup. The "founding" aspect means high ownership and the chance to influence culture and processes significantly.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role is for a senior-level Product Designer, specifically a "Founding" member. It offers a high degree of autonomy, strategic influence, and responsibility for establishing the design function at Sapiom. The scope includes shaping product vision, defining design language, and building foundational UX for a novel market. Reporting Structure:

• You will likely report directly to a senior leader, such as the CEO, CTO, or Head of Product. This close proximity to leadership provides direct access and influence on strategic decisions. Operations Impact:

• Your work will directly impact Sapiom's ability to attract and retain sophisticated developer customers by ensuring the platform is trustworthy, usable, and efficient. Successful design will be critical for the adoption and success of their autonomous spend rails and financial infrastructure. Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: As the company grows, you will have the opportunity to build and lead a design team, establishing hiring processes, mentorship programs, and scaling the design function.

• Product Strategy: Deep involvement in product strategy will allow you to grow your understanding of market dynamics, business models, and strategic decision-making in the AI and fintech space.

• Technical Domain Expertise: Develop deep expertise in designing for complex financial infrastructure and AI agent interactions, a highly specialized and in-demand skill set.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Gain extensive experience collaborating with engineering, product, and business leaders, enhancing your ability to influence and drive outcomes across an organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a high-impact role with significant growth potential, particularly for individuals looking to take on leadership responsibilities and shape a product from its inception. The "founding" title implies a trajectory towards leadership as the company scales.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• On-site role in San Francisco, California. This suggests a traditional office environment designed for collaboration, innovation, and team cohesion. Office Location(s):

• San Francisco, CA. This location offers access to a vibrant tech ecosystem, talent pool, and networking opportunities. Specific office details (e.g., amenities, layout) would be provided during the interview process. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace that encourages frequent interaction with product managers, engineers, and leadership. Open communication and cross-functional problem-solving will be key.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design tools (Figma, FigJam) and potentially cutting-edge AI-assisted design and coding tools (v0, Cursor, Claude Code) will be part of the environment. The company is investing in enabling efficient and effective design and development workflows.

• Team Interaction: Frequent design critiques, brainstorming sessions, and roadmap planning meetings will be integral to the daily workflow, fostering a strong sense of shared purpose and collective ownership.

Work Schedule:

• The role requires standard full-time hours, but the fast-paced startup environment may necessitate flexibility to meet project deadlines. The on-site nature emphasizes in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Francisco suggests an environment conducive to deep collaboration and immersion in the company's mission. The mention of AI-assisted tools points to a forward-thinking approach to design workflows.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Deep Dive: A dedicated session to thoroughly review your portfolio. Expect to walk through 1-2 key case studies in detail, discussing your process, rationale, challenges, and outcomes. Be prepared to articulate your design thinking and problem-solving approach.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be given a take-home design exercise or a live whiteboard challenge focused on a relevant problem space (e.g., designing a feature for agentic spend controls or a developer configuration flow). This assesses your practical design skills and ability to think on your feet.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate your collaboration skills, ability to communicate technical concepts, and how you integrate design into an engineering workflow.

• Leadership Interview: A final conversation with a founder or senior leader to assess strategic thinking, cultural alignment, and long-term vision for the design function.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate the problem, your hypothesis, your research methods, design iterations, and the rationale behind your decisions. Show how you think.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced error rates, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Tailor to Sapiom: Highlight projects that demonstrate experience in complex technical domains, developer tooling, fintech, or infrastructure. Show you understand the unique challenges of designing for AI agents and financial transactions.

• Be Ready to Discuss Ambiguity: As a founding designer, you'll have to navigate ambiguity. Be prepared to discuss how you approach ill-defined problems and contribute to defining them.

• Showcase Collaboration: Include examples of how you've worked effectively with engineers and product managers, and how you've handled constructive feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Sapiom's mission, the concept of AI agents, autonomous spend rails, and the challenges of financial infrastructure for machines.

• Think Systems: Approach any challenge with a systems-thinking mindset, considering the broader implications and interactions of the proposed solution.

• Prioritize & Justify: For any design exercise, clearly state your assumptions and priorities, and be ready to justify your design choices based on user needs, technical feasibility, and business goals.

• Prototype & Iterate: If time and format allow, demonstrate your ability to quickly prototype and iterate on ideas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and adaptability, crucial for a founding team member. The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for high-fidelity design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• FigJam: For collaborative workshops, brainstorming, and ideation sessions.

• v0 / Cursor / Claude Code (or similar): Experience with AI-assisted design and coding tools for rapid prototyping and potentially generating production-ready components. This indicates a forward-thinking approach to design workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for design, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and product performance will be beneficial for data-informed design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's core responsibilities, but understanding how design integrates with broader CRM and automation workflows might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of AI-assisted design/coding tools is a key differentiator, suggesting Sapiom is embracing cutting-edge technology to accelerate its design and development cycles. Proficiency in these tools will be a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Trust & Reliability: Given the financial nature of the product, building and maintaining user trust is paramount. Designs must be clear, secure, and dependable.

• Innovation & Boldness: As a company pioneering a new market, a culture of innovation, pushing boundaries, and embracing new technologies (like AI in design) is expected.

• Collaboration & Candor: A strong emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback, and working effectively across disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency & Pragmatism: The ability to deliver high-quality work efficiently, knowing when to use existing patterns and when to create new ones, and making pragmatic trade-offs.

• Ownership & Accountability: A culture where individuals take full ownership of their work and are accountable for the outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Cross-functional Teams: Design will be deeply embedded with Product and Engineering, participating in all stages of the product development lifecycle.

• Iterative Design & Feedback Loops: Expect a continuous cycle of design, feedback, iteration, and testing, with active participation from all team members.

• Shared Standards & Knowledge Sharing: A commitment to establishing and adhering to shared design standards, with an emphasis on knowledge sharing and mentorship within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of technical rigor, user focus, and a dynamic startup mentality. The collaborative style will be hands-on and integrated, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for a Novel Market: Creating intuitive interfaces for AI agents and complex financial transactions in a nascent market presents significant conceptual and UX challenges.

• Balancing Developer Needs with Business Requirements: Ensuring the platform is powerful enough for sophisticated developers while remaining accessible and controllable for business overseers.

• Establishing Design Function from Scratch: As the founding designer, you'll be responsible for building the design process, system, and culture from the ground up.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in an early-stage startup means dealing with evolving requirements and strategic pivots, requiring adaptability and resilience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Expertise in AI & Fintech: Gain unparalleled experience at the forefront of AI agent financial infrastructure, a rapidly growing and critical field.

• Leadership and Team Building: The opportunity to grow into a design leadership role, mentor junior designers, and shape the future of the design team.

• Strategic Product Influence: Contribute directly to the product vision and strategy, developing a strong understanding of business development and market dynamics.

• Cutting-Edge Tooling: Become proficient with advanced AI-assisted design and development tools that are shaping the future of product creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to tackle complex, forward-thinking challenges and develop highly specialized skills in a high-growth area, with significant potential for career advancement into leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a system for AI agents to authorize and track spend, considering both autonomous execution and human oversight?"

• "Describe a time you designed for a technically complex domain. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?"

• "How would you go about defining and scaling a design system for a new product in a rapidly evolving market?"

• "What are the key considerations for designing an API interface that developers will trust and find easy to use?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Sapiom's mission and the problem we're solving?"

• "How do you approach giving and receiving feedback, especially in a fast-paced startup environment?"

• "Describe your ideal collaboration model with Product Managers and Engineers."

• "How do you see the role of design evolving in a company building infrastructure for AI agents?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem and the business/user impact of the project.

• Showcase Your Process: Walk through your steps logically, explaining your rationale at each stage. Use diagrams, sketches, and user flows to illustrate your thinking.

• Highlight Collaboration: Discuss how you worked with stakeholders, handled disagreements, and integrated feedback.

• Quantify Results: Present any data or metrics that demonstrate the success of your design solutions.

• Address Ambiguity: Be prepared to discuss how you handled uncertainty or evolving requirements in your projects.

• Connect to Sapiom: Explicitly link your experience and skills to the challenges and opportunities at Sapiom.

📝 Enhancement Note: Focus on demonstrating not just design execution, but strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, early-stage environment. Be ready to discuss your experience with complex systems and your approach to building trust with sophisticated users.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this founding product designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight relevant projects in complex technical domains (fintech, infrastructure, developer tools) and showcase your end-to-end design process. Emphasize your experience with Figma and any AI-assisted design tools.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with complex interactive products, your ability to collaborate with engineering, and any leadership or foundational experience. Use keywords like "Product Design," "UX/UI," "Fintech," "Developer Tooling," and "Design Systems."

• Prepare Case Studies: Be ready to walk through 1-2 key portfolio case studies in depth, focusing on your problem-solving approach, design decisions, and measurable impact. Practice articulating your process and rationale clearly.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Sapiom's mission, their product, the market they are entering, and their funding. Understand the challenges of designing financial infrastructure for AI agents and prepare thoughtful questions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Sapiom during the application and interview process.