Founding Product Designer (New York)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding Product Designer

Company: Edra

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations (Design Focus)

Date Posted: 2026-08-10

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end design process for critical product areas within a Series A enterprise AI startup, translating complex, ambiguous problems into elegant, user-centered solutions.

• Drive user research initiatives to deeply understand customer needs, pain points, and actual product usage patterns, informing design decisions with actionable insights.

• Develop and iterate on wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity interfaces, utilizing modern design tools like Figma to explore and validate design concepts effectively.

• Foster strong, collaborative partnerships with engineering and product management teams, ensuring seamless execution of designs and iterative improvements based on post-launch learnings.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a scalable design system, establishing consistent patterns and best practices across the product to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is primarily a Product Designer, the emphasis on "enterprise AI," "company processes are specific," and "AI agents that learn how processes actually run" suggests a strong connection to operational efficiency and GTM (Go-To-Market) enablement through product design. The "Founding" aspect implies a significant influence on foundational design principles and processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the design lifecycle for key product modules, from initial concept and user research to final implementation and iteration, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research, including interviews, usability testing, and data analysis, to uncover user needs and validate design hypotheses.

• Produce a range of design artifacts, including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, to effectively communicate design solutions to stakeholders.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs, providing clear specifications and participating in design reviews throughout the development cycle.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system, including style guides, component libraries, and pattern documentation, to ensure product consistency and accelerate future design efforts.

• Contribute to product strategy by identifying user needs and market opportunities, translating them into innovative design solutions that drive adoption and customer satisfaction.

• Advocate for user-centered design principles, educating internal teams on the value of design thinking and its impact on product success and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed to highlight the impact on product and, by extension, the operational efficiency of customers using Edra's AI agents. The focus on "enterprise AI" and "company processes" implies that the design solutions will directly influence how businesses operate.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, human-computer interaction, and user experience is expected, often gained through formal education in Design, HCI, or related fields, or through equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in digital product design, with a proven track record of delivering successful products from concept to launch, demonstrating end-to-end product thinking.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in the full product design lifecycle, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design.

• Proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma or equivalent industry-standard software.

• Proven ability to translate complex, ambiguous problems into clear, elegant, and user-friendly solutions.

• Strong understanding of design systems, component libraries, and their application in creating scalable and consistent user experiences.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and influence stakeholders effectively.

• Experience conducting user research, including methods such as user interviews, usability testing, and persona development.

• Comfort and proficiency working in fast-paced, ambiguous startup environments. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with front-end development constraints and principles (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript frameworks) to facilitate better collaboration with engineering.

• Experience designing for enterprise software, B2B products, or AI-driven platforms.

• A keen curiosity about how users interact with products and a data-driven approach to design validation.

• Experience contributing to or establishing design processes and best practices within a growing team.

• Basic understanding of AI concepts and their implications for user experience design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Founding" nature of this role implies a need for proactive self-starters who can not only execute but also help define the design function. The emphasis on enterprise AI and process specificity suggests a preference for designers who can grasp complex workflows and translate them into intuitive interfaces.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design work, demonstrating your ability to tackle ambiguous problems and deliver elegant solutions.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the impact of your work (quantifiable metrics are highly valued).

• Examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity interface designs.

• Evidence of contributions to or development of design systems, including component libraries and pattern documentation.

• Demonstrations of user research methodologies employed and how insights informed design decisions. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've documented design processes, workflows, and decision-making rationale.

• Illustrate how you've collaborated with engineering and product management to bring designs to life, including any iteration based on feedback or post-launch learnings.

• Showcase how you have contributed to establishing or refining design patterns and standards within a product or team.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Founding Product Designer," the portfolio should not only showcase execution but also strategic thinking and the ability to establish foundational design processes. The focus on enterprise AI means showcasing an ability to design for complex workflows and business-critical applications.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $170,000 - $220,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive base salary.

• Meaningful equity in a rapidly growing Series A startup.

• Top-tier health, dental, and vision plans with 100% premium coverage in the US.

• One Medical membership for convenient healthcare access.

• Private medical and dental coverage in the UK (for potential future global alignment or UK team members).

• Flexible paid time off to support work-life balance.

• Daily lunch provided in the office, along with snacks and drinks.

• A stipend to set up a comfortable and productive home workspace.

Working Hours: Full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. The on-site nature suggests a standard office schedule, but flexibility may be available based on project needs and team collaboration, particularly given the startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a founding role in New York City with the specified experience level. The benefits package is comprehensive and indicative of a well-funded startup aiming to attract top talent. The "Founding" role may imply a need for extended hours during critical project phases.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Enterprise AI / Artificial Intelligence / SaaS. Edra is positioned at the intersection of AI and business process automation, addressing a critical gap where generic AI models meet specific company operations. This places Edra in a high-growth, technologically advanced market sector.

Company Size: Series A startup, indicating a team that is likely between 50-150 employees, growing rapidly. This size offers a balance of established processes and agile, startup dynamism.

Founded: The company's founding leadership includes individuals with significant experience from Palantir, a company renowned for its deep technical expertise and complex enterprise solutions. This background suggests a culture that values technical rigor, problem-solving, and a commitment to tackling challenging problems.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely nascent, with this "Founding Product Designer" role being instrumental in shaping its structure and processes.

• Collaboration will be tight with Product Management and Engineering, especially given the "Founding" aspect, implying direct access to co-founders and leadership.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, essential for integrating AI capabilities with specific business processes and ensuring user adoption. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging user research and product analytics to inform design and product strategy.

• Agile development methodologies, enabling rapid iteration and adaptation to user feedback and market changes.

• Emphasis on building robust, scalable solutions for enterprise clients, requiring meticulous attention to detail and process.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's origin from Palantir leadership suggests a culture that prioritizes technical excellence, strategic thinking, and the ability to solve highly complex problems. The "Founding" title for the designer implies a significant opportunity to shape the product's user experience and the design function itself.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Founding" Product Designer role, signifying a senior-level position with significant autonomy and impact. It's a critical early hire that will lay the groundwork for future design practices and product evolution. The role carries substantial responsibility and influence, akin to a lead or principal designer in a larger organization, but with the added imperative of establishing the function.

Reporting Structure: Likely reporting directly to a co-founder, Head of Product, or Head of Engineering, given the early stage and "Founding" title. This provides direct access to leadership and strategic decision-making.

Operations Impact: The product designer's work directly impacts how enterprise clients interact with and leverage AI for their specific processes. Successful design will lead to increased user adoption, operational efficiency for clients, and ultimately, revenue growth for Edra. The design will be integral to the product's ability to solve its core problem.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to build and lead the design function from its inception, defining its processes, tools, and culture.

• Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Head of Design role as the company scales.

• Deep engagement with cutting-edge enterprise AI technology and complex business problems, fostering unique skill development.

• Significant influence on product strategy and the company's overall direction.

• Mentorship from experienced founders with a background in highly technical and successful product organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Founding" title is paramount here, indicating a role with high visibility and a direct impact on the company's trajectory. Growth opportunities are tied to the company's success and the individual's ability to establish and scale the design discipline.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Edra operates with an on-site work model, requiring employees to work from their West Village (New York) office five days a week. This fosters a collaborative and immersive work environment.

Office Location(s): West Village, New York City. This is a vibrant and desirable location, known for its creative atmosphere and accessibility, which can be appealing to design professionals.

Workspace Context:

• The on-site model facilitates spontaneous collaboration, whiteboarding sessions, and direct interaction with engineering and product teams, crucial for rapid iteration in a startup.

• Access to provided amenities like lunch, snacks, and drinks aims to create a comfortable and productive environment, minimizing distractions and supporting focus.

• The "Founding" role implies a dynamic and often fast-paced environment where adaptability and a proactive approach are key.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site in the West Village office. While a standard work week is expected, the startup nature may require flexibility to meet project deadlines and critical development milestones. The focus is on output and collaboration within the office environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory five-day on-site work model is a key characteristic. This environment is designed to maximize in-person collaboration, which is often prioritized in early-stage startups for speed and cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, discuss your design process, and delve into specific case studies. Expect questions about your approach to ambiguous problems, user research, and collaboration.

• Design Exercise/Challenge: Potentially a take-home assignment or a live design exercise focused on a relevant problem. This assesses your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to articulate your solutions.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with engineering, product management, and potentially co-founders to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and strategic alignment.

• Final Round: Likely with senior leadership or co-founders to discuss vision, cultural fit, and overall strategic contribution.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end product thinking, especially those involving complex problems or enterprise solutions.

• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your design decisions, and the impact of your work. Use visuals effectively.

• Be prepared to discuss your Figma proficiency, design system contributions, and how you collaborate with engineers.

• Emphasize your comfort with ambiguity and your proactive approach to problem-solving.

• Showcase how you've incorporated user feedback and iterated on designs. Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the core problem and user needs quickly.

• Structure your approach logically, outlining assumptions, research methods, design explorations, and final recommendations.

• Be prepared to present your solution concisely and defend your design decisions, highlighting trade-offs and potential future iterations.

• Consider how your solution might integrate with existing or future AI capabilities and operational workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Founding" aspect means interviewers will be looking for more than just execution; they'll be assessing your potential to build and lead. Demonstrating strategic thinking, process establishment capabilities, and a strong understanding of enterprise challenges will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (primary requirement), potentially Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for specific asset creation.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello may be used by the broader team, requiring seamless integration with design workflows.

• Communication: Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) are used to track user behavior and measure product success is beneficial.

• Familiarity with dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker) might be helpful for understanding how design impact is communicated. CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms is less critical for this role but useful for context on enterprise customer workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma proficiency is a non-negotiable. The emphasis on enterprise AI and process automation suggests that designers who can understand the data flow and system logic behind the user interface will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Rigor: A strong emphasis on technical depth and quality in all aspects of product development, stemming from the founders' background.

• Problem Solving: A culture that thrives on tackling complex, challenging problems in AI and enterprise operations.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and close working relationships across teams to ensure alignment and efficient execution.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and serving the needs of enterprise customers, ensuring the AI solutions are practical and valuable.

• Impact-Driven: Focus on building products that deliver tangible value and drive significant operational improvements for clients.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with designers working hand-in-hand with product managers and engineers throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Iterative and feedback-driven, with a culture of open critique and continuous improvement.

• Cross-functional teams are the norm, requiring strong communication skills and the ability to bridge technical and design perspectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely to be fast-paced, intellectually stimulating, and focused on delivering high-impact solutions. The "Founding" designer will be a key cultural contributor, setting the tone for design within the organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for complex, often highly customized enterprise workflows where user needs can be intricate and varied.

• Translating sophisticated AI capabilities into intuitive and actionable user interfaces that genuinely improve operational efficiency.

• Establishing design best practices and a scalable design system from the ground up in a rapidly growing startup.

• Balancing the need for rapid iteration with the requirement for robust, reliable enterprise-grade solutions.

• Effectively communicating and advocating for design decisions to a technically-minded team and leadership. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gaining deep expertise in enterprise AI, process automation, and the unique challenges of applying AI to specific business operations.

• Opportunity to shape the future of a product and establish a design function within a well-funded, high-growth startup.

• Exposure to high-level strategic discussions and decision-making from experienced founders.

• Potential for leadership growth as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the innovative nature of Edra's product and the early-stage environment. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to build something impactful from the ground up.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you tackled a highly ambiguous product problem. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your structured approach, research, and decision-making.)

• "How would you design an AI agent to learn and adapt to a company's specific financial reporting process?" (Demonstrate your understanding of user workflows, data input, and AI interaction.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in your design process?" (Highlight your ability to make trade-offs and find optimal solutions.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working on enterprise AI and process automation specifically?" (Connect your passion to Edra's mission.)

• "How do you see design contributing to the success of a company like Edra?" (Emphasize impact on user adoption, efficiency, and revenue.)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration with engineering and product management." (Showcase your partnership approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative – the challenge, your journey, and the resolution.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, final UIs) to illustrate your process and solutions effectively.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics (e.g., user satisfaction scores, task completion rates, efficiency gains) to demonstrate the value of your design work.

• Highlight Process: Be ready to explain why you made specific design choices and how your process led to those decisions.

• Be Authentic: Share your passion for design and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Founding" role, expect deeper dives into your strategic thinking, leadership potential, and ability to establish processes. Be prepared to discuss not just what you designed, but how and why, and how you would build a design function.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Founding Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Craft a compelling portfolio: Curate your best work, focusing on end-to-end product design, complex problem-solving, and quantifiable impact. Ensure case studies clearly articulate your process and rationale.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience relevant to enterprise products, AI, and your ability to work in ambiguous, fast-paced environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for a deep dive: Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your design philosophy, and explain how you would contribute to building Edra's design function from the ground up.

• Research Edra: Understand their mission, product, and the problem they are solving in enterprise AI. Consider how your design skills can directly address these challenges.

⚠️ 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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