Founding Product Designer (UI/UX)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding Product Designer (UI/UX)

Company: Lance

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Interface

Date Posted: 2026-06-02

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Owns the end-to-end user experience for AI-driven hotel operations platforms, translating complex AI workflows into intuitive and elegant interfaces.

• Establishes Lance’s design language and design system from the ground up, ensuring consistency and high quality across all customer-facing platforms.

• Collaborates directly with founders, product managers, and engineers to define both long-term design vision and short-term tactical execution for a category-defining product.

• Conducts user research and usability testing to validate design decisions and champion the user's perspective in product development.

• Bridges the gap between design and front-end implementation, ensuring pixel-perfect execution and a seamless user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is "Product Designer," its focus on B2B SaaS, complex workflows, and integration with operational systems positions it closely related to GTM Operations Interface Design. The emphasis on establishing design language and systems from scratch in a founding role suggests significant strategic input and operational impact. The implied experience level is mid-senior, suitable for someone ready to take significant ownership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire design process, from initial concept development and wireframing to high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototyping for AI agent interfaces and customer platforms.

• Translate intricate user needs, product requirements, and complex AI operational workflows into visually appealing, highly intuitive, and functionally robust user interfaces.

• Partner closely with the founding team, product managers, and engineers to conceptualize and execute both the overarching design vision and immediate product enhancements.

• Develop, maintain, and champion Lance’s design system, ensuring a cohesive and premium user experience across all touchpoints and platforms.

• Execute comprehensive user research initiatives and usability testing sessions to gather critical feedback, validate design hypotheses, and advocate for user-centric design principles.

• Work hand-in-hand with the engineering team to ensure seamless translation of design concepts into production-ready front-end code, maintaining design integrity and pixel-perfect accuracy.

• Define and document user flows, interaction models, and visual design guidelines that support efficient hotel operations and AI agent integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a deep involvement in the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to implementation, with a strong emphasis on translating complex operational processes into user-friendly interfaces. This requires not just design skills but also an understanding of operational workflows and how technology can streamline them.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: No specific degree mentioned, but a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience is paramount.

Experience: Mid-senior level experience in product design, with a proven track record in complex B2B SaaS or enterprise application design.

Required Skills:

• A world-class portfolio showcasing expertise in UI/UX design, visual design, and strategic product thinking. (Link required for application).

• Proven experience in designing complex B2B SaaS or enterprise applications, demonstrating an understanding of business workflows and user needs.

• Deep proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools, with a specific emphasis on Figma.

• Strong command of user-centered design principles and a demonstrated passion for solving complex user problems through design.

• High degree of ownership, a strong bias for action, and comfort with ambiguity and creating structure in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and influence stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with front-end development technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript/React, to facilitate better collaboration with engineering and understand implementation constraints.

• Experience in establishing and scaling design systems within a product organization.

• Background in user research methodologies and conducting usability testing.

• Experience designing for AI-powered products or complex workflow automation tools.

• Understanding of the hospitality industry or operational technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "world-class portfolio" and "product thinking" suggests that practical, demonstrated skills and strategic design acumen are more critical than formal education. The preference for front-end familiarity indicates a desire for a designer who can deeply collaborate with engineering and understand technical feasibility.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrates end-to-end product design ownership, from initial concept to final execution, for complex B2B SaaS or enterprise applications.

• Showcases expertise in translating intricate user needs and operational workflows into intuitive and elegant user interfaces.

• Highlights experience in establishing and scaling design systems, ensuring consistency and quality across product touchpoints.

• Includes case studies that clearly articulate the problem, design process, solutions, and measurable impact or learnings.

• Features examples of user research and usability testing, demonstrating how feedback informed design iterations. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail the user-centered design process, including research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design stages.

• Examples of how design decisions were validated through user feedback or data analysis.

• Documentation of how design systems were developed and maintained, including component libraries and style guides.

• Evidence of close collaboration with engineering, showing how designs were implemented effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's ability to handle complex design challenges in a B2B SaaS environment. The emphasis is on demonstrating a structured, user-centric design process and tangible outcomes, especially in the context of operational efficiency and AI integration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $160,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Equity in a fast-growing YC W26 startup.

• Bonus potential, reflecting performance and company success.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (assumed standard for a San Francisco-based tech company).

• Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement in a rapidly evolving AI and SaaS landscape.

• High impact role with significant influence on the company's product direction and culture.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Founding Product Designer role in San Francisco, especially for a YC-backed startup. The inclusion of equity and bonus signifies a performance-driven compensation structure. The "On-site" work arrangement for San Francisco implies that candidates should be local or willing to relocate.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology - AI, Hospitality Technology, SaaS. Lance operates at the intersection of AI, enterprise software, and the hospitality sector, aiming to automate complex hotel operations.

Company Size: Early-stage startup (YC W26 implies a small, agile team, likely under 20 employees). This means high collaboration, rapid iteration, and direct impact.

Founded: YC W26 batch, indicating a recent founding (likely 2026 or late 2025) with strong early-stage traction and investor backing.

Team Structure:

• Small, integrated founding team with direct collaboration between design, product, and engineering.

• The Founding Product Designer will report directly to the founders or CEO.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with designers working closely with engineers and product managers on a daily basis. Methodology:

• Agile and iterative product development approach, characteristic of early-stage startups.

• Data-driven decision-making, informed by user research, product analytics, and operational metrics.

• Focus on building impactful, end-to-end solutions rather than incremental features.

• Emphasis on establishing foundational processes and systems that can scale.

Company Website: https://lance.live

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is typical of an early-stage, YC-backed startup: fast-paced, high-ownership, collaborative, and focused on building a category-defining product. The "founding" nature of the role means the designer will play a crucial part in shaping not just the product but also the company's design ethos and operational efficiency through excellent UI/UX.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Founding Product Designer. This is a highly impactful, early-stage role that offers significant influence and responsibility. It's positioned at a senior level, requiring independence and strategic thinking.

Reporting Structure: Direct reporting line to the founders, providing high visibility and direct access to leadership for strategic input.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts customer adoption, operational efficiency for hotels, and the overall perceived value and usability of Lance's AI agents. This role is critical for ensuring the success of the product in the market by making complex technology accessible and effective for hotel operators.

Growth Opportunities:

• Shape the entire design function and culture of a rapidly growing startup.

• Grow into a Design Lead or Head of Design role as the company scales.

• Gain deep expertise in AI product design, B2B SaaS, and the hospitality technology sector.

• Develop strong strategic product development skills by working closely with founders on core business decisions.

• Opportunity to build and mentor a future design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This founding role offers a unique opportunity for rapid career growth and significant influence. The trajectory is from individual contributor with broad scope to potential leadership, with a strong emphasis on building foundational design practices within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in San Francisco, CA. This suggests a collaborative office environment where in-person interaction is valued for rapid ideation and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California.

Workspace Context:

• A dynamic, collaborative startup environment conducive to rapid prototyping and iteration.

• Access to cutting-edge tools and technologies, including Figma and potentially AI development environments.

• Opportunities for close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, product managers, and founders.

• A culture that encourages experimentation and learning, with a focus on solving complex, real-world operational problems.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, with the expectation of flexibility and dedication common in startup environments, particularly in a founding role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Francisco points to a preference for hands-on collaboration and team synergy, which is crucial for early-stage product development. The environment is expected to be fast-paced and outcome-oriented.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio link to assess foundational skills, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Review & Design Exercise: A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio, followed by or including a design challenge or case study presentation focused on translating complex operational problems into UI/UX solutions.

• Founder/Team Interviews: Interviews with the founders and key team members to assess strategic thinking, cultural fit, communication skills, and ability to operate in a high-ownership environment.

• Technical/Collaboration Discussion: A session to discuss design-engineering collaboration, understanding of front-end constraints, and approach to building design systems.

• Final Decision: Offer extended to the selected candidate.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to highlight B2B SaaS or enterprise application design projects, emphasizing complexity and operational impact.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process (research, ideation, iteration), your specific contributions, and the outcomes or learnings.

• Showcase your ability to create intuitive interfaces for complex systems, especially those involving AI or workflow automation.

• Demonstrate your experience with Figma and your approach to building or contributing to design systems.

• Be prepared to discuss your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you advocated for the user. Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate a design challenge that requires you to conceptualize a UI/UX solution for a complex operational problem, potentially related to hotel management or AI agent interaction.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, focusing on user needs and business objectives.

• Be ready to present your solution and rationale, demonstrating your ability to think strategically and translate abstract concepts into tangible design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly vet a candidate's design expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to thrive in a founding role. The portfolio is paramount, and candidates should be prepared to present it as a narrative of their problem-solving capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.

• Prototyping Tools: Deep experience with Figma's prototyping capabilities or other advanced prototyping tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with analytics platforms (e.g., Mixpanel, Amplitude) for understanding user behavior and validating design hypotheses.

• Ability to interpret data to inform design decisions and measure the impact of UI/UX improvements. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/React): While not a direct requirement, this is a significant plus, indicating a designer who understands the implementation side and can collaborate effectively with engineers.

• Understanding of how design integrates with backend systems and APIs, especially in the context of AI agents and operational workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and front-end familiarity points to a desire for a designer who is both technically adept and collaborative with engineering. The role requires an understanding of how design translates into functional, scalable software, particularly for complex B2B applications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of hotel operators and guests through intuitive design.

• Execution & Impact: A drive to not just design but to build and ship impactful solutions that directly contribute to Lance's mission and customer success.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork, open communication, and shared problem-solving.

• Innovation: A passion for leveraging AI and technology to redefine operational efficiency and create new possibilities.

• Ownership: A proactive mindset, taking full responsibility for outcomes and driving initiatives forward with minimal oversight.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly integrated and collaborative, with designers working daily alongside product managers and engineers.

• Emphasis on clear, concise communication and constructive feedback loops.

• A culture of shared learning and continuous improvement, where design challenges are tackled as a team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values reflect a typical early-stage startup focused on rapid product development and customer success. A founding designer must embody these values, contributing to the team's overall ethos and operational excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining a new design language and system for a novel category of AI-powered operational agents.

• Translating highly complex, multi-step hotel operational workflows into simple, intuitive user interfaces.

• Balancing the need for rapid iteration and shipping with the development of a robust, scalable design system.

• Advocating for user needs in a fast-paced environment where technical feasibility and business goals are also critical drivers.

• Establishing design best practices and processes from scratch within a nascent company. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep dive into AI product design and its unique challenges.

• Gain expertise in B2B SaaS product strategy and execution in a high-growth environment.

• Develop strong leadership and strategic product development skills by working directly with founders.

• Become an expert in the hospitality technology sector and its operational complexities.

• Potential to build and lead a design team as Lance scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a founding role in a startup creating a new product category. These challenges also present significant growth opportunities for a designer looking to make a substantial impact and develop a broad skill set.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing an interface for an AI agent that manages hotel room service requests, considering both guest and staff perspectives?" (Focus on process, user flows, and AI interaction design).

• "Describe your process for building a design system from the ground up in a startup environment. What are the key components and considerations?" (Focus on scalability, consistency, and collaboration).

• "Imagine we need to integrate a new third-party system for inventory management into our platform. How would you ensure a seamless UX for our hotel clients?" (Focus on integration challenges, user impact, and problem-solving). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Lance's mission and the opportunity to be a founding designer?" (Assess passion, alignment with mission).

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or differing opinions on design decisions from founders or engineers?" (Assess collaboration, communication, and resilience).

• "Describe a time you had to create structure or processes where none existed. What was your approach?" (Assess ownership, initiative, and adaptability). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your portfolio presentation as a narrative. For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role and responsibilities, your design process, key decisions and trade-offs, and the impact or learnings.

• Be prepared to discuss specific design choices, your rationale, and how you leveraged user research or data.

• Clearly articulate your experience with Figma and your approach to design systems.

• Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to tackle complex B2B SaaS or enterprise challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strategic, user-centered design approach, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring clear articulation of process and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Founding Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby, ensuring your resume and a link to your portfolio are included.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest B2B SaaS or enterprise design projects, emphasizing complexity, operational workflows, and any experience with AI or workflow automation.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience, keywords (UI/UX, Product Design, Figma, B2B SaaS, Design Systems, User Research), and quantifiable achievements related to improving user experience or operational efficiency.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and key project takeaways. Be ready to discuss your approach to building design systems and collaborating with engineering teams.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lance's mission, product, and the hospitality industry context. Understand how your design skills can directly contribute to their success in automating hotel operations.

⚠️ 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.

---