Founding Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding Product Designer

Company: Alex Dees (trymeridian.com)

Location: New York City, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: September 14, 2025

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the entire product design lifecycle for innovative AI tools, from conceptualization to detailed developer specifications, ensuring a seamless user experience.

• Translate complex AI functionalities and ambiguous product challenges into intuitive, user-friendly workflows and interfaces that simplify AI management.

• Drive the creation of visually compelling and functionally robust interfaces that empower users to effortlessly manage their AI presence and capabilities.

• Foster close collaboration with engineering teams to facilitate rapid iteration, efficient development cycles, and consistent design quality across all product releases.

• Define, develop, and maintain a scalable design system that ensures brand consistency, enhances product elegance, and supports future design evolution.

• Conduct lightweight user research and usability testing to validate design concepts, gather actionable insights, and inform iterative design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the emphasis on converting complex AI tools into simplified workflows, managing AI presence, and collaborating with engineering for rapid iteration suggests a strong connection to Go-To-Market (GTM) operations by enabling efficient product adoption and user success through intuitive design. This role will likely work closely with GTM teams to ensure the product design aligns with market needs and user adoption strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process, encompassing initial concept generation, wireframing, prototyping, user flow mapping, and the creation of detailed, developer-ready design specifications for AI-powered products.

• Transform intricate, data-rich product requirements and ambiguous challenges into clear, intuitive, and efficient user interfaces and workflows, particularly for AI-driven applications.

• Design interfaces that seamlessly blend ease of use with powerful AI capabilities, enabling users to manage their AI presence, data, and outputs with minimal friction.

• Actively collaborate with software engineers throughout the development process, providing clear design handoffs, participating in code reviews, and ensuring the faithful implementation of design visions to maintain high product quality.

• Develop, document, and evolve a comprehensive design system, including component libraries, style guides, and usage guidelines, to ensure design consistency, scalability, and a cohesive user experience across the product suite.

• Execute lightweight user research initiatives, including usability testing, user interviews, and prototype validation, to gather critical feedback and inform design decisions for iterative product enhancements.

• Champion a strong visual and interaction design language that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally clear, pushing creative boundaries while remaining grounded in user needs and product objectives.

• Contribute to the strategic product roadmap by providing design insights, identifying user pain points, and proposing innovative design solutions for AI tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a "founding" role, implying a significant impact on establishing design foundations and processes within an early-stage company. This means the designer will not only execute but also help define the design strategy, methodology, and the design system from the ground up.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2-5 years of dedicated experience in product design, with a proven track record of successfully designing and launching complex digital products, ideally within B2B or technical domains.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio Excellence: A compelling portfolio showcasing exceptional product design, clear UX/UI decision-making processes, and impactful design solutions for complex challenges.

• Interface Design: Expertise in designing complex, data-rich interfaces, with a preference for experience in technical, B2B, or AI-adjacent product domains.

• Design Tool Proficiency: Mastery of modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Framer, Sketch, or similar platforms.

• Design Systems: Strong understanding and practical experience in defining, implementing, and scaling design systems and component libraries.

• Visual & Interaction Design: Excellent visual design skills with a keen eye for typography, spacing, hierarchy, and overall aesthetic appeal, coupled with a strong grasp of interaction design principles.

• Collaboration & Communication: Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams, articulate design rationale clearly, and "speak their language" to ensure smooth development handoffs.

• User-Centricity: Experience conducting user research, usability testing, and prototype validation to inform design decisions and ensure user needs are met.

Preferred Skills:

• Front-end Development Exposure: Familiarity with front-end development principles or practical experience building interfaces, or experience utilizing AI coding tools like Cursor.

• AI Product Design: Specific experience designing products that integrate or manage AI capabilities.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile or other iterative development frameworks.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Ability to influence product strategy through design thinking and user advocacy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "founding" product designer with a portfolio showcasing "clear process" and "thoughtful UX/UI decisions" strongly implies that candidates will be evaluated on their ability to not just execute design but also to articulate their design methodology, problem-solving approach, and the impact of their work on business objectives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Design Process: Showcase a clear and repeatable design process, detailing how you approach problem-solving, user research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration. Use case studies to illustrate this journey.

• Complex UI/UX Case Studies: Present 2-3 in-depth case studies of complex, data-rich interfaces you've designed, ideally for technical, B2B, or AI-related products. Highlight the challenges, your solutions, and the outcomes.

• System Design & Scalability: Include examples of how you've contributed to or built design systems, demonstrating your understanding of component-based design, scalability, and consistency.

• Impact & Results: Quantify the impact of your design work wherever possible. This could include improvements in user engagement, conversion rates, task completion times, or efficiency gains.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their design process clearly during interviews, potentially through a presentation or detailed discussion.

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach defining and evolving a design system in an early-stage environment.

• Highlight experience with lightweight user research methodologies and how you integrate feedback into iterative design cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "founding" role, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about the final visuals but about demonstrating the strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and process discipline required to establish design foundations. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions will be critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $200,000 USD annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Equity options in a fast-growing startup.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Exposure to cutting-edge AI technology and product development.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility for project deadlines and iterative development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a founding Product Designer role in New York City, reflecting the seniority and impact expected. The inclusion of equity is typical for early-stage startups and signifies an opportunity for significant financial upside tied to company growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software.

Company Size: Early-stage startup (specific employee count not provided, but "founding" role implies a small, nimble team).

Founded: Specific founding date not provided, but the organization is actively hiring for foundational roles, indicating a recent or pre-seed/seed stage.

Team Structure:

• The role is described as "founding," suggesting the designer will be a key early member of the product team, likely reporting directly to a founder or Head of Product.

• Close collaboration with engineering is a core aspect, indicating a tightly integrated product development team structure.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on rapid iteration, shipping fast, and learning from user feedback.

• Design strategy will likely be agile and user-centric, adapting quickly to market needs and technological advancements in AI.

• A strong focus on translating complex technical concepts into accessible and intuitive user experiences.

• The company appears to value hands-on builders who thrive on creating meaningful impact.

Company Website: https://trymeridian.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: As an early-stage startup, the company culture will be dynamic and fast-paced. The "founding" nature of the role means the designer will have a significant influence on shaping the company's design culture, processes, and product vision. Collaboration and a shared sense of mission will be critical.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Founding Product Designer. This is a highly impactful, individual contributor role with significant ownership and strategic influence. It sits at a mid-level to senior individual contributor level, depending on the depth of prior experience.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports directly to a co-founder or Head of Product, with a dotted line to engineering leads for day-to-day collaboration.

Operations Impact: The design of Meridian's AI tools will directly influence user adoption, customer satisfaction, and the overall success of the product in the market. This role is crucial for translating sophisticated AI technology into a commercially viable and user-friendly offering, thereby directly impacting revenue potential and market positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: As the company grows, there's a strong potential to grow into a Design Lead or Head of Design role, building and managing a design team.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute significantly to product strategy and roadmap decisions, shaping the future direction of AI product development.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI product design, complex data visualization, or advanced interaction design within an innovative domain.

• Foundational Impact: Gain invaluable experience in building design functions from the ground up within a high-growth startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "founding" aspect of this role is key. It offers a unique opportunity to not just design but also to establish the design function, processes, and culture of a new product. This can accelerate career growth significantly compared to joining an established team.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role in Williamsburg, New York City. This suggests a physical office space designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Williamsburg, New York City. This location is known for its vibrant tech and creative scene, offering a dynamic environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The on-site requirement indicates a preference for in-person collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and spontaneous interactions, which are vital for rapid product development and design.

• Tooling: Access to modern design tools (Figma, Framer) and potentially AI coding tools will be available to support efficient workflow and innovation.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with engineering and product leadership will be a daily occurrence, fostering a cohesive and efficient development culture.

Work Schedule:

• While standard full-time hours are expected, the early-stage nature and emphasis on "shipping fast" may require occasional flexibility to meet critical project deadlines. The focus is on impact and delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a hub like Williamsburg suggests a company that values in-person collaboration and the energy of a shared workspace. For operations professionals, this often translates to more efficient communication, quicker problem-solving, and a stronger sense of team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational qualifications and design approach.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, detailing your design process, key projects, and problem-solving methodologies. Be prepared to discuss your role and impact in each project.

• Design Challenge: You may be given a small design exercise or asked to critique an existing interface, focusing on your ability to identify issues and propose solutions relevant to AI product design.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with engineering and product leads to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Founder/Leadership Interview: A final discussion to gauge strategic alignment, long-term vision, and enthusiasm for the company's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies to tell a compelling narrative about the problem, your process, your contributions, and the measurable impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, wireframes, prototypes, and user flows to illustrate your design thinking.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your problem-solving approach, research methods, and how you iterate based on feedback. For this role, show how you approach complexity and AI integration.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, user engagement, task completion times).

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with designing complex, data-rich, or AI-adjacent interfaces for B2B or technical audiences.

Challenge Preparation:

• AI Product Thinking: Familiarize yourself with common challenges and opportunities in designing AI-powered products. Consider how users interact with AI, trust AI outputs, and manage AI configurations.

• Problem Decomposition: Practice breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable components and identifying key user needs.

• Rapid Prototyping: Be ready to sketch or quickly prototype solutions to a given problem, demonstrating your ability to think on your feet.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "founding" role means the interview will heavily scrutinize your ability to establish and drive design initiatives independently. Your portfolio presentation should demonstrate not just design skill but also strategic thinking and leadership potential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and design system management.

• Framer: Potentially used for high-fidelity prototyping and interactive design.

• Other Design Tools: Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) may be relevant for asset creation or specific tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics for understanding user behavior and product usage.

• Prototyping Tools: Tools for creating interactive prototypes (e.g., InVision, Axure) might be used in conjunction with core design software.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how design integrates with CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) or marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for B2B product design.

• AI Coding Tools: Bonus proficiency with tools like Cursor, indicating an understanding of developer workflows and AI assistance in coding.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost certainly a baseline requirement. Experience with design systems and potentially tools that bridge design and development (like Framer or familiarity with code) will be highly valued, especially given the mention of AI coding tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A strong focus on creating meaningful impact through product design and contributing directly to the company's success.

• Action-Oriented: A bias for action, decisiveness, and a scrappy approach to problem-solving in an early-stage environment.

• Collaboration: Valuing close partnerships with engineering and product teams to achieve shared goals.

• User-Centricity: Deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs through intuitive and effective design.

• Continuous Learning: Embracing new technologies, particularly in AI, and a drive for personal and professional growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated: Close, hands-on collaboration with engineering is a cornerstone, with shared responsibility for shipping quality products.

• Transparent: Open communication regarding design decisions, challenges, and feedback is expected.

• Iterative: A culture that embraces feedback, rapid iteration, and learning from both successes and failures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes speed, ownership, and a shared mission. As a "founding" member, the designer will play a role in shaping and embodying these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Translating complex, evolving AI concepts into clear, user-friendly interfaces in a fast-paced startup setting.

• Establishing Design Foundations: Building a design system, processes, and best practices from scratch for a new product.

• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Pushing the boundaries of AI product design while ensuring the product remains accessible and intuitive for target users.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in for design decisions across engineering, product, and potentially other early-stage teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep AI Product Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in designing for cutting-edge AI technologies.

• Foundational Design Leadership: Develop skills in establishing design functions, mentoring junior designers (as the team grows), and shaping product strategy.

• Startup Operations Acumen: Understand the broader operational aspects of building and scaling a tech company.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Tech: Work with and influence the direction of innovative AI tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to founding roles in startups. Successfully navigating these will provide significant learning and growth opportunities, making this role attractive for ambitious designers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for tackling a complex, ambiguous product challenge, especially one involving AI." (Focus on structured problem-solving, user research, and iterative design.)

• "How would you approach building a design system from the ground up for an early-stage AI product?" (Highlight scalability, component-based thinking, and collaboration with engineering.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working on AI products, and specifically at Meridian?" (Show genuine interest in AI and the company's mission.)

• "Describe your experience working in fast-paced, early-stage environments. What are the pros and cons for you?" (Highlight adaptability, decisiveness, and comfort with ambiguity.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process: Dedicate significant time to explaining your design process for each case study.

• Highlight Role & Impact: Clearly articulate your specific contributions and the measurable impact of your work.

• Tailor Examples: Select portfolio pieces that best showcase your ability to design complex, data-rich, or AI-adjacent interfaces.

• Be Ready for Critique: Be open to discussing potential design improvements and how you would approach them.

• Articulate Vision: For a founding role, be prepared to discuss your vision for design at Meridian and how you would contribute to its growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily assess your ability to think strategically, operate autonomously, and contribute to the foundational elements of the product and design function. Preparing specific examples that demonstrate these capabilities is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Design position:

• Submit your application via the provided link on Ashby.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features 2-3 in-depth case studies demonstrating your design process, problem-solving skills, and experience with complex or AI-related interfaces.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to B2B/technical products, AI design, early-stage startups, and design system development. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio concisely, focusing on your process, impact, and how your skills align with the "founding" nature of this role.

• Research Meridian: Understand their mission, the AI space they operate in, and the potential user base. Show enthusiasm for their specific product and vision.

⚠️ 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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