Head of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design

Company: Ketryx

Location: Vienna, Austria OR Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Leadership / GTM Operations

Date Posted: April 17, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and grow a team of UI/UX designers, defining the overall design strategy and UX vision for a cutting-edge AI software platform.

• Drive end-to-end design execution, from concept and user research to high-fidelity prototypes and developer handoff, ensuring intuitive and technically sound solutions.

• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships with product management, engineering, and executive leadership to align design initiatives with strategic business goals.

• Champion user-centered design principles and a data-informed approach to improve patient outcomes and accelerate innovation in regulated industries.

• Embrace and integrate AI into the design process and product development lifecycle, contributing to Ketryx's mission of enabling safe and rapid product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a leadership opportunity within a fast-paced startup environment, emphasizing strategic ownership of the design function and direct impact on product development in highly regulated sectors. The hybrid nature and dual-location requirement necessitate strong self-management and communication skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and grow a team of UI/UX designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance design culture.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive design strategy that aligns with Ketryx's mission and product roadmap.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineers to translate complex requirements into intuitive user interface designs and seamless workflows.

• Lead the creation of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs for web applications.

• Conduct user research, including virtual and in-person interviews and design reviews, to gather insights and validate design decisions.

• Ensure seamless developer handoff of design assets and specifications, providing ongoing support throughout the implementation phase.

• Contribute hands-on to UI/UX design tasks, including complex interaction design and the development of design systems.

• Maintain and evolve Ketryx's design system to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across the platform.

• Regularly travel between Boston and Vienna offices to foster team cohesion and facilitate cross-office collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end design" and "hands-on" work indicates that this Head of Design role requires a blend of strategic leadership and practical design execution, typical of early-stage startups where leaders often contribute directly to the core product.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 8+ years of professional industry experience in designing software user interfaces and complex workflows.

• Proven track record of managing and growing a team of designers, including project management and resource allocation.

Required Skills:

• UI/UX Design Expertise: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and visual design best practices.

• Team Leadership & Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop design talent, fostering a positive and productive team environment.

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.

• Design Systems: Experience in creating, implementing, and maintaining scalable design systems for complex software products.

• Interaction Design: Ability to think through and design complex user interactions that are intuitive and efficient.

• Product Acumen: Capacity to quickly demonstrate product knowledge and understand technical constraints and business objectives.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate design rationale clearly.

• AI Integration: Familiarity with AI concepts and experience in applying AI within design tools or processes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within a regulated industry (e.g., healthcare, life sciences, automotive, aerospace).

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and best practices.

• Experience in an early-stage startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 8+ years of experience and prior management experience positions this as a senior leadership role, expecting strategic thinking and proven team-building capabilities. The preference for regulated industry experience is a significant advantage given Ketryx's market.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 complex software projects, demonstrating end-to-end design ownership from initial concept to launch.

• Include detailed case studies that highlight your strategic thinking, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your design decisions.

• Present examples of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs, clearly articulating the design rationale behind each.

• Demonstrate experience with design systems, including examples of components, style guides, and their application across a product.

Process Documentation:

• Provide clear documentation on your process for conducting user research, from planning and recruitment to synthesis and insights generation.

• Detail your methodology for translating user needs and business requirements into actionable design specifications for engineering teams.

• Showcase examples of how you have iterated on designs based on user feedback and data analysis, demonstrating a continuous improvement cycle.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams, including how you manage feedback and ensure alignment throughout the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Head of Design role, the portfolio should not only showcase individual design craft but also leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage complex projects and teams within a product development framework. Emphasis on process and impact is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Vienna, Austria: €115,000+ per year, dependent on experience level.

• Boston, Massachusetts, USA: $170,000 - $195,000 per year, dependent on experience level.

Benefits:

• Performance-based bonus program.

• Generous stock options possible.

• Work in an exciting field with a positive impact on the world (healthcare/life sciences).

• Opportunity to learn and grow as part of a global team.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) for full-time employees.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility expected in a startup environment.

• Hybrid work arrangement requiring at least four days per week on-site at either the Vienna or Boston office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are competitive for leadership roles in these respective cities, reflecting the seniority and impact of the Head of Design position. The inclusion of bonus and equity further enhances the total compensation package, aligning candidate incentives with company success.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AI Software Platform for Healthcare & Life Sciences (MedTech, Pharmaceutical, etc.)

Company Size: Early-stage startup (specific employee count not provided, but growing rapidly and backed by venture capital). This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment with significant growth potential and opportunities for direct impact.

Founded: Approximately 2 years ago (based on description). This suggests a relatively young company with a strong focus on innovation and product development.

Team Structure:

• The design team is described as "small, highly motivated." As Head of Design, you will lead this existing team and be responsible for its growth.

• You will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineers, indicating a matrixed or integrated product development structure.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Innovation: Ketryx leverages AI to solve complex problems in regulated industries, suggesting a strong emphasis on data analysis and intelligent solutions.

• Agile Development: The mention of "shipping life-saving regulated products in weeks instead of years" and working closely with engineers points to an agile or lean development methodology.

• User-Centricity: The role emphasizes meeting with users and designing intuitive solutions, highlighting a commitment to user experience.

• Compliance & Safety Focus: Given the industry, a rigorous approach to quality, compliance, and safety is paramount, integrated into the design and development processes.

Company Website: [Company URL is provided as null, but domain is ketryx.com]

📝 Enhancement Note: Ketryx operates at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and regulatory compliance. This unique positioning implies a culture that values innovation, rigorous quality standards, and a mission-driven approach to problem-solving. The early-stage nature means employees can expect a high level of autonomy and responsibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, the "Head of Design." It signifies a transition from individual contributor or team lead to strategic owner of the entire design function within the company. The responsibilities include team management, strategic direction-setting, and significant cross-functional influence.

Reporting Structure:

• The Head of Design will likely report to a C-level executive, such as the CTO, CPO (Chief Product Officer), or CEO, given the strategic importance of design in a product-led company.

Operations Impact:

• The design team's work directly impacts the usability, adoption, and perceived value of Ketryx's AI platform.

• By making the platform more intuitive and efficient, the design function contributes to faster product development cycles for clients, directly enabling Ketryx's mission to reduce time-to-market for life-saving medical devices.

Growth Opportunities:

• Team Expansion: Opportunity to build and scale the design team as the company grows.

• Strategic Influence: Shape the product vision and user experience across multiple regulated industries (beyond healthcare).

• Leadership Development: Gain experience leading design in a high-growth, venture-backed startup environment.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge in AI, healthcare technology, and regulatory compliance.

• Potential for C-Suite: As the company scales, this role could evolve into a broader Chief Design Officer (CDO) or VP of Product/Design position.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for career advancement by establishing and leading a critical function within a rapidly growing, mission-critical technology company. The blend of hands-on design and strategic leadership is ideal for seasoned designers looking to make a substantial impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid role requiring a minimum of four days per week on-site in either Boston or Vienna. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster teamwork, brainstorming, and in-person interaction.

Office Location(s):

• Boston, Massachusetts, USA: A major hub for technology and biotech innovation, offering a vibrant professional ecosystem.

• Vienna, Austria: A European center for technology startups, providing access to a diverse talent pool and market.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect office layouts that support team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Technology Stack: Access to modern design tools (Figma), AI platforms, and other necessary technologies to support design and development workflows.

• Global Team Interaction: While hybrid, regular travel between Boston and Vienna (approx. 1 week every 6 weeks) is required, necessitating effective remote collaboration tools and practices for seamless communication with global colleagues.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, but the startup environment may require flexibility.

• The hybrid model allows for some flexibility in work location, balancing in-office collaboration with potential remote workdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual-location hybrid model is a key characteristic, demanding adaptability and strong communication skills. Candidates should be comfortable with regular travel and integrating into teams across different geographies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A conversation with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and alignment with the role's core requirements.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the direct manager (likely CTO or CPO) to delve into leadership experience, design philosophy, and strategic vision.

3. Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A dedicated session to present your portfolio, showcasing past work and problem-solving skills. This may include a specific design challenge or case study presentation focused on Ketryx's product or industry.

4. Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Executive Leadership to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and alignment with company values.

5. Final Interview: A comprehensive discussion, potentially with the CEO or other senior leaders, to finalize assessment of strategic fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around key projects, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Leadership: For this role, emphasize projects where you led a team, mentored designers, or influenced product strategy.

• Showcase Process: Detail your design process, including user research, ideation, prototyping, and collaboration with engineering. Explain why you made certain design decisions.

• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your designs (e.g., increased user engagement, reduced error rates, faster task completion times, improved client satisfaction).

• Tailor to Ketryx: Research Ketryx's platform, target industries (healthcare, life sciences), and AI focus. Be prepared to discuss how your experience and design philosophy align with their mission.

• Figma & AI Emphasis: Be ready to demonstrate your proficiency in Figma and discuss your experience with AI in design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with the challenges of designing for regulated industries like healthcare and life sciences. Consider the unique constraints and user needs.

• AI Integration: Think about how AI can be leveraged not just in the product, but also in the design process itself (e.g., AI-assisted design tools, intelligent prototyping).

• Strategic Thinking: Prepare to discuss your approach to setting design vision, building a team, and aligning design with business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to evaluate both design craft and leadership capabilities. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates strategic thinking, process, and impact, alongside preparation for domain-specific challenges, will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required tool for prototyping and UI/UX design. Expect advanced usage for collaboration, design systems, and component libraries.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, other prototyping tools may be beneficial, but Figma is the core requirement.

• Design Systems Management Tools: Experience with tools or methodologies for managing and scaling design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for the design team, familiarity with product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) would be advantageous for understanding user behavior and measuring design impact.

CRM & Automation:

AI & Machine Learning:

• Experience with AI tools or platforms, particularly those relevant to creative workflows or product development. Understanding of AI/ML concepts as they apply to the Ketryx platform and its users.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. An understanding of how design integrates with other operational tools and AI technologies will be a significant differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Impact: A strong drive to innovate and make a tangible positive impact on patient lives through technology.

• Rigorous Quality & Compliance: A deep commitment to safety, reliability, and adherence to regulatory standards in all aspects of product development.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and close teamwork across departments (Design, Product, Engineering) are essential.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging data and AI to inform product strategy and design choices.

• Pace & Agility: Ability to move quickly and adapt in a fast-paced startup environment while maintaining high standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Design is expected to be deeply embedded with Product and Engineering, not a siloed function.

• Partnership: Building strong working relationships with Product Managers and Engineers to co-create solutions.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to receiving and giving constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement.

• Global Teamwork: Effective collaboration across different time zones and cultural backgrounds, particularly between Boston and Vienna.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a mission-driven purpose, technical excellence, and a collaborative, agile approach. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their values align with these principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation & Regulation: Designing intuitive user experiences while adhering to strict regulatory requirements in healthcare and life sciences.

• Scaling Design in a Startup: Growing the design team and establishing robust processes while maintaining speed and quality in an early-stage environment.

• Cross-Cultural Leadership: Leading a team and collaborating effectively across two distinct office locations (Boston and Vienna) with potential cultural differences.

• Integrating AI into Design: Effectively leveraging AI not only in the product but also within the design workflow to enhance efficiency and creativity.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating the business value and impact of design decisions to executive leadership.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI & Regulated Industries: Gain specialized knowledge in cutting-edge AI applications within healthcare and life sciences.

• Leadership Skill Enhancement: Develop advanced skills in team management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership.

• Global Team Building: Experience in building and managing distributed, international design teams.

• Product Strategy Influence: Play a key role in shaping the product roadmap and user experience of a platform with significant market potential.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Opportunities to attend relevant design, AI, and industry-specific conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges that are also rich growth opportunities. Overcoming these challenges will provide invaluable experience and professional development for a design leader.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy on leading a design team in a fast-paced, early-stage startup. How do you balance strategic vision with hands-on execution?"

• "How would you approach developing and evolving a design system for a complex AI platform serving regulated industries? What are the key considerations?"

• "Walk me through a time you had to balance conflicting priorities between product management, engineering, and user needs. How did you reach a resolution?"

• "How do you ensure design decisions are data-informed and aligned with business objectives, especially in a regulated environment?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Ketryx's mission and the industries we serve?"

• "How do you foster a culture of collaboration and psychological safety within a design team, especially one distributed across different locations?"

• "Describe your experience working with engineers and product managers. What makes for a successful partnership?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Leadership: For each project, highlight your role in leading, mentoring, and strategizing, not just the design execution.

• Tell a Story: Frame your case studies as narratives – problem, journey, solution, impact. Explain the why behind your decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics (even estimates) to demonstrate the value your designs delivered.

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process, from discovery to final handoff.

• Address Regulation & AI: Be ready to discuss how you've handled design constraints in regulated environments and your approach to AI in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your leadership style, strategic approach to design, and how you integrate user needs, business goals, and technical constraints, especially within the context of AI and regulated industries.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 8+ years of UI/UX design experience, direct team management experience, proficiency with Figma, and any experience in regulated industries or with AI. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that demonstrate end-to-end design ownership, leadership, and problem-solving. Ensure it clearly showcases your process, design rationale, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to present this portfolio effectively.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership approach, and how your skills align with Ketryx's mission and the specific requirements of this role. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI and regulated industries.

• Research Ketryx: Thoroughly understand Ketryx's product, target markets (healthcare, life sciences), and the problem they are solving. Familiarize yourself with their company values and 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.