Lead Product Designer (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer (m/f/d)
Company: Aer
Location: Berlin, Germany
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design / Brand Design
Date Posted: June 3, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (3+ years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design vision and execution for Aer's digital products, including user interfaces for its app, booking system, and digital diagnostics platforms.
• Develop compelling visual content that defines Aer's tech-forward aesthetic across social media, investor-facing materials, and marketing collateral.
• Create high-fidelity 3D renderings and simple animations to visualize and bring to life Aer's physical wellness products, enhancing both internal understanding and external presentation.
• Build, maintain, and evolve a comprehensive design system to ensure brand consistency and design efficiency across all digital and physical touchpoints.
• Collaborate closely with the executive leadership team, contributing directly to product development strategy, design priorities, and the overall visual identity of the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is described as "equity-first," indicating that significant compensation will be in the form of company stock, with salary expectations to be realized following a future funding round. This is a common model for early-stage startups, requiring candidates to have a strong belief in the company's long-term vision and potential.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive, functional, and visually appealing user interfaces (UI) for Aer's mobile application, web-based booking system, and digital diagnostic tools, ensuring a seamless user experience (UX).
• Conceptualize and produce engaging visual content for social media platforms, investor presentations, and marketing campaigns, aligning with Aer's brand identity and innovative wellness focus.
• Generate realistic 3D renderings and basic animations of Aer's hardware products, utilizing rendering software to showcase design features and functionality for both internal reviews and external marketing materials.
• Establish and manage a robust design system, encompassing UI components, brand guidelines, and visual assets, to ensure design coherence and scalability across all product touchpoints.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, marketing, and executive leadership, to translate business requirements and user needs into effective design solutions.
• Champion a design culture within Aer that prioritizes clarity, measurable health impact, and meticulous execution, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights that inform design decisions and validate proposed solutions, ensuring user-centricity in all design outputs.
• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, tools, and technologies in UI/UX, 3D modeling, and animation, proactively integrating relevant advancements into Aer's design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "equity-first" and "founding team" status suggests this role will carry significant responsibility and impact, requiring a proactive, self-directed individual comfortable with ambiguity common in early-stage startups. The expectation to contribute to design culture also implies a leadership role beyond individual contribution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is highly beneficial. Candidates with equivalent practical experience and a demonstrable portfolio will be strongly considered.

Experience: 3+ years of progressive experience in UI/UX design, visual design, or product design, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality design solutions.

Required Skills:

• UI/UX Design: Expertise in designing user-centric interfaces for web and mobile applications, with a strong understanding of user flows, wireframing, prototyping, and usability principles.
• Visual Design: Proficiency in creating visually compelling graphics, branding elements, and digital content that aligns with a modern, tech-forward aesthetic.
• Product Design: Experience in the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from concept generation to final implementation, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Figma Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Figma for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration, including experience with design systems.
• 3D/Animation Tool Proficiency: Experience with at least one 3D modeling or animation tool (e.g., Blender, Spline, Runway), capable of producing renderings and simple animations.
• Startup Environment Acumen: Familiarity and comfort working within fast-paced, agile startup environments, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach to challenges.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with executive teams, engineers, and other stakeholders, translating feedback into design improvements.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in all design outputs, ensuring precision and a high standard of quality.
• Brand Design: Ability to contribute to and maintain brand identity across various platforms.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with generative AI design tools like Midjourney for concept exploration or asset creation.
• Familiarity with digital diagnostics and wellness technology.
• Experience in building and scaling design systems.
• Basic understanding of front-end development principles (HTML/CSS) to inform design feasibility.
• Experience in creating investor-facing visual content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for experience in both digital product design and visual/brand design, along with 3D rendering, highlights the multidisciplinary nature of this role. Candidates who can demonstrate versatility and a broad skill set will be highly competitive. The "equity-first" nature suggests a need for candidates who are not solely motivated by immediate salary but by the long-term growth potential of the company.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory for consideration. It must showcase a strong blend of digital product design (UI/UX for apps/web) and visual/brand design work.
• Include case studies that detail the design process, user research, problem-solving approaches, and the final outcomes, with a clear demonstration of impact.
• For 3D renderings and animations, provide examples that illustrate proficiency in modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering techniques relevant to product visualization.
• Evidence of experience in building or contributing to a design system, including examples of components, guidelines, and their application.
• Demonstrate familiarity with Figma and other relevant design and prototyping tools.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a systematic approach to design challenges, including problem definition, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.
• Provide examples of how user feedback and data were incorporated into the design process to drive improvements and achieve desired outcomes.
• Illustrate experience with workflow optimization and how design processes were streamlined for efficiency, especially within a startup context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "equity-first" nature of the role and the emphasis on shaping the company's visual identity, the portfolio is crucial. It needs to clearly demonstrate not just aesthetic capability but also strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a startup environment. The inclusion of 3D and brand work alongside UI/UX is a critical differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is an "equity-first" role with salary contingent on future funding, a specific cash salary range is not provided at this stage. Compensation will primarily consist of a significant founding team equity stake. Transparent discussions regarding the equity structure, valuation, and vesting schedule will be part of the offer process.

Benefits:

• Founding Team Equity Stake: A substantial equity grant, reflecting the early-stage contribution and commitment to Aer's long-term success.
• Opportunity to Shape a New Category: Play a pivotal role in defining and building a novel approach to health and movement, impacting a growing market.
• Creative Ownership: Gain extensive creative control and ownership across product design, brand identity, and content creation, allowing for significant personal and professional impact.
• Direct Collaboration with Founding Team: Work closely with the core leadership team, gaining invaluable insights into startup strategy, fundraising, and business development.
• Flexible Working Style: Embrace an outcome-focused and self-directed work environment, promoting autonomy and work-life balance.
• Meaningful Impact: Contribute to a startup with demonstrable traction, clear objectives, and a mission to improve people's well-being.

Working Hours: While Aer operates on a full-time basis, the emphasis on a "flexible working style" and "outcome-focused" approach suggests that the specific daily schedule can be adaptable, provided that responsibilities are met and collaborative needs are addressed. A standard 40-hour work week is generally expected, with a hybrid model encouraging in-person collaboration when beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation structure is heavily weighted towards equity, which is typical for early-stage founding team roles. Candidates should be comfortable with this model and understand that immediate cash compensation may be lower than market rates for established companies, offset by the potential for significant future financial upside. The hybrid preference indicates a need for local candidates or those willing to relocate to Berlin.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Health & Wellness Technology, Fitness Tech, Wearable Technology, Digital Health. Aer is at the intersection of physical wellness, intelligent diagnostics, and smart devices, aiming to revolutionize how individuals approach movement and physical health.

Company Size: Early-stage startup, likely fewer than 20 employees currently, with plans to grow significantly post-funding. This implies a highly agile, hands-on, and collaborative environment.

Founded: Aer is a relatively new venture, aiming to build a strong market presence and digital footprint. Its founding date is not explicitly stated, but the description positions it as entering a critical growth phase involving fundraising and expansion.

Team Structure:

• As a founding team member, the Lead Product Designer will report directly to executive leadership (likely CEO or CTO).
• The team is small and multidisciplinary, comprising individuals with expertise in technology, product development, science, and design.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with designers working closely with engineers, product managers, and business strategists to bring concepts to life.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizing user data, diagnostic insights, and performance metrics to inform design decisions and product development.
• Agile Development: Employing iterative design and development processes to quickly adapt to market feedback and evolving requirements.
• User-Centricity: Placing the user at the core of all design efforts, ensuring products are intuitive, effective, and meet genuine needs.
• Holistic Approach: Integrating physical products, digital interfaces, and studio experiences into a cohesive wellness ecosystem.

Company Website: https://aerstretching.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely to be fast-paced, innovative, and highly collaborative, characteristic of early-stage startups. The emphasis on "health impact," "clean execution," and a "tech-forward aesthetic" suggests a focus on quality, user well-being, and modern design principles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Lead Product Designer" and a "founding team" member, indicating a senior-level position with significant leadership and ownership. It's not just about executing tasks but about shaping the strategic direction of design within the company.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will report directly to the executive leadership (e.g., CEO, CTO, or Head of Product, depending on the existing structure). This provides direct access to high-level decision-making and strategic discussions.

Operations Impact: The Lead Product Designer's impact will be profound, directly influencing the user experience of Aer's core digital products, shaping the brand's visual identity, and contributing to the overall market perception and success of the company. Their work will be instrumental in attracting users, investors, and partners.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: As a founding team member, there's immense potential to grow into a Head of Design or VP of Design role as the company scales.
• Category Shaping: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in a nascent category of health and movement technology, influencing industry standards.
• Skill Expansion: Broaden expertise across UI/UX, brand design, 3D visualization, and potentially product management or strategy, driven by the needs of a growing startup.
• Equity Appreciation: Significant long-term financial growth potential tied to the company's valuation and success, stemming from the founding equity stake.
• Mentorship: Direct mentorship from experienced founders and advisors, providing invaluable learning opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential beyond typical design positions due to its founding team status and equity component. It's ideal for an ambitious designer looking to make a substantial impact and grow with a company from its early stages.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment with a preference for in-person collaboration. Aer likely maintains a physical office space in Berlin for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and focused collaborative work.

Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany. Specific details about the office location within Berlin would typically be provided during the interview process, but it's expected to be in a well-connected area accessible to team members.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Berlin office will serve as a central point for team synergy, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose through in-person interactions.
• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to necessary design software, hardware, and potentially advanced visualization tools to support creative output.
• Cross-Functional Interaction: Ample opportunities to interact with founders, engineers, and other team members, encouraging a dynamic and integrated work culture.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility based on outcomes. While core working hours may exist for meetings and collaboration, the emphasis on self-direction allows for adaptation of daily schedules to optimize productivity, provided project deadlines and team needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for hybrid collaboration suggests that while remote work is possible, candidates who can be present in Berlin for key team interactions will be favored. This indicates a desire to build strong team cohesion through face-to-face engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and mandatory portfolio link to assess qualifications, experience, and design aesthetic.
• Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session with key stakeholders (likely founders or design leads) to walk through selected case studies, discussing design rationale, problem-solving, and impact. This stage heavily scrutinizes the portfolio's breadth (UI/UX, brand, 3D) and depth.
• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Potentially a practical exercise or case study that requires candidates to demonstrate their design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to work with specific tools (e.g., Figma, 3D software) under timed conditions, simulating real-world tasks.
• Culture Fit Interview: Discussions focused on understanding the candidate's alignment with Aer's values, work style, and ability to thrive in a startup environment. This may involve behavioral questions.
• Founder/Executive Meeting: Final interview with the company's founders to discuss vision, long-term goals, equity, and overall fit for a founding team role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your multidisciplinary skills: strong UI/UX case studies, compelling brand/visual design examples, and impressive 3D renderings/animations.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.
• Highlight Process & Tools: Emphasize your design methodology, how you use tools like Figma, and your experience with 3D/animation software. Show, don't just tell, your proficiency.
• Demonstrate Startup Readiness: Include projects that highlight adaptability, problem-solving in resource-constrained environments, and a proactive approach to design challenges.
• Address Equity: Be prepared to discuss your understanding of equity compensation and your long-term commitment to the company's vision.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Multidisciplinary Tasks: Be ready for challenges that might span UI design, visual branding, or even basic 3D concept visualization.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, even under pressure. Articulate your thought process clearly.
• Tool Proficiency: Ensure you are comfortable and efficient with the specified tools (Figma, potentially a 3D tool).
• Business Acumen: Show an understanding of how design contributes to business goals, user acquisition, and brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to be rigorous, assessing not only design skills but also strategic thinking, cultural fit, and long-term potential. A strong, well-rounded portfolio that covers all required areas (UI/UX, Brand, 3D) is paramount for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and design system management. Advanced proficiency is expected.
• 3D Modeling/Animation Software: Experience with at least one tool such as Blender, Spline, Runway, or equivalent for creating 3D renderings and simple animations.
• Generative AI Tools (Preferred): Familiarity with tools like Midjourney for concept exploration, mood boards, or asset generation.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's capabilities, experience with specialized prototyping tools may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary responsibility, understanding how design impacts key metrics (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, task completion) is important. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or Mixpanel could be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but awareness of how design integrates with marketing automation or CRM systems for campaign visuals could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and a 3D tool clearly defines the core technical requirements. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their practical skills with these tools during the interview process, potentially through a design challenge or portfolio walkthrough.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Health & Wellness Focus: A deep commitment to improving user health outcomes and promoting well-being through innovative design and technology.
• Clarity & Simplicity: Valuing clear communication, intuitive interfaces, and straightforward user experiences in all design outputs.
• Clean Execution: A dedication to high-quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and polished final products.
• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: Embracing new technologies and creative approaches to solve complex problems and define new categories.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and collective problem-solving leads to better outcomes.
• Impact-Driven: Focusing on designs that deliver measurable results, whether in user engagement, health improvements, or business growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Encouraging close working relationships between design, engineering, product, and marketing teams to ensure alignment and shared understanding.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: Actively seeking and providing constructive feedback throughout the design process to refine solutions and ensure alignment with project goals.
• Open Communication: Maintaining transparent and direct communication channels to facilitate efficient problem-solving and decision-making.
• Shared Ownership: Promoting a sense of collective responsibility for the success of Aer's products and brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a user-centric, quality-driven, and collaborative approach, typical of design-led companies aiming for market disruption. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their personal values and work style align with these principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining a New Category: Establishing Aer's unique position in the market and educating users on the benefits of its innovative approach to movement and diagnostics.
• Balancing Multiple Design Disciplines: Effectively managing diverse design responsibilities spanning UI/UX, brand, and 3D visualization within a lean startup structure.
• Equity-First Compensation Model: Navigating compensation that is heavily weighted towards future equity, requiring strong belief and patience.
• Rapid Growth & Scaling: Adapting designs and processes to accommodate rapid scaling of the user base, product features, and team as Aer progresses through funding rounds.
• Technical Constraints: Working within the evolving technological capabilities of a startup, balancing ambitious design visions with practical implementation constraints.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Gaining experience in high-level product strategy, brand positioning, and go-to-market design initiatives.
• 3D Visualization Mastery: Deepening expertise in 3D rendering and animation, potentially exploring advanced techniques and applications in product design.
• Startup Operations Acumen: Developing a comprehensive understanding of startup fundraising, business development, and operational scaling.
• Industry Trend Immersion: Staying at the forefront of health tech, AI in design, and immersive technologies, applying learnings to Aer's product roadmap.
• Mentorship and Networking: Building relationships with experienced founders, investors, and industry leaders through direct involvement with the founding team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to early-stage startups and offer significant opportunities for personal and professional growth. Candidates should view these challenges as avenues for skill development and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing an onboarding flow for a new user unfamiliar with intelligent diagnostics for movement?" (Focus on clarity, user education, and initial engagement)
• "Describe your process for developing a design system from scratch for a growing tech company." (Highlight methodology, component creation, and scalability considerations)
• "Given our focus on hybrid collaboration, how would you manage design handoffs and ensure consistency between remote and in-office team members?" (Focus on process, documentation, and communication tools)
• "How do you balance creating aesthetically pleasing visuals with ensuring functional usability and accessibility in digital products?" (Discuss design principles, user testing, and iterative refinement)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Aer's mission and our approach to wellness technology?" (Show genuine interest and research)
• "How do you see your multidisciplinary design skills contributing to a founding team in an early-stage startup?" (Emphasize versatility and proactive contribution)
• "Describe a time you had to adapt your design approach due to technical limitations or tight deadlines." (Highlight problem-solving and flexibility)
• "What are your expectations regarding equity compensation and your long-term commitment to a startup like Aer?" (Demonstrate understanding of equity and long-term vision)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of Aer and the role, then present 2-3 key projects that best showcase your UI/UX, Brand, and 3D skills.
• Deep Dive into Process: For each project, articulate the problem, your specific contributions, design decisions (and rationale), challenges faced, and measurable outcomes.
• Showcase Tools: Demonstrate your proficiency with Figma and any 3D/animation tools used. Be prepared to discuss workflows and techniques.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, positive user feedback).
• Address the Hybrid Aspect: Be ready to discuss how you'd collaborate effectively in a hybrid environment and your willingness to engage in in-person meetings in Berlin.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative talent, technical proficiency, strategic thinking, and a strong cultural fit for a dynamic startup environment. Highlighting experience with all facets of the role (UI/UX, Brand, 3D) in the portfolio and interview is critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Join.com.
• Crucially, include a direct link to your online portfolio (personal website, Behance, or a well-organized PDF) with your application. This is a mandatory requirement.
• Tailor your resume to highlight your 3+ years of experience in UI/UX, visual design, and product design, specifically mentioning proficiency in Figma and 3D/animation tools.
• Prepare to articulate how your multidisciplinary skills align with Aer's needs, particularly in user interface design, visual content creation, and 3D rendering.
• Research Aer's mission, products, and current market position to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm during the interview process, especially concerning their unique approach to wellness and movement.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding compensation structure (equity-first) and hybrid work expectations, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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