Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer
Company: DeepLearning.AI
Location: San Francisco, California
Job Type: Full time
Category: Product Design / User Experience
Date Posted: 2025-09-26
Experience Level: 4+ Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role centers on designing intuitive and impactful learning experiences for AI education, leveraging cutting-edge AI tools within the design process.
• You will own the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from initial user research and discovery through to high-fidelity prototyping, visual design, and iterative refinement.
• A key aspect involves partnering closely with product management, engineering, and curriculum development teams to translate strategic goals and user insights into tangible, effective learning solutions.
• The position requires significant contribution to and maintenance of a scalable Design System, ensuring consistency and efficiency across the platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the company's focus on AI education and the explicit mention of AI tools like Figma Make and v0, this role likely emphasizes the integration of AI into the design workflow itself, not just in the final product. The "full-time, hybrid role based in the San Francisco Bay Area" implies a need for on-site presence for collaboration, likely a few days a week, with flexibility for remote work.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire design lifecycle: user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, usability testing, and iterative improvements.
• Conduct in-depth user research and usability testing to identify learner pain points, unmet needs, and opportunities for innovation in AI education.
• Translate research findings, user insights, and business objectives into elegant, user-centered design solutions for web and mobile platforms.
• Craft high-fidelity, responsive, and accessible user interfaces within Figma, ensuring a seamless and engaging learning journey for AI students.
• Develop, expand, and maintain a comprehensive Design System, including components, patterns, documentation, and style guides, to ensure brand consistency and design velocity.
• Rapidly prototype innovative concepts using tools such as Figma Make and v0, exploring AI-assisted design exploration and validation techniques.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of design specifications and provide support for front-end development, potentially contributing to AI-assisted code prototyping.
• Continuously monitor product performance using data analytics and user feedback to inform design iterations and optimize learner outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "shipping work" and "designing end-to-end solutions" suggests a hands-on role requiring ownership and accountability for design outcomes from conception to post-launch iteration. The mention of AI tools implies a forward-thinking approach to design processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and design thinking is paramount.
• A background in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field is advantageous but not strictly required if practical skills and portfolio are exceptional.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in Product Design, UX Design, or UI Design, with a proven track record of shipping digital products.
• Experience in an early-stage company or building 0→1 products is highly desirable, indicating comfort with ambiguity and rapid iteration.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design: Deep understanding of user research methodologies (interviews, surveys, usability testing) and the ability to translate insights into actionable design decisions.
• Interface Design: Proficiency in designing elegant, intuitive, and responsive user interfaces for web and mobile applications, with a strong visual design sensibility.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Mastery of Figma for wireframing, interactive prototyping, and visual design, including experience with AI-powered design tools (e.g., Figma Make, v0).
• Design Systems: Proven experience in building, maintaining, and scaling design systems, including component libraries, style guides, and documentation.
• Collaboration: Exceptional ability to partner effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Content Strategists, and Marketing teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate design rationale clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders.
• Technical Acumen: Curiosity and comfort discussing technical implementation details with engineering teams; familiarity with front-end fundamentals is a significant advantage.

Preferred Skills:

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Familiarity with WCAG guidelines and a demonstrated commitment to designing inclusive experiences for all users.
• Front-End Development: Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with experience in front-end prototyping or contributing to AI-assisted coding workflows.
• EdTech or Developer Platforms: Prior experience designing for educational technology, AI-focused products, or platforms targeted at developers.
• Agile/Lean Methodologies: Experience working within agile development environments and adapting design processes to iterative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "4+ years of experience designing digital products end-to-end, with a portfolio showcasing shipped work" indicates a mid-level to senior individual contributor role. The emphasis on AI tools and front-end familiarity suggests a desire for a designer who can bridge the gap between design and development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 4 years of end-to-end product design experience, with a focus on shipped digital products across web and mobile.
• Detailed case studies demonstrating your process from discovery and user research through to final design and iteration, highlighting problem definition, user insights, and design solutions.
• Examples of high-fidelity UI designs and interactive prototypes, clearly articulating design rationale and user flows.
• Evidence of contributions to or creation of Design Systems, including examples of components, patterns, and documentation.
• Demonstrations of using AI-powered design tools (e.g., Figma Make, v0) or innovative prototyping techniques.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly outline the discovery phase, including research methodologies, user interviews, and usability testing approaches.
• Document the ideation and concept development process, showcasing how user insights informed design decisions and iterative explorations.
• Detail the prototyping and visual design phase, explaining the rationale behind UI choices, interaction patterns, and the application of design principles.
• Illustrate the collaboration process with engineering and product teams, and describe how design intent was translated into implementation.
• Showcase how data and user feedback were used post-launch to iterate and improve the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio of "shipped work" means candidates must be able to clearly articulate their role and contributions to launched products, not just conceptual projects. The emphasis on AI tools suggests showcasing projects where these tools were utilized to accelerate or enhance the design process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers with 4+ years of experience in San Francisco, California, a competitive salary range is estimated between $130,000 - $180,000 annually. This range accounts for the high cost of living in the Bay Area and the specialized skills required for this role, including AI tool proficiency and design system expertise.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.
• Retirement Savings: A 401(k) plan is offered, providing a pathway for long-term financial planning.
• Professional Development: A monthly education stipend encourages continuous learning and skill enhancement, particularly relevant for staying current in the fast-evolving AI and design fields.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy allows employees to manage their personal time effectively.
• Additional Perks: The company likely offers other benefits such as paid holidays, potential equity options (common in tech startups), and other wellness programs.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically expected to involve around 40 hours per week. While a standard work week is assumed, the hybrid nature and company culture may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling, accommodating the need for deep work and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on publicly available data for Product Designer roles in San Francisco, considering the experience level (4+ years) and the specialized nature of the company (AI Education Tech). The benefits listed are directly from the provided text.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Company Size: Small tech company with serious credentials (likely < 100 employees, based on typical startup stages for such roles) Founded: DeepLearning.AI was founded in 2017, aiming to democratize AI education.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design function is likely integrated within cross-functional product teams, comprising Product Managers, Engineers, and Curriculum Specialists.
• Designers will report into a Head of Product or a Design Lead, with close collaboration across engineering and product leadership.
• Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work closely with subject matter experts in AI and educational pedagogy.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging user research, A/B testing, and product analytics to inform design strategy and execution.
• Agile and iterative development processes, emphasizing rapid prototyping, continuous feedback, and swift adaptation to user needs and market trends in AI.
• A strong focus on building scalable and maintainable design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across a growing product suite.

Company Website: https://deeplearning.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "grow and connect the global AI community" and train "millions of AI engineers" indicates a strong learner-centric and impact-driven culture. The "small tech company with serious credentials" suggests a fast-paced, high-impact environment with a focus on quality and expertise.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior individual contributor, requiring significant autonomy and ownership over design projects. It's a crucial role for shaping the user experience of a platform at the forefront of AI education.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product or a Design Lead, working in close partnership with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within specific product squads or feature teams. This structure fosters cross-functional collaboration and direct impact on product development.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is central to DeepLearning.AI's mission. By creating engaging and effective learning experiences, they directly influence learner success, user acquisition, retention, and overall platform growth. Their work translates complex AI concepts into accessible educational content, driving both business outcomes and the company's educational mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design tools, advanced prototyping techniques, and user research within the rapidly evolving AI and EdTech sectors.
• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to take a leading role in expanding and evolving the company's Design System, potentially mentoring junior designers.
• Product Strategy: Contribute to product strategy discussions, influencing the roadmap and feature development based on user insights and design vision.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Grow influence across engineering and product teams, becoming a key voice in product decision-making.
• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success, opportunities for Lead Product Designer or management roles may emerge as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "full-time, hybrid role" and focus on "learning experiences" suggest a stable but growth-oriented environment. The opportunity to "bring high-impact ideas to life with the freedom to be exceptionally creative" points to a culture that values innovation and empowers its team members.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid role based in the San Francisco Bay Area, implying a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work. The office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): San Francisco Bay Area, California. Specific office address details would be provided upon engagement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office is expected to feature collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and potentially areas for focused work, designed to support the hybrid work model and cross-functional team interactions.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, prototyping tools), AI-assisted design tools, and robust collaboration platforms.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular in-person interaction with product, engineering, and curriculum teams, facilitating spontaneous problem-solving and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles, the hybrid arrangement and company culture may allow for some flexibility in daily schedules, enabling designers to balance deep work sessions with collaborative meetings and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid role based in the San Francisco Bay Area" indicates that candidates should ideally reside within commuting distance of the office to facilitate in-person collaboration, which is crucial for design teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess general fit, experience, and alignment with the role's core requirements.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A deep dive into your portfolio with a hiring manager or senior designer, discussing your past projects, design process, and problem-solving approach. This may include a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise focused on a specific problem relevant to AI education.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to articulate design rationale.
• Team & Culture Fit: Interviews with other team members or leadership to assess cultural alignment with DeepLearning.AI's defining values and working style.
• Final Round: Potentially a discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Your Process: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research conducted, ideation process, design decisions, and the impact of your work.
• Highlight AI Tool Usage: If applicable, demonstrate how you leveraged AI tools (e.g., Figma Make, v0) to enhance your design process, accelerate iteration, or validate concepts.
• Focus on Outcomes: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user engagement, reduced task completion time).
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with EdTech, AI, or developer-focused platforms, and highlight skills in design systems and user research.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, trade-offs made, challenges faced, and how you collaborate with technical teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement, target user, and business objectives.
• Think Aloud: During live exercises, articulate your thought process, assumptions, and design choices clearly.
• Focus on User Needs: Ground your solutions in user research and problem-solving, rather than just aesthetic appeal.
• Consider Technical Feasibility: Demonstrate an awareness of implementation constraints and collaborate with engineers to ensure designs are feasible.
• Practice Presentation: Be ready to present your work concisely and persuasively, highlighting key insights and solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "full-time, hybrid role" and the company's mission suggest that interviewers will be keen to assess not only design skills but also the candidate's ability to thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven, and fast-paced environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, wireframing, and high-fidelity prototyping. Expect extensive use for creating interfaces, components, and user flows.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's native capabilities, proficiency with other prototyping tools may be beneficial for more complex interactions.
• AI-Powered Design Tools: Explicitly mentioned are Figma Make and v0, indicating a strong emphasis on leveraging AI for rapid prototyping, design exploration, and potentially code generation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to track user behavior, measure engagement, and inform design decisions.
• Usability Testing Platforms: Tools for conducting remote and in-person usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze.co) to gather qualitative feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• While less direct for a Product Designer, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms influence user journeys and product adoption can provide valuable context. Knowledge of how user data is managed and utilized is beneficial for designing personalized learning experiences.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Jira/Confluence: Common tools for tracking development progress, managing tasks, and documenting product requirements and design specifications.
• Slack/Microsoft Teams: For real-time team communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma Make and v0 is a critical differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or learning enthusiasm for these AI-driven design tools within the interview process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Learner-Centricity: All decisions and designs are guided by the needs and success of DeepLearning.AI's learners, prioritizing their educational journey and outcomes.
• Excellence: A commitment to high standards in content quality, user experience, and team performance, striving for best-in-class solutions.
• Action-Oriented: A bias for action, encouraging initiative and ownership, with comfort in making decisions and moving forward even with incomplete information.
• Curiosity & Humility: A culture of asking "why," being open to being wrong, advocating for the best ideas regardless of origin, and continuously learning.
• Honesty & Authenticity: Transparency in communication, over-communication to build trust, and open sharing of both successes and failures.
• Collaboration & Inclusivity: A strong emphasis on teamwork, mutual support, helping colleagues grow, and fostering an enjoyable work environment, even in a remote/hybrid setting.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Product Managers, Engineers, and Curriculum Specialists, fostering a shared understanding of goals and challenges.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture of continuous feedback exchange, where designs are shared early and often, encouraging constructive criticism and collaborative refinement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share learnings, best practices, and insights across teams, contributing to a collective growth mindset.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize a proactive, collaborative, and learner-focused approach. Candidates whose personal values and work style align with these principles will likely be a strong cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate AI concepts into understandable and engaging learning modules requires deep empathy and creative problem-solving.
• Rapidly Evolving Field: The AI landscape changes quickly, demanding continuous learning and adaptation of design strategies to keep content relevant and cutting-edge.
• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Effectively meeting the diverse needs of learners while aligning with business objectives and platform scalability.
• Adoption of New Tools: Integrating emerging AI-powered design tools (like Figma Make, v0) into established workflows and ensuring team adoption.
• Scalability of Design Systems: Evolving a Design System to support a growing platform and diverse range of educational content.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & EdTech Trends: Direct exposure to and involvement in the forefront of AI education technology, providing unique learning opportunities.
• Advanced Design Tools: Hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI design tools, positioning you at the forefront of design innovation.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn from experts in AI, curriculum development, and product management.
• Mentorship & Skill Development: Potential for mentorship from senior team members and structured opportunities for skill enhancement in areas like user research, system design, and front-end collaboration.
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Potential support for attending relevant conferences or pursuing certifications in UX, AI, or EdTech.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "challenges" section highlights the dynamic nature of the AI industry and the company's position within it, offering significant growth potential for those who embrace continuous learning.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex learning experience. What was your process, and what were the key challenges and outcomes?" (Focus on your user research, problem definition, and iterative design process).
• "How would you approach designing an onboarding experience for a new AI course on our platform, considering both novice and experienced learners?" (Demonstrate user segmentation, journey mapping, and feature prioritization).
• "Imagine we're launching a new AI tool for developers. How would you ensure it's both powerful and intuitive to use?" (Highlight your understanding of user needs, usability principles, and technical considerations).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Our mission is to train millions of AI engineers. How does your design philosophy align with this mission?" (Connect your passion for education, user empowerment, or AI to the company's goals).
• "We value 'Default to Action' and 'Ask Why.' Can you give an example of a time you took initiative or challenged the status quo with a well-reasoned argument?" (Showcase proactive problem-solving and critical thinking).
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Emphasize communication, empathy, and finding common ground).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, your design process, key decisions and trade-offs, and the final outcome/impact.
• Quantify Impact: Use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs. If direct metrics aren't available, use strong qualitative evidence and user feedback.
• Highlight AI Tool Integration: If you've used AI tools like Figma Make or v0, explain how they helped you iterate faster, explore more options, or achieve specific design goals.
• Showcase Design System Work: Clearly present your contributions to design systems, explaining their purpose, components, and how they ensure consistency.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your design rationale, the constraints you faced, and alternative solutions you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should research DeepLearning.AI's current course offerings and target audience to tailor their portfolio examples and interview responses effectively. Emphasizing experience with AI tools and design systems will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on jobs.lever.co.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in Product Design, UX/UI, user research, prototyping, design systems, and any relevant AI or EdTech projects. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, user-centric approach, and impact. Ensure clear articulation of your role, process, and outcomes, with specific emphasis on any AI tool usage.
• Prepare for the Design Challenge: Familiarize yourself with common product design challenges in the online education space and practice articulating your thought process and solutions.
• Research DeepLearning.AI: Understand their mission, product offerings, and company values. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer that demonstrate your engagement and interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

---