Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: Rhythms Location: San Francisco, California, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product & Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-09-05T00:00:00 Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years) Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design of an AI Operating System, focusing on intelligent workflows and deep integrations with tools like Slack, Teams, Jira, and Linear.
• Invent and prototype new ways for humans and AI to collaborate in the workplace, pushing the boundaries of AI-powered product design.
• Design for organizational intelligence, creating software that understands and streamlines how teams operate, turning activity into actionable insights and automated tasks.
• Own the end-to-end design process, from customer problem discovery and exploration of solution paths to implementation with engineers and post-launch iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a pivotal opportunity for a Product Designer to shape a category-defining product. The emphasis on "inventing new ways of working" and "designing for organizational intelligence" suggests a need for a designer who is not only skilled in traditional UI/UX but also deeply curious about AI's impact on productivity and collaboration, and comfortable with ambiguity in a rapidly evolving field.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and prototype innovative user experiences for an AI-powered organizational operating system, utilizing tools like Figma and potentially code-based prototyping environments.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering and product management, to ship features and iterate based on user feedback and real-world usage data.
• Develop a deep understanding of customer challenges related to team operations, strategic planning, and KPI tracking, translating these into effective design solutions.
• Design for complex systems and workflows, ensuring flexibility and power without compromising user simplicity and intuitiveness.
• Continuously research and experiment with emerging AI tools and design patterns to enhance the Rhythms platform and its capabilities.
• Own specific product areas or features from initial concept through to successful implementation and ongoing optimization, demonstrating a commitment to customer impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on, "builder" mentality, emphasizing the integration of design with engineering and customer interaction. The expectation to "think in systems" and "stay on the bleeding edge" of AI points towards a senior-level designer capable of strategic thinking and proactive innovation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional design thinking, problem-solving, and execution is paramount. Candidates with degrees in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or related fields will have a strong foundation. Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience shipping complex, customer-facing products, ideally within the enterprise software or SaaS space.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Expertise: Proven ability to design intuitive and effective user experiences for complex software applications.
• Figma Proficiency: Fluency in using Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.
• Systems Thinking: Ability to design for interconnected workflows and understand how different product components interact.
• AI Collaboration & Experimentation: Demonstrated curiosity and hands-on experience with AI tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude) and a proactive approach to integrating AI into design workflows.
• Customer-Centricity: Strong capability to engage with customers, understand their pain points, and translate insights into impactful design solutions.
• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for tackling ambiguous problems and figuring out the "what" and "how" of product development.
• Communication & Articulation: Ability to clearly communicate design decisions and their business impact to stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with code-based prototyping or a willingness to explore tools like Cursor for design ideation.
• Familiarity with enterprise software functionalities, including workflow automation, KPI tracking, and strategic planning tools.
• Experience designing for organizational intelligence or productivity platforms.
• A portfolio that showcases end-to-end ownership of design problems and measurable customer impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "designing with tools like Cursor" and "natural experimenter who's already using AI" indicates a forward-thinking approach to design tools and methodologies, moving beyond traditional static design software. The requirement to articulate business impact suggests a business-acumen component to the design role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase 3-5 projects that demonstrate end-to-end product design ownership, from problem identification through to shipped solutions.
• Highlight projects that involved complex systems, workflows, or AI integration and explain the design thinking behind them.
• Include case studies that clearly articulate the customer problem, the design process, key decisions, and the resulting impact (quantifiable metrics are highly valued).
• Demonstrate proficiency with design tools like Figma, and ideally, any experience with code-based prototyping or AI-assisted design tools.
• Present work that prioritizes customer impact and business value over purely aesthetic appeal.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio piece, clearly outline the design process followed, including user research methods, ideation techniques, prototyping approaches, and iteration cycles.
• Explain how user feedback and data were incorporated into the design process to refine solutions.
• Detail how collaboration with engineering and product teams occurred during the design and implementation phases.
• If applicable, describe how AI tools or concepts were integrated into the design workflow or the final product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "optimize for customer impact over portfolio pieces" directive suggests that the portfolio should focus on tangible results and problem-solving rather than just visually appealing mockups. The explicit mention of "designing with tools like Cursor" and "exploring solutions in their native medium" implies a desire to see how candidates adapt to new, potentially code-integrated design workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the 5-10 years of experience requirement, location in San Francisco, and the nature of a well-funded, innovative tech startup, a competitive salary range is expected. For a Senior Product Designer in San Francisco with this experience, the base salary could range from $150,000 to $220,000 annually. Equity compensation is also a significant component, as indicated by "meaningful equity."

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Base salary commensurate with experience and market standards.
• Meaningful Equity: Significant stock options or grants, reflecting the early-stage, high-growth nature of the company.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage for employees and dependents.
• Remote Work Flexibility: The ability to work remotely within the United States, offering work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning and growth, potentially including conference attendance or specialized training.

Working Hours: Typically, a full-time role implies around 40 hours per week, though the company culture may encourage flexibility and deep work, especially in a remote setting. The focus is on shipping and impact rather than strict adherence to hourly schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in the San Francisco Bay Area, a high-cost-of-living region, and reflects the startup environment offering equity to compensate for potentially lower base salaries compared to established tech giants. The "meaningful equity" is a critical part of the total compensation package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Software (AI-Powered Operating Systems) Company Size: Early-Stage Startup (likely under 50 employees, given the seed funding and early hiring phase) Founded: Recently founded, with a strong founding team from successful previous ventures (Chronus, Ally.io). This suggests a culture that values experience, execution, and innovation.

Team Structure:

• Likely a lean, agile team where designers work very closely with product managers and engineers.
• Expect a flat or semi-flat hierarchy, encouraging direct communication and collaboration across functions.
• The design team, while potentially small, will be integral to product strategy and execution.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using customer insights and usage data to inform design choices.
• Agile Development & Continuous Iteration: A fast-paced environment focused on shipping frequently and learning from real-world application.
• Systems-Oriented Design: A focus on how components and features interact within the broader AI Operating System.
• Experimentation & Learning: A culture that encourages trying new tools (especially AI) and learning from both successes and failures.

Company Website: https://www.rhythms.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's recent significant seed funding and the background of its founders point to a culture driven by ambitious goals and a high bar for talent. The "AI-native" aspect suggests a forward-thinking and experimental approach to technology and product development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Senior Level Product Designer. This role is for an experienced individual contributor who can operate autonomously and influence product direction. They are expected to manage their own projects and contribute significantly to the product's strategy and execution. Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, a Design Lead, or potentially a CEO/CTO in a very early-stage setup. Collaboration will be key with engineering leads and product managers. Operations Impact: The Product Designer will have a direct and substantial impact on the success of Rhythms by defining the user experience of its core AI Operating System. Their work will influence how customers adopt and derive value from the platform, directly impacting user engagement, retention, and the company's overall market positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deep AI Specialization: Opportunity to become an expert in designing AI-native products and workflows, a rapidly growing and high-demand field.
• Product Strategy Influence: As an early design hire, the individual can significantly influence the product roadmap and design philosophy.
• Leadership Potential: With proven success, opportunities for team lead or management roles may emerge as the company scales.
• Category Creation: The chance to be part of building and defining a new product category (AI Operating System).

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique chance to grow within a company that is at the forefront of AI integration in business operations. The "inventing new ways of working" aspect implies significant learning and development opportunities in a nascent field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the job is listed as "TELECOMMUTE" and "Remote OK," implying flexibility, the company is based in San Francisco, suggesting a potential for an office presence or occasional team meetups. However, the primary mode of work for this role is remote. Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States (Headquarters)

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect a highly collaborative digital environment utilizing modern communication and collaboration tools (Slack, Teams, etc.).
• Design Tool Integration: Access to and proficiency with advanced design and prototyping tools, including potential exploration of AI-integrated development environments.
• Cross-functional Interaction: Frequent interaction with product managers, engineers, and potentially customer success or sales teams to gather insights and ensure alignment.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected, with flexibility inherent in a remote work setup. The emphasis is on delivering results and meeting project milestones, rather than strict time tracking. Focus on deep work and collaborative syncs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-friendly nature of the role is a key aspect, offering flexibility. However, for a startup, there might be an expectation of occasional in-person collaboration or team events, even if not strictly required for day-to-day work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where the candidate presents their portfolio, detailing 2-3 key projects. This will focus on their design process, problem-solving approach, and impact. Expect deep dives into strategic decisions and how they connected design to business outcomes.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be given a take-home assignment or a live problem-solving exercise related to Rhythms' product challenges. This will assess their system thinking, AI curiosity, and ability to work with constraints.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with engineers and product managers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to articulate design concepts.
• Final Round: Potentially with founders or senior leadership to assess strategic alignment, cultural fit, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentations around clear narratives for each project, highlighting the problem, your process, your role, and the outcome.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, prototypes, and data to illustrate your points. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions.
• Emphasize Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. How did your design improve user engagement, efficiency, or business metrics?
• Highlight AI & Systems Thinking: Specifically call out projects where you engaged with AI tools or designed complex systems/workflows.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about trade-offs, constraints, and how you navigated ambiguity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Rhythms' Product: Research the company's AI Operating System concept, its integrations, and the problems it aims to solve.
• Think Systemically: Practice breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts and considering how they fit into a larger ecosystem.
• AI Integration: Consider how AI could realistically be applied to improve user workflows and organizational processes within a platform like Rhythms.
• User Empathy: Approach any challenge with a strong focus on the user's needs and context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "designing with tools like Cursor" and "exploring solutions in their native medium" suggests interviewers will be looking for candidates who are not just proficient in traditional design tools but are also adaptable and forward-thinking about the future of design in an AI-driven world. Portfolio pieces that demonstrate this adaptability will be highly valued.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design and prototyping tool for creating interfaces, user flows, and interactive prototypes.
• Cursor: Mentioned explicitly as a tool to be excited about, indicating a potential need for familiarity or a strong willingness to learn and use AI-integrated coding/design environments.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, other tools for more advanced or code-based prototyping might be relevant.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for the designer, an understanding of how to interpret user analytics (e.g., from tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or internal dashboards) to inform design decisions will be beneficial.
• Familiarity with how product performance is measured is important for demonstrating business impact.

CRM & Automation:

• Understanding the integrations Rhythms has with tools like Slack, Teams, Jira, and Linear is crucial for designing cohesive workflows.
• While not directly managing CRM or automation, knowledge of their capabilities and how users interact with them within an integrated system is valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Cursor signals a focus on modern, potentially AI-enhanced design workflows. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools and their approach to using AI in their design process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity: A fundamental value driving exploration of new tools, products, and ways of working.
• Craftsmanship & Quality: A commitment to high standards in design and product development.
• Customer Impact: Prioritizing what ships and what it achieves for the customer above all else.
• Continuous Improvement: Embracing experimentation and iteration to refine solutions.
• Collaboration: Working closely and pushing each other to improve.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with product managers and engineers, acting as integral parts of the product development team.
• Open Communication: A culture that encourages direct feedback and open dialogue to foster innovation and problem-solving.
• Shared Ownership: Team members likely share responsibility for the success of the product, fostering a sense of collective ownership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a proactive, learning-oriented, and impact-driven culture. The mention of "want colleagues who push you to be better and whom you push in return" indicates a high-performance, collaborative environment where constructive feedback is a norm.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining a New Category: Designing for an AI Operating System means operating in a nascent field where best practices are still emerging, requiring significant strategic thinking and innovation.
• Balancing Complexity and Simplicity: Creating powerful, intelligent workflows without overwhelming users is a core design challenge.
• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying ahead of the curve with AI advancements and integrating them effectively into the product.
• Ambiguity: Navigating a startup environment where priorities can shift, and new problems constantly emerge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Mastery: Becoming a leader in the emerging field of AI-powered product design.
• System Design Expertise: Deepening skills in designing complex, integrated software systems.
• Product Strategy Contribution: Gaining significant experience in shaping product direction and strategy at a high-growth startup.
• Exposure to Top Talent: Learning from experienced founders and a high-caliber team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working at a cutting-edge startup. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to develop highly sought-after skills in AI and product strategy within a dynamic and innovative environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach designing for a product that leverages AI to transform existing workflows?" Expect to discuss your process for understanding user needs in this new context, prototyping AI interactions, and iterating based on AI performance and user feedback.
• "Describe a time you had to design a complex system or workflow. What were the challenges, and how did you ensure a cohesive user experience?" Focus on your ability to think holistically, manage dependencies, and communicate system design principles.
• "How do you stay current with emerging technologies like AI, and how do you incorporate them into your design practice?" Be ready to share specific tools you experiment with (like Cursor) and how you evaluate their potential application.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Rhythms' mission to build an AI Operating System?" Show genuine interest and understanding of the company's vision.
• "How do you handle ambiguity and shifting priorities in a startup environment?" Highlight your adaptability, problem-solving skills, and ability to thrive in fast-paced settings.
• "Describe your ideal collaboration with engineers and product managers." Emphasize your communication style, iterative approach, and commitment to shared goals.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on AI/System Projects: Prioritize projects that best showcase your ability to design complex systems, workflows, or incorporate AI principles.
• Demonstrate End-to-End Ownership: Clearly articulate your role and contributions from discovery to launch and iteration.
• Quantify Impact: Use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs in terms of user engagement, efficiency gains, or business outcomes.
• Explain Your Process: Be ready to walk through your design thinking, including research, ideation, prototyping, and user testing.
• Highlight Curiosity and Experimentation: Show your passion for learning and trying new tools and approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your experience and enthusiasm for AI, particularly in the context of productivity and organizational tools. Be ready to demonstrate how you integrate AI into your design process and how you approach designing for complex, interconnected systems.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashbyhq.com.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio highlights projects demonstrating systems thinking, complex workflow design, and ideally, any experience or interest in AI-enhanced design tools or processes.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5-10 years of experience shipping complex products, your proficiency in Figma, and your proactive approach to AI experimentation. Use keywords like "AI collaboration," "system design," "workflow optimization," and "customer impact."
• Demonstrate AI Curiosity: In your application or cover letter, briefly mention your interest in AI and how you see it shaping the future of product design and work.
• Research Rhythms: Familiarize yourself with Rhythms' mission, their AI Operating System concept, and the problems they aim to solve to show informed interest.

⚠️ 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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