Product Designer (UX)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (UX)

Company: Bjak

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: March 06, 2026

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

Remote Status: Fully Remote (US-based)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design process for innovative AI product surfaces, translating complex AI capabilities into intuitive user experiences.

• Shape core user flows, interaction models, and overall product direction for a proactive AI system, influencing how users discover value and build trust.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and Machine Learning (ML) specialists, to rapidly iterate on ideas and deliver high-quality solutions.

• Develop comprehensive design documentation, including wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and high-fidelity UI for both web and mobile platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "zero-to-one" opportunity, emphasizing significant ownership and influence in the early stages of product development. The focus on AI product surfaces and interaction models suggests a need for designers comfortable with ambiguity and the rapid evolution of requirements in a cutting-edge technology environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of user interfaces and interaction models for one or more AI product surfaces, from initial ideation through to successful production deployment.

• Design intuitive and natural user flows that simplify advanced AI functionalities, ensuring ease of use, discoverability, and user trust.

• Partner effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and Machine Learning experts to conduct user research, validate design hypotheses, and ensure seamless integration of design into the development lifecycle.

• Produce detailed design artifacts, including wireframes, user journey maps, interactive prototypes, and polished high-fidelity UI designs for both web and mobile applications.

• Proactively prototype and test novel interaction paradigms, particularly those leveraging AI and machine learning, to explore new user engagement possibilities.

• Plan and execute usability testing sessions, analyze user feedback, and synthesize insights to inform and refine product design decisions and strategy.

• Contribute to the definition, maintenance, and evolution of the company's design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all product touchpoints.

• Champion user-centered design principles while adeptly balancing product velocity, technical constraints, and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end design" and "ownership from problem definition through shipped solution" indicates a need for a self-starter mentality. The responsibility for evolving the design system suggests a candidate who can think systematically and contribute to foundational design infrastructure.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often beneficial for understanding complex technical concepts and user psychology.

Experience: Proven experience as a Product or UX Designer, typically ranging from 2 to 5 years, with a strong portfolio showcasing successful web and mobile product design projects.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong, diverse portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design experience across web and mobile platforms, highlighting problem-solving and user-centric solutions.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration.

• Rapid Prototyping: Expertise in creating interactive prototypes to quickly test and iterate on design concepts and user flows.

• Interaction Design: Deep understanding of interaction design principles, user flow optimization, and creating intuitive user journeys.

• Visual Systems: Solid grasp of visual hierarchy, layout, typography, color theory, and building cohesive visual design languages.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with engineering, product management, and ML teams in fast-paced, iterative environments.

• Design System Development: Experience contributing to or developing design systems to ensure consistency and scalability.

• User-Centricity: Strong advocacy for the user, with the ability to translate complex requirements into simple, elegant solutions.

• Adaptability: Comfort in designing with incomplete information and navigating evolving requirements common in early-stage product development.

Preferred Skills:

• AI/ML Product Design: Prior experience designing products powered by Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning, with an understanding of unique UX challenges and opportunities in this space.

• Usability Testing & Research: Familiarity with planning and conducting usability testing, along with qualitative research methods to gather user insights.

• Early-Stage Product Development: Experience working on "zero-to-one" products or within early-stage startup teams, demonstrating comfort with ambiguity and rapid iteration.

• Emerging UX Patterns: Interest in and exploration of new UX patterns for AI, automation, and intelligent systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Nice to have" section strongly suggests that candidates with direct experience in AI/ML product design or early-stage development will have a significant advantage. The emphasis on Figma and rapid prototyping indicates a need for hands-on, tool-proficient designers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your involvement from problem definition and user research through to final shipped product, highlighting your design process and decision-making.

• AI/Complex System Design: If possible, include examples of designing complex systems, data-heavy applications, or AI-driven features, illustrating how you simplified intricate workflows.

• Web & Mobile Integration: Provide examples that span both web and mobile platforms, demonstrating your ability to create cohesive experiences across different devices.

• Prototyping & Iteration: Include interactive prototypes (links or embedded demos) that illustrate key user flows and demonstrate your iterative design approach.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Clearly articulate your user flow design process, showing how you map out user journeys and optimize them for clarity and efficiency.

• System Thinking: Demonstrate how you approach designing and evolving design systems, focusing on consistency, scalability, and maintainability.

• Collaboration & Iteration: Illustrate how you collaborate with engineering and product teams, including your methods for incorporating feedback and iterating on designs based on technical constraints and user testing.

• Impact Measurement: Where possible, quantify the impact of your design decisions using metrics related to user engagement, task completion, or conversion rates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "zero-to-one" and "early-stage teams" suggests that a portfolio demonstrating rapid iteration, adaptability, and the ability to define processes from scratch will be highly valued. Quantifying impact is crucial, even if it involves estimations or qualitative data in early-stage scenarios.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Product Designer (UX) with 2-5 years of experience in New York, NY, a competitive salary range would typically fall between $100,000 and $150,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for mid-level design roles in major tech hubs, considering the company's early-stage, high-growth profile and the remote nature of the role.

Benefits:

• Equity/Stock Options: Given the early-stage nature of the company, significant equity participation is likely.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Remote Work Stipend: Support for home office setup and ongoing remote work expenses.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Encouraging work-life balance and employee well-being.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning, attending conferences, and skill enhancement.

• 401(k) or Retirement Plan: With potential company matching.

Working Hours: A standard full-time commitment of approximately 40 hours per week is expected, with flexibility to accommodate remote work and cross-functional collaboration across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from reputable compensation platforms and industry surveys for Product Designers in the New York metropolitan area. Benefits are inferred based on typical offerings for early-stage tech companies aiming to attract top talent, especially for remote roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Software Development. Bjak is focused on building a proactive AI system, placing it at the forefront of AI innovation.

Company Size: Small, highly motivated, and focused team. This indicates a flat organizational structure with direct access to leadership and a high degree of individual impact.

Founded: Information not explicitly provided, but the emphasis on "zero-to-one" and "early-stage teams" suggests a relatively young company, likely a startup or early-stage growth company.

Team Structure:

• Flat Hierarchy: All members are expected to be hands-on and contribute directly, minimizing bureaucracy.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close integration between Product, Engineering, Machine Learning, and Design is essential for rapid product development.

• Specialization: While small, the team likely comprises specialists in core areas like AI/ML, software engineering, and product design.

Methodology:

• Agile & Iterative Development: Emphasis on rapid prototyping, testing, and shipping quickly.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: While not explicitly stated for design, the AI focus implies a strong reliance on data and user insights.

• Engineering & Product Excellence: A core value driving the team's focus and motivation.

Company Website: https://bjak.my/en/about-us

📝 Enhancement Note: The "How We Work" section heavily influences the interpretation of company culture. The flat structure and hands-on expectation are critical for potential candidates to understand. The company's focus on AI suggests a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and problem-solving.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level (2-5 years of experience) with significant potential for growth into senior or lead design roles as the company scales. The emphasis on "high-ownership" means you'll be operating with a degree of autonomy typically seen at more senior levels.

Reporting Structure: The description implies a direct reporting relationship to a Head of Product, CTO, or a founding team member, given the small and flat organizational structure. You will likely work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: As a Product Designer, your impact is direct and profound. You will be instrumental in defining the user experience of a novel AI product, directly influencing user adoption, engagement, and the perceived value of the AI system. Your design decisions will shape the core functionality and user trust in the product.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role as the team expands.

• Specialization in AI UX: Deep expertise development in the emerging field of AI/ML user experience design.

• Product Strategy Influence: Opportunities to contribute significantly to product strategy and roadmap through design insights and user advocacy.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Gaining deep experience working with cutting-edge AI/ML technologies and engineering practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "zero-to-one" nature of this role offers a unique growth trajectory. Candidates should anticipate rapid learning and the chance to shape not just the product's UX, but also the design function itself within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote, with a focus on US-based talent. This implies a distributed team environment where effective asynchronous communication and collaboration tools are paramount.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company lists a headquarters or primary operational presence in New York, NY. Remote employees are expected to be based within the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Asynchronous Collaboration: Expect a heavy reliance on tools like Slack, email, and project management software for communication.

• Virtual Meetings: Regular use of video conferencing for team syncs, design reviews, and brainstorming sessions.

• Design Tool Integration: Seamless integration with Figma and other design/prototyping tools is essential.

• Collaborative Design Sessions: While remote, expect structured virtual sessions for design critiques and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time (approx. 40 hours/week) with inherent flexibility. The focus is on output and impact rather than strict adherence to 9-to-5. Collaboration across time zones may require occasional adjustments to working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of this role necessitates strong self-discipline, excellent communication skills, and comfort with digital collaboration tools. The company's emphasis on efficiency suggests a preference for focused work periods.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief conversation to assess initial fit and alignment with the role and company.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A deeper dive into your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and specific examples relevant to AI and complex systems. Expect questions about your decision-making rationale.

• Design Exercise/Challenge: Potentially a take-home assignment or a live design problem to assess your approach to a specific challenge, focusing on workflow simplification and interaction design.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product, Engineering, and ML team members to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Likely with a founder or senior leadership to discuss vision, impact, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI/Complex Systems: If you have relevant experience, make it prominent. If not, emphasize how your problem-solving skills are transferable to complex AI challenges.

• Show Your Process: Detail your steps, from understanding the problem to iterating on solutions. Explain why you made certain design choices.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics or clear qualitative outcomes to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Focus on Collaboration: Be ready to discuss how you worked with engineers and product managers.

• Keep it Concise: Select your strongest projects and present them clearly and efficiently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem: Thoroughly analyze the prompt and ask clarifying questions.

• Focus on User Needs: Frame your solutions around solving user problems.

• Simplify Complexity: Demonstrate your ability to break down complex requirements into intuitive flows.

• Communicate Rationale: Be prepared to explain every design decision and trade-off.

• Consider Technical Constraints: Acknowledge potential engineering or ML limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "3, but no more than 4 interviews" suggests a streamlined and efficient process. The focus on "prompt decision" reinforces this. Candidates should prepare to articulate their value proposition clearly and concisely.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management. Proficiency is non-negotiable.

• Prototyping Tools: In addition to Figma's capabilities, familiarity with tools like ProtoPie, Adobe XD, or similar for more advanced interactive prototypes might be beneficial.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack for real-time communication, Asana/Jira/Trello for project management and task tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

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

• Data Visualization Tools: While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how data is presented (e.g., Tableau, Looker) can inform design.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UX role: While operations teams use CRMs, this role focuses on product interaction and user experience design, not sales or revenue operations tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and rapid prototyping tools highlights the critical technical skills required. Understanding how design integrates with analytics and development workflows is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Product Excellence: A deep commitment to building high-quality, innovative products.

• User-Centricity: Prioritizing user needs and delivering exceptional user experiences.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and teamwork across all functions.

• Ownership & Initiative: Encouraging individuals to take responsibility and drive outcomes.

• Agility & Adaptability: Thriving in a fast-paced environment with evolving requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Hands-on and Direct: Expect to work closely with team members, with minimal layers of management.

• Iterative and Feedback-Driven: Design decisions are made through continuous iteration, testing, and feedback loops with product, engineering, and ML.

• Data-Informed: While qualitative insights are paramount for design, the company's AI focus suggests a strong appreciation for data to validate assumptions and measure impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on being "small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering and product excellence" strongly informs its values. Candidates should demonstrate a proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Novelty: Creating intuitive interfaces for advanced AI capabilities that users may not have encountered before.

• Balancing Ambiguity and Structure: Working in an early-stage environment with evolving requirements while needing to deliver clear, usable designs.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless integration of design with complex ML models and engineering constraints.

• Defining the Design Function: As an early member, you'll play a role in shaping the design processes and culture.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI UX Specialization: Becoming a leader in a rapidly growing and critical field of design.

• Product Strategy Impact: Directly influencing the direction of a company building foundational AI technology.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunity to grow into senior or lead design roles as the company scales.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology: Working with advanced AI and ML technologies on a daily basis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of early-stage, high-impact roles in innovative tech companies. The growth opportunities are significant for candidates looking to make a substantial impact and build expertise in a high-demand area.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a user interface for an AI system that needs to proactively carry work forward across different applications?" - Prepare to discuss user control, trust, privacy, and how to make proactive AI feel helpful rather than intrusive.

• "Describe a time you had to simplify a complex workflow or technical concept into an intuitive user experience. What was your process?" - Focus on your problem-solving methodology, user research, iteration, and the final outcome.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about designing for AI products at an early-stage company like Bjak?" - Research Bjak's mission and tailor your answer to their specific goals and the opportunities you see.

• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with product managers, engineers, and ML specialists." - Highlight your experience in cross-functional teams and your approach to communication and feedback.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Clearly articulate the problem you were solving and the user needs you addressed.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Utilize your prototypes to walk through key user flows and interactions.

• Explain Your Decisions: For each major design choice, explain the rationale behind it, referencing user research or design principles.

• Quantify Results: Present any metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific screens, interactions, or your process for handling challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also problem-solving ability, collaboration, and cultural fit within a fast-paced, innovative startup. Be prepared to articulate your thought process clearly and defend your design decisions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer (UX) position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight experience in product design, UX, Figma, prototyping, and any relevant AI/ML or early-stage product development. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to create intuitive interfaces for complex challenges. Ensure interactive prototypes are easily accessible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, your process, and why you are a good fit for an early-stage, AI-focused company. Practice presenting your portfolio projects concisely.

• Research Bjak: Understand their mission, product vision, and the problem they are solving. This will help tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions to provide a comprehensive overview. All details regarding responsibilities, qualifications, compensation, and interview process should be verified directly with Bjak during the application and interview stages.