Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Raspberry AI Location: United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: 2025-08-15 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end product design function, encompassing user research, UX strategy, wireframing, UI design, and high-fidelity prototyping for a cutting-edge AI design software platform.
• Drive user-centered design thinking across the organization, translating complex problems into intuitive and elegant user experiences for fashion brands and retailers.
• Establish and scale design patterns and visual language, ensuring platform consistency and a cohesive user journey as the company grows.
• Act as a foundational design leader, collaborating closely with product management, engineering, and internal fashion experts to bring innovative AI-powered design solutions to life.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior Product Designer," the responsibilities and requirements strongly indicate a foundational role, likely the first dedicated design hire. This implies a significant opportunity to shape the design function, establish processes, and build a design system from the ground up, rather than simply contributing to an existing design team. The emphasis on 0→1 design and shaping culture is key.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle, from initial user research and UX strategy development through to the creation of detailed wireframes, user interface (UI) designs, and interactive high-fidelity prototypes.
• Foster deep collaboration with product managers, engineers, and in-house fashion domain experts to conceptualize, design, and deliver user-centric, scalable, and impactful experiences.
• Champion and lead design thinking methodologies company-wide, injecting structure, empathy, and creative problem-solving into the development of ambiguous product challenges.
• Define, document, and systematize a robust library of design patterns and a consistent visual language to ensure platform scalability and a unified user experience.
• Actively participate in and often lead product design reviews with company leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, effectively communicating design rationale and iteration outcomes.
• Partner with customer success and user enablement teams to gather critical user feedback, identify pain points, and uncover new opportunities for product enhancement and user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic ownership and hands-on execution. As the first dedicated designer, this role will require not only creating design artifacts but also defining the design process, evangelizing design principles, and building the foundational elements of a mature design practice within a fast-paced startup environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often implied for Senior Product Designer roles. Emphasis will be placed on demonstrated skills and portfolio.

Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in product design, UX design, or interaction design, with a significant portion spent at high-growth technology companies or dynamic startups.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in the full spectrum of product design, from user research and UX strategy to wireframing, UI design, and prototyping.
• A compelling portfolio showcasing a user-centered design approach, elegant UI solutions, and the ability to solve complex user flow challenges effectively.
• Proven ability to design for both 0→1 product development and iterate on existing product features, exhibiting flexibility to shift between granular detail and system-level thinking.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to articulate design decisions clearly, incorporate feedback constructively, and collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
• A strong visual design sensibility and a track record of shipping polished, high-quality interfaces efficiently.
• Proficiency in Figma, with a strong preference for candidates experienced in establishing or scaling design systems.
• A proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, eager to be the inaugural design hire and contribute significantly to shaping product and design culture.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the AI, SaaS, or fashion technology sectors.
• Familiarity with generative AI concepts and their application in user interfaces.
• Experience conducting and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative user research.
• Understanding of front-end development principles to facilitate effective collaboration with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on being the "first design hire" and shaping culture suggests that adaptability, strong communication, and a proactive, hands-on approach are as critical as technical design skills. Candidates should highlight instances where they've built design processes or systems from scratch.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a user-centered design process, from initial problem definition and user research to final visual design and interactive prototypes.
• Case studies that clearly articulate complex design challenges, the user problems addressed, the design solutions implemented, and the impact of those solutions.
• Evidence of designing for both new product initiatives (0→1) and iterating on existing product features, showcasing adaptability and strategic thinking.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Figma, including examples of component libraries, design systems, or well-structured design files that promote scalability and consistency.
• Showcase strong visual design skills through polished UI examples and an understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, and color theory.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've defined and documented design processes, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, and usability testing protocols.
• Demonstrate an ability to create and maintain design systems, including style guides, component libraries, and usage guidelines.
• Showcase experience in collaborating with engineering teams to ensure the successful implementation of designs, including handoff processes and design QA.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly illustrate the candidate's ability to operate autonomously, define processes, and build design foundations. Emphasis should be placed on case studies that highlight problem-solving, strategic thinking, and tangible outcomes, rather than just aesthetic execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior Product Designer title, 5+ years of experience, and the company's Series A funding status ($24M), a competitive salary range in the United States for a fully remote role is estimated.

• Estimated Salary Range: $140,000 - $190,000 annually.
• Factors: This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the high-growth tech startup environment, the specialized AI/fashion tech industry, and the fully remote nature of the position within the US. Location within the US (e.g., high cost of living vs. lower cost of living areas) can influence the exact placement within this range.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and significant equity options, reflecting the foundational nature of the role and potential for company growth.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, providing robust medical coverage.
• 401k plan, offering a retirement savings option.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI technology, allowing for exposure to advanced industry trends and innovation.
• Fully remote work environment, providing flexibility and work-life balance.
• Access to a supportive company culture that values collaboration and innovation.
• High-impact role in a rapidly growing startup with substantial growth potential and opportunities for career advancement.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. Given the remote nature and startup environment, flexibility may be available, but a commitment to meeting project deadlines and collaborating across time zones will be crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation package, particularly the equity, is likely to be a significant component given the early-stage nature of Raspberry AI and the critical role of the first designer. Candidates should evaluate the equity's potential value alongside the base salary. The estimated salary range is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level design roles in US-based tech startups, factoring in funding rounds and market demand for specialized UX talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AI Design Software, Fashion Technology, SaaS. Raspberry AI operates at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the fashion industry, providing innovative software solutions that leverage AI for design and demand forecasting. This sector requires a blend of technical acumen and an understanding of creative and retail processes. Company Size: A rapidly growing Series A startup. While the exact number of employees isn't stated, being Series A funded by prominent VCs like a16z and Khosla Ventures suggests a lean, agile team, likely ranging from 20-60 employees, with significant room for expansion. Founded: Founded recently, with significant VC backing, indicating a dynamic and fast-paced environment focused on rapid product development and market penetration.

Team Structure:

• The product and engineering teams are likely small, collaborative, and cross-functional, with close-knit communication.
• As the first dedicated designer, this role will report directly to a founder or Head of Product, working intimately with product management and engineering leads.
• Close collaboration with in-house fashion experts and customer success teams is expected to ensure product-market fit and user satisfaction.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging AI insights and user analytics to inform product strategy and design.
• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, emphasizing iterative development and rapid feedback loops.
• A strong focus on user-centricity, with continuous user research and feedback integration into the design and development process.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characteristic of a well-funded, ambitious startup. Expect a high-energy, collaborative environment where individuals are expected to be proactive, take ownership, and contribute across functional lines. The emphasis on AI and fashion tech suggests a forward-thinking, innovative, and potentially fast-paced culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior individual contributor, serving as the foundational design leader. It offers a unique opportunity to establish design processes, build a design system, and influence the product's visual and interactive direction from its early stages. Reporting Structure: Likely reports directly to a Founder or Head of Product, ensuring high visibility and direct impact on strategic decisions. Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer will have a direct and significant impact on how fashion brands and retailers interact with and perceive Raspberry AI's technology. Their work will be crucial in translating complex AI capabilities into intuitive, valuable, and aesthetically pleasing user experiences, directly influencing user adoption, satisfaction, and the overall success of the platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: As the company scales, this role has the potential to grow into a Head of Design or Design Lead position, building and managing a design team.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the product roadmap and company strategy through design insights and user advocacy.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design tools, user research methodologies, and design system architecture within the fashion tech domain.
• Impactful Contribution: Be a key player in a rapidly growing company, with the potential for significant career advancement and equity growth as the company achieves its milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a "build-it" role. The growth trajectory is less about climbing a predefined ladder and more about defining the path. Success will be measured by the candidate's ability to establish a strong design function, create impactful user experiences, and contribute to the company's overall growth, which in turn will create opportunities for leadership and expanded responsibilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote. This means the workspace is entirely virtual, requiring strong self-discipline, time management, and effective digital communication tools. Office Location(s): United States. While remote, candidates must be based within the United States, potentially aligning with specific US time zones for collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration will primarily occur through digital tools like Slack, Zoom, Figma, and project management software.
• The environment is expected to be dynamic and fast-paced, typical of a Series A startup, requiring adaptability and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Opportunities for team interaction will be through virtual meetings, design critiques, and potentially occasional virtual team-building events.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week), with flexibility inherent in a remote setup. However, candidates should be prepared for periods of intense work to meet product launch deadlines or address critical user needs, common in startup environments. Collaboration across time zones within the US will be a key aspect.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote aspect necessitates a candidate who thrives with autonomy and can maintain high levels of productivity and communication without direct physical oversight. The "supportive company culture" implies that while demanding, the environment will likely foster collaboration and mutual support among team members.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session with the hiring manager and potentially a product lead. Candidates will walk through their portfolio, discussing key projects, design processes, and problem-solving approaches. Expect to elaborate on your experience with 0→1 design and building design systems.
• Design Challenge/Exercise: A take-home assignment or a live design exercise focused on a specific product problem relevant to Raspberry AI's domain. This will assess your design thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to translate requirements into a tangible design solution.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with members of the product and engineering teams to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate design into the development workflow.
• Leadership/Founder Interview: A final discussion with a company founder to assess strategic alignment, cultural fit, and long-term vision for the design function.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on 3-4 of your most relevant and impactful projects. Prioritize those showcasing user-centered design, complex problem-solving, and ideally, experience with building or scaling design systems or working in a 0→1 capacity.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you overcame, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your process.
• Highlight Figma Skills: Showcase your proficiency in Figma, including any design system work, component libraries, or prototypes. Explain your approach to file organization and collaboration.
• Emphasize Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "increased user engagement by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y%"). If direct metrics aren't available, articulate the intended business or user impact.
• Address the "First Hire" Aspect: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach establishing design processes, building a design system, and fostering a design culture from the ground up.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Raspberry AI, its product, the fashion industry, and the role of AI in design. Understand the target users (fashion brands, retailers, designers).
• Focus on Process: For any design challenge, clearly outline your thought process, research methods (even if simulated), ideation, iteration, and final solution.
• Communicate Rationale: Be ready to explain why you made specific design decisions.
• Consider Constraints: Acknowledge potential technical or business constraints and how they might influence your design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly evaluate not only design craft but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to build foundational elements. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate how they would operate as a senior, autonomous contributor in a startup environment, with a particular focus on their portfolio's ability to showcase these qualities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and design system development. Proficiency is a hard requirement, with experience in scaling or establishing design systems being a significant plus.
• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Typeform).
• Prototyping Tools: Advanced prototyping capabilities within Figma or dedicated tools like Protopie for more complex interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Understanding of how user data is tracked and analyzed (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to inform design decisions.
• Data Visualization: Ability to interpret and potentially contribute to data visualizations or dashboards that highlight user behavior and product performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, an understanding of how design integrates with customer feedback loops (often managed via CRM or customer success platforms) is beneficial.
• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello) for collaborating with engineering and product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary tool emphasis is on Figma. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their expertise within this ecosystem. Awareness of how design outputs feed into development pipelines and how user analytics inform design iterations is also crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs and experience.
• Innovation: Embracing cutting-edge AI technology and seeking novel solutions to design challenges in the fashion tech space.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across product, engineering, and fashion expertise to create cohesive and impactful products.
• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for the design function and driving initiatives from conception to completion.
• Agility & Adaptability: Thriving in a fast-paced startup environment, being comfortable with change and iterative development.
• Data-Informed Design: Utilizing data and user feedback to guide design decisions and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Proactively engaging with product managers to define requirements and engineers to ensure feasible and well-implemented designs.
• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where design ideas, feedback, and critiques are shared openly and constructively.
• Empathy: Understanding the perspectives of colleagues from different disciplines (engineering, fashion expertise, customer success) to build well-rounded solutions.
• Design Evangelism: Educating the wider team on design principles and best practices to elevate the overall product experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of user focus, technological innovation, and collaborative execution. As the first designer, embodying these values and actively promoting them will be key to shaping the company's design culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing Design Foundations: As the first designer, the primary challenge will be building the design function, processes, and systems from scratch in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Balancing Ambiguity and Structure: Navigating the inherent ambiguity of a startup while establishing clear design processes and patterns.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and prioritization of design needs across product, engineering, and business stakeholders.
• Rapid Iteration: Keeping pace with the rapid development cycles of a Series A startup, which may require quick turnarounds and adaptability.
• Domain Specificity: Developing a nuanced understanding of the fashion industry and its unique design and merchandising workflows to effectively serve users.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Shape Design Culture: Directly influence and build the design philosophy and practices at Raspberry AI.
• Advance AI/Tech Skills: Gain deep experience working with generative AI technologies and their application in user interfaces.
• Build a Design System: Develop expertise in creating and scaling robust design systems for a growing SaaS platform.
• Leadership Potential: Grow into a leadership role overseeing design as the company expands.
• Industry Exposure: Immerse yourself in the intersection of AI and fashion technology, a rapidly evolving and exciting field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but also represent substantial growth opportunities. Candidates who thrive on building, defining, and leading will find this role particularly rewarding. Proactive learning and adaptation will be essential for success.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through your process for designing a new feature, from initial concept to final handoff. How do you incorporate user research and feedback at each stage?" (Prepare a specific project example.)
• 0→1 Experience: "Describe a time you were the first designer on a product or team. What were the key challenges, and how did you establish design processes and standards?"
• Design Systems: "What are your principles for building and scaling a design system? Can you share an example of a design system you've worked on or contributed to?"
• Collaboration: "How do you ensure effective collaboration with product managers and engineers, especially when there are differing opinions on design direction?"
• Problem Solving: "Imagine we're seeing low adoption of a new AI-generated design feature. How would you approach diagnosing the problem and designing a solution?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Raspberry AI and our mission in the fashion tech industry?"
• "How do you see your role as the first designer contributing to our company culture?"
• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in AI and UX design?"
• "Describe your ideal work environment in a fast-paced startup."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Start with a brief overview of your design philosophy, then dive into 3-4 detailed case studies. For each, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, your solutions, and the outcomes.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, flow diagrams, and prototypes to illustrate your work. Ensure your Figma files are well-organized and can be navigated if asked.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, highlighting your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Focus on the "why" behind your decisions.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to fit within the allotted timeframe, ensuring you cover the most critical aspects of your work.
• Engagement: Be prepared for questions throughout your presentation and engage in a dialogue rather than just delivering a monologue.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their design craft but also their strategic thinking, process-oriented approach, and ability to articulate the value of design within a technology company. Expect to be challenged on your decision-making and your ability to adapt.

---

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position at Raspberry AI:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership, user-centered thinking, complex problem-solving, and ideally, experience in 0→1 product development or design system creation. Ensure your Figma proficiency is evident.
• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to clearly showcase your 5+ years of relevant experience, emphasizing achievements and responsibilities that align with the job description, particularly in high-growth tech environments or startups. Use keywords like "Product Design," "UX Strategy," "Figma," "Design Systems," and "User Research."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, key project contributions, and how you would approach building design foundations as the first designer. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and working in ambiguous environments.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Raspberry AI, its product offerings, target market (fashion brands/retailers), and its mission. Understand their funding status and leadership team to demonstrate genuine interest and strategic alignment during interviews.

⚠️ 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.