Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer
Company: Galileo
Location: Hybrid (Burlingame, California, US)
Job Type: Salaried Full-Time
Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design
Date Posted: 2025-09-30
Experience Level: 5+ Years
Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site requirement in Burlingame, California)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design process for complex web applications, focusing on user interface (UI) and interactive prototype creation.
• Specialize in designing intuitive workflows for sophisticated users, including developers and machine learning experts, to evaluate and observe their LLM-based applications.
• Contribute significantly to the development and evolution of a comprehensive design system, ensuring visual consistency and accelerating engineering efforts.
• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships with Product Managers, Engineers, and other key stakeholders to translate business requirements into user-centered design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer, implying a need for strategic thinking, ownership of complex design challenges, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced designers. The focus on "developers and machine learning experts" who evaluate LLM applications indicates a B2B SaaS environment with a technically sophisticated user base.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and deliver high-fidelity, user-centered interfaces and interactive prototypes for Galileo's web application suite, ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to deeply understand user needs, translate complex requirements into intuitive user flows, and define feature specifications.
• Partner with Engineers throughout the development lifecycle to ensure design feasibility, implement designs accurately, and iterate based on technical constraints and user feedback.
• Conduct in-depth user research and usability testing to gather insights, validate design decisions, and identify areas for UX optimization, particularly for specialized developer tools.
• Develop and maintain detailed design documentation, including user flows, wireframes, mockups, and prototypes, to effectively communicate design intent and rationale to all stakeholders.
• Champion the creation and continuous improvement of Galileo's design system, ensuring adherence to visual standards, component reusability, and scalability for future product development.
• Proactively identify and recommend emerging UI/UX trends, technologies, and best practices to enhance the overall product experience and maintain a competitive edge.
• Design for both core workflows and critical edge cases, ensuring robustness and reliability across all user interactions within the application.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "complex workflows of developers and machine learning experts" and "LLM based applications" suggests this role requires a deep understanding of technical user needs and the ability to design for intricate data visualization, debugging, and observational tools within a software development lifecycle context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level UX roles and would be advantageous.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience focused on UX/UI design for web applications, with a strong preference for early-stage startup environments and B2B SaaS products.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in end-to-end UX design, from conceptualization to detailed UI specifications for complex web applications.
• Advanced proficiency in wireframing, prototyping, and user flow mapping using Figma, demonstrating the ability to create interactive and high-fidelity designs.
• Demonstrated experience in building, contributing to, and evolving design systems, including component libraries and style guides.
• Strong foundational knowledge of user research methodologies, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, with the ability to translate findings into actionable design improvements.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with a proven track record of working effectively with product managers, engineers, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to articulate design decisions clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, and to incorporate feedback constructively.
• Experience in creating comprehensive design documentation for clear stakeholder understanding and developer handoff.
• Familiarity with designing for B2B products and understanding the unique needs of enterprise users.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience designing specifically for developer tools, platforms, or environments related to AI/ML, LLMs, or software development workflows.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and working in fast-paced startup environments.
• Understanding of front-end development principles and how design choices impact implementation.
• Experience with visual design principles, including typography, color theory, and layout.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for B2B and early-stage startup experience suggests candidates who can adapt quickly, take ownership, and thrive in dynamic, less structured environments. The "developer tools" preference is a key differentiator for this specific role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5-7 diverse projects that highlight your UX design process, problem-solving abilities, and impact on user outcomes.
• Detailed case studies demonstrating your involvement in the full design lifecycle, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and testing.
• Examples of complex web application features and workflows you have designed, with a clear articulation of the user problems addressed and the solutions implemented.
• Strong visual examples of your UI design skills, with a focus on clean, intuitive, and effective interfaces.
• Evidence of your contribution to or creation of design systems, showcasing component design, pattern application, and adherence to visual standards.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your ability to document design decisions, user flows, and interaction patterns clearly and concisely for engineering teams and product stakeholders.
• Include examples of wireframes, user journey maps, or prototypes that effectively communicate complex workflows and user interactions.
• Demonstrate how you have incorporated user feedback and research findings into your design process and iterated on solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should strongly emphasize any work related to developer tools, complex workflows, or B2B applications. Case studies demonstrating how you've designed for technical users (developers, data scientists, ML engineers) will be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UX Designer in the Burlingame, California area with 5+ years of experience, the estimated salary range is typically between $150,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on experience, specific skill set, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) 🌊: Offers flexibility and encourages a healthy work-life balance.
• Parental Leave: 100% pay for 8 weeks for birthing or non-birthing parents 🚼, supporting new family needs.
• Employee Stock Participation Plan 📈: Provides an opportunity for employees to share in the company's success.
• Commuter Benefits 🚖: Assistance with commuting costs, particularly relevant for an on-site/hybrid role.
• Mental and Physical Wellness Programs 🧘: Comprehensive support for employee well-being.
• Headquarters Office in San Francisco and a hub in New York.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. Given the hybrid nature, flexibility may be offered, but core business hours will likely require presence in the Burlingame office for collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided benefits are highly competitive and indicative of a startup that prioritizes employee well-being and long-term commitment. The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior UX roles in the San Francisco Bay Area, a high cost-of-living region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software (specifically focusing on AI/ML development tools). Galileo is operating in the burgeoning field of AI application development, aiming to streamline the process for developers and ML experts.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of a "seasoned founding team" and a focus on building the company suggests it is likely a growing startup, potentially in Series A or B funding stages, with a team size ranging from 20-100 employees. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the context suggests a relatively recent founding, driven by experienced entrepreneurs.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely to be integrated within a broader Product and Engineering organization.
• Reporting structure will likely be to a Head of Product, VP of Product, or Head of Design.
• Collaboration will be highly cross-functional, involving close partnerships with Product Managers, Software Engineers, QA, and potentially Marketing or Sales for go-to-market strategies.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on agile development methodologies, with iterative design and development cycles.
• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging user research, analytics, and A/B testing to inform design choices.
• Collaborative design sprints and workshops to foster innovation and ensure alignment among stakeholders.
• Focus on building scalable and maintainable design systems to support rapid product iteration.

Company Website: galileo-ft.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The "seasoned founding team" with a track record of scaling companies suggests a strong emphasis on execution, growth, and a data-informed approach to product development. The culture is described as inclusive, empathetic, and curious, which is a positive indicator for a collaborative work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy. It signifies a position where the individual is expected to lead design efforts for significant product areas, mentor junior designers, and contribute to strategic product discussions.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a design lead, product lead, or VP of Product. They will work closely with Product Managers and Software Engineers on a day-to-day basis.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is critical to the success of Galileo's platform. By creating intuitive and efficient tools for developers and ML experts, the designer directly influences:

• Developer productivity and satisfaction.
• The speed and quality of AI application development.
• The adoption and retention rates of Galileo's platform.
• The overall value proposition and market competitiveness of the product.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead UX Designer or Design Manager role as the company scales, overseeing a team and shaping design strategy.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing for developer tools, AI/ML platforms, or specific technical workflows.
• Strategic Influence: Increased involvement in product strategy, roadmap planning, and user experience vision for the company.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning through challenging projects, exposure to cutting-edge AI technologies, and potential for attending industry conferences or training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Build the company with the Founders" bullet point suggests a significant opportunity for impact and growth, with the potential for career acceleration that is often seen in successful early-stage startups.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, with an office presence required in Burlingame, California. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster teamwork and in-person interaction, balanced with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The primary hub for this role is Burlingame, California, a location within the San Francisco Bay Area known for its tech industry presence. The company also mentions a headquarters in San Francisco and a hub in New York, indicating a distributed but connected team structure.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely to be designed to promote collaboration, with ample meeting spaces, whiteboards, and areas for team brainstorming.
• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including robust workstations and software licenses (e.g., Figma).
• Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with colleagues across product, engineering, and other departments, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is expected, the hybrid model and unlimited PTO suggest some flexibility. However, core collaboration hours will likely be established to ensure effective teamwork, especially for design reviews and cross-functional syncs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in the Bay Area, combined with a culture that values inclusivity and empathy, points to a work environment that balances productivity with employee well-being and team connection.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Head of Product or Design Lead) to delve deeper into experience, design philosophy, and role expectations.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A session where candidates present their portfolio, walking through 1-2 key case studies. This may be followed by a design challenge, either take-home or live, to assess problem-solving skills and design process.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to work effectively within a team.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a founder or senior leader to discuss company vision, strategic alignment, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study, emphasizing how you approached the problem, conducted research, iterated on solutions, and measured success.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., increased user engagement, reduced task completion time, improved conversion rates).
• Tailor to Role: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with complex web applications, B2B products, and ideally, developer tools or technical user workflows. Showcase your Figma expertise and design system contributions.
• Tell a Story: Present your work as a narrative, explaining the context, challenges, your role, the solutions, and the outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, be prepared to think aloud, articulate your assumptions, and demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving.
• For live challenges, focus on understanding the prompt, asking clarifying questions, and prioritizing key aspects within the allotted time.
• For take-home challenges, invest time in thorough research, ideation, and crafting a clear presentation of your solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the specific focus on developer tools and LLM applications, be ready to discuss your understanding of these domains and how you would approach designing for such sophisticated users. Demonstrating how you handle ambiguity common in startups will be beneficial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Proficiency is a core requirement.
• Design System Management Tools: Experience with tools or methodologies for building and maintaining scalable design systems.
• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with tools like Slack, Jira, Confluence, and project management software for team communication and workflow tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct responsibility, an understanding of how user analytics (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) and A/B testing platforms are used to inform design decisions is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the UX role, but awareness of how CRM systems and automation might integrate with user-facing applications could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and the need to build and evolve design systems are critical technical requirements. Experience with other design tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, or prototyping tools like InVision may be transferable but Figma is specified as a must-have.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Inclusivity, Empathy, and Curiosity: These are core values that shape how the team interacts, problem-solves, and approaches innovation. Expect a culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages open-minded exploration.
• Data-Driven Approach: Decisions are informed by data, user research, and analytics, promoting a rational and evidence-based design process.
• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to constantly refining processes, user experiences, and product offerings.
• Efficiency and Impact: A focus on delivering tangible results and optimizing workflows for both users and the internal team.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close partnerships across Product, Engineering, and other departments are fundamental.
• Feedback-Rich Environment: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback to drive design excellence.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the team.
• Agile and Iterative: Embracing a flexible and adaptive approach to development and design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "inclusivity, empathy and curiosity" combined with "Build the company with the Founders" suggests a culture that is both supportive and ambitious, attracting individuals who are driven to make a significant impact while valuing collegial relationships.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complex Technical Users: Understanding and designing for the nuanced needs of developers and ML experts working with LLMs requires deep empathy and a willingness to learn technical domains.
• Fast-Paced Startup Environment: Adapting to rapid iteration, evolving priorities, and the inherent ambiguity of a growing startup.
• Balancing Design System Evolution with Feature Development: Ensuring the design system remains robust and scalable while simultaneously pushing forward new product features.
• Translating Feedback into Actionable Design: Effectively synthesizing input from various stakeholders and user types into concrete design improvements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI/ML: Gaining expertise in the rapidly evolving field of AI/ML application development and its user interface requirements.
• Design System Mastery: Becoming a key contributor to a growing design system, influencing its architecture and adoption.
• Cross-Functional Learning: Deepening understanding of product management and software engineering processes.
• Career Acceleration: Gaining significant experience and potential for rapid advancement in a high-growth startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of senior roles in innovative tech startups, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development in cutting-edge areas like AI and developer tooling.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to understanding and designing for complex, technical user personas (developers, ML engineers). How do you gather requirements from these users?
• How do you balance the need for robust, feature-rich designs with the desire for simplicity and ease of use, especially in a B2B context?
• Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision that was met with resistance. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
• How do you approach contributing to or building a design system? What are the key principles you follow?

Company & Culture Questions:

• Research Galileo's mission and the current landscape of AI development tools. How does your design philosophy align with the company's goals?
• How do you foster inclusivity and empathy in your design process and team interactions?
• What does "building the company with the founders" mean to you in a professional context?
• How do you stay curious and up-to-date with emerging trends in UX and AI?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role: complex web applications, B2B focus, and ideally, any work with technical users or developer tools.
• For each project, clearly articulate the user problem, your role, the design process, key decisions made, and the measurable impact of your work.
• Be ready to discuss your Figma proficiency and any experience with design systems in detail.
• Prepare to answer questions about your challenges, how you collaborate, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Tailor your portfolio examples to highlight any experience that demonstrates an understanding of developer workflows, data visualization, or complex tooling. Emphasize your ability to translate technical requirements into intuitive user experiences.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on rippling.com.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating your expertise in designing complex web applications, B2B products, and ideally, developer tools or interfaces for technical users. Highlight your Figma skills and any design system contributions.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of relevant experience, specific skills in UX/UI design, user research, prototyping, and collaboration. Use keywords from the job description such as "Figma," "design systems," "web applications," and "developer tools."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, presenting case studies effectively, and discussing your experience with the specific technologies and user types mentioned in the job description.
• Company Research: Thoroughly review Galileo's website (galileo-ft.com) and understand their mission, target audience, and the competitive landscape of AI development tools.

⚠️ 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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