UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Standard Template Labs

Location: New York City, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: September 8, 2025

Experience Level: Mid-level (3-6 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design intuitive, AI-first user experiences that seamlessly integrate automation with user control, focusing on enterprise-grade software with consumer-grade usability.

• Collaborate closely with product, engineering, and design leadership to conceptualize and refine workflows that effectively leverage Large Language Models (LLMs) and intelligent systems.

• Develop comprehensive wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed design flows to articulate user journeys and system interactions within an AI-native context.

• Drive user research initiatives to gather actionable insights, translating findings into data-informed design decisions that enhance user satisfaction and product efficacy.

• Establish and maintain robust design systems and reusable patterns specifically tailored for AI-driven interactions, including prompt engineering interfaces, conversational flows, and adaptive user interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a deep understanding of AI's impact on user experience, requiring a designer to not just create interfaces but to pioneer new interaction paradigms for AI-native enterprise software. This implies a need for strategic thinking about how users will interact with advanced AI capabilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and execute user-centered design solutions for AI-driven enterprise software, ensuring a high degree of usability and intuitive interaction.

• Translate complex technical requirements and AI capabilities into clear, user-friendly interface designs and interaction models.

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to validate design hypotheses and inform product strategy.

• Develop high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and detailed specifications for engineering implementation.

• Champion the development and evolution of a comprehensive design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all product touchpoints, with a specific focus on AI interaction patterns.

• Actively participate in cross-functional team meetings, providing design expertise and advocating for user needs throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Iterate on designs based on user feedback, performance data, and evolving business requirements in a fast-paced startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and practical user needs, requiring strong skills in both strategic design thinking and detailed execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3–6 years of professional experience in UX/product design, with a preference for experience in startup, SaaS, or enterprise software environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in UX and product design principles, with a strong portfolio showcasing interaction design, system thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a specific emphasis on Figma.

• Demonstrated experience in creating wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes.

• Hands-on experience with AI products and a strong understanding of how to design for AI-driven interactions.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-velocity startup environment, demonstrating comfort with rapid iteration and ambiguity.

Preferred Skills:

• Background in service design, user research methodologies, or systems thinking.

• Experience with additional prototyping tools such as Framer, Principle, or ProtoPie.

• Familiarity with design research practices and the ability to translate research findings into actionable design improvements.

• Experience in defining and maintaining design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal degree is not strictly required, a strong portfolio is paramount. The emphasis on AI product experience suggests that candidates with a proactive interest and demonstrated engagement with AI technologies will be highly valued, even if their formal experience is slightly outside the stated range.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-4 significant UX design projects, clearly demonstrating the candidate's design process from discovery to delivery.

• Projects should highlight interaction design expertise, system thinking capabilities, and the ability to solve complex user problems.

• Specific focus on projects that involve AI-driven features, intelligent systems, or complex enterprise software is highly desirable.

• Case studies must clearly articulate the problem statement, the design process undertaken, key challenges faced, design solutions implemented, and measurable outcomes or impact.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a structured approach to user research, including methodologies used and how findings influenced design decisions.

• Showcase a clear process for wireframing, prototyping, and user testing, with examples of iterative design improvements based on feedback.

• Provide examples of how design systems were utilized or contributed to, emphasizing consistency and scalability.

• Illustrate the ability to define and document design patterns, especially for novel AI interactions like prompt interfaces or conversational UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary evaluation tool. Candidates should prioritize projects that best illustrate their ability to design for complex, data-driven, and AI-integrated systems, clearly articulating their thought process and the impact of their design decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a UX Designer with 3-6 years of experience in New York City, the estimated base salary range is $110,000 - $150,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and equity package, reflecting the startup environment and the critical nature of the role.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits, providing robust coverage for employees and their families.

• Opportunity to define and shape the user experience of a pioneering AI-native enterprise software product.

• Direct work experience with founders and a high-growth startup team.

• Potential for significant professional growth and impact within a rapidly evolving technology sector.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time position. However, the startup environment may require flexibility and dedication beyond standard hours, especially during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on typical compensation for mid-level UX Designers in the New York City tech market, considering the company's description as a well-funded startup. Specific compensation will be discussed during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / AI / Enterprise Software / IT Service Management

Company Size: Early-stage startup, likely with a small, agile founding team and early hires. This means a hands-on environment where every team member's contribution is highly visible and impactful.

Founded: Standard Template Labs is a stealth-mode startup, indicating a focus on product development and market positioning before public disclosure. The founding date is not specified, but its current stage suggests a recent or near-recent establishment.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will likely be part of a nascent Product or Design team, working closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads.

• Reporting structure will probably be direct to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or one of the Founders, emphasizing direct access and collaboration.

Methodology:

• Data-driven design decisions, leveraging user research and analytics to inform product direction.

• Agile development methodologies, promoting rapid iteration, flexibility, and continuous improvement.

• A strong emphasis on user-centricity, ensuring that the AI capabilities are translated into valuable and intuitive user experiences.

• Collaborative problem-solving and a willingness to experiment with new approaches to AI interaction design.

Company Website: https://stlabs.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: As a stealth-mode startup, the company culture is likely to be fast-paced, innovative, and highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on building a foundational product and establishing market presence. The "AI-native" descriptor suggests a culture deeply invested in leveraging artificial intelligence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level UX Designer, requiring 3-6 years of experience. It offers the opportunity to be an early design hire in a startup, providing significant influence over the product's user experience and design direction from its foundational stages.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report directly to a senior leader, likely the Head of Product or a Founder, ensuring high visibility and direct impact on strategic decisions. This structure allows for rapid feedback loops and direct mentorship.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer will have a profound impact on the success of Standard Template Labs by shaping the core user experience of its AI-native enterprise software. Successful UX design will be critical for user adoption, customer satisfaction, and competitive differentiation in the IT Service and Configuration Management market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop deep expertise in designing for AI, conversational interfaces, and complex enterprise systems, becoming a sought-after specialist in a rapidly growing field.

• Leadership Potential: As an early hire, there's a strong possibility for growth into a Lead UX Designer or Design Manager role as the company scales and the design team expands.

• Product Influence: Gain significant experience in product strategy and roadmap development, contributing directly to the company's vision and execution.

• Industry Exposure: Work at the forefront of AI and enterprise software innovation, gaining exposure to cutting-edge technologies and market trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a designer to establish their career trajectory within a cutting-edge AI startup, with clear pathways for both skill enhancement and leadership advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates from a physical office in Midtown Manhattan, indicating a preference for an in-office, collaborative work environment. This suggests a culture that values face-to-face interaction, spontaneous collaboration, and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): Midtown Manhattan, New York City. This prime location offers excellent accessibility via public transportation, making it convenient for employees commuting from various parts of the city and surrounding areas.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is described as "focused, collaborative," suggesting an environment designed for both deep work and team interaction.

• As an early-stage startup, the office setup might be dynamic and evolving, offering opportunities to influence the workspace design and culture.

• Proximity to the founding team fosters a close-knit and engaged work atmosphere.

• The emphasis on being "in-office five days a week" highlights a commitment to a shared physical presence for maximum collaboration and rapid progress.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is 40 hours. However, the startup culture often implies a degree of flexibility and a willingness to put in extra effort when needed to meet project milestones and company goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit "five days a week" in-office policy is a key differentiator, signaling a strong preference for in-person collaboration and a culture that prioritizes immediate team synergy over remote flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design exercise or present a detailed case study from their portfolio, focusing on problem-solving and design process.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other Designers to evaluate technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit.

• Founder/Leadership Interview: A final discussion with the founders to assess strategic thinking, alignment with company vision, and overall potential impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX skills relevant to AI-native enterprise software.

• Storytelling is Key: For each project, clearly articulate the "why" (problem), "how" (process), and "what" (solution and impact). Focus on your specific contributions.

• Show Your Process: Detail your research methods, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing stages. Demonstrate how you iterate based on feedback.

• Highlight AI Interaction: If possible, include projects that demonstrate experience with AI, complex data visualization, or enterprise-level software. Explain your approach to designing for these environments.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data or metrics to showcase the positive outcomes of your design work (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Standard Template Labs' mission, the IT Service and Configuration Management space, and the challenges of designing AI-native enterprise software.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, why you're interested in AI-first design, and how your skills align with the role's requirements.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, ensuring you can clearly explain your design decisions and their rationale within the allotted time.

• Anticipate AI-Specific Questions: Be prepared to discuss your thoughts on designing with LLMs, user control in AI systems, and the future of AI in enterprise UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess a candidate's design craft, strategic thinking, and ability to integrate into a fast-paced startup environment. A strong, well-articulated portfolio is critical for advancing.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a must.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools like Framer, Principle, ProtoPie, or similar for creating interactive prototypes is highly valued.

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, a UX Designer in this role would benefit from familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and measure the impact of design changes.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UX Designer's core responsibilities, but an understanding of how CRM systems and automation tools function within an enterprise context could provide valuable product insight.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and prototyping tools indicates a need for hands-on design execution capabilities. Familiarity with research and analytics tools will strengthen a candidate's profile by demonstrating a data-driven approach to design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to push the boundaries of AI-native design and create novel user experiences.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to deeply understanding user needs and translating them into effective, intuitive solutions.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork to achieve shared goals and build exceptional products.

• Agility & Speed: An embrace of rapid iteration, quick decision-making, and adaptability in a dynamic startup environment.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A dedication to producing high-quality design work that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct and Open Communication: Expect frequent, transparent communication across teams, fostering a culture of shared understanding and problem-solving.

• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Design will work hand-in-hand with Product Management and Engineering, with designers acting as integral members of product squads.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement in both product design and team processes.

• Proactive Engagement: Team members are expected to be proactive in identifying challenges, proposing solutions, and contributing to the overall success of the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values individuals who are not only skilled designers but also proactive, collaborative team players who are comfortable with the fast-paced, iterative nature of startup development, particularly in the AI space.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Novelty: The primary challenge will be defining and designing user experiences for AI-native enterprise software, a field that is still evolving, requiring innovative problem-solving and the creation of new interaction paradigms.

• Balancing Automation and Control: Striking the right balance between AI-driven automation and maintaining user control and transparency will be a key design challenge.

• Enterprise vs. Consumer UX: Translating consumer-grade usability into complex enterprise software environments, which often have more intricate workflows and user needs.

• Rapid Iteration in a Stealth Environment: Adapting to the fast-paced nature of a stealth startup, where priorities can shift quickly, and continuous iteration is expected.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Gain unparalleled experience in the emerging field of AI-first user experience design.

• Startup Acumen: Develop a deep understanding of building and scaling a technology company from the ground up.

• Product Strategy Input: Contribute significantly to product strategy and roadmap decisions.

• Mentorship from Founders: Direct access to experienced founders provides invaluable mentorship and insights into entrepreneurship and technology leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly tied to the innovative nature of the company's mission, offering significant opportunities for professional growth in a cutting-edge domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed an AI-powered feature or product. What were the key considerations, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you approach balancing automation with user control in complex software systems?"

• "Walk us through your process for researching and defining design systems, especially for novel interaction patterns."

• "How would you design an interface for generative AI within an enterprise IT management context?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Standard Template Labs' mission to reimagine IT Service and Configuration Management with AI?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in AI and UX design?"

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment and how you contribute to team success."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the Problem: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge your project addressed.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your design solutions and user flows.

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

• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your individual contributions, especially in team projects.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your design.

• Practice Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a set timeframe (e.g., 15-20 minutes per project).

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their understanding of AI within enterprise contexts and demonstrate how their design process can lead to impactful, user-friendly solutions for complex problems.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that demonstrate your interaction design skills, system thinking, and any experience with AI or complex enterprise software. Tailor your project selection to align with the role's emphasis.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 3-6 years of relevant UX/product design experience, specifically mentioning proficiency with Figma and any experience with AI products. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, case studies, and your understanding of AI-first design principles. Be ready to discuss your experience with rapid iteration and startup environments.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Standard Template Labs' mission and the IT Service and Configuration Management industry. Consider how AI can uniquely solve problems in this space.

⚠️ 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.