(JR) Website Developer & Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Website Developer & Visual Designer

Company: Institute of Foundation Models (IFM)

Location: Sunnyvale, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Web Development & Visual Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-16

Experience Level: 7-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This dual-skilled role demands expertise in both front-end and back-end web development, alongside strong visual design capabilities to manage and enhance the Institute of Foundation Models' digital presence.

• Key responsibilities include ensuring the technical performance, security, and SEO of the IFM website, while also creating compelling visual assets for content marketing and external communications.

• The position requires a proactive approach to visual identity management, collaborating with marketing teams and external agencies to maintain brand consistency across all platforms.

• A strong command of data analytics is essential for tracking website performance and informing strategic decisions, with a focus on translating complex AI research into accessible visual narratives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title suggests a blend of technical and creative skills, the emphasis on "owning the day-to-day performance and technical health of IFM’s website" and "creating, designing and producing graphics, diagrams, and infographics" indicates a strong need for practical execution in both domains. This is not an entry-level role, given the 7-10 years of experience requirement, suggesting a need for candidates who can operate autonomously and contribute strategically to the institute's external representation. The role sits at the intersection of MarOps and Web Development, focusing on the outward-facing digital assets and platforms.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day performance, technical health, security, and accessibility of the Institute of Foundation Models' website, ensuring optimal user experience and adherence to SEO best practices.

• Develop and maintain website functionality, potentially including front-end development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and familiarity with back-end systems or Content Management Systems (CMS).

• Collaborate closely with the Social Media Manager and Content Marketing and Editorial Manager to provide essential visual and graphic design support for IFM’s owned channel content, translating complex AI research into engaging visuals.

• Create, design, and produce high-quality graphics, diagrams, infographics, and potentially short-form video content (including editing and motion graphics) that effectively communicate complex research and technical concepts to diverse audiences.

• Monitor, track, and regularly report on website analytics (e.g., traffic, engagement, conversion rates) using tools like Google Analytics or Plausible, providing actionable insights to inform content and design strategies.

• Partner closely with IFM’s external design agency to ensure continuity and consistency of design, visual language, and brand identity throughout their engagement and beyond.

• Develop and maintain IFM’s visual language and design systems, ensuring coherence and brand consistency across all digital and print materials over time.

• Proactively identify and propose fresh creative formats and visual support strategies, staying abreast of the latest social media trends and AI communication best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a hands-on individual who can manage both the technical upkeep of a website and the creative production of visual assets. The expectation to "own" the website's performance and "produce" visual content implies a senior-level individual contributor role. The emphasis on translating complex research into visuals is critical for an academic institution like IFM.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field would be highly beneficial. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 7-10 years of hands-on experience in a combination of web development and visual design roles.

Required Skills:

• Web Development: Proven experience in front-end web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and familiarity with back-end development principles or Content Management Systems (CMS).

• Visual Design: Strong proficiency in graphic design principles and software, with expert-level skills in Figma, including experience with design systems, components, and prototyping.

• Content Creation: Demonstrated experience in creating visual assets such as diagrams, infographics, and short-form video content, including editing and motion graphics.

• Web Analytics: Strong command of data, including implementing and using web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Plausible) and regularly interpreting and reporting insights.

• Brand Management: Ability to adapt style and voice across different formats, platforms, and audiences, ensuring a coherent visual language and brand identity.

• Platform Experience: Experience with major social media platforms (X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) for content distribution and visual asset application.

• Technical Acumen: Comfort and ability to move fluidly between technical development tasks and creative design work.

• Problem-Solving: Proactive approach to identifying and solving technical and design challenges, with a focus on website performance, security, and accessibility.

Preferred Skills:

• Back-end development experience or CMS expertise.

• Experience with AI, open-source technologies, and translating complex technical concepts for broader audiences.

• Familiarity with SEO best practices and implementation.

• Experience collaborating with external agencies and managing vendor relationships.

• Knowledge of UI/UX best practices for web design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "7-10 years of hands-on experience" requirement signifies a need for a seasoned professional capable of independent work and strategic contribution. The explicit mention of Figma and design systems points to a modern design workflow expectation. The blend of technical and creative skills required is rare, making candidates with demonstrated success in both areas highly desirable.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong blend of web development projects and visual design work.

• Demonstrate successful website development projects, highlighting technical contributions, problem-solving, and performance improvements.

• Include examples of graphic design, infographics, diagrams, and short-form video content that effectively communicate complex information.

• Showcase experience with Figma, including design systems, component libraries, and interactive prototypes.

• Present case studies or examples of website analytics tracking, interpretation, and how insights led to actionable improvements.

• Illustrate the ability to maintain and evolve a consistent visual brand identity across various assets and platforms. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've managed the technical health and performance of websites, including optimization strategies for speed, security, and accessibility.

• Demonstrate your workflow for creating visual assets, from initial concept and research to final production and delivery, particularly for complex technical or research topics.

• Illustrate your process for analyzing website analytics, reporting findings, and implementing data-driven changes to improve user engagement and conversion rates.

• Provide evidence of how you've collaborated with marketing teams or external agencies to ensure brand consistency and achieve communication objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this unique dual-skilled role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly delineate capabilities in both web development and visual design, not just as separate skill sets but as integrated competencies. Candidates should be prepared to walk through specific projects, explaining their technical approach, design rationale, and the impact of their work, particularly in translating complex AI concepts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $185,000 - $220,000 per year.

Explanation: This range is based on the provided salary information and aligns with industry standards for senior-level Web Developers and Visual Designers with 7-10 years of experience in a high-cost-of-living area like Sunnyvale, CA, particularly within the technology and research sectors. The specific range reflects the specialized dual-skill requirement and the critical nature of the role in representing a cutting-edge research institute.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.

• Performance-based bonus opportunities.

• 401K retirement savings plan.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and holidays.

• Paid Parental Leave.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week. The role is on-site, implying a structured work schedule within the institute's operating hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated in the input. The benefits listed are standard for a full-time position in the tech/research sector in the US, with specific mention of visa sponsorship eligibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence Research & Development, specifically focusing on Foundation Models.

Company Size: The input does not explicitly state company size, but the context of a dedicated research lab with world-class researchers and engineers, and the need for external agency partnerships, suggests a growing, mid-sized to large organization.

Founded: The input does not provide a founding date. The company's website domain, ifm.mbzuai.ac.ae, suggests an affiliation with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), a relatively new but prominent institution in AI research.

Team Structure:

• The role reports into a marketing or communications function, working closely with a Social Media Manager and a Content Marketing and Editorial Manager.

• This position requires significant cross-functional collaboration with researchers, data scientists, and engineers to understand and visually represent their work.

• The structure suggests a blend of centralized marketing/communications support for specialized technical and creative needs. Methodology:

• The Institute of Foundation Models emphasizes advancing research, understanding foundation models, and driving transformative contributions to a knowledge-driven economy.

• Operations within IFM likely involve rigorous data analysis, iterative development processes for models, and a strong focus on scientific rigor and innovation.

• The web and visual design function supports this by translating complex scientific output into accessible and impactful external communications.

Company Website: https://ifm.mbzuai.ac.ae/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company is positioned at the forefront of AI research. The culture is likely to be highly academic, research-driven, and innovative, with a strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity and scientific advancement. The marketing and design function serves to amplify this research and attract talent and partners.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor, bridging technical web development and creative visual design. It requires a high degree of autonomy and the ability to manage multiple facets of digital presence and communication assets.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports into a Head of Marketing, Communications, or Digital Strategy, working closely with content and social media managers. The direct interaction with researchers and engineers indicates a strong functional reporting line supporting technical and scientific output.

Operations Impact: The operations function directly impacts the Institute's external perception, brand recognition, talent acquisition, and the dissemination of its research findings. By ensuring a professional, modern, and informative digital presence, this role helps establish IFM as a leader in foundation model research and attracts top talent and collaborators.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-specific visual communication, potentially leading to roles focused on scientific visualization or AI ethics communication.

• Leadership: Transition into a lead role for digital content or web operations within IFM or a similar research institution, managing a team or broader projects.

• Skill Expansion: Further develop back-end development skills, explore UI/UX architecture for complex research platforms, or delve into advanced motion graphics and video production for scientific storytelling.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to best practices in communicating cutting-edge AI research, potentially speaking at industry events or contributing to open-source design resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior experience level and the unique skill set, growth opportunities likely involve increased scope, strategic input, and potential leadership within the marketing/communications or digital operations functions of the institute. The focus on AI research provides a unique niche for career development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site, suggesting a professional office environment within the Institute of Foundation Models' facilities. This likely includes collaborative workspaces, private offices for focused work, and potentially specialized labs or research areas.

Office Location(s): Sunnyvale, California, USA. This location places the Institute within a vibrant technology hub, offering access to talent, resources, and industry connections.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is expected to be highly collaborative, requiring close interaction with researchers, data scientists, engineers, and marketing professionals to translate complex technical information into accessible visuals.

• Access to modern design and development tools, software, and potentially high-performance computing resources for rendering or testing would be expected.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with cross-functional teams will be crucial for understanding research projects and developing relevant visual assets.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time on-site roles. While the environment may foster a dedicated work ethic, the institute may also offer some flexibility depending on project demands and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Being on-site in Sunnyvale, CA, provides a significant advantage in terms of industry immersion and networking. The collaborative nature is key, requiring strong interpersonal skills alongside technical and creative ones.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess the blend of web development and visual design experience, as well as specific tool proficiency (e.g., Figma, analytics tools).

• Technical/Creative Assessment: This may involve a practical exercise or a deep dive into portfolio pieces to evaluate your coding skills, design thinking, and ability to translate complex concepts visually. Expect questions on website performance optimization, SEO, and design system implementation.

• Cross-Functional Interview: An interview with marketing, content, and research team members to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of the AI research landscape. Be prepared to discuss how you'd approach visualizing specific AI concepts.

• Final Interview: Meeting with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment, long-term vision for IFM's digital presence, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Integrated Showcase: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates both your web development capabilities (e.g., live site examples, code snippets if appropriate) and your visual design prowess (e.g., Figma mockups, infographics, video reels).

• Case Study Focus: For key projects, present them as case studies. Detail the challenge, your approach (technical and creative), the tools used, your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• AI Relevance: Highlight any projects that involved complex technical subjects, data visualization, or scientific communication. Explain your process for understanding and simplifying complex information for a broader audience.

• Figma Mastery: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills, especially regarding design systems, component creation, and prototyping. Show how you ensure design consistency.

• Analytics Integration: If possible, show how data and analytics informed your design or development decisions and how you measured success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential small design or development challenge related to website optimization, graphic creation for an AI concept, or a short video edit.

• Practice articulating your thought process for solving problems, especially when balancing technical constraints with creative goals.

• Research current trends in AI communication, data visualization, and web design best practices. Understand IFM's mission and current research areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will likely scrutinize the candidate's ability to perform in both the technical and creative aspects of the role. A strong, well-curated portfolio that highlights successful projects in both areas is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Content Management Systems (CMS) (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, or headless CMS), potentially back-end languages (e.g., Python, Node.js).

• Design: Figma (expert level, including design systems, components, prototyping), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).

• Video Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or similar.

• Motion Graphics: Adobe After Effects.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Plausible Analytics, or similar platforms for tracking website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates.

• SEO Tools: Familiarity with tools for keyword research, site audits, and performance monitoring.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned as primary responsibilities, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms might be beneficial for understanding content distribution and lead generation related to IFM's outreach.

• Integration Tools: Understanding of how different web platforms and tools integrate to create a cohesive digital ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. The role also demands strong analytical skills for website performance and a broad understanding of web development technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Research Excellence: A core value driven by the institute's mission to advance AI research. Operations professionals are expected to support this by enabling cutting-edge digital platforms and clear communication of complex findings.

• Intellectual Curiosity: A passion for technology, AI, and open-source, coupled with a continuous learning mindset, is highly valued.

• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership: The ability to work effectively with diverse teams (researchers, marketers, engineers) is crucial for translating technical work into compelling visuals.

• Impact & Efficiency: A focus on delivering high-quality digital assets and a well-performing website that effectively communicates IFM's impact and attracts talent.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing analytics to inform design and development choices, ensuring that digital strategies are effective and measurable.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Responsive: Ability to anticipate needs and respond promptly to requests from marketing, content, and research teams.

• Visual Storytelling: A collaborative approach to understanding research and translating it into clear, engaging visual narratives.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to feedback from stakeholders and external agencies to refine designs and website functionality.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share expertise in web development and design best practices with the broader team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture will likely mirror that of a leading academic research institution, balancing rigorous scientific pursuit with the need for effective external communication and community building.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be effectively visualizing and communicating highly complex and abstract AI research concepts to a diverse audience, from technical peers to the general public.

• Balancing Dual Skills: Continuously managing and excelling in two distinct skill sets—web development and visual design—while maintaining high standards in both.

• Brand Consistency: Ensuring a coherent and evolving visual identity across a growing institution, especially while collaborating with external agencies and internal teams.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in AI, web technologies, design tools, and social media trends to ensure IFM's digital presence remains state-of-the-art.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Specialization: Gain deep knowledge in foundation models and AI research, enabling more nuanced and impactful visual communication.

• Advanced Design/Development: Opportunities to master new design software, explore advanced animation techniques, or deepen back-end development skills.

• Industry Exposure: Attend AI and technology conferences, design workshops, and potentially contribute to open-source projects related to AI visualization.

• Mentorship: Learn from world-class researchers and engineers, and potentially mentor junior members of the design/development team as the institute grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of AI research and contribute to shaping the public perception of foundational AI models. The challenges are significant but come with substantial growth potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a visual representation for a complex topic like transformer architecture or diffusion models for a general audience?" (Tests: AI understanding, visual problem-solving, communication strategy)

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting requirements between a technical need for a website and a creative design vision. How did you resolve it?" (Tests: Problem-solving, negotiation, stakeholder management)

• "Walk us through your process for ensuring a website is performant, secure, and SEO-friendly while also being visually appealing and on-brand." (Tests: Technical execution, process thinking, holistic approach) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about the Institute of Foundation Models and its mission?" (Tests: Research interest, cultural fit)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in web development, visual design, and AI communication?" (Tests: Continuous learning, proactivity)

• "Describe your experience working with external agencies or cross-functional teams on creative projects." (Tests: Collaboration, vendor management) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation with a clear narrative for each project: the challenge, your unique contribution (technical and creative), the solution, and the impact.

• Tool Demonstration: Be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency in Figma, perhaps by walking through a design system or a prototype. If asked, be ready to discuss your coding approach or website architecture.

• Visual Impact: Use high-quality visuals and concise explanations. For AI concepts, clearly articulate how your visuals simplify complex ideas.

• Data & Results: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Show how your work led to measurable improvements in website traffic, engagement, or brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate deep expertise in both web development and visual design, coupled with a genuine interest in AI and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Lever.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects that showcase your dual expertise in web development and visual design. Prioritize examples that demonstrate your ability to translate complex technical information into clear, compelling visuals, especially if related to AI or scientific research.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Figma," "web development," "visual design," "SEO," "Google Analytics," "motion graphics," and "AI." Quantify achievements with metrics where possible, emphasizing your 7-10 years of hands-on experience.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your thought process for both technical and creative challenges. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to discuss during interviews, focusing on how you solved problems and delivered measurable results. Research IFM's current research areas to prepare for discussions on visualizing AI concepts.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review the Institute of Foundation Models website (ifm.mbzuai.ac.ae) and any related publications or news. Understand their mission, key research areas, and target audience to better align your responses with their goals and culture.

⚠️ 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.