Maritime Tech UI/UX & Brand Designer (100 % remote) (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Maritime Tech UI/UX & Brand Designer (100% Remote) (m/f/d)

Company: EWOR GmbH

Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States (Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Startup Incubation / Entrepreneurship with Design Focus

Date Posted: 2026-08-21

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

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This unique role is for an ambitious entrepreneur who will own, build, and scale their own startup within the Maritime Tech sector, directly supported by EWOR GmbH.

• The position requires a strong UI/UX and Brand Design foundation, essential for developing and iterating a product to achieve product-market-fit.

• Candidates will receive extensive personal development coaching from unicorn founders, focusing on goal, time, and energy management to foster entrepreneurial success.

• This role offers significant financial backing, including a salary during the startup building phase or up to €500k in funding, and support for securing multi-million euro funding rounds.

• The entrepreneur will leverage a vast professional network of over 50,000 professionals for team building, hiring top talent, and establishing robust sales and marketing engines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title specifies "UI/UX & Brand Designer," the core of the role is entrepreneurial. The design skills are critical for building the product, but the candidate must demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial drive, strategic thinking, and leadership potential to build and scale a company from the ground up. This is not a traditional in-house design role but an opportunity to lead a new venture with design as a foundational pillar.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently conceive, develop, and execute a startup concept within the Maritime Tech industry, taking full ownership from ideation to scaling.

• Design and implement intuitive user interfaces (UI) and engaging user experiences (UX) for the startup's product, ensuring a user-centric approach.

• Develop and maintain a strong brand identity, including visual assets, brand guidelines, and messaging, to resonate with the target market.

• Drive product iteration cycles, collaborating with EWOR GmbH mentors to achieve product-market-fit and validate business models.

• Build and lead a high-performing team by leveraging EWOR's extensive network for talent acquisition and recruitment.

• Develop and execute comprehensive go-to-market strategies, including building sales forces and establishing effective marketing engines.

• Manage financial resources, including potential seed funding and securing future investment rounds, with direct support from EWOR's fundraising expertise.

• Participate in weekly 1:1 sparring sessions with unicorn founders to refine strategy, overcome challenges, and accelerate growth.

• Continuously engage in personal development, enhancing goal setting, time management, and energy management skills as guided by the program.

• Collaborate with a community of top-tier founders, peers, and investors to foster innovation and gain market insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards entrepreneurial leadership and business building, with UI/UX and Brand Design being critical functional areas for product development and market positioning. The candidate is expected to be a founder-operator, not just a designer.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Product Design), Business, or a related entrepreneurial field is highly beneficial. Demonstrated success in building and scaling ventures will be prioritized over formal education. Experience:

• 2-5 years of progressive experience in UI/UX Design and Brand Design, with a portfolio showcasing successful projects and design thinking.

• Proven experience in entrepreneurship, startup development, or leading new initiatives within a corporate environment.

• Demonstrated ability to take a product from concept through to market launch and initial scaling phases. Required Skills:

• UI/UX Design Expertise: Proficient in user interface design, user experience principles, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. Mastery of design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Brand Strategy & Development: Strong capabilities in brand identity creation, visual design, storytelling, and developing cohesive brand messaging across various platforms.

• Entrepreneurial Acumen: A proactive, results-oriented mindset with a strong desire to build and scale a business from the ground up.

• Product-Market-Fit: Demonstrated understanding and experience in achieving product-market-fit through iterative development and market validation.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to stakeholders, investors, and team members.

• Strategic Planning: Ability to develop and execute long-term business strategies, including market analysis, competitive positioning, and growth planning.

Preferred Skills:

• Maritime Tech Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the maritime technology landscape, its challenges, and opportunities.

• Startup Fundraising Experience: Prior experience in pitching to investors, understanding venture capital, and securing seed or Series A funding.

• Team Leadership & Management: Experience in building, managing, and motivating teams, including hiring and talent development.

• Sales & Marketing Strategy: Understanding of go-to-market strategies, digital marketing, lead generation, and sales process development.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within agile development frameworks for rapid iteration and product enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Designer" aspect of the title is crucial for the product development phase. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of strong design skills, a founder's mindset, and the ability to execute on business strategy. The emphasis is on building a €1B+ company, so leadership and strategic vision are paramount.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Design Projects: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant UI/UX and Brand Design projects that demonstrate problem-solving, creative execution, and user-centric design principles.

• Product Development Lifecycle: Include examples of projects where you guided a product from initial concept through wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final design implementation.

• Brand Identity Development: Present case studies detailing the creation of brand identities, including logos, color palettes, typography, and brand guidelines, with a clear rationale behind design choices.

• Impact and Results: Quantify the impact of your design work where possible, e.g., improved user engagement, conversion rates, brand recognition, or market adoption. For entrepreneurial ventures, this could include early traction metrics.

Process Documentation:

• Design Thinking Methodology: Clearly articulate your design thinking process, including user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases, demonstrating a structured approach to problem-solving.

• Brand Strategy Framework: Outline your methodology for developing brand strategies, from market analysis and target audience definition to brand positioning and messaging architecture.

• Startup Development Roadmap: While not a formal requirement, be prepared to discuss how you would structure the initial development roadmap for a Maritime Tech startup, focusing on key milestones for product development, market validation, and fundraising.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should serve as evidence of the candidate's ability to not only design compelling products and brands but also to think strategically about market entry and growth. For this role, the portfolio should highlight entrepreneurial thinking alongside design excellence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: €60,000 - €120,000 annually, based on a salary while building the startup. This is a baseline compensation.

• Alternative: Up to €500,000 in funding for the startup.

• Equity: Significant equity stake in the founded startup is implied, as is standard for founder roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for the period the individual is employed by EWOR GmbH while building their venture. The primary financial upside will come from the equity in the startup and successful future funding rounds. This estimate is based on typical early-stage founder compensation in European and North American tech hubs, adjusted for the provided funding options and the caliber of support offered by EWOR GmbH.

Benefits:

• Salary Support: Receive a salary while actively building and scaling your startup.

• Seed Funding: Potential access to up to €500,000 in initial funding for your venture.

• Unicorn Founder Sparring: Weekly 1:1 coaching and strategic guidance from experienced unicorn founders.

• Exclusive Network Access: Membership in a community of top-tier founders, investors, and industry professionals (top 0.1%).

• Talent Acquisition Support: Leverage EWOR's network of over 50,000 professionals for hiring and team building.

• Funding Acceleration: Dedicated support and coaching to prepare for and secure multi-million euro funding rounds within 12 months.

• Product-Market-Fit Assistance: Intensive support in iterating the product until market fit is achieved.

• Sales & Marketing Engine Development: Guidance and resources for building a robust sales force or marketing machine.

• Personal Development: A customized program focused on enhancing goal, time, and energy management skills.

Working Hours:

• Flexible: While specific working hours are not defined, the role demands an entrepreneurial commitment, typically involving significant dedication beyond standard 9-to-5 hours, especially during critical development and fundraising phases. The focus is on achieving milestones and scaling the business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits are heavily skewed towards entrepreneurial support and growth rather than traditional corporate perks. The core offering is the framework and resources to build a highly successful startup.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Venture Capital / Startup Incubation / Entrepreneurship Support

Company Size: EWOR GmbH operates as an incubator and accelerator, likely with a core team managing the program and a large network of mentors and advisors. The "company size" is less about internal headcount and more about the reach of its network and the scale of startups it aims to build.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the mention of serial entrepreneurs and successful exits (Adjust, SumUp) suggests a well-established entity with a proven track record in building unicorns.

Team Structure:

• Core EWOR Team: Likely composed of experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and operational specialists who manage the incubation program, provide mentorship, and facilitate access to resources.

• Mentorship Network: A vast and highly curated network of unicorn founders, serial entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts who offer direct guidance and support to fellows.

• Fellow Cohort: A group of ambitious entrepreneurs (like the applicant) who are actively building their startups, fostering a collaborative and competitive peer environment.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Fellows are expected to collaborate extensively with their EWOR mentors, network contacts for hiring, and potential investors, as well as with their own founding teams.

Methodology:

• Founder-Led Growth: Emphasis on empowering entrepreneurs to take full ownership and drive their ventures.

• Intensive Mentorship: Structured, regular 1:1 sessions with highly experienced individuals to guide strategic decisions and operational execution.

• Data-Driven Validation: Focus on achieving product-market-fit through rigorous testing, feedback loops, and market analysis.

• Network Leverage: Strategic use of a broad professional network for talent acquisition, business development, and fundraising.

• Personal Development Focus: Integrated coaching on essential entrepreneurial soft skills to enhance leadership effectiveness.

Company Website: https://ewor.com/ (This is inferred from the domain derived. Please verify if this is the correct website.)

📝 Enhancement Note: EWOR GmbH positions itself as a launchpad for the next generation of €1B+ companies, providing a unique blend of funding, mentorship, and network access. The culture is entrepreneurial, demanding, and focused on high-impact results.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a significant leap from a traditional "Designer" role to that of a "Founder-Operator." It is positioned at the highest level of entrepreneurial opportunity, where the individual is the principal driver of a new venture.

Reporting Structure: The fellow reports directly to the EWOR GmbH core team and their assigned mentors for strategic guidance and program adherence. Operationally, they will build and lead their own team within their startup.

Operations Impact: The impact is potentially massive, aiming for €1B+ valuation. The success of the startup directly translates to significant market impact within the Maritime Tech sector, driving innovation, creating jobs, and generating substantial revenue. The operations of the startup will be entirely shaped by the fellow.

Growth Opportunities:

• Founding a Unicorn: The primary growth opportunity is to successfully build a venture-capital-backed company valued at over €1 billion.

• Entrepreneurial Skill Mastery: Develop unparalleled expertise in all facets of startup building, including product development, strategy, fundraising, team leadership, sales, and marketing.

• Leadership Development: Grow into a seasoned C-suite executive capable of leading large, high-growth organizations.

• Network Expansion: Build an extensive personal and professional network within the global startup and investment ecosystem.

• Potential for Future Ventures: Gain the experience and credibility to launch subsequent startups or take on senior roles in other high-growth companies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is not a typical career progression within a single company but rather an accelerator for building one's own company. The growth is exponential, tied directly to the success of the startup.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This role offers complete flexibility in terms of physical location, provided the candidate meets the geographical requirements (Europe or Americas).

Office Location(s): The role is 100% remote, with the requirement that the candidate is based in Europe or the Americas, or is willing to relocate to one of these regions.

Workspace Context:

• Home Office Setup: Candidates are expected to have a suitable home office environment conducive to focused work, video conferencing, and digital design.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Extensive use of virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Miro, Figma, project management software) will be essential for communication with EWOR mentors, the founding team, and the broader network.

• Independent Work: A high degree of autonomy and self-discipline is required to manage one's own schedule and productivity in a remote setting.

• Global Interaction: Opportunity to interact with a diverse global network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, but the schedule is highly flexible and self-directed. The focus is on achieving business objectives and meeting project milestones rather than adhering to a strict hourly schedule. This requires excellent time management and self-motivation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role requires strong self-management skills and the ability to build connections and drive progress without direct physical proximity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Screening: Review of resume, portfolio, and application responses to assess entrepreneurial drive, design capabilities, and alignment with EWOR's mission.

• Founder/Mentor Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews with EWOR GmbH's core team and potentially assigned mentors. These will assess strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, resilience, and cultural fit. Expect detailed discussions about your startup vision, prior experiences, and entrepreneurial philosophy.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their design portfolio, highlighting key projects, design process, and the impact of their work. Emphasis will be placed on how these skills translate to building and scaling a business.

• Startup Pitch/Vision Session: Candidates may be asked to present a preliminary startup idea or discuss their approach to identifying and validating opportunities within Maritime Tech.

• Final Decision: Based on the collective assessment of suitability as a founder-operator.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Entrepreneurial Thinking: Beyond aesthetics, emphasize how your design decisions solved specific business problems, improved user acquisition, or contributed to market validation.

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentations around compelling narratives that detail the problem, your solution (design process), and the outcome or potential impact.

• Highlight Adaptability: Demonstrate your ability to iterate on designs based on feedback and market dynamics, a critical skill for startup founders.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to support the effectiveness of your design work. If presenting entrepreneurial projects, focus on traction, user growth, or investor interest.

• Tailor to Maritime Tech: If possible, include any projects or conceptual work related to maritime, logistics, or heavy industry to show domain interest.

Challenge Preparation:

• Develop a Startup Concept: Have a well-thought-out, albeit preliminary, startup idea within Maritime Tech. Be ready to articulate the problem, your proposed solution, target market, and initial go-to-market strategy.

• Practice Pitching: Rehearse your pitch for both your design portfolio and your startup concept. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and persuasive delivery.

• Understand EWOR's Model: Research EWOR GmbH thoroughly. Be prepared to discuss why their specific model (funding, mentorship, network) is the right fit for you and your entrepreneurial ambitions.

• Prepare for Strategy Questions: Anticipate questions about market trends in Maritime Tech, competitive landscapes, business model innovation, and scaling strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to identify true entrepreneurial leaders who can leverage design skills to build significant businesses. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate founder potential, not just design talent.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard UI/UX and Brand Design tools is essential. This includes:

  • Wireframing & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision.
  • Graphic Design: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Collaboration Platforms:

  • Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams.
  • Project Management: Asana, Trello, Jira, Monday.com.
  • Whiteboarding & Ideation: Miro, Mural.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude (for understanding user behavior and product performance).

• Design Analytics: Tools for A/B testing UI elements and tracking user feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Experience with CRM systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM, particularly for understanding sales processes and customer data management, will be beneficial for building the sales engine.

• Marketing Automation: Familiarity with platforms like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, or Marketo for executing marketing strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core requirement is design proficiency, familiarity with tools used for product analytics, CRM, and marketing automation will be advantageous for building a comprehensive business strategy and demonstrating a holistic understanding of startup operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Entrepreneurial Drive: A relentless pursuit of building and scaling successful businesses, embracing challenges and risks.

• Innovation & Disruption: A commitment to finding novel solutions and challenging the status quo within the Maritime Tech industry.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data and user feedback to inform product development, market strategy, and operational decisions.

• Execution Excellence: A focus on rigorous planning, efficient implementation, and achieving tangible results.

• Continuous Learning & Adaptability: Embracing personal development and staying agile in response to market changes and evolving business needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Founder-Centric: While EWOR provides guidance, the fellow is the ultimate decision-maker for their startup. Collaboration is about leveraging expertise and network effectively.

• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Engaging with other fellows in the cohort to share insights, challenges, and best practices.

• Mentor-Driven Guidance: Proactively seeking and incorporating advice from experienced mentors, viewing them as strategic partners.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration between design, product development, marketing, sales, and fundraising functions within the startup.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is one of high ambition, intense work, and mutual support among driven individuals. Success is celebrated, but the primary focus is on the rigorous process of building a valuable company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building from Scratch: The inherent challenge of starting a new venture with no existing infrastructure, brand recognition, or customer base.

• Achieving Product-Market-Fit: The difficult and often lengthy process of finding the right product for the right market.

• Securing Funding: Navigating the competitive landscape of venture capital to secure necessary investment rounds.

• Scaling Operations: Transitioning from a founder-led startup to a structured, scalable organization.

• Intense Workload & Pressure: Managing multiple critical functions (product, strategy, fundraising, team building) simultaneously under significant pressure.

• Remote Team Management: Effectively leading and motivating a distributed team in a fully remote environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Founding a Unicorn: The unparalleled opportunity to build a company with the potential for a €1B+ valuation.

• Mastering Entrepreneurial Skills: Gaining deep, hands-on experience in all aspects of startup leadership, strategy, and execution.

• Access to World-Class Mentorship: Direct, ongoing coaching from individuals who have built and scaled successful companies.

• Building a Powerful Network: Establishing connections with influential investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

• Specialization in Maritime Tech: Developing deep expertise in a specific, high-potential industry sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is designed for individuals who thrive on challenge and see it as a catalyst for growth. The opportunities for learning and development are directly proportional to the challenges faced.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for identifying and validating a market opportunity within Maritime Tech."

• "How would you approach building a brand identity for a new Maritime Tech startup from the ground up?"

• "Outline your strategy for achieving product-market-fit for a new product in this sector, considering potential user feedback loops and iterative design."

• "Imagine you've secured your seed round. What are the first 90 days like in terms of building your team and initial operations?"

• "How do you balance the demands of product design with the critical need for fundraising and business development?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why EWOR GmbH, and why this specific entrepreneurial program?"

• "What are your long-term career aspirations beyond building this initial startup?"

• "How do you handle constructive criticism and feedback from mentors or team members?"

• "Describe a time you had to adapt your strategy significantly due to unforeseen market changes or competitive pressures."

• "What role does data play in your decision-making process, both in design and business strategy?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your design solution, and the quantifiable (or potential) business impact.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Demonstrate how you used design thinking to overcome specific challenges.

• Highlight Brand Vision: For brand projects, explain the strategic thinking behind the visual identity and messaging.

• Connect Design to Business Goals: Explicitly link your design decisions to broader business objectives like user acquisition, retention, or market positioning.

• Be Prepared for Design Critiques: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your entrepreneurial vision, your design process, and how you intend to leverage EWOR's resources to build a successful company. The interviewers are looking for a founder's mindset, strategic thinking, and demonstrable design prowess.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this unique entrepreneurial opportunity:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the EWOR GmbH careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest UI/UX and Brand Design projects. For each, prepare a concise narrative focusing on the problem, your solution, and the impact. If you have any entrepreneurial projects or experience, highlight those aspects.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize your entrepreneurial drive, leadership potential, and quantifiable achievements in design and any business-building endeavors. Integrate keywords like "startup scaling," "product-market-fit," "brand strategy," and "UI/UX innovation."

• Prepare Your Pitch: Practice articulating your vision for a Maritime Tech startup, your understanding of the market, and why you are the right entrepreneur to lead it. Be ready to discuss your design philosophy and how it underpins your business strategy.

• Research EWOR GmbH: Understand their model, their mentors, and their success stories. Be prepared to explain why EWOR is the ideal partner for your entrepreneurial journey.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description provides a comprehensive overview of the role and expectations. Given the unique nature of this entrepreneurial opportunity, candidates should prepare to demonstrate a strong founder's mindset, strategic vision, and robust design capabilities. It is essential to align personal ambitions with the intensive demands and potential rewards of building a €1B+ company.