Principal Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Designer

Company: Bjak

Location: United States (Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Operations / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-31

Experience Level: Mid to Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and craft exceptional user interfaces for AI-native applications, focusing on clarity, polish, and ease of use for a global user base.

• Develop and maintain robust UI components and comprehensive design systems to ensure visual consistency and scalability across all product touchpoints.

• Collaborate closely with product management and engineering teams to translate user needs and technical requirements into intuitive and visually appealing user experiences.

• Drive continuous improvement of the product interface by applying best practices in visual design, typography, spacing, and overall user experience craftsmanship.

• Contribute to a high-talent-density team that values fast execution, strong ownership, clear thinking, and practical application of AI to solve real-world user problems.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Principal Designer," the responsibilities and required experience (5-10 years) suggest a role that bridges senior individual contributor and potential team leadership within the design function. The focus on AI and large-scale user applications indicates a need for strategic design thinking beyond just UI execution. The remote nature for a US-based role implies a need for strong asynchronous communication and self-management skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design high-fidelity user interfaces for AI-powered applications, ensuring intuitive navigation and engaging user flows.

• Build, refine, and manage a comprehensive design system, including UI components, style guides, and best practices for consistent implementation.

• Collaborate with product designers and engineers to iterate on layouts, typography, color palettes, and spacing for optimal visual hierarchy and user experience.

• Ensure pixel-perfect execution of designs by working closely with engineering teams during the development and implementation phases.

• Champion user-centered design principles throughout the product development lifecycle, advocating for user needs and experience quality.

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the product's visual language and user interface evolution.

• Actively participate in design reviews, providing constructive feedback and receiving input to elevate the overall design quality.

• Maintain a deep understanding of current UI/UX trends, especially within the AI and productivity application space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a dual focus on both the strategic development of design systems and the tactical execution of UI design. The emphasis on "pixel-perfect experiences" and "continuous improvement" suggests a role that is deeply involved in the implementation and refinement stages, requiring strong collaboration with engineering.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is often preferred for Principal Designer roles and can be beneficial. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in UI design, with a significant portion focused on digital products and complex applications. Proven experience in a Principal or Senior Designer capacity is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio demonstrating extensive UI design expertise, showcasing a range of visual design, typography, and layout skills.

• Proven experience in building, maintaining, and scaling design systems.

• High proficiency in Figma for design, prototyping, and component management.

• Exceptional visual design skills with a keen eye for detail, craftsmanship, and aesthetic quality.

• Ability to refine layouts, typography, spacing, and ensure visual consistency across all product elements.

• Experience collaborating effectively with product managers and software engineers in an agile environment.

• Strong understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for AI-native applications or productivity tools.

• Familiarity with front-end development principles (HTML, CSS) to better inform design decisions and collaboration.

• Experience in conducting user research or usability testing to inform design iterations.

• Familiarity with animation and micro-interaction principles to enhance user experience.

• Experience working in a remote-first or distributed team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements heavily emphasize practical skills and a demonstrable portfolio. Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. The "5-10 years" experience level for a "Principal" title implies a need for not just execution skills but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to mentor others within the design process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 complex UI design projects, ideally including at least one that involved building or significantly contributing to a design system.

• Clearly articulate your role, process, and contributions within each project, highlighting problem identification, design exploration, and final solution.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of visual design principles, including typography, color theory, layout, and visual hierarchy.

• Include examples of high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes (ideally created in Figma), and final implemented interfaces.

• Detail how you ensured visual consistency and refined elements like spacing and typography.

• For design system projects, provide examples of components, style guides, and how the system was utilized to maintain consistency. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail, from initial concept and research through to implementation and iteration.

• Explain how you approach problem-solving, user needs analysis, and translating requirements into design solutions.

• Describe your workflow for collaborating with product and engineering teams, including feedback loops and iteration strategies.

• Articulate your methodology for maintaining and evolving design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. It needs to go beyond just showcasing pretty screens; it must demonstrate a deep understanding of design systems, rigorous UI craftsmanship, and a collaborative, iterative design process. Candidates should be ready to walk through their thought process and strategic decisions behind their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Principal Designer role with 5-10 years of experience in the United States, a competitive salary range is estimated between $140,000 - $200,000 USD annually, depending on specific experience, location cost of living adjustments (though remote, some companies adjust), and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Stock options or equity in a growing company.

• Professional development budget for conferences, courses, and learning resources.

• Home office stipend or equipment allowance for remote setup.

• 401(k) or retirement savings plan with company match.

• Opportunities for career advancement and leadership within the design team.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. Given the remote nature and focus on execution speed, there may be an expectation for flexibility and responsiveness, particularly across different time zones if collaborating with international teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on market data for Principal Designer roles in the US with 5-10 years of experience, considering the company's focus on AI and its growth potential. Benefits are standard for full-time roles in tech companies, with an emphasis on remote work support and professional growth, which are attractive to experienced design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Productivity Software. Bjak is developing AI-native applications to organize daily lives, focusing on proactive assistance, long-running workflows, and real-world task completion. This positions them at the forefront of integrating AI into everyday user tools.

Company Size: Based on general industry trends for startups operating with "high talent density" and "fast execution speed," Bjak is likely a growing startup, potentially ranging from 50-200 employees. This size fosters agility and direct impact for individuals.

Founded: The company's mission suggests a relatively recent founding, likely within the last 5-10 years, to be focused on developing advanced AI-native applications.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely small but highly skilled, with a focus on collaboration and direct contribution.

• Reporting structure would likely be to a Head of Design or Chief Product Officer, with close alignment to product management and engineering leads.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central, emphasizing close partnerships between design, product, and engineering to achieve product goals efficiently. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing user feedback and analytics to inform design choices.

• Agile development and design sprints to ensure rapid iteration and delivery.

• Emphasis on clear thinking, practical execution, and high product quality.

• A culture of ownership, where individuals are empowered to make decisions and drive initiatives.

Company Website: https://bjak.my/en/about-us

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as having "high talent density, fast execution speed, and strong ownership." This suggests a demanding yet rewarding environment where high performers can make a significant impact. The focus on AI and practical applications implies a forward-thinking and innovation-driven ethos.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at the "Principal" level, indicating a senior individual contributor position with significant autonomy and influence. It requires a deep mastery of UI design principles, design systems, and the ability to guide product direction from a visual and experiential standpoint. It may also involve mentoring junior designers.

Reporting Structure: The Principal Designer will likely report to a design lead (e.g., Head of Design, Design Director) or a product lead (e.g., VP of Product, CPO). They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, forming a core triad for product development.

Operations Impact: The Principal Designer's impact is significant, directly shaping the user's perception and interaction with the AI-native applications. By creating intuitive and beautiful interfaces, they will enhance user adoption, engagement, and satisfaction, ultimately contributing to the product's success and the company's mission of reducing task completion time for billions of users.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI interface design, complex workflow visualization, or advanced design system architecture.

• Leadership: Transition into a Lead Designer or Design Manager role as the team grows, taking on more strategic and people management responsibilities.

• Broader Impact: Influence product strategy and roadmap through design thinking and user advocacy.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in emerging AI technologies, UX research methodologies, and advanced design tooling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title signifies a level of expertise and experience that allows for substantial influence. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening technical and strategic design skills or moving into leadership positions within a growing organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This means the primary work environment will be a home office. The company emphasizes a culture that supports remote collaboration and asynchronous work.

Office Location(s): While the company is based in Malaysia (indicated by the domain), this role is for the United States, allowing candidates to work from anywhere within the US.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the team fosters collaboration through digital tools, virtual meetings, and clear communication protocols. Expect active participation in team discussions, design critiques, and cross-functional syncs.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Notion), and project management tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual check-ins, design reviews, and potential for occasional in-person meetups or team offsites, though the primary mode of interaction will be digital.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, 40 hours per week. Flexibility is implied, particularly for remote work, but requires strong time management and adherence to project deadlines. Communication across US time zones will be a key aspect.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature necessitates a high degree of self-discipline and proactive communication. The company's emphasis on "fast execution speed" and "strong ownership" suggests a dynamic work environment where individuals are expected to be productive and engaged regardless of their physical location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume and a strong portfolio via the Ashby application portal.

• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will heavily rely on the portfolio to assess UI design skills, design system experience, and overall craftsmanship.

• Round 1: Virtual Interview: Typically with a hiring manager or senior design team member to discuss portfolio projects, design philosophy, and initial fit.

• Round 2: Design Challenge: A practical exercise to assess problem-solving skills, design execution, and ability to work within constraints. This may be a take-home assignment or a live design session.

• Round 3: Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, or other stakeholders to evaluate collaboration style, communication, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview/Offer: Discussion with senior leadership, followed by an offer if there's a mutual fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your best work, focusing on projects that align with the job description (UI design, design systems, AI products if possible).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process, the challenges, and the outcomes. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Figma Proficiency: Ensure your prototypes are interactive and well-built in Figma.

• Demonstrate Design System Thinking: Clearly explain your contribution to design systems, their impact, and how you maintain them.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, mention metrics or user feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• **Understand the