Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Clera

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a high-impact product design role within a fast-growing consumer EdTech platform, focusing on shaping AI-native learning experiences for millions of students.

• You will be responsible for owning complete product areas end-to-end, from initial conception through to final delivery, ensuring rapid iteration and deployment.

• A key aspect of this role involves elevating the overall design quality and craft across all user-facing surfaces through exceptional UI and motion design.

• You will play a pivotal role in building and scaling a design system from scratch, defining components, standards, and review processes to ensure consistent quality and efficient replication.

• This position requires pioneering AI-native design by developing AI-assisted workflows and product experiences that transform how the team researches, ideates, and ships new features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly for a "Product Designer" but the responsibilities and required skills lean heavily into UX/UI Design, Design Systems, and AI integration. The emphasis on "shipping ideas to a massive student audience within days" and "bias toward shipping over presenting" indicates a need for a hands-on designer with a strong execution focus, rather than a purely strategic or research-focused role. The mention of "AI-native design" and "AI-assisted workflows" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design tooling and product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product lifecycle for designated areas, from ideation and user research through to final UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration with engineering for successful delivery to a large student audience.

• Drive the enhancement of UI and motion design across all user touchpoints, setting a high standard for aesthetic appeal, usability, and intuitive interaction.

• Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive design system, including defining reusable components, establishing design patterns, and setting quality review standards to ensure scalability and consistency.

• Champion the integration of AI within the design process, exploring and implementing AI-assisted tools for research, ideation, prototyping, and user experience enhancement.

• Develop and refine complex user journeys into simple, intuitive, and delightful user experiences that feel natural and easy to navigate for students.

• Actively contribute to the fast-paced startup environment by favoring rapid experimentation, iterative development, and data-driven decision-making over lengthy documentation or debate.

• Collaborate closely with C-level leadership, engineering teams, and product managers to align design vision with business objectives and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight an end-to-end ownership model, common in startups, where designers are expected to contribute across the entire product development spectrum. The emphasis on "shipping ideas within days" and "experiments beat debate" points to a need for agility and a pragmatic approach to design execution. Building a design system "from scratch" is a significant undertaking and implies the need for strong foundational knowledge in design system architecture and governance.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in design principles, user experience, and human-computer interaction is expected, typically gained through a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Several years of meaningful professional experience in product design, with a demonstrable track record of shipping successful B2C or consumer products. The ability to guide and mentor more junior designers is also a key requirement.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Craft: Demonstrated excellence in product design, with a portfolio showcasing shipped, metrics-moving consumer work.

• UI & Motion Design: Exceptional ability in creating visually appealing and intuitive user interfaces, coupled with strong motion design skills.

• Design Systems: Proven experience in building and scaling design systems from the ground up, including component libraries, style guides, and governance frameworks.

• AI Tool Proficiency: Active and enthusiastic use of AI tools for prototyping, research, ideation, and workflow optimization.

• Systems Thinking: Ability to apply systems thinking to scale design quality and ensure cohesive user experiences across a product.

• User Journey Simplification: Skill in distilling complex user flows into obvious and intuitive experiences.

• Consumer Product Focus: Significant experience in B2C or consumer product design, with a strong bias towards execution and shipping.

• Startup Environment Adaptability: Comfort and effectiveness in a fast-moving startup setting, embracing rapid iteration and experimentation.

• Communication & Collaboration: Direct, team-first communication style with a collaborative and ego-free approach to ownership.

Preferred Skills:

• Prototyping Expertise: Advanced skills in prototyping tools to create high-fidelity, interactive mockups.

• User Research Acumen: Experience in conducting user research to inform design decisions and validate concepts.

• Technical Aptitude: A builder mentality, with bonus points for side projects shipped end-to-end or experience contributing code (e.g., opening a pull request).

• AI-Native Design Innovation: Experience in pioneering novel AI-assisted workflows or product experiences.

• Mentorship Experience: Proven ability to guide and mentor junior designers effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "portfolio quality matters more than years of experience" suggests that a strong, visually compelling portfolio showcasing impactful work is paramount. The requirement for "active, enthusiastic use of AI tools" indicates that candidates are expected to be early adopters and proficient in leveraging AI for design tasks. The "builder mentality" and "opening a pull request" preference hints at a desire for designers with a technical understanding or a hands-on approach to development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Shipped Consumer Work: A robust portfolio that clearly demonstrates impactful, shipped consumer product designs, with a focus on metrics that have moved.

• End-to-End Ownership: Examples showcasing your ability to own product areas from conception through delivery, highlighting your role in each stage.

• Design System Contributions: Evidence of your experience in building, scaling, or significantly contributing to design systems, illustrating component design, documentation, and governance.

• AI Integration Examples: Demonstrations of how you've leveraged AI tools or designed AI-native experiences to enhance user journeys or streamline workflows.

• Metrics-Driven Impact: Clear articulation of the quantitative impact of your designs, supported by relevant metrics and data.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase examples of how you've mapped out, analyzed, and optimized user workflows to improve efficiency and user satisfaction.

• Design System Implementation: Detail the process of how you established and implemented design system components and guidelines, including adoption strategies.

• AI Workflow Integration: Illustrate the process of integrating AI tools into your design process, detailing the problem addressed, the tools used, and the outcomes achieved.

• Iterative Design & Experimentation: Present case studies that highlight your iterative design process, including A/B testing, user feedback incorporation, and rapid prototyping cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, the portfolio is critical. It should not just be a gallery of work but a narrative that tells the story of problem-solving, design execution, and measurable impact. The emphasis on "shipping" means case studies should focus on live products rather than theoretical concepts. The "builder mentality" suggests that including personal projects or contributions to open-source design efforts would be highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a mid-level Product Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Berlin, Germany, the estimated annual salary range is between €55,000 and €75,000. This estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in Berlin, considering the company's industry (EdTech) and the startup environment, which may offer competitive compensation to attract talent.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage provided.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid vacation days and public holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including access to courses, conferences, and workshops, with a focus on AI tools and design innovation.

• Equity/Stock Options: Potential for equity participation, aligning employee success with company growth.

• Team Events: Regular team-building activities and social events to foster a strong company culture.

• Modern Workspace: Access to a well-equipped, on-site workspace in Berlin.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to accommodate project needs and individual working styles, while maintaining focus on rapid delivery and output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimation for Berlin, Germany, for a mid-level Product Designer. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio, and negotiation. Benefits are inferred from typical offerings in fast-growing tech startups in major European cities, with a focus on professional growth and well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: EdTech (Education Technology) with a strong focus on AI-native learning experiences. Clera operates in a dynamic market driven by innovation and the increasing integration of technology in education.

Company Size: Clera is a fast-growing startup. While exact numbers are not provided, this implies a lean, agile team where individual contributions have significant visibility and impact.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the description "fast-growing consumer EdTech platform" suggests a company that has successfully moved beyond its initial startup phase and is scaling rapidly.

Team Structure:

• Cross-functional Pods: Design likely operates within cross-functional pods or squads, working closely with engineering and product management to drive specific product areas.

• Direct C-Level Interaction: Designers will have direct access to and collaborate with C-level leadership, indicating a flat hierarchy and high visibility for design contributions.

• Emerging Design Practice: The role involves "building the design practice from the ground up," suggesting the design team is still maturing and evolving, offering opportunities to shape its future.

Methodology:

• Agile & Iterative: The company embraces a fast-paced, iterative development methodology, prioritizing rapid shipping, experimentation, and data-driven decision-making.

• AI-First Approach: A core tenet of Clera's product development is the integration of AI, influencing product features, user experiences, and internal design workflows.

• Quality Focus: Despite the speed, there's a strong emphasis on "setting the quality bar" and focusing on "details that users feel but cannot name."

Company Website: https://www.getclera.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as fast-paced, experimental, and AI-centric. The opportunity to "build the design practice from the ground up" is a significant draw for ambitious designers looking to shape processes and influence strategy. The direct interaction with C-level leadership suggests a culture that values input from all levels.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience) but with significant growth potential. It offers the opportunity to take on senior responsibilities, lead design initiatives, and influence the direction of the design practice. The expectation to "guide more junior designers" hints at future leadership opportunities.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a Head of Design or Product Lead, with direct exposure and collaboration with C-level executives (CEO, CTO, CPO). This structure provides high visibility and direct influence on strategic decisions.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer will have a direct and substantial impact on the company's success by shaping AI-native learning experiences for millions of students. Their work will directly influence user engagement, learning outcomes, and overall product adoption, contributing significantly to the company's growth and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Opportunity to grow into a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead role as the design team expands.

• Specialization in AI Design: Develop deep expertise in AI-native product design and AI-assisted design workflows, becoming a thought leader in this emerging field.

• Design System Ownership: Take full ownership and evolve the company's design system, establishing it as a best-in-class component.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to product strategy and roadmap planning, influencing the future direction of Clera's educational offerings.

• Skill Expansion: Broaden skill set through exposure to rapid product development cycles, cross-functional collaboration, and cutting-edge AI technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a designer to not only execute but also to build and define. The "building the design practice from the ground up" aspect is a significant growth area, allowing for the creation of processes, standards, and a team culture. The focus on AI also positions the designer for future-proofing their career in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is strictly "On-site" in Berlin, Germany, indicating a preference for in-person collaboration and a strong team presence within a physical office.

Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany. Specific details about the office building or neighborhood are not provided but it is expected to be a modern, functional workspace conducive to a startup environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, with open spaces, meeting rooms, and areas for spontaneous interaction between design, engineering, and product teams.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design software, hardware, and potentially AI-powered design tools will be provided to facilitate efficient and innovative work.

• Startup Energy: Expect a dynamic and energetic atmosphere characteristic of a fast-growing startup, with opportunities for direct interaction and knowledge sharing among team members.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. While this is the baseline, the fast-paced nature of a startup might necessitate some flexibility to meet project deadlines, balanced by the company's overall emphasis on output and rapid iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement in Berlin is a key factor. Candidates must be willing and able to work from the Berlin office daily. This suggests a culture that values in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and immediate feedback loops, which can be highly beneficial for rapid product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess your fit for the role and alignment with Clera's needs.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A deep dive into your portfolio, focusing on shipped consumer work, your design process, and how you've driven metrics. Expect to discuss specific projects in detail.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical design exercise, potentially involving a case study or a prompt related to AI-native design or user journey simplification, to assess your problem-solving skills and design craft.

• Team & Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key team members, including engineers, product managers, and potentially C-level executives, to evaluate your collaboration style, communication, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A conclusive interview to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and finalize any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your product design craft, B2C experience, and ability to ship metrics-moving work.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges overcome, and the measurable outcomes. Use visuals and concise text.

• Highlight AI Integration: Explicitly showcase any projects where you've used AI tools in your workflow or designed AI-native experiences.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: If applicable, include examples of your work on design systems, component libraries, or how you've ensured consistency across a product.

• Focus on Shipping: Emphasize projects that have been successfully launched and had a quantifiable impact. Be prepared to discuss the metrics.

• Be Ready for Detail: The review will likely go deep into your decision-making process and the rationale behind your design choices.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the EdTech Context: Familiarize yourself with current trends in educational technology and the challenges faced by students and educators.

• Embrace AI: Be prepared to think critically about how AI can be leveraged to solve user problems and enhance learning experiences.

• Focus on User Journeys: Practice breaking down complex user flows into intuitive and simple experiences.

• Think Iteratively: Approach any challenge with a mindset of rapid iteration, experimentation, and data-driven validation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application and demonstrated impact. Candidates should prepare to not only talk about their work but to deeply explain the "why" behind their decisions and the "what" of their results. The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and startup environment), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite.

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, Framer, or advanced Figma prototyping features.

• Design System Management: Tools for component libraries and style guides (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or integrated Figma libraries).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to track user behavior, feature adoption, and conversion rates.

• A/B Testing Tools: Optimizely, VWO, or in-house experimentation platforms to test design variations.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for user acquisition and engagement funnels.

• AI Tools: Expect to use a variety of AI-powered tools for research assistance, content generation, image creation, code generation, workflow automation, and potentially AI-driven design analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern product design roles, especially in fast-paced startups. The emphasis on AI means familiarity with a range of AI tools, from generative AI for ideation to AI for user research analysis, will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Builder Mentality: A proactive, hands-on approach to creating and improving. This means taking initiative, shipping work, and being comfortable with ambiguity.

• Bias for Action: Prioritizing execution and rapid iteration over perfection or prolonged deliberation. "Prototypes beat decks and experiments beat debate."

• User-Centricity: Deeply understanding and empathizing with student users to create intuitive and effective learning experiences.

• Quality Craftsmanship: A commitment to high standards in UI, motion, and overall user experience, even within a fast-paced environment.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: A direct, ego-free communication style that fosters strong collaboration across disciplines.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with engineering and product management, with design integrated into the development loop from the outset.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Openness to continuous feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users, using it to refine designs rapidly.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture where insights, best practices, and learnings are shared freely to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is clearly defined by its speed, execution focus, and user-centric approach, all underpinned by AI integration. Designers are expected to be proactive, collaborative, and focused on delivering tangible results.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Iteration & Shipping: The primary challenge will be balancing the need for high-quality design with the company's demand for rapid product releases and continuous iteration.

• Building from Scratch: Establishing and scaling a design system and design practice in a young, fast-growing company requires significant foundational work and strategic planning.

• AI Integration Complexity: Effectively integrating AI into design workflows and product experiences requires continuous learning, experimentation, and a deep understanding of both design and AI capabilities.

• Scaling User Experience: Ensuring a consistently excellent user experience for "millions of students" as the platform grows presents scalability challenges.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Become a leading expert in AI-native product design, a highly sought-after skill in the current market.

• Design System Architecture: Gain extensive experience in building and governing robust design systems, a critical component for scaling product development.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute directly to product strategy, shaping the future of an EdTech platform with a massive user base.

• Startup Leadership: Develop leadership skills by guiding the design practice and potentially mentoring future team members in a high-growth environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the growth phase of the company and the innovative nature of its product. These challenges also represent significant growth opportunities for a designer looking to make a substantial impact and develop in-demand skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned a product area end-to-end. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and quantifiable results.)

• "How would you approach building a design system from scratch for a fast-moving startup like Clera? What would be your priorities?" (Highlight your understanding of design system principles, scalability, and adoption strategies.)

• "Can you share an example of how you've used AI tools to improve your design process or create an AI-native user experience?" (Be specific about the tools, the problem solved, and the impact.)

• "How do you balance the need for design quality with the pressure to ship features rapidly in a startup environment?" (Demonstrate your pragmatism, iterative approach, and understanding of trade-offs.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Clera's mission and the EdTech space, particularly with AI integration?" (Show genuine interest and research into the company and industry.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and product teams, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Emphasize your communication skills, ego-free approach, and focus on shared goals.)

• "What does 'systems thinking' mean to you in the context of product design?" (Explain how you consider the interconnectedness of components and user flows.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": For each project, begin by clearly stating the problem you were solving and the user need.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals, interactive prototypes, and concise explanations to walk through your design process.

• Quantify Impact: Always include metrics and evidence of how your designs have positively affected users or business outcomes.

• Highlight AI & Systems: Explicitly call out instances of AI tool usage and your contributions to design systems.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your narrative to ensure it's clear, compelling, and within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on aligning your experience with the specific requirements of the role, especially the emphasis on shipping, AI integration, and building from scratch. Demonstrating a clear understanding of Clera's mission and culture will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor Your Portfolio: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 of your strongest B2C/consumer product design projects that demonstrate shipping metrics-moving work and your end-to-end ownership capabilities. Ensure AI integration examples are clearly highlighted.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight experience in fast-paced startup environments, design system development, UI/motion design, and any specific AI tools you've utilized. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on the problem, your solution, your process, and the measurable impact. Be ready to discuss your approach to AI-native design and building design systems.

• Research Clera: Understand Clera's mission, target audience (students), and their AI-first approach. Prepare thoughtful questions about the company, the team, and the challenges you might face.

⚠️ 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.