Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Matter Intelligence

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Interface

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop user-centric interfaces for complex physical-world intelligence products, translating high-dimensional sensing data into actionable operational decisions.

• Lead user research and workflow discovery initiatives to deeply understand customer needs and identify key operational pain points.

• Create intuitive information architecture, interactions, and visual designs for data-rich software, ensuring clarity and usability for expert users.

• Drive product development through rapid prototyping, concept testing, and close collaboration with product and engineering teams.

• Build and maintain a robust design system to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across expanding product surfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges product design with operational decision-making. While not a traditional Revenue or Sales Operations role, the Product Designer will be instrumental in shaping the user experience of tools that drive operational outcomes, making it highly relevant to professionals interested in the GTM technology stack and user adoption of complex analytical platforms. The emphasis on "complex professional workflows" and "operational decision products" highlights the GTM and operational impact of this design role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead user research and workflow discovery engagements with customers, product leadership, engineering teams, and domain experts to gather critical insights into operational needs and challenges.

• Architect clear and effective information architecture, interaction models, and user interfaces for sophisticated sensing and AI-driven products, transforming complex data into understandable operational intelligence.

• Develop and iterate on prototypes and product concepts, conducting early-stage testing to validate assumptions and guide product and engineering roadmaps for operational tools.

• Foster a strong partnership with product management and engineering teams throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept to implementation, iteration, and final quality assurance, ensuring seamless integration of design into operational workflows.

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive and reusable design system, encompassing design patterns and style guides, to ensure product consistency and accelerate development of new features and operational capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a deep involvement in understanding and optimizing complex professional workflows, which directly impacts how operational teams utilize Matter Intelligence's products. This includes translating technical capabilities into user-friendly interfaces that support critical decision-making, a core function of GTM and operational support roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in Product Design, with a demonstrable track record of designing data-rich software products or complex professional workflows.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience designing for data-rich software products or intricate professional workflows, with a focus on translating complex information into user-friendly interfaces.

• Exceptional interaction design, interface design, information architecture, prototyping, and visual design skills, with a strong portfolio showcasing these abilities.

• Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous customer problems and technical constraints and transform them into simple, clear, and testable product concepts.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative mindset for effective partnership with product, engineering, and customer-facing teams. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing products for specialized domains such as geospatial analysis, industrial operations, scientific research, advanced analytics, AI-assisted decision-making, or other operational decision support systems.

• Experience designing for expert users who frequently interact with maps, imagery, time-series data, alerts, or other complex datasets within their operational roles.

• Experience contributing to or establishing a design system within an early-stage product organization, demonstrating an understanding of scalability and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills directly align with the operational context of Matter Intelligence's products. Experience with "operational decision products," "maps, imagery, time series, alerts, or complex datasets" is highly valuable for a designer aiming to support GTM and operational functions that rely on such data.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end product design process for data-rich software or complex professional workflows.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, user research methodology, design process, key decisions, and the impact of your design solutions on user workflows and operational efficiency.

• Include wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final visual designs, highlighting how you translated complex data into intuitive interfaces.

• Demonstrate experience with building or contributing to design systems, illustrating reusable components, design patterns, and the rationale behind their implementation for consistency and scalability. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of user research methodologies, including user interviews, workflow analysis, and persona development, to inform design decisions for operational tools.

• Examples of rapid prototyping and concept testing to validate design hypotheses and gather feedback from stakeholders and potential users.

• Documentation of collaboration with product management and engineering teams, illustrating how design requirements were translated into actionable development specifications.

• Case studies that highlight iterative design processes and how feedback was incorporated to refine product interfaces and enhance operational usability.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, as it needs to demonstrate the ability to handle complex data and translate it into actionable interfaces for operational use. Focus on showcasing projects that involve data visualization, workflow optimization, and expert user interfaces.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in San Francisco, CA, the estimated annual salary range is $130,000 - $180,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package, reflecting the value of your contributions.

• Early-stage equity package, offering significant upside potential as the company grows.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, with 100% of premiums paid by the employer.

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge vision AI and sensing systems with direct impact on major industries.

• Professional development opportunities in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Matter Intelligence likely offers some flexibility within the workday to accommodate project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on data from reputable compensation resources for Product Designers in San Francisco, CA, considering the mid-to-senior level experience indicated. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on health coverage and equity, typical for early-stage tech companies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Vision AI, Advanced Sensing Technology, Software Development. Matter Intelligence is at the forefront of developing novel sensing systems and a "Large World Model" that aims to create unparalleled intelligence for the physical world. This positions them in a high-growth, technology-intensive sector.

Company Size: Early-stage startup. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individual contributions have a significant impact. Operations professionals in such settings often wear multiple hats and are key to establishing foundational processes.

Founded: The company's founding date is not explicitly stated, but its focus on cutting-edge AI and sensor technology suggests a relatively recent establishment, likely within the last 5-10 years, aiming to disrupt established markets.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design function appears to be integrated within a "Product Intelligence team," working closely with Product Managers and Engineers. The hiring manager, Ignacio Cases Martin, suggests a focused leadership structure within this domain.

• Cross-functional collaboration is heavily emphasized, with designers expected to work closely with product leaders, engineers, and customer-facing teams.

• The team is likely composed of highly skilled individuals with backgrounds in AI, hardware engineering, software development, and data science, given the company's mission. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is implied, with a focus on turning "high-dimensional sensing data into operational decisions."

• User-centric design is paramount, driven by "user research and workflow discovery with customers."

• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, given the need for rapid prototyping, iteration, and close collaboration between design and engineering.

• Emphasis on building scalable and reusable design patterns through a design system points to a structured approach to product development.

Company Website: https://matter.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: As an early-stage startup in the AI and sensing technology space, Matter Intelligence likely fosters a culture of innovation, rapid iteration, and strong collaboration. For operations professionals, this means opportunities to build and refine processes from the ground up, with a direct impact on product development and customer success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a mid-to-senior level Product Designer. The responsibilities involve leading initiatives, independent problem-solving, and significant influence on product direction. For someone interested in the operational side of technology, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the tools that drive operational intelligence, bridging the gap between complex data and practical business application.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will work with the "Product Intelligence team" and report to a Product Lead or Head of Design, under the guidance of Ignacio Cases Martin. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams.

Operations Impact: While a Product Designer role, the impact on operations is profound. By making complex "physical-world intelligence clear, useful, and actionable for customers," this role directly enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of operational decision-making. Successful designs will lead to better data utilization, more informed strategic choices, and ultimately, improved business outcomes driven by the company's AI and sensing technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for complex data, AI-driven products, and expert user workflows. Develop advanced skills in user research, information architecture, and design systems for cutting-edge technology.

• Leadership Potential: As the product and team scale, opportunities may arise to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, or even contribute to building out the design function within the company.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gain significant experience collaborating with AI researchers, engineers, and product managers, broadening understanding of technology development and market strategy. This can lead to roles in Product Management or GTM strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique pathway for growth by focusing on the intersection of advanced technology and operational application. The ability to translate complex AI insights into usable tools for decision-makers is a highly valuable skill that can lead to leadership positions in product, design, or even GTM strategy roles focused on technology adoption.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role requiring physical presence in their San Francisco office. This fosters direct collaboration, spontaneous idea sharing, and a strong team culture.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California. This location offers access to a vibrant tech ecosystem, talent pool, and potential for industry networking.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and focused work. Expect a dynamic environment typical of an early-stage tech company.

• Access to modern design tools and technology will be provided to support the creation of prototypes and design systems.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with a diverse team of experts in AI, engineering, and product management will be abundant, facilitating cross-pollination of ideas.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week) are expected. Given the on-site requirement, the schedule will likely revolve around core working hours to maximize team collaboration and integration with product and engineering cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Francisco indicates a preference for in-person collaboration, crucial for the iterative design process and team cohesion in a fast-paced startup. This environment is ideal for designers who thrive on direct interaction and rapid feedback loops.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design experience.

• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, detailing your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss your rationale and decisions.

• Design Challenge: A practical design exercise, potentially involving a specific problem related to data interpretation or workflow design, to evaluate your problem-solving skills and design thinking.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess your collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with Ignacio Cases Martin to evaluate your overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business or user impact of your designs. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced error rates, increased user adoption).

• Showcase Process: Detail your end-to-end design process, including user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration. Demonstrate how you navigated ambiguity and technical constraints.

• Highlight Data & Complexity: Since this role involves "data-rich software" and "complex professional workflows," ensure your portfolio includes examples that showcase your ability to design for these scenarios effectively.

• Design System Contribution: If you have experience building or contributing to design systems, highlight this prominently. Explain your role, the components you developed, and the benefits to the product and engineering teams.

• Tailor to Matter: Research Matter Intelligence's mission and technology. Frame your case studies to align with their focus on Vision AI, physical-world intelligence, and operational decision-making.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with concepts in AI, computer vision, and data analysis, particularly as they relate to operational decision-making.

• Emphasize Workflow: If given a workflow challenge, focus on mapping out the user's current process, identifying pain points, and designing a streamlined, efficient alternative.

• Communicate Clearly: Be prepared to articulate your thought process, assumptions, and design decisions clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application of design skills, especially in handling complex data and workflows. Your portfolio and case studies should be meticulously prepared to showcase these specific capabilities, demonstrating your understanding of how design directly influences operational outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP, or similar tools for creating wireframes, mockups, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.

• Design Systems: Tools for component libraries and style guides (e.g., Figma's component features, Storybook, Zeroheight).

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

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct responsibility, an understanding of how design impacts user behavior and product adoption metrics is crucial. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude may be beneficial for understanding user engagement post-launch. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design role, but understanding how design interfaces integrate with backend systems and CRM data could be advantageous for designing operational dashboards and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools like Figma is essential. Experience with design system management tools is also highly valued, given the emphasis on building reusable patterns and ensuring product consistency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ambition & Performance: A drive to achieve ambitious goals and deliver high performance, as evidenced by the team's background and the company's mission. Operations professionals are expected to contribute significantly to the company's success.

• Innovation & Curiosity: A deep-seated curiosity and passion for pushing the boundaries of technology, particularly in AI and sensing. This fosters an environment where new ideas are encouraged and explored.

• Collaboration & Transparency: A strong emphasis on teamwork and open communication across disciplines. Operations professionals should be adept at working with diverse teams and sharing insights.

• Data-Driven Approach: A commitment to using data and intelligence to inform decisions, both in product development and operational strategy.

• Customer Focus: A dedication to understanding and solving customer problems, ensuring that the technology developed provides tangible value and actionable insights for operational use.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work hand-in-hand with product managers and engineers, fostering a highly integrated product development process.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture of continuous feedback and iteration, where designs are shared early and often, and input is actively sought from all stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, design patterns, and learnings across the team and with other departments to foster collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's culture likely values individuals who are proactive, adaptable, and passionate about building cutting-edge technology. For operations roles, this translates to a need for strong analytical skills, a collaborative spirit, and a results-oriented mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating highly technical, multi-dimensional sensing data into intuitive and actionable interfaces for users who may not be AI experts presents a significant design challenge.

• Early-Stage Product Development: Working in an early-stage startup means dealing with evolving requirements, potential ambiguity, and the need to build foundational systems from scratch.

• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Ensuring that cutting-edge AI capabilities are presented in a way that is both powerful and easily understood and utilized for operational tasks.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively bridging the communication gap between highly technical engineering/AI teams and customer operational needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI & Sensing: Gain unparalleled exposure to the forefront of Vision AI, molecular chemistry sensing, and Large World Models, understanding their practical applications.

• Design System Mastery: Contribute significantly to the growth and evolution of a design system from its early stages, developing expertise in scalability and consistency.

• Industry Impact: Work on products with direct applications in major industries, understanding the operational challenges and opportunities within sectors like defense, space, and industrial automation.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced professionals in AI, engineering, and product development, potentially including leadership from individuals with backgrounds at OpenAI and NASA/JPL.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are directly tied to the innovative nature of Matter Intelligence's technology. Overcoming these challenges offers significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly in developing expertise at the intersection of advanced technology and practical operational application.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex dataset or a highly technical user. How did you approach understanding their needs and translating that into a usable interface?" (Focus on user research, simplification, and validation.)

• "How would you approach building a design system from the ground up for a product like ours, which deals with novel sensing data?" (Discuss modularity, scalability, collaboration with engineering, and initial component selection.)

• "Imagine a scenario where a new sensor capability is developed. What steps would you take as a Product Designer to explore its potential applications and design an initial user experience for it?" (Highlight user research, ideation, prototyping, and iterative feedback loops.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Matter Intelligence's mission and our approach to 'Superintelligent Vision'?" (Show genuine interest in the technology and its potential impact.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and product management teams, especially in a fast-paced startup environment?" (Emphasize communication, shared ownership, and iterative processes.)

• "Describe your experience working with expert users or designing for specialized workflows. What are the key considerations?" (Focus on understanding domain-specific needs and avoiding oversimplification that sacrifices power.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your journey to solve it, the solutions you crafted, and the outcome.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, final designs) to illustrate your points. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs. For this role, focus on how your design enabled better operational decisions or efficiency.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and alternative solutions considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating your ability to handle complexity, your collaborative skills, and your understanding of how design directly impacts operational effectiveness. Your portfolio is your primary tool to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.ashbyhq.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects involving data-rich software, complex professional workflows, and ideally, domains related to scientific, industrial, or operational decision-making. Showcase your ability to translate technical data into actionable insights.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, key skills in interaction design, information architecture, prototyping, and design systems. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio case studies and prepare to present them with a focus on your design process, problem-solving, and impact. Practice articulating your rationale for design decisions, especially those involving complex data and user workflows.

• Company Research: Deeply research Matter Intelligence's mission, technology (Vision AI, Large World Model), and the potential applications of their products. Understand their position in the market and the types of operational challenges their technology aims to solve.

⚠️ 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.