Product Designer at metabolic

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Metabolic

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: May 22, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (with remote flexibility)

🚀 Role Summary

Spearhead the end-to-end design of Metabolic's digital products, encompassing mobile applications, web platforms, and clinician-facing dashboards.
Establish and maintain a robust design system for both web and mobile interfaces, ensuring consistency and scalability across all digital touchpoints.
Design intuitive and effective data visualizations and health interfaces for complex biomarker data, scoring systems, and trend charts.
Leverage AI-powered design tools as an integral part of the workflow to accelerate design exploration and prototyping.
Collaborate closely with engineering teams, contributing technical fluency to implementation discussions and making informed tradeoffs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned for a Product Designer who can operate with significant autonomy and ownership. The emphasis on "owning the full design surface" and working directly with senior leadership indicates a high level of responsibility. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests that while the role is based in London, there's flexibility for remote work, though active participation in the London office is likely expected. The core focus is on building out the entire digital product experience from the ground up.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Design System Development & Governance:
- Architect, build, and maintain a comprehensive design system for web and mobile, including component libraries, documented token sets, and interaction patterns.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for design system inquiries, setting and enforcing design standards and consistency.
- Ensure the design system evolves to support new product features and user needs.
Product Design (Mobile & Web):
- Design user interfaces and experiences for patient-facing mobile applications, web booking funnels, and clinician dashboards.
- Adapt design strategies to different screen sizes and contexts, from mobile devices used on-the-go to desktop interfaces in clinical settings.
- Conduct user research to inform design decisions, ensuring a deep understanding of patient and clinician needs.
Data Visualization & Health Interfaces:
- Create clear, accessible, and actionable visualizations for complex health data, including biomarker readings, risk scores, and longitudinal trends.
- Translate technical data into human-readable formats that empower users to make informed health decisions.
- Design interfaces that facilitate effective communication between patients and clinicians regarding health metrics.
AI-Augmented Design Workflow:
- Integrate and experiment with AI design tools (e.g., Figma Make, Google Stitch, Claude, v0) to enhance efficiency in design exploration, rapid prototyping, and content generation.
- Critically evaluate the utility of AI tools, applying them strategically without compromising design judgment or quality.
Cross-functional Collaboration & Technical Fluency:
- Work in close partnership with product managers and engineers throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Contribute to technical implementation discussions, understanding the build-time costs of design decisions and making pragmatic tradeoffs.
- Develop sufficient technical fluency (HTML, CSS, basic JavaScript) to effectively communicate with developers, review code, and identify potential implementation challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who is not only skilled in visual and interaction design but also possesses a strong sense of ownership, technical understanding, and strategic thinking. The emphasis on "shipping work that patients interact with from day one" and "making real decisions" underscores the impact and autonomy of this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years of professional experience designing digital products across both mobile and web platforms.
Proven track record of owning or significantly contributing to the development and maintenance of a design system.
Demonstrated experience in designing complex data visualizations, particularly within health tech, financial, or scientific domains.

Required Skills:

Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma, including component creation, auto-layout, variables, prototyping, and seamless developer handoff.
Design System Expertise: Deep understanding of design system principles, component libraries, token sets, and governance.
Mobile & Web Product Design: Ability to design user experiences and interfaces for diverse digital platforms and screen sizes.
Data Visualization: Skill in designing clear and effective visualizations for complex datasets.
AI Design Tools: Working knowledge and practical application of AI-powered design tools (e.g., Figma Make, Claude, v0).
Front-end Technical Fluency: Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to facilitate engineering collaboration.
User Research: Competency in conducting and synthesizing user research to inform design iterations.
Written Communication: Excellent ability to document design decisions clearly and concisely, and to create self-explanatory Figma files.

Preferred Skills:

Health Tech Experience: Prior experience designing for health tech products, including patient-facing apps, clinical tools, EMR integrations, or wearable data interfaces.
Regulated Environments: Familiarity with designing within regulated environments (e.g., GDPR, MHRA, CQC) and understanding compliance implications for UX.
Advanced Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools like Framer or Webflow for creating advanced prototypes.
AI-Native Design Opinion: A well-formed perspective on the current state and future of AI-native product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical fluency requirement (HTML, CSS, JS) is critical for this role, indicating that Metabolic values designers who can bridge the gap between design and engineering through practical understanding, rather than just theoretical knowledge. The emphasis on documenting decisions and creating clear files points to a need for strong organizational and communication skills within the design process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

End-to-End Thinking: Showcase at least two projects that clearly illustrate the entire design process, from initial problem framing and user research through iteration and final shipped product.
Design System Work: Include at least one project specifically detailing your involvement in building, maintaining, or contributing to a design system, highlighting component libraries, tokens, or governance.
Data Visualization Example: Present at least one project that tackles data visualization, complex information design, or a challenging health/biomarker interface.
Process Visibility: Focus on demonstrating your design methodology, iteration cycles, and problem-solving approach, not just polished final deliverables.

Process Documentation:

Problem Framing & Research: Clearly articulate the initial problem statement, target users, and the research methods employed to understand user needs and constraints.
Ideation & Iteration: Detail the exploration of different design solutions, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing cycles, explaining the rationale behind key design decisions and changes.
Technical Collaboration & Handoff: Illustrate how you collaborated with engineers, how design decisions were translated into development requirements, and the process of developer handoff.
Impact & Outcomes: Quantify or qualitatively describe the impact of your design work on user behavior, business metrics, or product adoption, wherever possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific, emphasizing process over presentation. This indicates that Metabolic wants to see how candidates think, problem-solve, and collaborate, rather than just a showcase of visually appealing screens. The explicit request for "process visible" and "at least one example of design system work" are key indicators for applicant preparation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

Comprehensive Health Insurance: Covering medical, dental, and vision, fitting for a health-focused company.
Pension Scheme: Contribution to a workplace pension plan, as per UK regulations.
Generous Paid Time Off: Including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
Professional Development Budget: Allocation for courses, conferences, and learning resources relevant to design and AI tools.
Hybrid Work Flexibility: Structured hybrid model allowing for a balance between office collaboration and remote work.
Stock Options/Equity: Potential for equity participation, aligning employee success with company growth.
Wellness Programs: Initiatives to support employee well-being, aligning with Metabolic's mission.

Working Hours:

Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility often afforded to employees to manage their schedules effectively within the hybrid model. The emphasis is on output and collaboration rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Product Designer in London with specialized skills in design systems and AI, working in a hybrid setup. Benefits are inferred based on common offerings for tech companies in the UK, with a particular emphasis on health and professional development given the company's industry and the role's requirements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology (Health Tech) / Digital Health / Metabolic Medicine

Company Size: Small to Medium-sized (likely <50 employees, given the context of a new launch and "small teams" emphasis).

Founded: Metabolic is positioned as a new venture, likely founded recently to establish its specialist clinic and digital product offering.

Team Structure:

Lean & Agile: The team is structured to be highly agile, with direct collaboration between product, design, and engineering.
Cross-functional Pods: Likely organized into small, cross-functional teams focused on specific product areas or features.
Direct Leadership Access: Designers will work directly with the Head of Product and Technology, fostering a flat hierarchy and rapid decision-making.

Methodology:

Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by clinical data, user research, and product analytics.
Iterative Development: A focus on shipping Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and iterating based on user feedback and performance data.
AI Integration: Embracing AI as a core tool for enhancing creativity, efficiency, and product capabilities.
Quality-Focused Execution: A commitment to high standards in both clinical practice and digital product development.

Company Website: glucare.health (derived from the domain name)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as fast-paced, quality-driven, and autonomous. The emphasis on "not a wellness spa" highlights a serious, clinical approach to health. The "building the product layer around that from the ground up" indicates an exciting opportunity for early-stage impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Product Designer. This role is not entry-level; it requires significant prior experience and the ability to take ownership. It sits below a Senior or Lead Designer but carries substantial responsibility due to the early-stage nature of the company and product.

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

Lead Design Role: As Metabolic scales, the opportunity to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Head of Design role is a strong possibility.
Specialization: Deepen expertise in health tech UX, data visualization, or AI-driven design.
Product Strategy Influence: Contribute more significantly to product strategy and roadmap development as the product matures.
Mentorship: Potential to mentor future junior designers as the team expands.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential due to its early-stage nature. The ability to shape the product and design system from the ground up provides a unique opportunity for career acceleration and impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role is based in London, with likely opportunities for both in-office collaboration and remote work. The "launching in Knightsbridge, London" suggests a physical presence is important for team cohesion and client interactions.

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Hub: The office will likely serve as a hub for team collaboration, brainstorming, and in-person meetings.
Modern Tech Stack: Expect access to high-quality design tools and technology, including robust hardware and software.
Interdisciplinary Interaction: Frequent interaction with clinicians, product managers, engineers, and leadership.

Work Schedule:

Full-time, with a focus on delivering results. The hybrid nature allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing in-office days with remote work. The emphasis is on outcomes and efficient workflow rather than fixed hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Knightsbridge location implies a professional, well-resourced environment. The hybrid model indicates a modern approach to work-life balance, balanced with the need for in-person collaboration in a startup setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: CV and portfolio review to assess foundational skills, experience, and alignment with requirements.
Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise, likely focused on a specific design problem related to health data visualization, a feature for the patient app, or a part of the clinician dashboard. This will assess problem-solving, design process, and communication.
Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A deep dive into selected portfolio projects, focusing on the "why" behind decisions, process, and impact. This is where end-to-end thinking and design system experience will be scrutinized.
Technical & Cultural Fit Interview: Conversations with Head of Product/Technology and potentially engineers to assess technical fluency, AI tool understanding, collaboration style, and cultural alignment with Metabolic's quality-driven, fast-paced environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Show, Don't Just Tell: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process undertaken (research, ideation, iteration, testing), and the outcome. Use visuals (wireframes, user flows, prototypes) to illustrate your journey.
Design System Focus: Clearly highlight your contributions to design systems. Detail the components you built, the design tokens you defined, and the governance strategies you implemented.
Data Viz Clarity: For data visualization projects, explain how you made complex information accessible and actionable. Discuss the choices made regarding chart types, color palettes, and data hierarchy.
AI Tool Integration: If you used AI tools, explain how they accelerated your process, what limitations you encountered, and how you maintained creative control and critical judgment.
Technical Fluency Examples: Briefly mention any technical skills or contributions to implementation discussions within your project descriptions or CV.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with common challenges in health tech, patient engagement, and clinical workflows.
Focus on Process: Structure your challenge response to clearly outline your approach: problem definition, research/assumptions, ideation, proposed solution, and rationale, with a focus on user needs and business goals.
Data Interpretation: Be prepared to interpret or make assumptions about health data, and to design interfaces that communicate it effectively.
AI Tool Strategy: Consider how you would leverage AI tools for the specific challenge presented.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to be rigorous, testing not just design skills but also strategic thinking, technical aptitude, and cultural fit. The portfolio review is central, so candidates must be prepared to articulate their process and impact in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Figma: The core design and prototyping tool. Mastery of its advanced features (components, variables, auto-layout, prototyping) is essential.
Design System Management Tools: Potentially a combination of Figma, Storybook (for code components), or dedicated design system platforms.
AI Design Tools: A range of tools like Figma Make, Google Stitch, Claude, v0, Midjourney, etc., for exploration, rapid prototyping, and content generation.

Analytics & Reporting:

Product Analytics Tools: e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics (for understanding user behavior and feature adoption).
Data Visualization Libraries/Tools: Potentially D3.js (for custom visualizations), Tableau, or similar if integrated into the product or used for analysis.
User Feedback Platforms: e.g., Hotjar, SurveyMonkey, UserTesting.com for gathering qualitative insights.

CRM & Automation:

Development Collaboration:

Version Control: Git (understanding how designs integrate with code repositories).
Developer Handoff Tools: Figma's built-in inspect panel, Zeplin, or similar.
Project Management Tools: e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello for tracking design tasks and sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and AI tools is paramount. The inclusion of technical fluency in HTML/CSS/JS suggests a need for designers who can work closely with engineering, potentially understanding how designs translate into front-end code.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Clinical Excellence: A commitment to high-quality, evidence-based metabolic medicine.
Patient-Centricity: Prioritizing the patient experience and outcomes in all product decisions.
Innovation & Technology: Embracing cutting-edge technology, including AI, to improve healthcare delivery.
Quality & Rigor: Maintaining high standards in design, development, and clinical practice.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Using data to inform strategy, design, and operational improvements.
Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an open environment where ideas are shared and feedback is constructive.

Collaboration Style:

Direct & Iterative: Expect frequent, direct communication with cross-functional team members.
Prototyping First: A preference for showing working prototypes or detailed mockups to facilitate feedback and discussion.
Constructive Feedback: An environment where feedback is given and received clearly and respectfully, aimed at improving the product.
Ambiguity Navigation: Comfort working with evolving requirements and making decisions with incomplete information, typical of a startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of clinical seriousness, technological innovation, and a strong focus on quality and user impact. The collaboration style is geared towards speed and effectiveness in a startup context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate metabolic health data and clinical processes into intuitive user experiences for both patients and clinicians.
Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Designing within a regulated health tech environment, ensuring compliance (GDPR, MHRA, etc.) without stifling innovation or user experience.
AI Integration Nuances: Effectively integrating AI tools while maintaining design integrity, user trust, and avoiding over-reliance.
Defining a New Brand Experience: Establishing a strong, consistent, and trustworthy digital brand identity from the ground up.
Rapid Iteration & Scope Management: Navigating the fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities and the need to deliver high-quality work quickly.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Health Tech Specialization: Deepen expertise in the unique design challenges and opportunities within the health tech sector.
AI in Design Mastery: Become a leader in leveraging AI tools for product design, developing a strong strategic POV.
Design System Leadership: Grow to own and evolve a critical company asset (the design system).
Product Strategy Contribution: Gain significant experience in shaping product direction and strategy from an early stage.
Cross-functional Skill Development: Enhance understanding of engineering, product management, and clinical operations through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a health tech startup. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to build significant expertise and influence within a rapidly evolving field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"How would you approach designing a patient dashboard to visualize complex biomarker data and trends for someone managing diabetes?" (Focus on data visualization, user understanding, and clarity).
"Describe your process for building or contributing to a design system. What are the key components and considerations for maintaining it in a fast-growing product?" (Focus on design system expertise, governance, and collaboration).

Company & Culture Questions:

"What excites you about Metabolic's mission and the health tech space?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of the industry).
"How do you approach working with engineers who may have different technical priorities or constraints?" (Focus on collaboration, communication, and problem-solving).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Narrative Arc: For each project, tell a clear story: the problem, the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.
Process Over Polish: Emphasize the "how" and "why" behind your design decisions. Show your research, your iterations, your user testing feedback, and how you incorporated it.
Design System Deep Dive: Be ready to walk through your design system contributions, explaining the structure, components, and your rationale for key decisions.
Data Viz Clarity: Clearly articulate your approach to designing data visualizations, focusing on legibility, actionability, and user comprehension.
AI Tool Justification: Be prepared to explain why you chose specific AI tools, how they helped, and what your critical input was.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of the design process, the ability to work with complex data, proficiency in design systems and AI tools, and strong collaborative and communication skills, all within the context of a health tech startup.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

Submit your CV and Portfolio: Ensure your CV clearly outlines your experience in designing digital products, your role in design systems, and any technical skills. Your portfolio link is mandatory.
Tailor Your Portfolio: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature end-to-end design processes, significant design system contributions, and compelling examples of data visualization.
Highlight AI Tool Usage: Within your project descriptions or a dedicated section, detail your experience with AI design tools, explaining their impact on your workflow and outcomes.
Prepare for Case Study: Anticipate a design challenge that will require you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and design methodology relevant to health tech.
Research Metabolic: Understand their mission, target audience, and the specific challenges of metabolic medicine. This will inform your answers and demonstrate your engagement.

⚠️ 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.

Product Designer