Product Designer at Speak

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Speak

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: May 12, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Design innovative, AI-driven conversational experiences that redefine language learning through voice, audio, and video interactions.
Collaborate directly with the CEO, CTO, and cross-functional teams to shape product strategy and evolve the core product experience.
Translate abstract concepts into tangible user experiences, designing new features from initial ideation through to final pixel-perfect execution.
Develop and implement a cohesive design language and user interface (UI) across web and mobile platforms, ensuring a consistent and engaging user journey.
Drive the end-to-end design process for AI tutoring products, ensuring technical feasibility, user value, and alignment with product vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is classified under Product Design with a strong emphasis on UX/UI, specifically within the context of AI-driven conversational interfaces. The provided experience level is an inference based on the typical requirements for a Product Designer with 6+ years of experience, indicating a mid-to-senior level individual contributor role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Conceptualize, design, and prototype novel AI-powered conversational interactions for language learning, focusing on voice, audio, and video modalities.
Partner with executive leadership (CEO, CTO) and cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering) to define product vision, roadmap, and feature specifications.
Lead the design of user experiences (UX) and user interfaces (UI) for new features, ensuring intuitive navigation and engaging content delivery across web and mobile applications.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system and style guide, ensuring visual consistency and scalability across all product touchpoints.
Work closely with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs, balancing creative vision with technical constraints and user needs.
Conduct user research, usability testing, and A/B testing to gather feedback and iterate on designs, continuously optimizing the user experience.
Design and refine AI tutoring interfaces, ensuring they are effective, accessible, and promote successful language acquisition.
Contribute to the overall product strategy by identifying user needs, market opportunities, and innovative design solutions.
Craft micro-interactions and utilize motion design principles to enhance user engagement and provide clear feedback within the application.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a hands-on design role with significant strategic input. The emphasis on AI, voice, audio, and video interactions suggests a need for specialized design skills beyond traditional UI/UX. The partnership with CEO/CTO highlights the high level of influence this role will have.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Design, Web Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a closely related field.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in product design for consumer-facing products, with a strong portfolio showcasing relevant work.

Required Skills:

Minimum 4 years of experience leading design projects for both web and mobile products.
Minimum 2 years of experience in prototyping, designing micro-interactions, utilizing motion design, and creating comprehensive design palettes.
Minimum 2 years of experience designing consumer-facing applications with a focus on audio and speaking experiences.
Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision, Principle).
Strong understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and visual design best practices.
Experience designing for AI-driven products or conversational interfaces.
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into simple, intuitive user experiences.

Preferred Skills:

Experience in the EdTech or language learning industry.
Familiarity with user research methodologies and usability testing.
Experience with voice user interface (VUI) design principles and tools.
Knowledge of current AI/ML trends and their application in product design.
Experience working in a fast-paced, agile startup environment.
Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate collaboration with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The minimum experience requirements are clearly stated, but the "progressively responsible experience" implies a need for candidates who have demonstrated increasing ownership and impact over their career. The preferred skills suggest areas where candidates can differentiate themselves, particularly in AI and VUI design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Showcase a minimum of 3-4 distinct projects demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership from concept to launch.
Include case studies that highlight complex problem-solving, user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and final implementation.
Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, especially in collaborative environments.
Demonstrate experience with designing for both web and mobile platforms.

Process Documentation:

Detail your design process, including how you approach user research, problem definition, ideation, and iterative design.
Explain how you collaborate with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders throughout the design lifecycle.
Provide evidence of how you have used data and user feedback to inform design decisions and measure impact.
Illustrate your ability to create and maintain design systems, style guides, and component libraries.
Showcase your approach to prototyping and the tools used to create interactive experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on AI and conversational experiences, the portfolio should ideally include projects that demonstrate an understanding of these modalities. The ability to articulate process and show tangible results through case studies is crucial for a role of this seniority.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $186,763 - $240,000 per year.

Benefits:

Equity: Significant stock options in a rapidly growing Series C funded company.
Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and company holidays.
Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
Potential for travel to global offices (San Francisco, Seoul, Tokyo, Ljubljana).
Impactful work on a product that genuinely improves people's lives.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is at the higher end, reflecting the seniority of the role and the competitive San Francisco market. The inclusion of equity is a significant benefit for a startup at this stage. The working hours are standard, but the company culture emphasizes craft and growth, suggesting a dynamic work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focusing on Artificial Intelligence and Education Technology (EdTech).

Company Size: Speak is a rapidly growing startup, having recently raised Series C funding. While an exact employee count isn't provided, the mention of distributed teams across San Francisco, Seoul, Tokyo, and Ljubljana suggests a significant, international presence.

Founded: Speak was founded in 2019.

Team Structure:

The Product Design team is likely lean and highly integrated with Product Management and Engineering.
This role reports to a Head of Product or Design, with direct collaboration with the CEO and CTO.

Methodology:

Data-driven decision-making, with a strong emphasis on user feedback and analytics to inform product development.
Iterative design process, focusing on rapid prototyping, testing, and refinement.
Agile development methodologies are likely employed to facilitate quick adaptation and delivery.
Emphasis on building AI-driven features that deliver tangible user value and measurable learning outcomes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Speak is positioned as a leader in AI-powered language learning, leveraging significant venture funding. The culture is described as "fantastic, tight-knit," valuing craft, respect, and continuous growth. The global nature of the company offers unique collaboration opportunities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level Individual Contributor (IC) position within the Product Design function. It offers the opportunity to take significant ownership of product areas and directly influence the company's direction.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a design or product lead and will work very closely with executive leadership (CEO, CTO), indicating a high degree of visibility and direct impact.

Operations Impact: The designer will have a direct impact on the core product experience, influencing user acquisition, retention, and engagement through innovative AI-driven conversational designs. Their work will be instrumental in achieving the company's mission of reinventing language learning.

Growth Opportunities:

Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven conversational design, voice/audio/video interaction design, and EdTech product development.
Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Product Designer, Lead Designer, or even Head of Design roles as the company scales.
Skill Development: Opportunities to learn about AI technology, user behavior in language learning contexts, and product strategy from executive leaders.
Cross-functional Exposure: Gain broad experience working across product, engineering, marketing, and international teams.
Impact: Contribute to a product that has a profound, life-changing impact on millions of users globally.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for a designer who wants to make a significant impact in a fast-growing startup and develop specialized skills in a cutting-edge field. The proximity to executive leadership offers unparalleled learning and growth potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site," indicating a preference for in-person collaboration within the San Francisco office.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States. Specific office details and amenities are not provided but can be inferred to be modern and conducive to a tech startup environment.

Workspace Context:

The San Francisco office is likely a hub for key decision-makers and will offer a collaborative environment.
Expect a dynamic workspace with access to the latest design tools and technology.
Opportunities for direct interaction with product managers, engineers, and potentially other designers to foster strong teamwork and rapid iteration.
The global nature of the company may offer opportunities for occasional travel to other international offices.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, 40 hours per week. However, the company culture emphasizes craft and growth, suggesting an environment where individuals are driven and passionate about their work, potentially leading to flexible work arrangements within the on-site context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests that Speak values in-person collaboration, brainstorming, and team cohesion for its design and product development processes. This environment is typical for startups aiming for rapid innovation and tight integration between teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
Portfolio Review & Design Exercise: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing their process, contributions, and impact. This may be followed by a design challenge, either take-home or live, focused on a specific problem relevant to Speak's product.
Hiring Manager/Team Interviews: Conversations with the hiring manager and potentially other designers or product leads, delving deeper into design philosophy, problem-solving skills, and experience with AI/conversational design.
Executive/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with the CEO, CTO, or other key stakeholders to assess strategic thinking, communication skills, and alignment with company vision.
Final Round: May involve a final presentation or discussion to solidify the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Storytelling: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives that highlight the problem, your process, your unique contributions, and the measurable impact of your designs.
Focus on AI/Conversational Design: If possible, prominently feature projects that demonstrate your understanding and application of AI, voice, audio, or video interaction design principles.
Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking, research methodologies, and how you iterated based on feedback and data.
Quantify Impact: Use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improvements in user engagement, task completion rates, learning outcomes).
Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design decisions, trade-offs made, and how you collaborate with teams.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand the Product: Thoroughly research Speak's mission, product, target audience, and competitive landscape.
Think AI-First: For any design challenge, consider how AI can enhance the user experience and address the core problem in innovative ways.
User-Centricity: Always ground your solutions in user needs and pain points.
Articulate Rationale: Be prepared to clearly explain the "why" behind every design decision.
Consider Technical Feasibility: While not a developer, demonstrate an awareness of technical constraints and possibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, given the seniority and impact of the role. A strong portfolio that showcases relevant experience and the ability to articulate design thinking and impact is paramount. The emphasis on AI and conversational design means these aspects should be highlighted.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).
Prototyping/Motion: Principle, After Effects, Framer, or similar tools for micro-interactions and motion design.
Collaboration: Slack, Jira, Confluence, or similar project management and communication platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

Familiarity with product analytics tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior and design impact.

CRM & Automation:

While not a direct responsibility, an understanding of how design impacts user journeys within a CRM context may be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma is a given. Experience with prototyping tools that allow for detailed micro-interactions and motion design is explicitly required. Familiarity with analytics platforms is crucial for demonstrating design impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Craftsmanship: A deep commitment to high-quality design and attention to detail in every pixel and interaction.
Impact: A focus on creating products that genuinely improve users' lives and achieve significant business outcomes.
Collaboration: A belief in working closely with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.
Growth: A dedication to continuous learning, skill development, and personal/professional improvement.
Data-Driven: A commitment to using data and user insights to guide design decisions.
Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies (like AI) and create novel solutions.

Collaboration Style:

Highly collaborative, working hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the entire product development lifecycle.
Open to feedback and constructive critique, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Emphasis on clear communication and shared understanding of product goals and user needs.
Cross-functional partnerships are essential for translating design vision into reality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values suggest a team of passionate, skilled individuals who are driven by impact and collaboration. The culture is geared towards high performance and continuous learning in a fast-paced environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Designing for AI Nuances: Effectively designing intuitive and trustworthy AI-driven conversational experiences, especially in a learning context, presents unique challenges.
Balancing Innovation with Usability: Creating novel interactions while ensuring they remain easy to understand and use for a broad audience.
Rapid Iteration in a Startup: Adapting quickly to changing priorities and feedback in a fast-paced growth environment.
Global Product Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and effective user experience across diverse markets and languages.
Translating Abstract Concepts: Designing tangible user experiences for complex AI tutoring functionalities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

AI & Conversational Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge AI and VUI/CUI design principles and practices.
Product Strategy Influence: Gain direct experience in shaping product strategy alongside executive leadership.
Cross-Cultural Design: Work with and learn from distributed international teams, understanding global user needs.
EdTech Innovation: Contribute to the forefront of educational technology and its application in language learning.
Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from experienced leaders within the company and access to industry events or training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working at the cutting edge of AI and EdTech. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to become a specialist in a high-demand field and gain broad product leadership experience.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"How would you approach designing an AI-powered feature for real-time pronunciation feedback in a language learning app?"
"Describe a time you had to balance conflicting priorities between product vision, user needs, and technical feasibility. How did you resolve it?"
"Walk me through your process for designing a novel conversational interaction. What steps do you take from initial concept to finalized design?"

Company & Culture Questions:

"What excites you about Speak's mission to reinvent language learning?"
"How do you see your design philosophy aligning with our values of craft, impact, and collaboration?"
"Describe your ideal collaboration dynamic with product managers and engineers."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Select Relevant Projects: Prioritize projects that showcase your ability to design complex, consumer-facing digital products, especially those involving AI, voice, audio, or video.
Tell a Story: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact. Use visuals effectively.
Highlight AI/Conversational Design: If you have relevant projects, make them a focal point. Explain the specific challenges and solutions related to AI interactions.
Quantify Impact: Where possible, present metrics demonstrating the success of your designs.
Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with AI, conversational interfaces, and user-centric design in depth. Demonstrating an understanding of Speak's mission and how their skills can contribute to its success will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description, particularly your experience with AI, conversational design, and consumer-facing mobile/web products.
Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases end-to-end design processes for relevant projects, with a strong emphasis on storytelling, problem-solving, and measurable impact. Prepare to present a case study focusing on AI or conversational design if possible.
Company Research: Thoroughly research Speak’s mission, product, recent funding rounds, and leadership team. Understand their approach to AI and language learning.
Interview Practice: Prepare to articulate your design philosophy, problem-solving approach, and collaboration style. Practice presenting your portfolio and be ready to discuss your design decisions in detail.

⚠️ 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