Product Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer II

Company: Deepgram

Location: United States (Remote)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-10-02

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

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Own the end-to-end UI execution for critical developer-facing surfaces, including the Playground and Console.

• Collaborate closely with senior designers to deliver feature-level product design work, ensuring high-quality execution.

• Apply and extend the company's design system (Cosmos) with strong judgment for edge cases and system application.

• Integrate AI tools into daily design workflows, contributing to an AI-first company culture and driving innovation.

• Document design decisions clearly, fostering legibility and understanding across design and engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned for a Product Designer with strong execution skills who thrives in a fast-paced, AI-driven environment. The emphasis is on taking defined problems and directions and delivering polished UI solutions, with the flexibility to contribute across multiple product surfaces. The target candidate will have a demonstrable ability to work within a design system and a keen eye for visual and interaction details.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and refine user interfaces for Deepgram's Playground and Console experiences, translating defined problems and general solution directions into tangible UI designs.

• Support senior designers on complex feature development, taking ownership of assigned design tasks from inception through to production handoff with minimal supervision.

• Actively contribute design capacity across various product surfaces based on team needs and project priorities, demonstrating adaptability and a broad understanding of the product.

• Consistently apply the 'Cosmos' design system, exhibiting sound judgment when encountering edge cases or scenarios not explicitly covered by existing patterns.

• Clearly document the rationale behind design decisions ('the why') to ensure transparency, alignment, and effective communication with engineering and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Participate actively in design critiques, presenting design rationale, providing constructive feedback to peers, and incorporating feedback to iterate on designs.

• Utilize and experiment with AI tools within the design process, sharing learnings and insights with the team to foster continuous improvement and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on execution role focused on UI design. The emphasis on supporting senior designers and picking up work where needed indicates a need for a designer who is comfortable with ambiguity and can contribute effectively across different parts of the product. The requirement to document design decisions and participate in critiques suggests a collaborative and communicative team environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, candidates are expected to demonstrate equivalent expertise through their portfolio and experience.

Experience: The company values expertise and leadership over a strict number of years, but typically looks for candidates with experience equivalent to 2-5 years in product design roles.

Required Skills:

• Strong UI craft, evidenced by a portfolio showcasing clear visual design principles and interaction judgment.

• Proven experience taking feature-level design work from initial direction through to final production handoff.

• Fluency in working within established design systems, with the ability to apply patterns consistently and exercise judgment for system edge cases.

• Clear and concise written communication skills, capable of articulating the reasoning and strategic thinking behind design decisions.

• Comfort designing for technical or abstract product surfaces, understanding the nuances of user needs in these contexts.

• Demonstrated experience integrating AI tools into daily workflows, with an understanding of their practical application in design. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for developers or technical users, including expertise in areas like APIs, SDKs, documentation interfaces, or console workflows.

• Exposure to B2B SaaS products, with an understanding of both self-serve and enterprise customer motions.

• Proficiency in prototyping beyond static screen designs, utilizing tools for interactive and dynamic mockups.

• Experience contributing to the development or enhancement of a design system, not just consuming one.

• Curiosity and foundational understanding of voice technology, audio processing, or real-time product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "It's Important To Us That You Have" section implies a mid-level to senior-junior designer profile. The emphasis on "AI tools already in your daily practice" is a critical filter, reflecting the company's AI-first operating rhythm. The preferred skills point towards a candidate who can quickly adapt to Deepgram's specific domain and customer base.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase clear visual design principles and interaction judgment through well-executed UI designs.

• Demonstrate experience in taking feature-level design work end-to-end, from initial concept to production handoff.

• Include examples of applying and extending a design system, highlighting judgment for edge cases and consistency.

• Provide clear documentation of the design process and rationale behind key decisions for selected case studies.

• Feature projects involving technical or abstract product surfaces, illustrating an understanding of complex user flows. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio case study, clearly articulate the problem statement and the defined solution direction.

• Detail the design process followed, including user research (if applicable), ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration with engineering.

• Explain how the 'Cosmos' design system was applied, including any necessary adaptations or extensions.

• Document the rationale behind key UI and interaction design decisions, linking them to user needs and business objectives.

• Illustrate the production handoff process, including any collaboration with engineers to ensure accurate implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are geared towards demonstrating execution excellence and system thinking. Candidates should be prepared to show not just polished final designs but also the process and reasoning behind them, especially concerning the application of a design system and the handling of technical product interfaces. The integration of AI tools should also be a theme, if applicable to the presented projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $115,000 - $142,500 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Equity participation in the company's growth.

• Performance-based bonus opportunities.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Professional development and learning opportunities.

• Remote work stipend for home office setup.

Working Hours: Full-time position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. The company culture emphasizes flexibility and an AI-first approach, suggesting that while core hours may exist, the focus is on results and adaptability rather than strict adherence to a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. Employees are expected to engage with AI tools and adapt to the rapid pace of AI development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a mid-level Product Designer role in the US tech market, especially for a remote position. The inclusion of equity and bonus points to a growth-stage startup environment. The working hours note emphasizes the company's unique operational rhythm, which requires adaptability and a proactive approach to utilizing AI.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Voice AI, Speech Technology, SaaS. Deepgram is at the forefront of the burgeoning Voice AI economy, providing foundational technology for applications ranging from customer service agents to real-time transcription services. The company operates in a rapidly evolving sector driven by continuous AI advancements.

Company Size: Deepgram is a growth-stage company, likely falling into the 200-500 employee range based on typical Series C funding rounds and industry growth patterns. This size offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant impact and growth, while still maintaining a degree of agility.

Founded: Deepgram was founded with a mission to advance voice AI capabilities. The company's history is marked by significant milestones in audio processing and AI model development, processing trillions of words and tens of thousands of years of audio.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is led by a Director of Product Design, under whom this role reports.

• The team likely includes senior designers who focus on strategic problems and foundational product areas.

• This role is designed to be flexible, contributing across different product surfaces and supporting senior designers, indicating a collaborative and needs-driven team structure.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close work with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially AI/ML specialists. Methodology:

• AI-First Mindset: The company culture is deeply rooted in the active use, experimentation, and integration of AI tools across all roles. Performance is measured by the effective application of AI.

• Rapid Iteration: Deepgram operates at the pace of AI development, requiring employees to be adaptable, experimental, and continuously learning. Traditional, prescriptive work structures are not the norm.

• Developer Focus: The product is designed for developers, meaning the design team must understand and empathize with this user base.

• Execution Excellence: There's a strong emphasis on the quality of execution, particularly in UI design, with attention to detail like spacing and visual consistency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Company Operating Rhythm" section is a critical piece of information for candidates, emphasizing the AI-first, fast-paced, and experimental nature of Deepgram. This is not a typical corporate environment; candidates must be comfortable with rapid change and continuous learning. The size of the company suggests opportunities for significant individual contribution and impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Product Designer II, typically considered a mid-level position. It implies a designer who has moved beyond entry-level tasks and is capable of independently executing feature-level designs, working within established systems, and contributing to the overall product development process. The focus is on strong execution and system application, with opportunities to grow into more senior or specialized roles.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer II reports directly to the Director of Product Design. This provides a clear line of reporting and mentorship, allowing for guidance from a senior design leader. The role also involves close collaboration with senior designers, offering peer-level learning and support.

Operations Impact: As a designer working on the Playground and Console, this role has a direct impact on the initial user experience for developers interacting with Deepgram. A well-designed and intuitive interface is crucial for developer adoption, satisfaction, and conversion. This role's output directly influences Deepgram's brand perception and the effectiveness of its developer tools.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UI design, interaction design, and design systems by working on complex features and alongside senior designers. Exposure to designing for developers and technical products.

• AI Integration Mastery: Develop advanced skills in leveraging AI tools for design, becoming a leader in applying these technologies within a product design context.

• Cross-Surface Fluency: Gain broad experience across different product surfaces (Playground, Console), leading to a comprehensive understanding of the developer journey and product architecture.

• Design System Contribution: Potential to move from consuming a design system to actively contributing to its evolution and governance.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Senior Product Designer roles, or specialize in areas like UX research, design strategy, or even leadership within the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is framed as a growth opportunity, particularly for designers who want broad experience early in their mid-level career. The emphasis on AI and the fast-paced environment suggests a steep learning curve, which can be a significant growth driver for ambitious individuals. The direct reporting to the Director of Product Design offers a strong mentorship pathway.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This role is designed to be executed from a home office environment, offering flexibility in location within the United States.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, there is a preference for candidates located in the Pacific Time Zone, particularly San Francisco. This preference may be related to time zone alignment for collaboration with existing teams and leadership. The role is open to candidates across the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Remote Setup: Expect a highly collaborative environment that leverages digital tools for communication, design, and project management. Regular virtual meetings, design critiques, and team syncs will be part of the daily routine.

• AI-Enhanced Tools: Access to and expectation of using advanced AI tools as part of the design workflow, alongside standard design software. This fosters an innovative and efficient work environment.

• Developer-Centric Focus: The work environment is geared towards understanding and serving the needs of developers, fostering a culture of technical empathy and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The company emphasizes an AI-first mindset and operates at the pace of AI, suggesting a flexible work schedule. While a standard full-time commitment is expected (approx. 40 hours/week), the emphasis is on results and adaptability rather than rigid hours. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic schedule that may evolve rapidly with project needs and technological advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature, coupled with the preference for Pacific Time, is important for candidates to consider for collaboration. The "AI-first" culture heavily influences the work environment, suggesting a need for self-direction, adaptability, and comfort with cutting-edge technology.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the required skills and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation: A session where you present your portfolio, walking through key projects, design decisions, and your process. Be prepared to discuss your UI craft, system application, and how you approach feature execution.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: Potentially a take-home assignment or a live design exercise focused on a specific problem related to the Playground or Console, assessing your problem-solving skills, UI execution, and system thinking.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Director of Product Design to assess cultural fit, career aspirations, and deeper understanding of your design philosophy and experience.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with senior designers and potentially engineers or product managers to evaluate collaboration skills and technical understanding.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Execution Focus: Highlight projects where you took UI from concept to production, demonstrating attention to detail in visual design and interaction.

• System Application: Clearly show how you've worked within and applied design systems. If you've contributed to one, showcase that experience.

• AI Integration: If possible, include projects where you've leveraged AI tools in your design process and explain the benefits.

• Developer Empathy: Showcase projects that demonstrate an understanding of technical users or complex product surfaces.

• Storytelling: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the decisions made, and the outcome. Document the 'why' behind your design choices.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Deepgram's offerings, particularly the Playground and Console if possible.

• Design System Thinking: Be ready to apply design system principles to a given problem.

• AI Application: Consider how AI tools could be leveraged to solve the challenge or improve the design process.

• Clarity and Rationale: Focus on clearly articulating your thought process and the reasoning behind your design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on practical design skills, system thinking, and the ability to integrate AI. Candidates should prepare to showcase their execution capabilities and their understanding of the developer experience. The portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Figma (highly probable, as it's an industry standard for collaborative UI design).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Figma, or similar for interactive mockups.

• Design System: 'Cosmos' - Deepgram's internal design system. Fluency in understanding and applying design system principles is key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's tool, awareness of how design impacts user behavior tracked via analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Google Analytics) is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how user feedback and product usage data inform design iterations is important. AI & Collaboration Tools:

• AI Design Tools: Candidates are expected to use AI tools in their daily workflow (e.g., AI-powered design assistants, content generation tools, AI for research synthesis). Specific tools will vary but a general comfort and proactive use is required.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace (or similar) for communication and project management.

• Development Tools: Familiarity with how designs are handed off to and implemented by engineers using tools like Jira or Asana.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in standard UI/UX design tools like Figma is expected. The most critical "tool" requirement is the demonstrated ability and willingness to integrate and leverage AI tools within the design process, which is a core tenet of Deepgram's operating rhythm.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• AI-First: A fundamental value where AI is not just a tool, but a core driver of innovation, efficiency, and performance measurement. Expect continuous experimentation and integration of AI.

• Pace of AI: Embracing rapid change, adaptability, and continuous learning. The environment is dynamic, and comfort with evolving workflows is crucial.

• Execution Excellence: A deep commitment to craft, attention to detail, and delivering high-quality, polished user experiences. Caring about the "spacing is right" is a key indicator.

• Developer Empathy: Designing with a strong understanding of the needs, workflows, and challenges faced by developers.

• Collaboration & Feedback: A culture that values open communication, constructive critique, and peer-to-peer learning to elevate the product and team.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with product management and engineering is essential for successful feature development and implementation.

• Design Critique Culture: Regular participation in design reviews to provide and receive feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share learnings, especially regarding AI tool usage and new design methodologies, to elevate the entire team.

• Agile & Iterative: Working in an agile manner, with quick iterations based on feedback and evolving project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values, particularly "AI-First" and "Pace of AI," are paramount. Candidates must align with this forward-thinking, experimental, and adaptable culture. The emphasis on execution excellence means that attention to detail and quality are highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Developers: Understanding the unique needs and workflows of a technical audience requires a specific type of empathy and problem-solving.

• Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Keeping pace with the constant advancements in AI and effectively integrating new tools and capabilities into the design workflow.

• Balancing Design System with Innovation: Consistently applying a design system while also knowing when and how to push its boundaries for new features or edge cases.

• Execution in a Fast-Paced Environment: Delivering high-quality UI designs quickly and efficiently, adapting to changing priorities and project scopes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Technical Product Design Skills: Gain extensive experience designing complex, developer-facing SaaS products.

• Mastery of Design Systems: Become an expert in applying and potentially contributing to a robust design system.

• AI Tool Integration Expertise: Become highly proficient in leveraging AI for design, positioning yourself as a leader in this emerging field.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Enhance skills in working effectively with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders in an agile, remote setting.

• Mentorship: Receive guidance from senior designers and the Director of Product Design, fostering career growth and skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly tied to the company's product domain, AI focus, and operational rhythm. The growth opportunities are framed to leverage these challenges into skill development and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a technical audience. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on developer empathy, understanding technical constraints, and user research methods.)

• "How do you approach using AI tools in your design process? Can you share an example of how AI helped you improve a design outcome or efficiency?" (Be ready to discuss specific tools and tangible benefits.)

• "Walk us through a project where you applied a design system. How did you ensure consistency, and what did you do when you encountered a pattern that didn't quite fit?" (Highlight your system thinking, judgment, and problem-solving for edge cases.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Deepgram has an 'AI-first' operating rhythm. What does that mean to you, and how would you contribute to that culture as a Product Designer?" (Emphasize your proactive use of AI, adaptability, and willingness to experiment.)

• "This role requires flexibility across different product surfaces. How do you manage your workload and priorities when working on multiple projects or areas simultaneously?" (Discuss your organizational skills, communication, and ability to adapt.)

• "What are your thoughts on the pace of AI development, and how does that influence your approach to design and learning?" (Show your awareness of industry trends and your commitment to continuous learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, typically by case study. For each case study: Problem, Your Role, Process, Solution, Outcome/Impact.

• Focus on 'Why': Don't just show what you did, explain why you made those design decisions. Connect them to user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.

• Highlight UI Craft: Spend time showcasing the visual and interaction details of your designs. Be prepared to discuss typography, spacing, color, and motion.

• Design System Narrative: Clearly articulate your experience with design systems, showing how you applied them and any judgment calls you made.

• AI Integration (if applicable): If you used AI tools in a project, be ready to explain how and the impact it had.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most impactful projects and learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should strongly emphasize the company's AI-first culture, the specific product surfaces (Playground, Console), and the candidate's ability to execute within a design system. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate not just design skills but also adaptability and a proactive approach to technology.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer II position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating strong UI craft, end-to-end feature execution, and experience with design systems. If you have experience designing for technical users or integrating AI tools in your design process, highlight these aspects.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in UI design, interaction design, design systems, and any exposure to SaaS, B2B, or developer tools. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your case studies, clearly articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to design systems and AI tools.

• Research Deepgram: Understand Deepgram's mission, product offering (especially the Playground and Console), and its unique AI-first operating rhythm. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.