Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: IntelliPro Group Inc.

Location: Palo Alto, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design & User Experience

Date Posted: November 4, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design of intuitive and visually compelling human-AI interfaces, encompassing character design, 3D product visualization, and dynamic motion graphics.

• Drive the creation of user flows, interactive prototypes, and polished interfaces for innovative AI products deployed in physical spaces like retail and hospitality.

• Shape the visual identity and presence of digital twins and branded characters, ensuring a cohesive and engaging user experience across touch, voice, and content.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to translate high-fidelity concepts into production-ready features, bridging the gap between design vision and technical implementation.

• Develop and implement cutting-edge AI-assisted creative workflows, leveraging generative tools to accelerate design and production cycles while maintaining exceptional quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is deeply embedded in product development, requiring a Senior Product Designer to not only conceptualize but also execute across a broad spectrum of design disciplines, including visual, interaction, 3D, motion, and web prototyping. The emphasis on a "hands-on" approach and direct line to the CEO suggests a high-impact role within a lean, early-stage startup environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design the human-AI interface for products like Gateway and Portal, focusing on user flows, interfaces, and interactions for touch, voice, and content on life-size screens in public-facing environments.

• Develop the visual aesthetic and expressive capabilities of 4K digital twins and branded characters, including their movement, gestures, and product presentation.

• Create high-quality 3D product renders, scenes, and animations for on-screen display, marketing materials, and product pages.

• Produce polished motion graphics and edit product films, demos, and event videos, managing projects from raw footage to final delivery.

• Lead the visual design for marketing campaigns and product launches, generating key visuals, posters, trade show graphics, social media assets, and on-screen content.

• Build interactive web prototypes using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to demonstrate interactive concepts and facilitate collaboration with engineering.

• Integrate generative AI tools into design workflows to enhance efficiency and creativity in image and video production.

• Generate original ideas for campaign concepts, product features, and novel human-AI interaction methods in physical environments.

• Ensure a consistent and cohesive brand visual identity across all platforms, including on-screen displays, print, digital, video, and 3D assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a multidisciplinary design role, demanding expertise beyond traditional UX/UI. The need to work with "life-size screens" in "noisy store floors or hotel lobbies" indicates a focus on ambient and public-space interfaces, distinct from typical desk-bound applications. The explicit mention of "digital twins" and "branded characters" points towards a significant focus on character and avatar design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong foundation in design principles, likely acquired through a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Fine Arts, or a related field, is implied by the experience and portfolio requirements.

Experience: 5-8 years of professional product design experience is required, with a primary focus on visual design and a proven track record of shipping UX/UI work. Experience in early-stage startups (seed to Series B, under ~50 people) where design ownership was end-to-end is crucial.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional visual design craft and a strong portfolio demonstrating shipped UX/UI work.

• Proficiency in professional design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite).

• Advanced skills in motion graphics and video editing tools (e.g., After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• Solid 3D skills encompassing modeling, lighting, materials, rendering, and animation.

• Hands-on experience with generative image and video tools, with sound judgment on their application.

• Ability to independently build small web projects using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for prototyping and handoff to engineers.

• Hands-on use of AI coding tools for design and prototyping.

• Demonstrated initiative, creative ownership, and a clear point of view on product and design.

• Strong understanding of brand identity and maintaining visual consistency across diverse media.

• Experience working on-site in the San Francisco Bay Area or willingness to relocate. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in digital human or virtual avatar design, including character design, real-time avatars, lip-sync, or performance capture.

• Game art, game UI, or real-time 3D engine experience (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine).

• UX/UI design experience specifically for touchscreens, voice interfaces, or large-format displays.

• Prior end-to-end design ownership within a startup or small team environment.

• Familiarity with modern front-end frameworks or real-time 3D on the web.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hands-on use of AI coding tools for design and prototyping is required" is a significant differentiator, indicating a forward-thinking approach. The preference for digital human/avatar experience, lip-sync, and performance capture strongly suggests the company is heavily invested in creating lifelike digital personas for their AI products.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing shipped UX/UI work, with visual design as a core strength.

• Include published advertising work, featuring campaigns, posters, and key visuals that highlight creative execution and brand application.

• Provide examples of 3D modeling, rendering, and animation projects, illustrating proficiency in creating product visuals and scenes.

• Showcase motion graphics and video editing projects, demonstrating an ability to produce polished animations and edit films from raw footage.

• Present case studies of interactive web prototypes built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, highlighting the process from concept to functional demo.

• Include evidence of AI-assisted creative workflows, demonstrating how generative tools were integrated into the design process. Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the design process from concept ideation through to final asset delivery and production handoff.

• Detail the methodology used for translating interactive concepts into functional web prototypes.

• Explain the approach to maintaining brand consistency across diverse outputs (on-screen, print, digital, video, 3D).

• Document the workflow for integrating generative AI and professional design tools to achieve efficient, high-quality results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. It needs to exhibit a breadth of skills from traditional UX/UI to advanced 3D, motion, and generative AI. The emphasis on "shipped UX/UI work" and "published advertising work" indicates a need for tangible, market-tested results. The ability to demonstrate "end-to-end ownership" in past roles, especially within startups, will be a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $260,000 per year (base salary).

Benefits:

• Equity: Potential to own a stake in the company's growth and success.

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. Given the startup environment and on-site requirement, flexibility may be needed to meet project deadlines and collaborate effectively with the small team and engineering partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the explicit information in the job description. The inclusion of equity is a significant benefit typical of early-stage startups, offering substantial upside potential beyond base salary. The on-site requirement in Palo Alto suggests the salary is benchmarked against the high cost of living and competitive tech market in the San Francisco Bay Area.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Staffing and Talent Solutions (as per IntelliPro Group Inc.'s description). However, the role is within a client company that is developing AI products for physical world interaction, placing it at the cutting edge of AI, human-computer interaction, and immersive experiences.

Company Size: The role is described as being on a "small team" within a startup environment, specifically mentioning "early-stage startup experience (seed to Series B, under ~50 people)." This suggests a highly collaborative, fast-paced, and agile environment where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: The founding date of the specific AI product company is not provided, but the description of "early-stage startup" implies a relatively new venture focused on innovation in AI and physical interaction. IntelliPro Group Inc. itself is a global staffing company, founded in 2004.

Team Structure:

• The design team is small, implying close collaboration and shared responsibilities.

• The Senior Product Designer will have a "direct line to the CEO," indicating high visibility and influence.

• Close partnership with engineering is essential for bringing designs into production.

• Cross-functional collaboration will extend to marketing, product management, and potentially AI research teams. Methodology:

• Emphasis on "hands-on" work from concept to delivery.

• Agile and iterative design approach, driven by rapid prototyping and user feedback.

• Integration of AI tools to enhance creative workflows and production speed.

• Data-driven decision-making, with a focus on user experience in real-world physical environments.

• Strong emphasis on visual craft, product judgment, and creative ownership.

Company Website: http://www.intelliprogroup.com (for the staffing agency)

The website for the AI product company itself is not explicitly provided but would be a critical piece of research for candidates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided company information refers to IntelliPro Group Inc., the staffing agency posting the job. The actual client company is an early-stage AI startup. Understanding the culture and mission of this AI startup will be crucial for candidates. The "direct line to the CEO" and "small team" context emphasizes a high-ownership, high-visibility role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, placing it at an experienced individual contributor level. It signifies a transition from executing tasks to owning significant product areas, mentoring junior designers, and influencing strategic design direction. The role demands a blend of deep craft expertise and the ability to operate autonomously within a startup.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer reports directly to the CEO, highlighting the strategic importance of design and the high level of autonomy and trust placed in this role. This structure allows for rapid decision-making and direct feedback loops.

Operations Impact: The designer will directly influence how users perceive and interact with AI in the physical world, shaping the core user experience, brand identity, and public perception of the company's AI products. This role has a profound impact on product adoption, user engagement, and brand differentiation in a nascent market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Head of Design role as the company scales, building and managing a design team.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like real-time 3D, character animation, AI-driven design systems, or human-AI interaction for physical spaces.

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping product strategy and company vision through design leadership and innovation.

• Skill Expansion: Develop expertise in emerging AI creative tools and real-time rendering technologies.

• Startup Growth: Gain invaluable experience navigating the rapid growth and evolution of an early-stage technology company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The direct reporting to the CEO is a significant indicator of the role's strategic importance and potential for rapid career advancement within the startup. The growth opportunities are tied to the company's success and the designer's ability to lead and innovate.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Palo Alto, CA. This implies a traditional office setting, likely designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Given the startup nature, it might be a modern, open-plan workspace or a more intimate office environment conducive to focused work and team interaction.

Office Location(s): Palo Alto, CA. This location is within the heart of Silicon Valley, offering proximity to a vibrant tech ecosystem, talent pool, and potential collaborators.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace where close interaction with a small, multidisciplinary team (including engineers and potentially founders) is the norm.

• Tools & Technology: Access to high-end design hardware and software, including professional design suites, 3D modeling/rendering software, motion graphics tools, and potentially VR/AR development tools or advanced display technologies.

• Team Interaction: Frequent brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and direct communication with leadership (CEO) will be integral to the daily workflow. The environment is likely fast-paced and project-driven.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied, the startup environment often necessitates flexibility to meet critical deadlines and product launch timelines. The on-site requirement means dedicated time in the office will be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Palo Alto, a prime tech hub, suggests a professional, potentially modern office space. The emphasis on a "small team" and "hands-on" role points to an environment where collaboration is frequent and impactful, with direct access to leadership.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by IntelliPro Group Inc. or the hiring team to assess basic qualifications and creative output.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A deep dive into your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Expect to elaborate on your experience with visual craft, UX/UI, 3D, motion, and AI tools.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a small design exercise or present a more detailed case study demonstrating your problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and ability to apply your craft to the company's specific challenges.

• Founder/CEO Interview: A discussion with the CEO to assess your creative point of view, ownership mentality, strategic thinking, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's vision.

• Engineering Collaboration Discussion: Potentially a conversation with engineering leads to gauge your ability to partner effectively and hand off designs for implementation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your visual design strength, end-to-end ownership in startup environments, and proficiency across 3D, motion, AI tools, and web prototyping.

• Highlight Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solutions you designed, and the tangible outcomes or impact (e.g., shipped features, campaign success, efficiency gains).

• Showcase Breadth & Depth: Include examples of interfaces, character design, 3D renders/animations, motion graphics, and interactive prototypes. If you have experience with digital humans or real-time 3D, make these prominent.

• Explain AI Integration: Detail how you've used generative AI tools in your workflow and the benefits achieved.

• Demonstrate Ownership: Emphasize projects where you took full responsibility from concept to delivery, especially in lean team settings.

• Prepare for Technical Discussion: Be ready to discuss your technical skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and 3D software.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research the company's AI products, target audience (public spaces, retail, hospitality), and the unique challenges of designing for these environments (e.g., noise, distance, diverse users).

• Focus on Human-AI Interaction: Prepare to discuss how you would design intuitive and engaging interactions between humans and AI, particularly through visual interfaces and characters.

• Emphasize Visual Craft: Be ready to defend your aesthetic choices and demonstrate a strong sense of visual hierarchy, typography, color theory, and composition.

• Practice Articulation: Clearly communicate your design rationale, process, and how your proposed solutions align with business goals and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a thorough assessment of both creative craft and practical execution, particularly within a startup context. The portfolio review is critical, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not only design skills but also strategic thinking and the ability to drive projects independently.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Professional Design Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• 3D Software: Proficiency in modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and animation tools such as Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D, or similar.

• Motion Graphics & Video Editing: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, or similar.

• Web Prototyping: HTML, CSS, JavaScript for building interactive web demos. Experience with front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Vue) or real-time 3D on the web (e.g., Three.js) is a plus.

• Generative AI Tools: Experience with AI image generation (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E) and video generation tools is required.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly mentioned for the designer, understanding how design impacts user behavior and product performance will be key. Familiarity with analytics tools used to track user engagement with digital interfaces would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding the product's integration into broader customer journeys may be relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a broad and deep technical skill set across multiple design disciplines. The explicit requirement for generative AI tools and web prototyping skills (HTML, CSS, JS) sets this role apart from more traditional product design positions. Familiarity with 3D engines like Unity or Unreal Engine is also a strong advantage, suggesting potential for real-time applications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creative Ownership: A strong sense of responsibility for the product's visual and interactive experience, driving projects from conception to completion.

• Visual Craft & Excellence: A commitment to high aesthetic standards, attention to detail, and delivering polished, impactful design work.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Willingness to explore new technologies, including AI-driven tools and real-time 3D, and push creative boundaries.

• User-Centricity: A focus on designing for real-world user needs and experiences, especially in public and interactive physical spaces.

• Collaboration & Communication: Ability to work effectively within a small, cross-functional team and communicate design ideas clearly, especially directly with the CEO.

• Efficiency & Speed: Aptitude for leveraging tools and processes to deliver high-quality work rapidly, characteristic of a startup environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Open: Expect frequent, candid feedback and close collaboration with founders, engineers, and other team members.

• Hands-On Partnership: Working side-by-side with engineering to ensure designs are feasible and implemented accurately.

• Iterative Process: Embracing feedback loops to refine designs and product features.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the team's collective expertise, particularly in areas of visual design, 3D, motion, and AI tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely fast-paced, innovative, and highly collaborative, driven by a small, dedicated team reporting directly to the CEO. The values emphasize a strong blend of creative vision, technical execution, and practical application in real-world scenarios.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining New Interaction Paradigms: Designing intuitive interfaces for AI in public, noisy, and interactive physical spaces presents unique challenges compared to traditional screen-based UIs.

• Balancing Visual Craft with AI Integration: Effectively integrating generative AI tools without compromising design quality or brand integrity requires careful judgment.

• Rapid Iteration in a Startup: Adapting quickly to changing priorities and iterating on designs under tight deadlines.

• End-to-End Ownership: Managing diverse design responsibilities (visual, 3D, motion, web) autonomously in a lean team.

• Technical Complexity: Working with real-time 3D, digital humans, and advanced AI tools requires continuous learning and adaptation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Gaining hands-on experience with the latest advancements in AI creative tools, generative media, and real-time 3D graphics.

• Human-AI Interaction Expertise: Becoming a specialist in designing for novel human-AI interfaces in physical environments.

• Startup Growth Trajectory: Experiencing and contributing to the rapid scaling of an innovative tech company.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to shape design strategy and potentially build a design function as the company grows.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Building: Expanding expertise across visual design, 3D art, animation, and front-end development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are significant but directly tied to the exciting growth opportunities. Success in this role means becoming a pioneer in designing for the future of human-AI interaction in the physical world.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned a design project end-to-end, from concept to delivery, especially in a startup environment. What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on ownership, problem-solving, and startup adaptability.)

• "How would you approach designing a user interface for a life-size AI display in a busy retail store, considering factors like distance, noise, and diverse user needs?" (Demonstrate user-centric thinking for public spaces.)

• "Walk us through a project where you combined traditional design tools with generative AI. What was your process, and what were the benefits?" (Highlight your AI integration skills and judgment.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across highly diverse outputs like on-screen interfaces, 3D product renders, and marketing campaigns?" (Showcase your understanding of brand identity and execution.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about the future of AI interaction in the physical world, and how do you see your design skills contributing to that future?" (Assess your passion and forward-thinking perspective.)

• "Given our focus on digital twins and branded characters, what are your thoughts on creating compelling and believable digital personas?" (Gauge your expertise and vision in character design.)

• "How do you prefer to collaborate with engineering teams to ensure smooth implementation of complex interactive designs?" (Understand your partnership approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your role, your creative process, the solutions, and the impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals, interactive prototypes (if applicable), and clear demonstrations of your 3D and motion work.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, efficiency improvements).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your technical choices, design rationale, and problem-solving approaches.

• Highlight Startup Experience: Emphasize instances where you operated with high autonomy, solved problems with limited resources, and contributed significantly to product direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative vision, technical proficiency across multiple disciplines, and the practical experience of working in a fast-paced, high-ownership startup environment. Be ready to articulate your process and impact with clarity and confidence.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on IntelliPro Group Inc.'s platform.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest visual design work, end-to-end startup projects, and specific examples of your 3D, motion graphics, AI tool usage, and web prototyping skills. Tailor it to highlight the requirements of this role, such as character design and public-space interfaces.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 5-8 years of experience, early-stage startup background, and specific technical proficiencies (e.g., 3D software, generative AI, HTML/CSS/JS). Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to problem-solving, and the impact of your work, especially in the context of human-AI interaction and startup environments. Be ready to discuss specific projects in detail.

• Research the Company: Investigate the AI product company's mission, current offerings (if publicly available), and the broader landscape of AI in physical spaces. Understand their unique value proposition and how your design skills can contribute to their success.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions to provide a comprehensive overview. Candidates should verify all details, particularly regarding the specific AI product company's mission and culture, directly with IntelliPro Group Inc. or during the interview process.