Senior Product Designer | Kimchi | Europe

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer | Kimchi | Europe

Company: Cast AI

Location: Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-30T07:02:16

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the end-to-end product design lifecycle for Kimchi, a comprehensive coding platform leveraging AI agents and a cost-optimized inference layer.

• The Senior Product Designer will be instrumental in shaping the user experience for engineers and platform teams, influencing product strategy through deep user research and direct product engagement.

• The position requires a strong point of view, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a globally distributed, remote-first team environment.

• This role is critical for the GTM strategy by ensuring the product design directly addresses the needs of technical users and supports efficient adoption of AI-driven development tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary title is Senior Product Designer, the emphasis on developer tools, AI agents, and the "complete coding platform" nature of Kimchi positions this role as having significant GTM Operations implications, particularly in user adoption, feature prioritization, and market differentiation. The need to "dogfood the product" and "prototype in code" suggests a deep integration with the engineering and product development cycles, which is crucial for successful GTM execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle for Kimchi's various interfaces, including CLI, desktop applications, inference/spend console, and developer tooling, from initial research to shipped design and measured outcomes.

• Independently lead and execute user research initiatives, including planning, conducting, synthesizing findings, and translating them into actionable product recommendations and strategy.

• Utilize AI-assisted development workflows to prototype directly in code, prioritizing speed and real-world testing over traditional mockups where beneficial.

• Contribute a strong, data-backed point of view to product strategy discussions, informed by direct product usage, user research, and competitive analysis, rather than solely executing a pre-defined roadmap.

• Actively participate in cross-squad design reviews to ensure design consistency, elevate overall quality, identify overlaps, and maintain awareness of ongoing development efforts across the Kimchi product suite.

• Proactively identify and track design debt within your areas of ownership, advocating for its prioritization when user feedback or risk factors indicate urgency.

• Collaborate closely with engineering and product management teams to ensure seamless implementation of designs, providing clear documentation and engaging in technical discussions regarding APIs, architecture, and system constraints.

• Develop and maintain strong async communication skills, crafting clear, concise written documents and effectively articulating design rationale and proposals in written form.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize ownership, leadership in research, hands-on prototyping, and strategic input, aligning with a senior-level role. The focus on "measured outcome" and "tracking design debt" highlights a results-oriented approach common in operations roles, ensuring that design efforts contribute directly to business objectives and product stability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), user experience design principles, and software development lifecycles is expected.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant portion focused on technical or data-heavy SaaS platforms.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated portfolio showcasing senior-level design work on developer tools, AI/LLM products, coding agents, or other complex, data-intensive SaaS platforms.

• End-to-end ownership of user research, from planning and execution to synthesis and influencing product direction.

• Proficiency and genuine interest in working directly with AI-assisted development workflows (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor) and a willingness to engage with the codebase.

• Proven ability to operate with a strong, defensible point of view, especially under conditions of ambiguity, without reliance on rigid processes.

• Experience designing for technically savvy users (engineers, platform teams) and comfort discussing technical concepts like APIs, architecture, and system constraints.

• Excellent asynchronous communication skills, including the ability to write clear, concise documents and make compelling cases in writing.

• Experience with design tools such as Figma for prototyping and visual design. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing Command Line Interface (CLI) or terminal-based interfaces.

• Familiarity with desktop application design principles and best practices.

• Proven experience presenting design and research findings directly to executive stakeholders.

• Understanding of cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, or AI inference technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on technical users, coding workflows, and direct engagement with the codebase suggests that candidates with a background in developer tools or enterprise software design will be particularly well-suited. The "strong point of view under ambiguity" requirement highlights the need for proactive, self-directed individuals who can drive initiatives forward without constant oversight, a trait highly valued in high-growth tech environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design projects for technical SaaS platforms, developer tools, AI products, or data visualization applications.

• Include detailed case studies demonstrating your role in problem definition, user research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration.

• Highlight how you've used data and user insights to drive product decisions and measure outcomes.

• Present examples where you've either prototyped in code or worked closely with engineering to test concepts directly within the product.

• Demonstrate your ability to articulate complex technical concepts and design solutions clearly, both visually and in writing. Process Documentation:

• Explain your research methodology, including how you plan, conduct, and synthesize user studies for technical audiences.

• Detail your approach to working with ambiguous requirements and developing a strong point of view.

• Describe your experience with asynchronous communication and documentation practices.

• Illustrate your process for collaborating with engineering and product teams on technical products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating practical experience with complex technical products and a hands-on approach. For operations professionals, this translates to showcasing how their design work supports user adoption, efficiency, and ultimately, revenue generation through product engagement. The emphasis on "measured outcome" is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €4,000 - €6,500 gross per month, depending on experience level.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary with potential for equity options.

• Flexible, remote-first global work environment.

• Access to a learning budget for professional development, including international conferences and courses.

• Annual hackathon for idea generation and team bonding.

• Team-building budget and company events for connection.

• Equipment budget for necessary tools and hardware.

• Additional days off to support work-life balance.

• Fast-paced workflow with most feature projects completed within 1-4 weeks.

• Opportunity to spend 10% of work time on personal projects or self-improvement.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility inherent in a remote-first global environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in gross monthly Euros. For candidates in specific countries, it's important to understand local tax implications and net pay. The "fast-paced workflow" and "1-4 week project completion" suggest a need for efficient project management and rapid iteration, aligning with operations principles of continuous improvement and agility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Developer Tools)

Company Size: Cast AI achieved unicorn status in January 2026, indicating a rapidly growing, well-funded startup environment. The company operates across 34 countries.

Founded: Cast AI was founded with the mission to revolutionize cloud infrastructure management, with Kimchi representing a significant expansion into AI-powered developer tools.

Team Structure:

• The Kimchi design team is small and senior, implying a high degree of autonomy and direct impact.

• The role requires collaboration across "squads" and with engineering and product management.

• The company emphasizes a globally distributed team across 34 countries, fostering diverse perspectives. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the emphasis on user research and measured outcomes.

• Agile methodologies are suggested by the fast-paced workflow and short project completion times.

• A strong focus on innovation and pushing technological boundaries, particularly in AI and cloud infrastructure.

Company Website: https://cast.ai/ and https://kimchi.dev/

📝 Enhancement Note: Cast AI's rapid growth and unicorn status suggest a dynamic, high-performance culture. The global distribution means strong asynchronous communication and self-management are paramount. For operations professionals, this implies a need to be adaptable, proactive, and comfortable working across different time zones and cultures.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced designer who can operate independently, influence strategy, and mentor others implicitly through their work and approach.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or Head of Product. Given the small senior team, direct interaction with executive stakeholders is likely.

Operations Impact: The design of Kimchi directly impacts user adoption, developer productivity, and cost optimization for AI-powered coding. Successful design translates to increased user engagement, retention, and ultimately, revenue growth for the platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deep specialization in AI-driven developer tools and product design within a rapidly evolving market.

• Opportunity to influence product strategy at a company that has achieved unicorn status and has significant backing.

• Potential to grow into leadership roles (e.g., Design Lead) as the product and team expand.

• Skill development in areas like coding, AI workflows, and direct code prototyping.

• Exposure to executive-level decision-making and strategic planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential by allowing the designer to be a foundational member of a key product line at a high-growth company. The blend of technical depth and strategic influence is ideal for someone looking to expand their impact beyond traditional design execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-first. The company headquarters are in Miami, but operations and team members are globally distributed.

Office Location(s): While the company is global, this specific role is restricted to candidates residing in Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

Workspace Context:

• A fully remote setup requires strong self-discipline, time management, and reliable internet connectivity.

• Collaboration will primarily occur through digital tools and asynchronous communication.

• The "equipment budget" suggests the company supports setting up an effective home office.

• The "flexible, remote-first global environment" allows for a high degree of autonomy in managing one's workday.

Work Schedule: While the core work week is approximately 40 hours, the global distribution means flexibility is key. Candidates should be prepared to overlap with team members in various time zones for critical meetings or collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of this role is a significant advantage for operations professionals seeking work-life balance and autonomy. However, it necessitates strong organizational skills and proactive communication to ensure alignment and effective collaboration across distributed teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Screening Call: Initial conversation to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Home Assignment: A practical task designed to evaluate design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of technical concepts. This may involve a small design challenge or a request to analyze an existing product.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, technical skills, and strategic thinking, focusing on how you approach design challenges and collaborate.

• Case Study + Workshop: A more intensive session where you present a detailed case study from your portfolio and potentially participate in a collaborative workshop to solve a design problem. This tests your ability to articulate your process, justify decisions, and work under pressure.

• Culture Check Interview with an Executive: Final stage to assess cultural alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with the company's values and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Technical SaaS/AI Experience: Prioritize projects that showcase your work on developer tools, AI platforms, or complex data-heavy applications.

• Showcase End-to-End Ownership: Clearly articulate your role in each project, from initial research and problem definition through to shipped product and outcome measurement.

• Emphasize Research and Strategy: Detail your user research methodologies and explain how your findings influenced product strategy and design decisions.

• Demonstrate Prototyping in Code: If possible, include examples or discuss your experience with prototyping directly in code or using AI-assisted workflows.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs, such as improvements in user engagement, task completion rates, or conversion.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your strongest case studies first. Use clear headings and concise descriptions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Kimchi: Thoroughly research Kimchi, its products (CLI, desktop app, console), target users (engineers), and the competitive landscape (AI coding tools).

• Prepare Case Studies: Select 2-3 strong portfolio pieces that best align with the role's requirements and be ready to present them in detail, focusing on your process, decisions, and outcomes.

• Practice Technical Discussions: Be ready to discuss APIs, system architecture, and technical constraints, demonstrating your comfort level with engineering concepts.

• Articulate Your Point of View: Practice forming and defending opinions on product direction, user needs, and design solutions, especially under pressure.

• Async Communication: Prepare examples of how you communicate effectively in writing and through documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hiring process is rigorous, with multiple stages designed to assess a wide range of skills from technical proficiency to strategic thinking and cultural fit. The emphasis on a "case study + workshop" indicates a need to demonstrate not just past work but also future problem-solving capabilities in a live setting.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma is explicitly mentioned. Candidates are expected to be proficient.

• AI-Assisted Development: Experience with tools like Claude Code, Cursor, or similar is required.

• Code Prototyping: Willingness and ability to prototype directly in code.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated, proficiency with analytics tools to track design outcomes and user behavior would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the design role, but understanding how design integrates with user onboarding and product engagement workflows would be valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes a blend of traditional design tools (Figma) with cutting-edge AI development tools and a willingness to engage directly with code. This indicates a forward-thinking product development environment where designers are expected to be hands-on and integrated with the engineering process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Speed: The company's unicorn status and fast-paced workflow suggest a culture that values rapid iteration and pushing technological boundaries.

• Global Collaboration: A commitment to diversity and leveraging perspectives from a globally distributed team.

• User-Centricity (with a Technical Focus): Designing for engineers requires a deep understanding of their workflows, pain points, and technical acumen.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Senior-level roles imply a high degree of trust and expectation for individuals to drive their work forward independently.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on research, metrics, and measured outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Async-First: Strong reliance on written communication, documentation, and digital collaboration tools.

• Cross-Functional: Close working relationships with engineering, product management, and other design squads.

• Constructive Feedback: Participation in design reviews suggests an environment where critique is valued for raising quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values proactive individuals who can thrive in a remote, global setting. The emphasis on technical users means that empathy for engineers and an understanding of their technical context are crucial for effective collaboration and design success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity in a Fast-Moving Market: The AI and developer tools space is evolving rapidly, requiring adaptability and the ability to make decisions with incomplete information.

• Designing for Technical Users: Understanding and empathizing with the complex needs and workflows of engineers requires specific domain knowledge and communication skills.

• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Ensuring that cutting-edge AI features are integrated into intuitive and efficient user experiences.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication across distributed teams and time zones.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI & Developer Tools: Gain expertise in the rapidly growing field of AI-assisted development and coding platforms.

• Influence Product Strategy: Directly impact the direction of a key product line at a unicorn company.

• Hands-on Technical Experience: Develop skills in coding and AI workflows through direct product dogfooding and prototyping.

• Executive Exposure: Opportunities to present work and engage with senior leadership, fostering leadership development.

• Global Networking: Build relationships with a diverse international team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI-powered developer tools. The challenges are significant but directly tied to opportunities for substantial professional growth and impact within a high-potential company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for a CLI coding agent, considering performance, usability, and integration with existing workflows?" (Focus on your process, research, and problem-solving).

• "Describe a time you had to make a significant design decision with limited data or under ambiguous circumstances. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Assess your ability to operate with a strong point of view).

• "How do you ensure your designs are technically feasible and integrate well with complex system architectures and APIs?" (Test your understanding of technical constraints and collaboration with engineers).

• "Walk us through your process for conducting user research with highly technical users. What methods do you find most effective, and how do you synthesize findings?" (Evaluate your research leadership and technical empathy). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Kimchi and the AI developer tools space? How do you see this market evolving?" (Assess your passion and market awareness).

• "How do you contribute to a remote-first, globally distributed team culture? How do you handle asynchronous communication?" (Evaluate your collaboration and communication style).

• "Describe your experience working with engineers. How do you build trust and ensure effective collaboration?" (Gauge your interpersonal and cross-functional skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as narratives, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the measured impact.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify the results of your design work whenever possible. If exact metrics aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how you would measure it.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, prototypes, and code snippets (if applicable) to illustrate your design process and solutions.

• Explain Your 'Why': Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind every design decision, linking it back to user needs, business goals, or technical considerations.

• Handle Ambiguity: If presenting a project with unclear outcomes, explain how you navigated that ambiguity and what you learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to test not only design skills but also strategic thinking, technical understanding, and cultural fit. Candidates should prepare to discuss their process deeply, articulate their rationale, and demonstrate comfort with both technical concepts and ambiguity.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link: https://cast.ai/careers/apply/?gh_jid=4422270009

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your experience with technical SaaS, AI products, or developer tools. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, your process (including research and prototyping), the solution, and any measurable outcomes. Prioritize projects demonstrating end-to-end ownership and technical user empathy.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and experiences relevant to product design, user research, AI/LLM products, developer tools, CLI design, SaaS platforms, and asynchronous communication. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for Case Studies & Workshops: Practice presenting your portfolio pieces, focusing on clear storytelling, justifying design decisions, and discussing technical considerations. Be ready to articulate your point of view and problem-solving approach.

• Research Cast AI & Kimchi: Understand the company's mission, the Kimchi product suite, its target audience (engineers), and its competitive landscape. Prepare thoughtful questions about the product, team, and culture.

⚠️ 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. Cast AI does not provide visa sponsorship or work permits for this role.