Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: Rhoda AI

Location: Mountain View, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and implement user-centric interfaces for complex human-robot interaction systems, focusing on operational efficiency and real-time data visualization.

• Establish and evolve Rhoda AI's foundational design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all digital touchpoints for both internal and external users.

• Drive the end-to-end design process for critical interfaces, from initial ideation and wireframing to high-fidelity visual design and seamless developer handoff.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and operations, to translate technical requirements into intuitive and shippable user experiences.

• Shape the future of how users interact with advanced robotics and AI, directly influencing product strategy and user adoption in a rapidly evolving industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a foundational design hire, tasked with establishing design processes and standards. The emphasis on "complex, real-time interfaces with data density and time-sensitivity that connect to physical hardware" indicates a need for a designer experienced in mission-critical environments, not just standard consumer applications. The "Senior" title combined with this foundational aspect suggests a high degree of autonomy and strategic input expected from the candidate.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive and efficient User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) for human-machine interfaces (HMIs) used to operate, monitor, and interact with autonomous robots in real-world environments.

• Develop comprehensive fleet status and management dashboards that provide real-time insights into system health, task execution progress, and operational states for large-scale robot deployments.

• Lead the entire design lifecycle, encompassing user research, ideation, wireframing, interaction design, prototyping, and the creation of high-fidelity visual assets, ensuring a smooth handoff to development teams.

• Create detailed user journeys, flows, and information architecture that clearly map user interactions, identify pain points, and highlight opportunities for optimization within complex operational workflows.

• Build and maintain a robust visual design system, setting the standard for Rhoda AI's product design language, components, and best practices for future development.

• Collaborate effectively with engineering, product managers, and operations teams to ensure designs are technically feasible, align with business objectives, and meet user needs in high-stakes scenarios.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to validate design decisions and iterate on interfaces based on feedback from operators, stakeholders, and internal teams.

• Advocate for user needs and best design practices, influencing product direction and contributing to the overall user-centered culture at Rhoda AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep involvement in operational interfaces for physical robotics. This implies a need for understanding data density, real-time feedback loops, and potential safety implications, which are critical in operations contexts. The emphasis on building a design system from the ground up indicates a strategic role with significant influence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 4+ years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a significant focus on complex, data-dense, and time-sensitive interfaces for systems connected to physical hardware.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX/UI design projects, demonstrating expertise in user flows, information hierarchy, interaction design, and high-caliber visual execution.

• Proven ability to design for complex, real-time interfaces that manage physical hardware and operate in high-stakes environments, considering user safety and system reliability.

• Proficiency in the full design spectrum, from initial ideation and sketching to detailed wireframing, prototyping, and polished visual design.

• Exceptional visual design skills with a keen eye for typography, color theory, layout, spacing, and overall aesthetic quality.

• Experience in mapping multi-step user flows, identifying and designing for edge cases, and developing robust error state handling.

• Strong command of industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma and Claude Design.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and user needs to highly technical teams.

• Self-directed and proactive, capable of taking initiative and driving design projects with minimal supervision. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in robotics, industrial automation, manufacturing, warehousing, or other mission-critical operations environments.

• Background in Human-Machine Interface (HMI) or control interface design for hardware devices.

• Familiarity with designing for real-time data visualization, streaming state, and complex system monitoring.

• Experience as an early designer in a startup environment, including the ability to establish design processes, tools, and standards from scratch.

• Understanding of front-end development principles and how design decisions impact implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for experience in robotics, industrial automation, or mission-critical operations is a strong indicator that candidates with a background in operations technology (OT) or industrial control systems (ICS) interfaces will be highly valued. This aligns with the role's focus on real-world robot operation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least two distinct projects that demonstrate end-to-end UX/UI design for complex systems, ideally involving hardware interaction or real-time data.

• Clearly articulate your design process for each project, including problem definition, user research methods, ideation techniques, wireframing, interaction design, and visual design rationale.

• Present high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes, demonstrating a strong grasp of visual aesthetics, information hierarchy, and intuitive user flows.

• Include case studies that highlight your ability to manage data density and time-sensitive information within an interface, explaining design choices made to optimize for these constraints.

• Provide examples of how you've considered edge cases, error states, and user safety in your designs, particularly for high-stakes operational environments. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to establishing design processes, tools, and standards in a new or evolving team.

• Demonstrate experience with user journey mapping, flow diagrams, and information architecture design to illustrate complex user interactions.

• Explain your methodology for collaborating with engineering and product teams to ensure designs are technically feasible and shippable.

• Detail your experience with building or contributing to design systems, including component libraries, style guides, and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this foundational role, the portfolio is paramount. It must not only showcase design quality but also the candidate's ability to structure and execute design within a complex, operational context. Emphasis should be placed on projects demonstrating problem-solving for data-intensive, real-time interfaces.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $175,000 - $250,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Stock Options: Opportunity to own a part of Rhoda AI's future growth.

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Covering medical needs for employees and their families.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday policy.

• Parental Leave: Supportive policies for new parents.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, conferences, and skill enhancement.

• Relocation Assistance: Support for candidates moving to the Mountain View area.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week of approximately 40 hours, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration. The on-site nature of the role suggests adherence to typical business hours, with opportunities for focused deep work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $175,000 - $250,000 USD for a Senior UX/UI Designer in Mountain View, California, is competitive and aligns with industry benchmarks for experienced professionals in the Bay Area, particularly in cutting-edge tech sectors like AI and robotics. This range reflects the high cost of living and demand for specialized talent in this region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Advanced Technology. Rhoda AI operates at the forefront of developing generalist intelligent robots, integrating hardware, robotics systems, and cutting-edge AI foundation models. This positions the company within a highly innovative and rapidly evolving sector.

Company Size: The company has raised significant funding ($450M+), indicating substantial growth and investment, likely placing it in the mid-stage startup category with ambitions for rapid scaling. This size often means a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individual contributions have a high impact.

Founded: Founded recently (exact date not specified, but implied by funding and stage), suggesting a culture that is still being defined but likely characterized by innovation, research-driven development, and a strong emphasis on building foundational technologies.

Team Structure:

• The operations and engineering teams are likely highly technical and research-oriented, comprising experts in AI, robotics, and systems engineering.

• As the first dedicated UI designer, you will be instrumental in defining the design team's structure and its integration within product development.

• Collaboration will be inherently cross-functional, requiring close partnerships with product managers, software engineers, hardware engineers, and AI researchers. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging advanced AI models and real-world operational data.

• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, with an emphasis on rapid iteration and continuous improvement.

• A strong research component is central to Rhoda AI's mission, suggesting a culture that values experimentation and pushing the boundaries of current technology.

Company Website: http://rhoda.ai

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on cutting-edge AI and robotics implies a culture that is intellectually stimulating, demanding, and rewarding. The "foundational role" aspect for the designer means they will significantly influence how design is perceived and integrated into this technically focused organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior UX/UI Designer. It represents a significant step up from a mid-level designer, with expectations for leadership in design strategy, process establishment, and mentorship (even if informal initially). The "foundational role" implies building the design function, which offers a unique growth trajectory beyond typical project-based work.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Head of Product, VP of Engineering, or a similar senior leadership role, given it's the first dedicated design hire. This direct line to leadership offers high visibility and influence.

Operations Impact: The designer's work will directly impact the usability and effectiveness of systems that control physical robots in real-world deployments. This means their contributions will have tangible effects on operational efficiency, task completion rates, safety, and customer satisfaction. The success of the robots in complex environments hinges on the clarity and intuitiveness of the interfaces designed.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Opportunity to build and lead a design team as the company grows, defining its culture, hiring practices, and strategic direction.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in human-robot interaction, operational interfaces for complex systems, and AI-driven product design.

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping product strategy and user experience vision for next-generation robotics.

• Technical Acumen: Develop a strong understanding of AI, robotics, and complex system engineering through close collaboration.

• Process Development: Gain invaluable experience in establishing and scaling design operations within a rapidly growing, cutting-edge technology company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here is less about climbing a traditional ladder and more about shaping a new function. The ability to influence product direction and establish design standards is a significant growth opportunity for a senior designer.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site work is required in Mountain View, California. This suggests a collaborative environment where in-person interaction is valued for brainstorming, problem-solving, and team cohesion, especially critical for a foundational design role.

Office Location(s): Mountain View, California, is a hub for technology and innovation, offering access to a vibrant ecosystem of tech companies and talent. The specific office will likely be modern and equipped with the necessary tools for design and engineering work.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment where collaboration is key.

• Access to state-of-the-art design tools (Figma, Claude Design) and potentially advanced hardware for testing and demonstration.

• Opportunities for close interaction with highly technical teams (AI researchers, robotics engineers) to gain a deep understanding of the product and its operational context.

• A culture that likely encourages innovation, experimentation, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Work Schedule: While typically a 40-hour work week, the nature of startup environments and cutting-edge technology development may require occasional flexibility to meet project deadlines or address critical issues. However, the emphasis on "real-time interfaces" suggests a need for designers to be available during core operational hours for collaboration and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Mountain View underscores the company's emphasis on collaborative innovation and direct engagement with the technology being developed. This is typical for companies building complex hardware and software integrations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Design Discussion: A dedicated session with hiring managers (likely Product and/or Engineering leadership) to walk through your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your design process, decision-making, and specific contributions to key projects. Focus on how you've handled complex data, real-time interactions, and user needs in operational contexts.

• Technical/Design Challenge: May involve a take-home assignment or an in-person/virtual design exercise focused on a specific problem related to robot operation or fleet management. This assesses your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to deliver under constraints.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with engineering, product, and potentially operations team members to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to integrate design into development workflows.

• Final Round: Likely with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, cultural alignment, and long-term impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best highlight your experience with complex interfaces, real-time data, and operational contexts. Prioritize projects where you had significant ownership and impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the challenges, your process, the solutions you designed, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Showcase Process: Don't just show final screens. Include sketches, wireframes, user flows, and iterations to demonstrate your thinking.

• Highlight Operations Relevance: For this role, emphasize how your designs improved efficiency, reduced errors, enhanced situational awareness, or contributed to the successful operation of physical systems.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you collaborated with technical teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly research Rhoda AI, robotics, and AI interfaces. Think about the unique challenges of operating robots in real-world scenarios.

• Focus on User Needs: Even in technical challenges, always anchor your solutions in user needs and operational goals.

• Structure Your Approach: For a design exercise, outline your approach, key considerations, and potential solutions clearly.

• Practice Presentation: Be ready to present your work concisely and confidently, articulating your rationale and design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to translate complex technical requirements into user-friendly operational interfaces. The portfolio review is the most critical stage, requiring a clear demonstration of process and impact in relevant domains.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.

• Claude Design: Mentioned specifically, suggesting it's either a proprietary internal tool or a specialized platform used by Rhoda AI. Familiarity or ability to quickly learn such tools is key.

• Prototyping Tools: Any associated prototyping capabilities within Figma or other tools (e.g., InVision, Principle) for creating interactive user flows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding how to design for data visualization and reporting dashboards implies familiarity with concepts related to data analytics platforms and the types of data they surface.

• Experience designing interfaces that display real-time data streams and system metrics. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UX/UI role, but awareness of how design interfaces integrate with backend systems and operational workflows is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a baseline requirement. The mention of "Claude Design" is notable and suggests the need for adaptability to potentially proprietary or specialized design systems. The core requirement is the ability to design for systems that manage real-time, data-intensive operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of operators and stakeholders who interact with the robots.

• Innovation & Research: A culture that thrives on pushing technological boundaries and conducting rigorous research to solve complex problems in AI and robotics.

• Excellence & Precision: A drive for high-quality execution, attention to detail, and reliability, especially critical in a field involving physical hardware and potential safety implications.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Encouraging open communication and teamwork across diverse technical disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Impact & Ownership: A focus on delivering tangible results and taking ownership of projects from conception to deployment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Design will be deeply integrated with engineering, product, and operations, requiring active participation in technical discussions and feedback loops.

• Data-Informed Design: Decisions will be heavily influenced by data, user feedback, and performance metrics, fostering a pragmatic approach to design.

• Iterative Development: Expect a culture that embraces agile methodologies, rapid prototyping, and continuous improvement based on real-world performance and user input.

• Advocacy for the User: The designer will be expected to champion user needs, translating them into actionable design requirements for technical teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely a blend of intense technical rigor and the dynamic, fast-paced nature of a well-funded startup. The designer's role is to bring a user-focused perspective into this technically driven environment, acting as a bridge between human needs and robotic capabilities.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing Design Processes: As the first dedicated designer, you'll face the challenge of defining and implementing design workflows, tools, and best practices from the ground up.

• Designing for Complexity: Creating intuitive interfaces for intricate robotics systems with high data density and real-time requirements presents a significant cognitive and design challenge.

• Bridging Technical Gaps: Effectively communicating user needs and design rationale to highly technical teams (AI researchers, robotics engineers) while understanding their technical constraints.

• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Ensuring cutting-edge AI capabilities are accessible and manageable through user-friendly interfaces without compromising functionality or safety.

• Defining a New Product Category: Contributing to the definition and user experience of a nascent field of generalist robotics requires foresight and adaptability.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Expertise in Robotics UX/UI: Gain unparalleled experience in designing for complex human-robot interaction in real-world operational settings.

• Foundational Role Impact: Shape the design function and culture of a company building revolutionary technology.

• Advanced AI and Robotics Exposure: Work alongside leading researchers and engineers, deepening your understanding of AI models and robotic systems.

• Strategic Product Influence: Contribute directly to product strategy and roadmap development.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to develop skills in areas like HMI design, real-time data visualization, and creating scalable design systems for complex platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around establishing a design practice in a technically focused, early-stage company and tackling the inherent complexity of designing for advanced robotics. The growth opportunities are substantial for a designer looking to make a significant impact and gain specialized expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed an interface for a complex, real-time system. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on data density, time sensitivity, and operational impact.)

• "How would you approach building a design system from scratch for a company like Rhoda AI? What would be your initial priorities?" (Highlight your process for establishing standards, components, and governance.)

• "Imagine you need to design a dashboard for monitoring a fleet of 100 robots. What key information would you prioritize, and how would you visualize it for clarity and quick decision-making?" (Demonstrate your understanding of operational needs and data visualization principles.)

• "How do you collaborate with engineers and product managers who have different priorities or technical constraints?" (Showcase your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Rhoda AI's mission and the field of robotics?" (Research the company's vision and articulate your alignment.)

• "How do you see the role of design evolving in the context of AI and robotics?" (Show your forward-thinking perspective.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive collaborative culture." (Align with the startup, technical, and user-centric values.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process, Not Just Pixels: Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions. Use user flows, wireframes, and problem statements to illustrate your thought process.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., reduced error rates, improved task completion time, increased user satisfaction).

• Tailor to Rhoda AI: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with complex data, real-time systems, or operational environments. Highlight any experience with hardware interfaces or industrial settings.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your understanding of technical constraints and how you integrate design with engineering workflows.

• Showcase Visual Design Excellence: Ensure your final mockups are polished, demonstrating a strong aesthetic sense and attention to detail in typography, layout, and color.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating a robust design process, demonstrating problem-solving skills for complex operational scenarios, and showcasing a strong understanding of how design integrates with cutting-edge technology development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position at Rhoda AI:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects, prioritizing those that demonstrate experience with complex, data-dense, or real-time interfaces, ideally related to hardware, operations, or industrial applications. Ensure your portfolio clearly outlines your design process, your specific contributions, and the impact of your work.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords such as UX/UI Design, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), Figma, Claude Design, Data Visualization, Real-time Systems, Robotics, Industrial Automation, Product Design, and any experience in establishing design processes. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on your problem-solving approach, design rationale, and how you collaborate with technical teams. Practice articulating your vision for design at Rhoda AI and your excitement for their mission.

• Research Rhoda AI: Understand their technology, their market position, and their overall mission. Consider how your design philosophy aligns with their innovative and technically driven 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.