(T Seer) Website Developer & Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Website Developer & Visual Designer

Company: Institute of Foundation Models (IFM)

Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Web Development & Visual Design (with a focus on Research Communication)

Date Posted: 2026-09-16

Experience Level: 7-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This dual-skilled role is pivotal for maintaining and enhancing the Institute of Foundation Models' (IFM) online presence, requiring expertise in both technical website management and compelling visual communication.

• The position demands a proactive approach to website performance, security, accessibility, and SEO, ensuring a seamless user experience for visitors exploring cutting-edge AI research.

• A key aspect involves translating complex AI research and technical concepts into clear, engaging visual assets, including graphics, diagrams, infographics, and short-form videos, for various content channels.

• This role requires a strategic thinker capable of owning IFM's visual language, ensuring brand consistency, and collaborating effectively with internal teams and external design agencies to amplify IFM's impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title mentions "Website Developer & Visual Designer," the description strongly emphasizes the need for this role to support a research institution focused on Foundation Models and AI. Therefore, the "Category" has been refined to reflect this specialized focus on "Research Communication" within the broader Web Dev/Visual Design domain. The "Remote Status" is explicitly stated as "On-site" based on the derived information.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Website Technical Management: Oversee the day-to-day performance, security, speed, accessibility, and SEO best practices of the IFM website, ensuring optimal functionality and user engagement.

• Visual Content Creation: Design, produce, and create high-quality graphics, diagrams, infographics, and other visual assets that effectively communicate complex research findings and technical concepts to diverse audiences.

• Video Production: Develop and edit short-form video content, including motion graphics and social media clips, to enhance the reach and impact of IFM's research and initiatives.

• Brand Identity Stewardship: Own and maintain IFM's visual language and design systems, ensuring consistency across all digital platforms and collateral, and collaborating with external agencies to uphold this standard.

• Analytics & Reporting: Implement, monitor, and report on website analytics (e.g., traffic, engagement, conversion rates) using tools like Google Analytics and Plausible to inform strategy and demonstrate impact.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Social Media Manager and Content Marketing & Editorial Manager to provide essential visual and graphic design support for owned channel content.

• Agency Partnership: Collaborate effectively with IFM's external design agency, ensuring seamless integration and knowledge transfer as their engagement progresses.

• Innovation & Trend Awareness: Proactively identify and propose fresh creative formats and content ideas, staying abreast of the latest social media and visual communication trends to prioritize impactful visual support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities have been expanded to detail the specific technical and creative duties, emphasizing the translation of complex AI research into accessible visuals and the strategic ownership of IFM's brand identity. The collaboration aspect with marketing and external agencies is also highlighted as a critical function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field is typically expected for roles with this experience level and scope.

Experience: 7-10 years of hands-on professional experience in a dual capacity, encompassing both web development and visual design.

Required Skills:

• Web Development: Proven front-end development experience (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and familiarity with back-end development concepts or Content Management Systems (CMS).

• Visual Design Software: Strong proficiency in Figma, including experience with design systems, component libraries, and interactive prototyping.

• Graphic Design & Data Visualization: Demonstrated ability to create compelling graphics, diagrams, infographics, and visual representations of complex technical and research data.

• Video Production: Experience with short-form video editing and motion graphics for social media and promotional content.

• Analytics Tools: Strong command of web analytics platforms such as Google Analytics and Plausible, with the ability to interpret and report on key metrics.

• Platform Expertise: Experience with social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

• Adaptability: Proven ability to adapt communication style and visual voice across different formats, platforms, and target audiences.

• Technical & Creative Fluency: Comfort and demonstrated ability to move fluidly between technical coding tasks and creative design work.

• Intellectual Curiosity: Passion for technology, AI, and Open Source, with a continuous learning mindset.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific CMS platforms relevant to research institutions.

• Familiarity with SEO tools beyond basic best practices.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and implementation.

• Experience managing design agency relationships.

• Understanding of research communication principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement has been explicitly stated as "7-10 years" based on the input. The required skills are detailed, integrating keywords like "front-end development," "CMS," "Figma," "design systems," "prototyping," "data visualization," "motion graphics," "Google Analytics," and "Plausible" to align with operations industry standards and ATS optimization. The educational background is inferred as a typical expectation for this level.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Web Development Projects: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 distinct web development projects, highlighting your role, the technologies used, and the impact of your work (e.g., improved site speed, enhanced user experience, successful feature implementation).

• Visual Design Case Studies: Present 3-5 compelling case studies demonstrating your ability to translate complex concepts into clear, impactful visuals. This should include examples of graphics, diagrams, infographics, and potentially branding elements.

• Figma Proficiency: Include examples of your work in Figma, demonstrating your understanding of design systems, component creation, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows.

• Video Content Samples: Provide 1-2 examples of short-form video content you have produced, showcasing your skills in editing, motion graphics, and storytelling for digital platforms.

• Analytics & Impact Demonstration: For relevant projects, include data-driven insights and metrics that illustrate the performance and impact of your website and visual design contributions.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to document and optimize workflows for content creation, website updates, and visual asset production, ensuring efficiency and scalability.

• System Implementation: Provide examples of how you have implemented or improved web development processes, design system components, or content management workflows.

• Performance Measurement: Showcase how you track and report on the performance of your work, using analytics to drive iterative improvements and strategic decisions in website and content design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for roles requiring a blend of technical and creative skills. The requirements are tailored to showcase both web development and visual design capabilities, with a strong emphasis on practical application, process optimization, and measurable impact, which are key in operations-focused roles. The mention of "design systems" and "analytics" reinforces the operations context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $185,000 - $220,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Performance-based bonus opportunities.

• 401K retirement savings plan with company contributions.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including sick leave and public holidays.

• Paid parental leave for new parents.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available depending on project needs and team collaboration, but the role is on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly extracted from the input. The benefits are listed as provided, with a note on the "401K Plan" often implying employer matching in US-based roles. The "Working Hours" are inferred based on standard full-time expectations and the "On-site" requirement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence, Research & Development, High-Performance Computing.

Company Size: The description mentions "world-class researchers, data scientists, and engineers," suggesting a substantial, growing research-focused organization. LinkedIn data would typically provide specific employee count ranges (e.g., 50-200, 200-500 employees), which would impact the operational dynamics and potential for agility versus structured processes.

Founded: The Institute of Foundation Models (IFM) is part of MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence), which was founded in 2019. This indicates a relatively new, dynamic, and forward-thinking institution.

Team Structure:

• Research-Centric: The team comprises world-class researchers, data scientists, and engineers focused on foundational AI models.

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with marketing, content, and social media teams, as well as external design agencies, indicating a cross-functional operational structure.

• Reporting Lines: Likely reports into a Marketing, Communications, or Digital Operations lead, with strong dotted-line reporting to research leads for content accuracy.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Research: Core operations are driven by rigorous AI research, high-performance computing, and data analysis.

• Agile Content & Design: The need for dynamic content creation and website updates suggests an agile approach to digital operations and communication strategies.

• Innovation Focus: Emphasis on advancing research and driving transformative contributions necessitates a culture that embraces innovation and continuous improvement.

Company Website: ifm.mbzuai.ac.ae (derived from the domain)

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context has been inferred based on the "Institute of Foundation Models" name and its association with MBZUAI, highlighting its research focus and relatively young, dynamic nature. The team structure and methodology are described in terms of how they relate to a research institution and the operational needs of this role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level specialist, requiring a blend of technical and creative expertise. It's not a junior support role but a key contributor responsible for significant aspects of the institute's digital presence and communication collateral.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports into a leadership position within Communications, Marketing, or Digital Operations, with close interaction with research teams and content managers.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on how IFM's cutting-edge AI research is perceived externally. By ensuring a high-performing website and creating clear, compelling visual content, this role contributes to IFM's reputation, researcher recruitment, partnership development, and overall influence in the AI community.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI research communication, visual storytelling for technical subjects, or advanced web performance optimization.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success, potential to move into lead roles within digital communications, marketing operations, or web management for research institutions.

• Skill Expansion: Exposure to advanced AI concepts and research can foster growth in understanding and communicating complex technical topics, broadening professional capabilities.

• Industry Exposure: Working at the forefront of AI research provides unique opportunities for professional development and networking within a high-growth, impactful field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career level is defined by the experience requirement and the scope of responsibilities. The impact is framed around research communication and institutional reputation. Growth opportunities are tailored to a specialized role within a research environment, focusing on skill depth and potential leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role at a research institute, suggesting a professional, academic, and potentially collaborative office environment. It may include dedicated workspaces for design and development, as well as communal areas for team interaction.

Office Location(s): Sunnyvale, California, a hub for technology and innovation in Silicon Valley. This location offers access to a rich ecosystem of tech companies, talent, and resources.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: Expected to be a dynamic environment where collaboration with researchers, content creators, and marketing professionals is frequent and encouraged.

• Technology-Rich: Access to state-of-the-art computing resources and software essential for web development, design, and video editing is a given.

• Research-Focused Atmosphere: The environment will likely be intellectually stimulating, with a focus on groundbreaking AI research and its dissemination.

Work Schedule: The role is on-site, implying a structured work schedule, likely Monday to Friday, aligning with standard business hours. While some flexibility might be possible for project deadlines, the primary expectation is consistent presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is described considering the "on-site" nature, the location in Sunnyvale, and the context of a research institute. This provides a picture of a professional, collaborative, and technologically advanced setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, design capabilities, and relevant experience.

• Technical/Creative Assessment: A practical exercise or portfolio review session focusing on web development problem-solving, design execution (e.g., Figma task), and visual asset creation.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with members of the marketing, content, and potentially research teams to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of IFM's mission.

• Final Interview: Discussion with hiring manager or senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Dual Expertise: Clearly present projects that highlight both your web development and visual design skills, demonstrating your ability to excel in both domains.

• Contextualize Research Support: For visual design examples, emphasize how you translated complex AI/technical concepts into clear, accessible visuals. Use case studies to explain your thought process and the impact.

• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Include detailed examples of your work in Figma, showcasing your understanding of design systems, component usage, and interactive prototyping.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics (website traffic, engagement rates, conversion data, project completion times) to demonstrate the tangible results of your work.

• Tailor to IFM: Briefly explain why your skills and experience are a strong fit for IFM's mission in AI research and foundation models.

Challenge Preparation:

• Website Performance Task: Be prepared to discuss how you would diagnose and improve website speed, security, or SEO for a site like IFM's.

• Visual Communication Challenge: You might be asked to create a quick visual asset (e.g., a diagram, a social media graphic) that explains a simplified AI concept.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma, Google Analytics, and video editing software, potentially demonstrating specific features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and portfolio review process is detailed with specific advice tailored to a role requiring both development and design skills. Emphasis is placed on showcasing dual expertise, quantifying impact, and demonstrating understanding of the research context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, potentially a CMS (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, or a custom solution). Familiarity with back-end languages or frameworks may be beneficial.

• Design & Prototyping: Figma is explicitly required; proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) is also highly relevant.

• Video Editing & Motion Graphics: Software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, or similar tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Plausible Analytics.

• SEO Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, or Ahrefs.

CRM & Automation: While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with marketing automation platforms or CRM systems might be useful for understanding content distribution and lead generation aspects of the website. Integration tools could also be relevant if IFM uses a complex tech stack.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is derived directly from the "Key Responsibilities" and "Qualifications" sections, with specific tools like Figma, Google Analytics, and Plausible highlighted. Additional relevant tools common in web development and design are included to provide a comprehensive overview.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Excellence: A strong emphasis on pushing the boundaries of AI research and maintaining high standards in all outputs, from code to design.

• Collaboration & Cross-Functionality: Valuing teamwork and effective communication between technical, creative, marketing, and research disciplines.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing analytics and insights to inform website strategy, content development, and design choices.

• Intellectual Curiosity & Continuous Learning: A culture that encourages exploration, learning, and staying at the forefront of AI and digital technologies.

• Impact & Dissemination: A commitment to effectively communicating groundbreaking research to a global audience.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Expect to work closely with marketing and content teams, bridging the gap between technical development and creative execution.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that likely encourages constructive feedback to ensure the highest quality of work and alignment with IFM's mission.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share insights, best practices, and new trends in web development, design, and AI communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are inferred from the company's mission as a leading AI research institute and the nature of the dual-skilled role. Emphasis is placed on innovation, data-driven approaches, and collaborative efforts essential for operations in such an environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex AI: The primary challenge will be to effectively visualize and communicate highly technical and abstract AI concepts to diverse audiences without oversimplification or inaccuracy.

• Maintaining Dual Expertise: Continuously staying proficient and up-to-date in both rapidly evolving fields of web development and visual design requires significant dedication.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Juggling the requirements of researchers, marketing teams, and external agencies while maintaining a cohesive brand identity.

• Website Performance Optimization: Ensuring a high-performance, secure, and accessible website in a competitive digital landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Domain Expertise: Deepen understanding of foundation models and cutting-edge AI research, providing unique context for visual communication.

• Advanced Design & Development Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement the latest in web technologies, design systems, and visual storytelling tools.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Potential for attending relevant AI, web development, or design conferences to enhance skills and network.

• Mentorship: Learning from world-class researchers and experienced professionals within IFM and MBZUAI.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the unique demands of the role within a research institution focused on AI. Growth opportunities are framed around skill enhancement and specialized knowledge acquisition relevant to the field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to explain a complex technical concept visually. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your translation process, tool selection, and impact metrics.)

• "How do you approach balancing the technical demands of website development with the creative requirements of visual design in a single role?" (Highlight your workflow, prioritization strategies, and ability to switch contexts.)

• "Imagine IFM is launching a new breakthrough in AI. What visual assets would you prioritize creating, and what would be your strategic approach to their design and distribution?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking, understanding of IFM's mission, and audience segmentation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about working at the Institute of Foundation Models, and what do you know about our research focus?" (Research IFM's current projects and MBZUAI's overall mission.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to IFM's goal of advancing AI research and its dissemination?" (Connect your skills to the institute's objectives.)

• "Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams, particularly researchers or subject matter experts." (Emphasize collaboration and communication skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative-Driven: For each project, tell a story: the challenge, your approach, the tools used, your specific contributions, and the measurable results.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals and interactive prototypes where applicable. For web dev, show live sites or detailed mockups.

• Highlight Figma & Analytics: Clearly showcase your Figma work and explain how you used analytics to inform design decisions or measure success.

• Be Ready for Live Demos: Have your portfolio accessible and be prepared to navigate through it smoothly, explaining key aspects on the fly.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation is tailored to the dual nature of the role, emphasizing the need to demonstrate expertise in both technical and creative domains, as well as the ability to communicate complex AI concepts. Portfolio presentation advice focuses on storytelling and quantifiable results.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Website Developer & Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Lever.co link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest 3-5 projects that best showcase your dual expertise in web development and visual design, specifically highlighting your ability to support a research or technical organization. Ensure your Figma work and any data visualization examples are prominent.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords related to web development (front-end, CMS, SEO), visual design (Figma, graphic design, motion graphics), and analytics (Google Analytics, data interpretation). Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on explaining your process for translating complex information, your collaboration experience, and the impact of your work. Be ready to articulate your passion for AI and technology.

• Research IFM: Thoroughly understand IFM's mission, its research areas, and MBZUAI's broader objectives. Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with their specific needs 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.