UX Designer, AI App

Bjak
Full-time

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer, AI App

Company: Bjak

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-19T00:00:00

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead end-to-end design for AI product surfaces, translating complex AI capabilities into intuitive user experiences for a proactive AI chat app.

  • Develop core user flows, interaction models, and visual designs for both web and mobile platforms, focusing on reliability and real-world task completion.

  • Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, and Machine Learning teams to rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on AI-driven features and user journeys.

  • Contribute to the definition and evolution of the company's design system to ensure speed, consistency, and scalability across the AI product.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "UX Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into Product Design with a strong emphasis on AI interaction and system design, suggesting a need for a designer who can bridge the gap between user experience and technical implementation, particularly within an operations-focused framework for AI product development. The "proactive AI chat app" implies an operational layer for managing workflows and user interactions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Own the end-to-end design lifecycle for key AI product surfaces, from conceptualization through to production, ensuring a seamless user journey.

  • Design intuitive and reliable core user flows that simplify advanced AI functionalities for everyday users, focusing on task completion and workflow management.

  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Product Managers, Engineers, and ML Specialists to explore problems, test hypotheses, and accelerate product development cycles.

  • Produce comprehensive design artifacts, including wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs for both web and mobile applications.

  • Conduct rapid prototyping and iterative design to explore novel interaction models specifically tailored for AI-driven experiences and proactive assistance.

  • Plan and execute usability testing sessions, synthesizing user feedback to inform and refine product direction and design decisions.

  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of a robust design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency in design operations.

  • Act as a strong advocate for user experience, balancing user needs with product velocity and technical constraints inherent in AI development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer adept at managing the operational aspects of product development within an AI context, including workflow simplification, reliability, and cross-functional collaboration for rapid iteration. This role requires a proactive approach to identifying and solving user experience challenges in a novel AI product.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 2-5 years of proven experience in product design or UX design roles, with a strong portfolio demonstrating successful web and mobile product development.

Required Skills:

  • Demonstrated experience as a Product or UX Designer with a portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design for web and mobile applications.

  • High proficiency in Figma and other rapid prototyping tools for iterative design and user flow visualization.

  • Solid understanding of interaction design principles, information architecture, layout, visual hierarchy, and the creation of scalable visual systems.

  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and product management teams in fast-paced, agile environments.

  • Comfort and adaptability in designing with incomplete inputs and evolving requirements, a common characteristic of AI product development.

  • Aptitude for simplifying complex workflows and technical concepts into clear, intuitive, and user-friendly experiences.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience designing for AI-powered products, data-intensive applications, or intelligent systems.

  • Familiarity with usability testing methodologies, qualitative research techniques, and user feedback synthesis.

  • Experience working on "zero-to-one" products or contributing to early-stage startup teams.

  • A keen interest in exploring and defining emerging UX patterns for AI, automation, and advanced intelligent systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level suggests a mid-level designer who can operate with significant autonomy. The emphasis on "incomplete inputs and evolving requirements" points to a need for resilience and adaptability, crucial for operations in a cutting-edge AI product.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design processes for web and mobile applications.

  • Include projects that highlight the simplification of complex workflows or technical functionalities into intuitive user experiences.

  • Present examples of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs, clearly articulating your role and contributions.

  • Demonstrate experience with rapid prototyping and iterative design, particularly in response to user feedback or evolving requirements.

Process Documentation:

  • Clearly articulate your design process for each case study, detailing stages from problem definition, user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, to final implementation.

  • Explain how you incorporated user feedback and iteration into your design decisions, especially in the context of AI or complex systems.

  • Detail your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams, emphasizing how you managed input and feedback from engineering and product stakeholders.

  • Showcase your understanding of design system principles and how you've contributed to or utilized design systems in previous roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an AI product, the portfolio should ideally include examples that touch upon data visualization, interaction with intelligent agents, or the design of systems that manage complex, multi-step processes. This demonstrates an understanding of the unique challenges in designing for AI.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for UX Designers with 2-5 years of experience in New York City, the estimated salary range is $90,000 - $130,000 per year. This estimate accounts for the specialized nature of AI product design and the high cost of living in New York.

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary and potential for equity in an early-stage company.

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

  • Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

  • Opportunities for professional development, including conferences and training.

  • Flexible work arrangements with a hybrid model.

  • Potential for significant impact and growth in a rapidly evolving AI startup.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in structuring these hours, with an expectation of collaboration during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for UX Designers in New York City with the specified experience level, considering the unique demands of AI product design. Actual compensation may vary based on candidate qualifications, interview performance, and company-specific compensation structures.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on Artificial Intelligence and Software Development, with a vision to create a proactive AI chat app for everyday users. The company operates at the intersection of consumer tech and advanced AI research.

Company Size: Early-stage startup (precise size not specified, but implied to be small and high-talent density). This means a lean, agile operational structure where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: Recently founded (implied by "zero-to-one products" and building from the ground up). This suggests a culture of rapid innovation, experimentation, and a strong focus on defining foundational processes and product direction.

Team Structure:

  • The team is described as "small, world class" and "high talent density."

  • Expect a flat hierarchy where individuals are empowered to make decisions and execute independently.

  • Collaboration is key, with close interaction between design, product, engineering, and ML teams.

Methodology:

  • Data Analysis & Insights: While not explicitly detailed for design, the company's focus on AI implies a data-driven approach to understanding user behavior and product performance.

  • Workflow Planning & Optimization: The product itself is about organizing workflows and task completion, suggesting an internal operational focus on efficient processes.

  • Automation & Efficiency: Given the AI focus, there's an inherent drive towards automation within the product and likely within internal operations to support rapid development and deployment.

Company Website: https://bjak.my/en/about-us

📝 Enhancement Note: The "high talent density" and "small team" context implies an operational environment that values self-starters who can bring structure and execute independently, essential for navigating the complexities of AI product development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior individual contributor, offering significant ownership and influence. It's an opportunity to be a foundational member of the design team for a novel AI product. The scope extends beyond typical UX tasks to include strategic product direction and defining AI interaction paradigms.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Head of Design, or a founding team member. Collaboration is emphasized across Product, Engineering, and ML departments, indicating a highly cross-functional and integrated operational model.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer will have a direct and substantial impact on the success of the AI product by shaping how users interact with and perceive complex AI capabilities. Design decisions will influence user adoption, retention, trust, and the overall effectiveness of the AI in assisting users with daily tasks and workflows. The role is pivotal in translating AI potential into tangible, user-centric value.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to specialize in AI interaction design, develop expertise in designing for complex, multi-step workflows, and contribute to defining novel UX patterns for AI.

  • Learning & Development: Exposure to cutting-edge AI technology, rapid product development cycles, and working alongside top-tier talent in ML and engineering. Potential for learning about system design and the operational challenges of deploying reliable AI.

  • Leadership Potential: As an early member, there's potential to grow into a lead design role, mentor future hires, and significantly influence the product's strategic direction and the company's design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "zero-to-one" and "early, high-ownership role" suggests significant potential for rapid career growth and impact. This is an opportunity to build a design practice from the ground up within an AI-focused operational context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work arrangement is "Hybrid," suggesting a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration. The company is based in New York, implying a physical office presence for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and focused work.

Office Location(s): New York, New York, United States. Specific office details are not provided, but operations within a major tech hub like NYC typically offer access to talent and resources.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model is designed to foster both focused individual work and dynamic team collaboration. Expect opportunities for in-person design critiques, brainstorming, and strategy sessions.

  • Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard design tools like Figma is expected, along with potential for specialized AI/ML tools or platforms used by the engineering and ML teams.

  • Team Interaction: Regular interaction with product managers, engineers, and ML specialists is integral to the role, facilitating a deep understanding of technical capabilities and user needs.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is implied, with flexibility in daily scheduling due to the hybrid nature. However, the fast-paced startup environment and the need for cross-functional collaboration may require adaptability in working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature suggests a deliberate operational strategy to balance flexibility with the need for in-person synergy, crucial for iterative design and problem-solving in a complex AI product.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Applications will be reviewed by technical team members. A strong portfolio is crucial here.

  • Interviews (3-4 total): Expect a series of virtual or onsite interviews.

    • Design/Product Focus: Likely involves in-depth discussion of your portfolio, design process, and how you approach complex problems, particularly AI interactions. Be prepared to walk through case studies and explain design decisions with a focus on user outcomes and operational efficiency.
    • Cross-functional Collaboration: Assess your ability to work with Product and Engineering, discussing how you've handled technical constraints and evolved requirements.
    • AI/ML Understanding: Questions may probe your interest and understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, and potential UX challenges.
    • Cultural Fit: Evaluation of your ability to thrive in a "high talent density," "hands-on," and "rapid speed" environment.
  • Prompt Decision: The company values transparency and efficiency, aiming for a swift decision process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Focus on AI & Complexity: Highlight projects that involved simplifying complex systems, managing multiple states, or designing for intelligent agents. If you have AI-specific projects, emphasize them.

  • Process & Rationale: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study. Explain why you made certain decisions, focusing on user problems, business goals, and operational considerations.

  • Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved user engagement, task completion rates, reduced friction).

  • Visual Storytelling: Use clear visuals, prototypes, and concise descriptions to tell the story of each project. Ensure your role and contributions are unambiguous.

  • Adaptability: Show examples of how you've adapted designs based on new information or constraints, demonstrating your comfort with evolving requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design exercise, either take-home or live. This will likely involve a prompt related to designing an AI interaction or workflow. Focus on demonstrating your thought process, problem-solving skills, and ability to create intuitive solutions under time constraints.

  • AI Interaction Design: Think about common AI interactions (e.g., conversational interfaces, personalized recommendations, automated task execution) and their potential UX challenges. How would you ensure predictability, trust, and usability?

  • System Thinking: Consider how your designs fit into a larger system. How do they interact with other features? How do they impact the overall operational flow of the AI app?

📝 Enhancement Note: For an AI product, interviewers will be keen to see how you approach novelty, manage uncertainty, and translate abstract AI capabilities into concrete, user-friendly experiences. Demonstrating an understanding of the operational challenges of AI reliability and workflow management will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Proficiency should be high.

  • Rapid Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with tools like ProtoPie, Framer, or similar for creating interactive and complex prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • User Behavior Analytics: While not directly a design tool, understanding how to interpret data from tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics is crucial for iterating on designs based on real user behavior.

  • Usability Testing Platforms: Experience with tools for remote usability testing and qualitative feedback collection.

CRM & Automation:

  • Design System Management Tools: Understanding how to work with or contribute to design systems, which are critical for operational efficiency and consistency in product development.

  • Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with tools like Slack, Jira, Notion, or similar for team communication and project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is Figma and rapid prototyping. However, a designer who understands how their work integrates with analytics and development workflows (e.g., Jira, user analytics tools) will be highly valued in this operations-centric role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • High Talent Density & Independent Execution: A core value is having highly skilled individuals who can work autonomously and drive projects forward without constant supervision.

  • Speed & Iteration: The team prioritizes moving quickly, shipping high-quality work, and learning from rapid iteration cycles. This operational approach is key to navigating the fast-evolving AI landscape.

  • Collective Decision-Making & Collaboration: While individuals execute independently, major decisions are made collectively, fostering a sense of shared ownership and accountability.

  • User-Centricity & Magic: The ultimate goal is to create a "truly magical product" for users, emphasizing the importance of user experience and delight.

  • Structure & Judgment: The ability to bring structure to ambiguous problems and exercise sound judgment is highly valued in this early-stage environment.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Expect deep collaboration with Product, Engineering, and ML teams, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of goals.

  • Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback and constructive critique to continuously improve designs and processes.

  • Knowledge Sharing: As a small, high-talent team, informal knowledge sharing and mentorship are likely integral to how the team operates and grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "bringing structure, exercising judgment, and executing independently" highlights the operational expectations for team members. The culture is geared towards high performers who can contribute significantly to building a product from its foundational stages.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Designing for Novelty: Creating intuitive user experiences for an AI that is proactive and handles complex workflows presents a significant design challenge, requiring exploration of new interaction paradigms.

  • Balancing AI Capabilities with Usability: Ensuring that advanced, potentially non-deterministic AI behaviors are predictable, understandable, and trustworthy for users.

  • Rapid Iteration Under Ambiguity: Working in an early-stage startup means dealing with evolving requirements, technical constraints, and the need to ship quickly while maintaining design quality.

  • Defining AI Interaction Standards: Establishing best practices and a consistent design language for AI interactions that can scale across multiple product surfaces.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • AI UX Specialization: Deep dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of designing user experiences for artificial intelligence.

  • Zero-to-One Product Development: Gain invaluable experience in building a product from its inception, shaping its core features, user journeys, and design system.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Work closely with ML engineers and product managers, gaining insights into AI technology, product strategy, and the operational aspects of AI deployment.

  • Impactful Contributions: Direct influence on a product that aims to bring practical AI benefits to billions, offering a unique opportunity for professional fulfillment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in navigating the uncharted territory of AI user experience and translating complex AI capabilities into a seamless, reliable, and trustworthy product for everyday users. This also presents the greatest growth opportunity for a designer.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • AI Interaction Design Philosophy: How do you approach designing for AI? What are the key principles and potential pitfalls when designing for proactive AI assistants? Be ready to discuss your framework for ensuring trust and predictability.

  • Simplifying Complexity: Describe a time you had to design a user experience for a complex technical product or workflow. What was your approach, and what were the outcomes? Use a specific example from your portfolio.

  • Collaboration with Technical Teams: How do you effectively collaborate with engineers and ML teams? How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and rapidly evolving requirements? Provide examples of successful cross-functional partnerships.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Startup Environment: What interests you about working in an early-stage startup environment, especially one focused on AI? How do you handle ambiguity and rapid change?

  • High-Talent Density: What does "high talent density" mean to you, and how do you contribute to such an environment? How do you give and receive feedback?

  • Defining "Magical": How would you define a "truly magical product" in the context of an AI chat app? What elements would contribute to that experience?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Storytelling for Operations: Frame your case studies as problem-solution narratives. Clearly define the problem, your design process (including how you gathered requirements and iterated), the solution, and the impact (quantifiable if possible).

  • Highlighting AI/Complexity: If possible, emphasize projects that involved complex systems or data. For AI-specific projects, discuss the challenges of interaction design and user trust.

  • Demonstrating Adaptability: Showcase how you've adapted to evolving requirements or feedback. This demonstrates your comfort with the iterative nature of AI product development.

  • Interaction & Prototype Focus: Be prepared to demonstrate interactive prototypes and walk through user flows, explaining your design rationale at each step.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss not just the "what" but the "why" and "how" of your design decisions. For this role, demonstrating an understanding of the operational challenges in building and deploying a reliable AI product will be as important as showcasing design skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer, AI App position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight relevant projects, especially those involving complex workflows, AI/data-heavy products, or successful web/mobile app designs. Focus on demonstrating your end-to-end design process.

  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your experience with Figma, rapid prototyping, interaction design, and any exposure to AI or complex system design. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, approach to AI interaction design, and collaboration style. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to illustrate your skills and experience in handling evolving requirements and technical constraints.

  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Bjak's mission and the AI chat app concept. Understand the company's emphasis on speed, quality, and creating a "magical product." Research emerging trends in AI UX to align your thinking with the company's vision.

⚠️ 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.


Application Requirements

Requires proven experience as a product or UX designer with a strong portfolio in web and mobile products and proficiency in Figma. Candidates should be comfortable with evolving requirements and have the ability to simplify complex technical workflows into usable experiences.