UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Andromeda Surgical

Location: South San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: November 4, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design highly intuitive and responsive touchscreen interfaces for surgeons controlling complex surgical robots in real-time.

• Develop sophisticated visual feedback systems to communicate critical information, such as robot status and tissue interaction, with immediate clarity.

• Conduct in-depth user research with surgeons to deeply understand their cognitive models, existing workflows, and critical pain points in operative environments.

• Drive the entire design lifecycle from initial concept ideation and rapid prototyping to pixel-perfect, high-fidelity mockups and final execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a unique blend of product design and a deep understanding of human-computer interaction within a high-stakes, hardware-software integrated environment. The emphasis on "craft," "psychological thinking about interaction," and "game-like feedback" suggests a need for a designer who can translate complex technical operations into an experience that is both precise and deeply human-centered, akin to high-performance gaming interfaces but with critical real-world consequences.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and iterate on the primary touchscreen interface that surgeons will use to intuitively control the surgical robot's movements and functions during procedures.

• Engineer dynamic visual feedback mechanisms that clearly and immediately communicate the robot's current state, the nature of tissue interactions, and the progress of the surgical operation.

• Lead and execute user research initiatives, directly engaging with surgeons to gather insights into their mental models, operational workflows, and unmet needs.

• Develop and refine interaction concepts through rapid prototyping, moving efficiently from low-fidelity sketches to detailed, high-fidelity interactive mockups.

• Create and animate dynamic interfaces that incorporate motion and animation to convey information and user feedback, extending beyond static screen designs.

• Foster close collaboration with hardware and software engineering teams to ensure accurate translation of design specifications into a functional and performant product.

• Generate and maintain comprehensive design documentation necessary for regulatory compliance and potential FDA filings, ensuring all design decisions are auditable.

• Establish and uphold robust design guidelines and standards specifically for the surgical interface to ensure consistency and usability across all product iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on, end-to-end design ownership. The inclusion of "prepare and maintain design documentation to support regulatory and compliance processes (e.g. FDA filings)" is a critical point for candidates, indicating a need for meticulous documentation practices aligned with medical device development standards, which is a significant differentiator from typical consumer product UX roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 3 to 4 years of professional experience in UX design, interaction design, or a related creative field, with a proven track record in designing complex digital products.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in UX and interaction design principles, with a strong focus on intuitive and responsive interfaces.

• A compelling portfolio showcasing thoughtful, high-craft design work, particularly in hardware-software interaction or complex digital systems.

• Proficiency in designing dynamic interfaces that utilize animation and motion graphics to enhance user experience and communicate real-time feedback.

• Proven experience in conducting user research, translating qualitative and quantitative insights into actionable design decisions.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous startup environment, demonstrating resourcefulness and the capacity to drive projects forward with limited resources.

• Experience designing for both 2D and 3D visual environments.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional engineering teams. Preferred Skills:

• Background in game design or mobile game development, bringing an understanding of engaging, real-time interactive experiences.

• Experience from animation studios (e.g., Pixar, Disney) indicating a high level of craft in visual storytelling and motion.

• Familiarity with interactive development tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, or similar platforms.

• Experience in iOS or mobile application design.

• Background in industrial design, with experience designing physical hardware products, including form, materials, and ergonomics.

• Experience working within regulated industries (e.g., medical devices, aerospace, automotive) and preparing design documentation for compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio that demonstrates thoughtful, high-craft work" and "experience designing something genuinely impressive, ideally involving hardware-software interaction" is paramount. Candidates should curate their portfolios to specifically highlight projects that showcase these capabilities, moving beyond standard web or mobile app designs to demonstrate a deeper understanding of complex system interactions and user psychology in critical applications.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-4 significant projects that demonstrate your UX and interaction design expertise.

• Highlight projects involving hardware-software interaction, dynamic interfaces, animation, and real-time feedback systems.

• Include case studies that detail your user research process, problem definition, design rationale, iteration, and final outcomes.

• Demonstrate your ability to translate complex technical requirements into intuitive user experiences.

• Present examples of your 2D and 3D design capabilities, including any work with motion graphics or animation. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples or descriptions of how you have documented design decisions, user research findings, and design specifications for engineering teams.

• Be prepared to discuss your process for creating design guidelines and maintaining consistency in a product.

• If applicable, showcase experience with documentation relevant to regulated environments, such as user needs, design inputs, or validation artifacts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is explicitly stated as the primary evaluation criterion. Candidates should focus on quality over quantity, selecting projects that best align with the unique demands of this role: high-stakes interaction, hardware-software integration, and real-time feedback. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions, especially in the context of user psychology and critical system feedback, will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for mid-level UX Designers in the South San Francisco/Bay Area, with specialized experience in hardware-software interaction and medical devices, a competitive salary range would likely be between $120,000 - $160,000 annually. This estimate considers the high cost of living in the Bay Area, the specialized nature of the role, and the early-stage startup environment where equity plays a significant part in total compensation.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and equity package, reflecting early-stage startup growth potential.

• Flexible healthcare benefits administered through an individual coverage reimbursement program, offering personalized choice.

• Monthly health and wellness stipend to support employee well-being.

• 401(k) retirement plan to aid in long-term financial planning.

• Visa sponsorship available for eligible candidates, broadening the talent pool.

• The unique opportunity to contribute to building a category-defining company from its foundational stages. Working Hours:

The role is listed as full-time, typically implying a standard 40-hour work week. However, given the startup environment and the critical nature of the product, flexibility and a commitment to achieving project milestones may be expected, with the potential for occasional extended hours during critical development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on standard industry data for UX Designers in a high-cost-of-living area with specialized skills. The equity component is a significant factor in early-stage startups and should be carefully evaluated by candidates. The mention of "visa sponsorship available" is a key benefit for international candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Surgical Robotics, Medical Technology, Healthcare Innovation. Andromeda Surgical is at the forefront of developing autonomous surgical robots, aiming to revolutionize surgical procedures by enhancing safety, consistency, and efficiency. This industry demands rigorous attention to detail, a commitment to patient outcomes, and a blend of cutting-edge engineering with clinical application.

Company Size: Small, highly collaborative team (11 members). This implies a flat hierarchy, direct impact, and significant ownership for each team member. It also means individuals will wear multiple hats and need to be comfortable with ambiguity.

Founded: Not specified, but described as an early-stage company building from concept to deployment. This suggests a dynamic, growth-oriented environment where foundational processes and culture are still being established.

Team Structure:

• The current team is small and cross-functional, comprising expertise in robotics, software, hardware, machine learning, and clinical operations.

• As the first and only designer, this role reports directly to a founder or senior leadership, offering high visibility and direct influence.

• Collaboration is expected to be close and continuous with engineers across disciplines, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a lean, agile approach, moving quickly from idea to execution.

• A strong emphasis on "ownership," "curiosity," "craft," and "ability to move quickly" defines their operational ethos.

• Data-driven decision-making is implied, especially given the need for user research and performance feedback.

• Design processes are likely emergent, with the UX Designer playing a key role in establishing foundational design methodologies.

Company Website: https://www.andromedasurgical.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The small team size and early-stage nature mean the UX Designer will have a disproportionately large impact. Candidates should be comfortable with ambiguity, proactive in defining processes, and adept at collaborating closely with technical experts who may have different perspectives on design. The "craft" aspect suggests a high standard for quality and detail in design execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level to Senior Individual Contributor, given the requirement for 3-4 years of experience and the expectation of autonomy and foundational work. As the first designer, there is significant potential for growth into a Design Lead or Head of Design role as the company scales.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report directly to a CTO, CEO, or Head of Product, offering high visibility and direct access to leadership. This structure allows for immediate feedback loops and direct influence on product strategy.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work will be central to the product's success. Designing an intuitive surgical interface directly impacts surgeon performance, procedure safety, and overall clinical efficiency. This role has a direct line to revenue generation and market adoption by making the complex technology usable and effective in real-world surgical settings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Foundational Design System: Opportunity to build and own the design system and guidelines for the surgical interface from the ground up, establishing standards for future growth.

• Leadership Potential: As the company grows, this role can evolve into managing a design team, mentoring junior designers, and shaping the overall design vision and strategy.

• Specialized Expertise: Deepen expertise in human-computer interaction within high-stakes, regulated environments, becoming a sought-after specialist in surgical robotics UX.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain in-depth knowledge of robotics, machine learning, hardware engineering, and medical device regulations through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a rare opportunity for a designer to shape a product and a design practice from its inception. The growth potential is significant, moving beyond pure execution to strategic influence and team leadership as the company matures. Candidates should view this as an opportunity to build, not just execute.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in South San Francisco, California. This implies a physical workspace designed for collaborative innovation, likely including access to engineering labs and prototype areas relevant to surgical robotics.

Office Location(s): South San Francisco, California. This location is part of the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area biotech and tech hub, offering access to talent and industry networks.

Workspace Context:

• A highly collaborative environment where direct interaction with engineers (software, hardware, robotics) is constant.

• Access to prototyping tools and potentially early-stage hardware for testing and interaction design.

• A fast-paced, dynamic atmosphere typical of early-stage startups, requiring adaptability and resilience.

• The workspace will likely foster an environment of intense focus on craft and problem-solving due to the critical nature of the product.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site. While core hours are expected, the startup culture may necessitate flexibility to meet critical project deadlines. The nature of surgical robotics development often involves iterative testing and refinement, which may require dedicated focus time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a need for hands-on collaboration and potentially direct interaction with hardware prototypes. Candidates should be comfortable with a dynamic, potentially fluid work environment characteristic of early-stage companies in the biotech/medtech sector.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Review: Initial screening based on resume and portfolio. The portfolio is the most critical element.

2. Portfolio Deep Dive (Remote/Video Call): A detailed discussion with the hiring manager or a senior team member to walk through selected portfolio projects. Expect questions about your design process, rationale, user research methodology, and how you handled constraints.

3. Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise, possibly involving designing an interaction for a specific surgical scenario or critiquing an existing interface. This may be a take-home assignment or a live session. Focus on your thought process, problem-solving approach, and how you'd integrate user feedback.

4. Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with engineers (software, hardware) and potentially leadership to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

5. Final Interview: Discussion with founders or senior leadership to assess overall fit, vision alignment, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that most closely align with the job description's emphasis on hardware-software interaction, real-time feedback, complex systems, and high-stakes environments.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, iteration), the solutions, and the impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Craft & Psychology: Explicitly discuss your considerations for user psychology, visual hierarchy, animation principles, and how you achieved a high level of polish and intuitiveness.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Include interactive prototypes, motion studies, and detailed mockups. If possible, show your 2D/3D design capabilities.

• Address Constraints: Discuss how you worked with limited resources, technical constraints, or regulatory requirements.

• Be Prepared for "Why": For every design decision, be ready to explain the rationale, backed by user research or interaction design principles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Deconstruct the Prompt: Thoroughly understand the scenario presented in any design challenge. Identify the core user needs and technical constraints.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize your step-by-step approach to solving the problem, from initial understanding to proposed solutions.

• Consider the User: Always ground your solutions in the surgeon's perspective, their workflow, and the critical nature of the task.

• Think Holistically: Consider both the visual interface and the underlying interaction mechanics. If animation is involved, think about its purpose and impact.

• Practice Articulation: Be ready to present your findings and solutions clearly and concisely, justifying your choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes practical design skills and problem-solving, with the portfolio serving as the primary gatekeeper. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process in detail and demonstrate a nuanced understanding of user psychology and interaction design within a complex, high-consequence context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Animation & Motion Design: After Effects, Principle, Lottie, or similar tools for creating dynamic interface elements and motion studies.

• 3D Design: Experience with tools like Blender, Cinema 4D, or others for designing and integrating 3D elements into interfaces, or at least understanding 3D asset integration.

• User Research Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Lookback, UserTesting.com (or equivalent qualitative research methods).

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for UX design, understanding how user behavior is tracked and analyzed post-launch can inform design decisions. Familiarity with product analytics platforms might be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this UX design role, but understanding the broader product ecosystem can be helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given. The critical differentiator here is experience with animation/motion design tools and ideally some exposure to 3D design or interactive game engines (Unity, Unreal Engine) as mentioned in preferred qualifications. This indicates a need for a designer who can create rich, dynamic, and visually sophisticated interfaces.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership: Each team member is expected to take full responsibility for their work and drive outcomes.

• Curiosity: A drive to understand complex problems, explore new solutions, and continuously learn.

• Craft: A commitment to high quality, attention to detail, and elegant execution in all aspects of work.

• Speed & Agility: The ability to move quickly from concept to implementation, iterating rapidly in a dynamic startup environment.

• Collaboration: Working closely and effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly cross-functional, with designers working daily alongside engineers and potentially clinical advisors.

• Open communication and feedback loops are essential for rapid iteration and problem-solving.

• The small team size fosters a sense of shared mission and collective responsibility.

• Emphasis on pragmatic solutions that balance ideal design with real-world constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values of ownership, curiosity, craft, and speed are critical indicators of the expected work culture. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate these qualities in their portfolio and interview responses, highlighting instances where they've taken initiative, explored novel solutions, executed with high detail, and adapted to fast-paced environments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity & Resource Constraints: Operating as the sole designer in an early-stage startup means navigating undefined processes, limited budgets, and the need for self-direction.

• Complex Domain: Designing for surgical robotics involves a steep learning curve regarding medical procedures, human anatomy, robot mechanics, and regulatory requirements.

• Real-Time Interaction Design: Creating interfaces that provide immediate, intuitive feedback for high-consequence, real-time actions is technically and conceptually demanding.

• Balancing Innovation with Compliance: Ensuring cutting-edge design meets stringent regulatory standards (e.g., FDA) requires meticulous documentation and a deep understanding of compliance frameworks.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Build a Design Practice: Opportunity to define and implement design processes, tools, and potentially a design system from the ground up.

• Deep Dive into Medical Technology: Gain specialized knowledge in surgical robotics, human-computer interaction in healthcare, and regulatory affairs.

• Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of robotics, software engineering, and hardware integration through close collaboration.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a design leadership role as the company scales, shaping the future of the product and the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should view these challenges not as roadblocks, but as opportunities for significant professional growth and impact. Highlighting how they've successfully navigated similar situations in the past will be crucial.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex hardware-software interaction. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on your process, user research, and how you translated insights.)

• "How would you approach designing visual feedback for a surgical robot when it encounters unexpected resistance from tissue?" (Prepare to discuss real-time feedback, clarity, and potential failure states.)

• "Walk us through your process for conducting user research with domain experts (like surgeons). How do you ensure you understand their mental models and workflows?" (Emphasize empathy, active listening, and insight translation.)

• "Given limited resources and no existing design system, how would you start building a consistent and high-craft user interface for our surgical robot?" (Focus on pragmatic approaches, prioritizing core elements, and establishing foundational guidelines.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in designing for surgical robotics, specifically at Andromeda?" (Show genuine interest in the mission and the technical challenge.)

• "How do you embody our values of ownership, curiosity, and craft in your work?" (Provide specific examples.)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, ambiguous startup environment. How do you stay productive and focused?" (Highlight adaptability and proactive problem-solving.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that showcase your ability to design intuitive interfaces for complex systems, particularly those involving hardware interaction, real-time feedback, and animation.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear story arc: Problem -> Your Role -> Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing) -> Solution -> Impact/Outcome.

• Highlight Craft and Detail: Be prepared to zoom into specific UI elements, discuss micro-interactions, animation choices, and the rationale behind them.

• Demonstrate Research Integration: Clearly show how user research informed your design decisions at various stages.

• Discuss Constraints: Be open about any limitations (technical, time, budget) and how you creatively overcame them.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your design process in granular detail, linking your decisions directly to user needs, psychological principles, and the specific constraints of hardware-software interaction. The ability to articulate the "craft" and "psychological thinking" aspects will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link, ensuring your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and clearly showcase your relevant experience.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating hardware-software interaction, dynamic interfaces, animation, and user research with domain experts. Focus on quality over quantity, selecting your most impactful and relevant work.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, key skills (UX Design, Interaction Design, Prototyping, User Research, 2D/3D Design, Animation), and any experience in regulated industries or with game design principles. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and user research methodologies. Prepare specific examples that align with the company's values and the role's requirements, especially regarding craft, speed, and ownership. Rehearse presenting your portfolio projects.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review Andromeda Surgical's website, mission, and any available information about their technology and team. Understand the complexities of surgical robotics and the importance of intuitive design in this field.

⚠️ 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.