Working Student - Product Designer (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Working Student - Product Designer (m/f/d)

Company: 1KOMMA5°

Location: Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Germany

Job Type: Part-Time (Working Student)

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: April 10, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Remote (Germany-wide) / Hybrid possible with office presence in Hamburg, Berlin, or Munich.

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is for an AI-native Product Designer working student embedded directly within the B2C mobile app team, focusing on the flagship consumer product, the Heartbeat app.

• You will own the end-to-end design loop, from shaping problems to delivering polished, production-ready app experiences, leveraging AI as a design multiplier.

• Key responsibilities include driving core app feature design, conducting user research, and collaborating proactively with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists.

• The role demands a strong balance of UX process, visual design, UI craft, and cross-functional collaboration, with an emphasis on translating complex technical energy concepts into simple, elegant product decisions.

• This is an opportunity to gain significant hands-on experience in a fast-moving, technical environment within the renewable energy sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Working Student" designation combined with "end-to-end ownership" and "shaping our flagship consumer product" indicates a high-impact role that offers substantial learning and development opportunities, rather than typical junior tasks. The emphasis on AI integration suggests a forward-thinking design approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle for core features within the B2C mobile app, from initial user research and problem definition through to final delivery and iterative improvements.

• Proactively integrate AI tools and methodologies into the design workflow to enhance efficiency, ideation, and the overall design output.

• Elevate the user experience of the Heartbeat app from "good" to "excellent" by applying strong visual design principles and a deep understanding of mobile app design patterns.

• Design and execute comprehensive user research initiatives, including user interviews, usability testing, and surveys, to gather actionable insights and advocate for user needs.

• Foster strong, collaborative partnerships with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists, ensuring clear communication and alignment on product goals and design solutions.

• Synthesize complex technical data, user feedback, and market insights into clear, actionable product decisions and elegant design solutions.

• Act as a strong advocate for the end-user within a dynamic, technically driven environment, ensuring user-centricity guides product development.

• Develop high-fidelity prototypes and production-ready design assets that effectively communicate interaction flows and visual design intent.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw description mentions "owning end-to-end design," the "Working Student" title suggests that the scope of this ownership will be focused on specific features or modules within the larger product, under the guidance of senior designers or product leads. The "AI-native" requirement implies a focus on leveraging generative AI and other AI tools in practical design applications.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in User Experience Design, Interaction Design, Human Computer Interaction, Product Design, or a closely related field.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience, with a strong portfolio showcasing practical design work, ideally in mobile applications. Experience gained through internships, academic projects, or personal projects is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• AI-Native Design: Demonstrated daily use of AI tools (e.g., generative AI for ideation, AI-powered design assistants) within your design process, with tangible examples in your portfolio.

• End-to-End Product Design: Proven ability to take features from initial concept and problem definition through to polished, shipped product, showcasing ownership and proactive problem-solving.

• Mobile App Design Fluency: Strong understanding and practical application of common mobile app design patterns, best practices, and platform-specific guidelines (iOS/Android).

• User Research Proficiency: Experience conducting user interviews, usability testing, and surveys to gather qualitative and quantitative insights.

• Design Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in a team environment, partnering with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists.

Preferred Skills:

• Cursor: Familiarity or experience with AI-powered coding editors like Cursor, indicating an advanced understanding of AI integration in development workflows.

• Prototyping: Advanced prototyping skills to create interactive and realistic simulations of app experiences.

• Visual Design & UI Craft: A keen eye for visual aesthetics, typography, color theory, and a strong ability to craft pixel-perfect UI elements.

• Data Synthesis: Ability to interpret and synthesize complex data (user analytics, market research) into actionable design strategies.

• Builder Mindset: A proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving and a passion for seeing ideas come to fruition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-native" and "Cursor" suggests the company is looking for candidates who are not just aware of AI but actively integrating it into their tools and workflows. The "Block-shaped" description implies a well-rounded designer, not just specialized in one area.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• AI Integration Showcase: Include specific case studies that clearly demonstrate how AI tools were used to enhance the design process, from ideation and wireframing to asset generation or user research analysis. Quantify the benefits where possible (e.g., time saved, novel ideas generated).

• End-to-End Case Studies: Present 2-3 detailed case studies that illustrate your ability to manage a design project from its inception (problem definition, user research) through to its completion (prototyping, UI design, handoff, and ideally, post-launch iteration).

• Mobile App Focus: Ensure a significant portion of your portfolio highlights experience with mobile application design, showcasing understanding of mobile UX patterns and UI best practices.

• Problem-Solving & Impact: Clearly articulate the problems you solved, the design decisions you made, and the impact of your work, using quantifiable metrics where available (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, positive user feedback).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to map out and optimize user flows, clearly outlining the steps a user takes to achieve a goal within an application.

• User Research Synthesis: Show how you collect, analyze, and synthesize user research findings into actionable design recommendations. This can be presented as summarized insights or user personas.

• Design System Contribution (if applicable): If you have experience with design systems, showcase how you contributed to or utilized them, emphasizing consistency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. The emphasis on AI integration means candidates should be prepared to discuss their specific AI tools and workflows in detail, not just mention them. Quantifiable results are key for demonstrating impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a "Working Student" position, compensation will likely be structured as an hourly wage or a fixed monthly stipend, competitive for student roles in Germany. Typical ranges for student positions in tech/design in major German cities can vary, but a reasonable estimate would be €12-€18 per hour, or €800-€1500 per month, depending on experience and specific responsibilities.

Benefits:

• International Team: Opportunity to work within a diverse and dynamic international team.

• Climate Impact: Contribute directly to the energy transition and make a tangible impact on climate change.

• Direct Decision-Maker Contact: Gain exposure to and interact with core decision-makers within the company.

• Full-time Entry Opportunities: Excellent chances for transitioning into a full-time role upon graduation, within one of Europe's rapidly growing scale-ups.

• Remote Work Flexibility: Option to work remotely across Germany, with access to office spaces in Hamburg, Berlin, or Munich if desired.

• EGYM Wellpass: Access to a wide range of fitness and wellness facilities to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

• Futurebens Discounts: Benefits and discounts through the Futurebens program.

• Learning Environment: Work with and learn from highly skilled colleagues in a supportive environment.

Working Hours: This is a part-time working student position. While the raw data suggests 40 hours per week, for a working student role, this is typically interpreted as up to 20 hours per week during the semester and potentially more during academic breaks, in compliance with German student labor laws.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market rates for working student positions in the German tech sector. The "40 hours" might be a default in the system; actual hours for a working student are usually capped at 20/week during term time. The benefits package is strong for a student role, particularly the potential for full-time conversion and remote flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: 1KOMMA5° operates at the intersection of Renewable Energy, Technology, and Software Development. They are building an integrated energy system using AI, combining solar, battery storage, heat pumps, and e-mobility. The company is a scale-up with a strong mission-driven ethos focused on climate action.

Company Size: 1KOMMA5° is a rapidly growing scale-up, with over 2,000 employees globally and more than 80 locations. This size indicates a structure that is beyond startup but still agile and dynamic, offering opportunities for significant impact.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly provided, 1KOMMA5° is a relatively new but fast-growing entity, established to address the urgent need for energy transition solutions. This implies a culture of innovation and rapid execution.

Team Structure:

• B2C Mobile App Team: You will be embedded within a dedicated team focused on the Heartbeat app, likely comprising Product Managers, Engineers (frontend/backend/mobile), Data Scientists, and other Designers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes close and proactive collaboration with PMs, engineers, and data scientists, indicating a highly integrated product development process.

• Reporting: As a working student, you will likely report to a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead, who will provide mentorship and guidance.

Methodology:

• AI-First Approach: The company is building its future on AI, particularly "Heartbeat AI," for managing integrated energy systems. This means AI is not just a tool but a core component of their strategy and operations.

• Data-Driven Decisions: The role requires synthesizing complex data into simple, elegant product decisions, indicating a strong reliance on data analytics and insights.

• Agile Development: Given the scale-up status and fast-moving environment, an agile or similar iterative development methodology is highly probable.

Company Website: https://1komma5.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission is a key cultural driver. Candidates should be passionate about sustainability and the energy transition. The "AI-native" requirement for designers reflects a broader company commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level "Working Student" position focused on Product Design within a technology-driven company. It's designed for individuals currently pursuing higher education who want to gain practical, hands-on experience in a product design role. The responsibilities suggest a steep learning curve and significant exposure to real-world product development challenges.

Reporting Structure: You will report to a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead within the B2C mobile app team. This provides a clear line of mentorship and guidance, essential for a student role. You will also work closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists, forming a cross-functional product squad.

Operations Impact: As a Product Designer on the Heartbeat app team, your work will directly impact the user experience of 1KOMMA5°'s flagship consumer product. This involves translating complex energy concepts into intuitive interfaces, which is crucial for user adoption and engagement in the renewable energy sector. Your contributions will help drive the company's mission of transitioning millions of households to renewable energy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in AI-first design methodologies, mobile app design patterns, user research techniques, and Figma. Gain hands-on experience with advanced tools like Cursor.

• Industry Exposure: Immerse yourself in the rapidly evolving renewable energy and smart home technology sectors.

• Career Advancement: The role explicitly offers the "best chances of entering full-time" upon graduation, providing a clear pathway for career progression within a thriving scale-up.

• Mentorship: Benefit from guidance from experienced designers and cross-functional team members.

• Impactful Projects: Work on features that have a direct impact on the company's mission and user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain high-quality, relevant experience that can significantly boost their post-graduation career prospects in product design, especially within tech-focused companies. The explicit mention of full-time conversion potential is a strong growth signal.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: 1KOMMA5° offers a hybrid work environment. While remote work is available Germany-wide, they also maintain physical office spaces in Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich. This provides flexibility for employees who prefer or benefit from in-person collaboration or a dedicated workspace.

Office Location(s):

• Hamburg: Neuer Wall 35, 20354 Hamburg

• Berlin: Rollbergstraße C/O Impact Hub 28A, 12053 Berlin Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Culture: The emphasis on proactive collaboration with PMs, engineers, and data scientists suggests an environment where teamwork and open communication are valued.

• Tools & Technology: You will have access to and utilize modern design tools like Figma, and potentially cutting-edge AI tools like Cursor, reflecting a tech-forward approach to design.

• Dynamic Pace: As a scale-up in a fast-growing industry, the environment is likely fast-paced, requiring adaptability and a proactive mindset.

Work Schedule: This is a part-time "Working Student" position, typically involving up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester. This schedule is designed to accommodate academic commitments while providing valuable professional experience. Flexibility in scheduling is often a characteristic of such roles, allowing students to balance work and study effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with multiple office locations provides geographical flexibility for those in Germany. The mention of "Impact Hub" in Berlin suggests a co-working space environment, which can foster a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your CV and portfolio. This is where your AI integration examples and end-to-end case studies will be crucial.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely be asked to present 1-2 key projects from your portfolio, detailing your role, process, design decisions, and specifically how you leveraged AI. Expect in-depth questions about your problem-solving approach and user advocacy.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This might involve a design exercise or a discussion about your proficiency with Figma and other relevant tools. You may also be asked to discuss your understanding of mobile app design patterns.

• Cross-Functional Interview: A conversation with potential team members (e.g., a Product Manager, Engineer, or Senior Designer) to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or senior leader to discuss your long-term aspirations and fit within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI: Dedicate a section or clearly mark projects that showcase your AI-native design capabilities. Explain why you chose specific AI tools and the impact they had.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio with clear project titles, concise descriptions of the problem, your role, the process, your solutions, and the outcomes. Use visuals effectively.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: For end-to-end case studies, walk through your thought process, including early sketches, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final UI. Explain the rationale behind key design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., user satisfaction scores, task completion rates, engagement metrics).

• Tailor to 1KOMMA5°: Understand 1KOMMA5°'s mission and product. If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to show how your skills align with their goals in renewable energy and AI integration.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a small design challenge, potentially focused on a specific feature or problem related to the Heartbeat app or energy management. Practice thinking aloud and articulating your process clearly.

• AI Integration: If a challenge is given, consider how AI could be used to approach or solve it efficiently.

• Communication: Practice presenting your work concisely and confidently, anticipating questions about your design choices and trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your portfolio, especially concerning AI integration and end-to-end ownership. Demonstrating a proactive, problem-solving attitude and strong communication skills will be paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design and prototyping tool. Proficiency is essential for UI design, wireframing, and creating interactive prototypes.

• Cursor: A preferred tool for AI-assisted coding and design. Experience or a strong willingness to learn and integrate Cursor into your workflow is highly valued.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Other Potential Tools:

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools might be a plus.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting surveys, usability testing, or managing participant recruitment.

• AI Generative Tools: Experience with various AI tools for image generation, text generation, or concept exploration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the primary tool. The explicit mention of "Cursor" indicates a strong push towards AI-augmented workflows, making it a key differentiator for candidates.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to the company's vision of "Living on wind and sunlight forever for free" and accelerating the energy transition. This means work has a tangible impact on climate change.

• AI-Native & Innovative: A culture that embraces cutting-edge technology, particularly AI, as a core driver for innovation and efficiency. Designers are expected to be early adopters and integrators of AI.

• Builder Mindset: A bias towards action and execution. The team values individuals who are not just thinkers but doers, who enjoy building and bringing ideas to life.

• High Agency & Ownership: Employees are encouraged to take initiative, identify problems, and drive solutions without constant prompting. Taking ownership of features and processes is highly valued.

• Collaboration & Communication: While individual contribution is important, the company emphasizes strong cross-functional collaboration and clear, efficient communication, especially in an international context.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Partnership: Designers are expected to work closely and proactively with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists, fostering a truly integrated product development process.

• User-Centricity: A strong emphasis on advocating for the user within technical discussions and decision-making.

• Data-Informed: Decisions are expected to be informed by data and user research, rather than solely by opinion.

• Fast-Paced Iteration: The environment likely supports rapid iteration cycles, with a focus on learning and adapting quickly based on feedback and data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is a blend of a mission-driven startup ethos with the rigor of a growing tech company. Candidates should demonstrate passion for sustainability, a proactive approach, and comfort with AI integration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be translating complex technical concepts related to energy systems, AI, and market dynamics into simple, intuitive, and engaging user experiences for a B2C audience.

• AI Integration Mastery: Continuously exploring and effectively integrating new AI tools and techniques into the design workflow to stay at the forefront of the field and maximize efficiency.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Navigating the trade-offs between ideal user experiences and the technical realities of building complex software and hardware integrations.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the rapid pace of development and evolving priorities within a scale-up environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Develop deep expertise in AI-native design workflows, becoming a go-to person for leveraging AI in product design.

• Product Design Fundamentals: Gain comprehensive experience across the entire product design lifecycle, from research and strategy to UI and delivery.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhance understanding of product management, engineering processes, and data science principles through close collaboration.

• Industry Immersion: Gain invaluable insights into the renewable energy sector, smart home technology, and the business of energy transition.

• Career Pathing: Explicit opportunities for full-time conversion and growth within a leading European scale-up.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to combine cutting-edge AI design practices with a meaningful mission in the renewable energy sector, providing significant growth potential and a competitive edge for future career opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used AI tools to significantly improve a design outcome or process. What was the impact?" (Focus on specific tools, your workflow, and quantifiable results.)

• "Walk us through a mobile app feature you designed end-to-end. What was the problem, your process, the key design decisions, and the outcome?" (Highlight your ownership, problem-solving, and user advocacy.)

• "How would you approach designing an interface for users to understand and manage complex energy data generated by our Heartbeat AI system?" (Demonstrate your ability to synthesize complex information and design for clarity.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about 1KOMMA5°'s mission and the energy transition?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with their purpose.)

• "How do you see AI shaping the future of product design, and what's your personal approach to integrating it?" (Demonstrate your forward-thinking perspective and practical application of AI.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin your portfolio presentation by summarizing the core problem and the impact of your work.

• Emphasize AI Workflow: For relevant projects, dedicate clear slides or sections to explaining your AI integration process – what tools you used, why, and what benefits they provided. Use visuals of AI-generated outputs or AI-assisted workflows.

• Showcase End-to-End Thinking: For case studies, use a narrative structure that clearly outlines the journey from problem definition to solution and outcome. Include sketches, wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI to illustrate your process.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss the difficult decisions you made, the trade-offs you considered, and why you chose a particular path.

• Engage and Ask Questions: Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers about the team, product, and challenges. This shows engagement and initiative.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to not only showcase your design skills but also your strategic thinking around AI integration and your ability to thrive in a mission-driven, fast-paced scale-up environment. Your portfolio is your primary credential; ensure it's polished and highlights the specific requirements of this role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this working student product designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the provided application link and submit your CV and cover letter.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 2-3 strong case studies. Prioritize projects demonstrating end-to-end ownership, mobile app design, and crucially, your AI-native design process with specific examples and quantifiable benefits.

• Tailor Your CV: Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, internships, and any experience with Figma, AI design tools, user research, and mobile development. Emphasize your current enrollment status as a student.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on clear communication of your process, design rationale, and impact. Be ready to discuss your specific use of AI tools and your understanding of 1KOMMA5°'s mission.

• Research 1KOMMA5°: Familiarize yourself with their products, mission, and recent developments. Understand the challenges and opportunities in the renewable energy sector and how AI plays a role.

⚠️ 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.