Working Student Product Designer (m/f/d)

📍 Job Overview

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

Company: 1KOMMA5°

Location: Hamburg, Germany; Berlin, Germany; Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Job Type: Working Student

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: July 13, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote within Germany possible)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive exceptional user experiences and visually appealing interfaces for 1KOMMA5°'s Virtual Assembly Line tools.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including designers, product managers, data scientists, and developers to define problems and craft high-fidelity design solutions.

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to inform design decisions.

• Contribute to the development of intuitive, elegant, and user-centric solutions for complex problems within the climate tech industry.

• Hone design craft and accelerate career development through mentorship and collaboration with experienced 1KOMMA5° designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a "Working Student," indicating a part-time position for individuals currently pursuing a degree. The focus on "Virtual Assembly Line tools" suggests a need for designing interfaces that manage complex operational processes, likely within the company's energy system integration (Heartbeat AI, virtual power plant).

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Product Managers, Data Scientists, and Engineers to translate complex business requirements and user needs into intuitive and effective design solutions for internal tools.

• Lead the end-to-end design process for new and existing features, from initial concept and wireframing to high-fidelity prototyping and detailed UI design.

• Design and execute user research initiatives, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather insights and validate design decisions.

• Create compelling user flows, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes using Figma to effectively communicate design concepts and user interactions.

• Maintain and evolve design systems and style guides to ensure consistency and scalability across the product suite.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies within the Product & Tech team.

• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, best practices, and technologies, particularly within the climate tech and SaaS industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to design, including user research and prototyping, which are critical for a product designer role. The mention of "Virtual Assembly Line tools" and "Heartbeat AI" indicates a focus on operational efficiency and system integration, requiring a designer to understand complex workflows and data representation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in User Experience Design, Interaction Design, Human Computer Interaction, or a closely related field at a German University.

Experience: Academic project experience is valued; practical experience in a design role is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Proven proficiency in design and prototyping tools, with a strong command of Figma.

• A robust portfolio showcasing design skills, problem-solving abilities, and a clear thought process, including academic projects.

• Solid understanding of user experience (UX) principles, interaction design patterns, and visual design best practices.

• Ability to grasp and design solutions for complex problems with a focus on user-centricity and elegance.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively.

• Proactive, positive, and energized attitude with a strong desire to learn and contribute.

• Familiarity with design trends and industry best practices. Preferred Skills:

• Experience or demonstrable knowledge of the climate tech industry or renewable energy sector.

• Fluency in German.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for enrollment at a German university and German fluency (preferred) highlights the need for local integration and communication. The emphasis on a portfolio with academic projects is typical for student roles, but the expectation for a "strong grasp and command of Figma" and "sense of quality for intuitive user experiences" suggests a need for practical skills beyond theoretical knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 diverse design projects that demonstrate your end-to-end design process, from problem definition to final solution.

• Projects should highlight your ability to tackle complex user problems and deliver intuitive, user-centric solutions.

• Clearly articulate your role, the problem you addressed, your design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), and the impact of your design decisions.

• Include high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes, preferably created in Figma, to illustrate your UI design skills and attention to detail.

• Demonstrate your understanding of user research methodologies and how you incorporated user feedback into your designs. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, be prepared to walk through your design thinking and decision-making process.

• Explain how you approached user research, synthesized findings, and translated insights into tangible design solutions.

• Be ready to discuss the tools and techniques used, with a particular emphasis on Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.

• Articulate how your designs address specific user needs and business objectives, showcasing an understanding of the impact of design on product success.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a working student role, the portfolio will heavily rely on academic projects. The emphasis is on demonstrating the process and thinking behind the designs, not just the final output. This includes how the candidate approaches problem-solving, conducts research, and uses tools like Figma to bring solutions to life, even in a theoretical or academic context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a working student position in Germany, compensation is typically hourly and varies based on university regulations and company policy. Based on typical industry standards for student roles in Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich, an estimated range would be €13-€18 per hour.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to be part of an international, dynamic, and highly motivated team driving significant impact in the climate tech sector.

• Direct contribution to accelerating the "energy transition" and making a tangible impact on climate change.

• Learn from and collaborate with exceptionally talented colleagues and core decision-makers.

• Excellent opportunities for full-time employment in one of Europe's most rapidly growing scale-ups upon completion of studies.

• Remote work flexibility within Germany, with access to offices in Hamburg, Berlin, or Munich.

• Access to benefits and discounts through Futurebens.

• Enjoy work-life balance and wellness benefits via the EGYM Wellpass.

Working Hours: This is a "Working Student" position, typically implying part-time hours. The standard full-time workweek in Germany is 40 hours, so this role would likely be around 15-20 hours per week during the semester, with potential for more hours during university breaks, subject to German student work regulations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary for working student positions in Germany is usually set by law (minimum wage) and company policy, often reflecting the student's academic status and the company's pay scale for interns/students. The provided range is an educated estimate based on common practices for similar roles in major German cities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Renewable Energy, Climate Tech, Software & Technology (specifically energy system integration and smart home technology).

Company Size: 1KOMMA5° is a rapidly growing scale-up, employing over 3,000 people globally across more than 80 locations. This signifies a dynamic, fast-paced environment with significant opportunities for impact.

Founded: The company was founded with a mission to accelerate CO2 neutral living, positioning itself as a leader in the energy transition through integrated smart energy solutions.

Team Structure:

• The Product & Tech team is central to 1KOMMA5°'s mission, developing the "Heartbeat AI" and virtual power plant technology.

• This role involves close collaboration with designers, product managers, data scientists, and developers, indicating a cross-functional and agile team structure.

• Reporting likely falls within a Product Design or Product Management hierarchy, with opportunities to interact with leadership. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core tenet, leveraging data scientists and AI (Heartbeat AI) to optimize energy systems.

• Agile development methodologies are expected given the fast-paced scale-up environment.

• A strong emphasis on innovation and problem-solving to address the complex challenges of the energy transition.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: 1KOMMA5° is positioned as a mission-driven company focused on sustainability and technological innovation in the energy sector. The culture is likely to be fast-paced, international, and collaborative, attracting individuals passionate about climate impact and cutting-edge technology. The "Virtual Assembly Line" tools suggest internal operational software that requires robust UX for efficiency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level "Working Student" position, designed for individuals early in their Product Design or UX career. The role focuses on skill development and gaining practical experience within a professional environment.

Reporting Structure: The Working Student will report to a Senior Designer or Product Manager within the Product & Tech team. They will collaborate closely with a diverse group of professionals, including product managers, data scientists, and developers.

Operations Impact: While a student role, the individual will contribute directly to the development of tools that enable operational efficiency for the company's energy transition efforts. Their designs will impact how internal teams manage complex systems and data, indirectly contributing to the company's mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Intensive learning in UX/UI design, user research, Figma, and cross-functional collaboration within a fast-paced tech environment.

• Industry Exposure: Deep dive into the climate tech and renewable energy sector, understanding its unique design challenges and opportunities.

• Career Advancement: Strong potential for conversion to a full-time role upon graduation, with clear pathways for growth into Product Designer, UX Designer, or related positions within 1KOMMA5°.

• Networking: Building relationships with experienced professionals and leadership, creating a strong foundation for future career steps.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth path for this role is through learning and development, with a clear potential for a full-time position. The company's rapid growth suggests ample opportunities for advancement and specialization within the Product & Tech department.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with the option for remote work within Germany. The company has physical office locations in Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich, which can be utilized for collaboration and in-person meetings.

Office Location(s):

• Hamburg: Neuer Wall 35, 20354 Hamburg

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

• Munich: Postal code 80331 München, Bavaria Workspace Context:

• Collaborative: Expect an environment that encourages teamwork and knowledge sharing, with regular cross-functional meetings and design critiques.

• Tech-Forward: Access to modern design tools and technologies, with a focus on Figma for design and prototyping.

• Impact-Oriented: A workspace designed to foster innovation and a sense of purpose, driven by the company's mission to combat climate change.

• Flexible: The hybrid model allows for a balance between focused remote work and collaborative office-based interactions.

Work Schedule: As a working student, the schedule will be part-time, likely 15-20 hours per week during the semester, with flexibility to accommodate academic commitments. This allows for focused work on design tasks while managing study responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and office locations in major German cities offer flexibility. The focus on "Virtual Assembly Line tools" implies a need for concentration and focused design work, which can be achieved both remotely and in an office setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit your CV, cover letter, and portfolio link.

• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will focus on your portfolio to assess design skills, process, and Figma proficiency.

• Initial Interview: A conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager to discuss your background, motivation, and fit with the company culture.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a small design exercise or present one of your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on your problem-solving approach and design thinking.

• Team Interview: Meet with members of the Product & Tech team (designers, product managers) to discuss your experience, collaboration style, and technical skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a senior leader to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project – research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Showcase Figma Skills: Ensure your portfolio includes high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes created in Figma.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, explain the impact of your design decisions, even if it's based on academic feedback or hypothetical scenarios.

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio projects as compelling narratives that showcase your problem-solving abilities and design thinking.

• Tailor to Role: Emphasize projects that demonstrate skills relevant to designing operational tools or complex systems, if applicable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research 1KOMMA5°, its mission, and its products (especially Heartbeat AI and its role in energy management).

• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you approach problems, conduct user research, and iterate on designs.

• Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to demonstrate your Figma skills if a live exercise is given, or discuss advanced features you use.

• Articulate Impact: Practice explaining how your design solutions deliver value to users and the business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and thought process" and "command of Figma" means these will be central to the early stages of the application process. For a working student role, demonstrating potential and a structured approach is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect to use it extensively.

• User Research Tools: Potentially tools like Typeform, SurveyMonkey, or dedicated user testing platforms for conducting qualitative and quantitative research.

• Project Management Tools: Likely Jira, Asana, or Trello for task management and workflow tracking within agile development cycles.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Such as Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics, to understand user behavior and product performance.

• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially Tableau, Power BI, or internal dashboards for analyzing user data and design impact.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: While not directly a design tool, understanding how designs integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) might be beneficial for context.

• Design System Management: Tools or methodologies for managing and scaling design systems to ensure consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a required skill. The other tools are standard in modern tech companies, especially those with a focus on data-driven product development and agile workflows. A working student would be expected to be proficient in Figma and willing to learn other relevant tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to accelerating the energy transition and creating a sustainable future ("Living on wind and sunlight forever for free").

• Innovation & Agility: Fostering a culture of continuous improvement, experimentation, and rapid problem-solving within a scale-up environment.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Encouraging cross-functional teamwork, open communication, and direct contact with decision-makers.

• Quality & User-Centricity: A dedication to delivering high-quality, intuitive user experiences that solve real problems for customers and internal teams.

• Impact-Oriented: Focusing on tangible outcomes and contributions that drive the company's ambitious goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with product managers, developers, data scientists, and other designers is fundamental.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to design critiques and iterative feedback to refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes learning from peers and sharing best practices, particularly within the Product & Tech team.

• Proactive & Energized: Expectation of proactive engagement, a positive attitude, and enthusiasm for tackling challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission is a strong cultural driver. The emphasis on working with "super-smart colleagues" and having "direct contact with core decision-makers" suggests a culture that values expertise, encourages learning, and empowers individuals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Creating intuitive interfaces for internal "Virtual Assembly Line" tools that manage complex energy system data and workflows.

• Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to a fast-paced scale-up where priorities and projects can evolve quickly.

• Balancing Academic and Professional Demands: Effectively managing workload and time to excel in both studies and the working student role.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively translating technical and business requirements into design solutions and communicating design rationale to diverse stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Learning directly from experienced designers and product professionals within the team.

• Skill Enhancement: Gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard design tools (Figma) and methodologies (user research, agile development).

• Industry Insight: Developing a deep understanding of the renewable energy and climate tech sectors.

• Career Foundation: Building a professional network and gaining experience that can lead to full-time opportunities in a high-growth industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The key challenge for a product designer in this role will be translating complex operational data and processes into user-friendly interfaces. The growth opportunities are substantial for a student, offering real-world experience and a potential career launchpad.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex problem you've tackled in a design project and how you approached it." (Focus on your design process, research, and problem-solving skills.)

• "Walk me through a project in your portfolio that you're particularly proud of. What was your role, what were the challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Be ready to discuss your Figma usage and design decisions.)

• "How do you incorporate user feedback into your design process?" (Highlight your experience with user research and usability testing.)

• "What are your thoughts on designing for internal tools versus external-facing products?" (Demonstrate an understanding of different user needs and contexts.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in 1KOMMA5° and our mission?" (Research their vision, values, and impact on the energy transition.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices?" (Show your proactive learning approach.)

• "What are your expectations from this working student role and how do you see it contributing to your career goals?" (Align your aspirations with the role's opportunities.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each project, clearly outline: the Problem, your Role, the Solution (with visual examples), and the Impact/Outcome.

• Figma Focus: Be prepared to show your Figma files or walkthrough key screens and prototypes, explaining your design choices.

• Process Over Polish: Emphasize your thought process, research findings, and how you iterated based on feedback, rather than just presenting perfect final screens.

• Conciseness: Practice presenting each project within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., 5-7 minutes) to respect the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a combination of design aptitude, a structured approach to problem-solving, proficiency in Figma, and a genuine interest in 1KOMMA5°'s mission. For a working student, demonstrating potential and a willingness to learn is as important as existing expertise.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the 1KOMMA5° careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest academic or personal design projects that best showcase your skills in UX/UI design, problem-solving, and your thought process using Figma. Ensure they highlight your ability to tackle complex challenges.

• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight relevant coursework, design projects, and any experience with Figma or user research. Clearly state your current enrollment status at a German university and your availability.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, the rationale behind your design decisions, and your understanding of user-centered design principles. Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and explain why you are passionate about 1KOMMA5°'s mission.

• Research 1KOMMA5°: Thoroughly understand the company's mission, vision, and products, particularly their role in the energy transition and the concept of their "Virtual Assembly Line" tools. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.