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

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: April 10, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote (Germany-wide)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a unique opportunity for an AI-native Product Designer to directly contribute to a flagship B2C mobile application, the Heartbeat app, within the fast-growing renewable energy sector.

• The position emphasizes end-to-end design ownership, from problem discovery and ideation through to the delivery of polished, production-ready app experiences.

• Successful candidates will leverage AI tools to enhance design workflows, demonstrating a proactive approach to problem-solving and a passion for building impactful solutions in the energy transition space.

• Collaboration is key, with close partnerships expected with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists to synthesize complex energy concepts and data into intuitive and elegant user interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the core responsibilities and required skills align with a UX/UI Designer role focused on mobile applications. The "Working Student" designation indicates this is an entry-level position suitable for individuals currently pursuing higher education, likely with a part-time commitment. The emphasis on AI integration is a significant differentiator for this role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End Feature Ownership: Take full responsibility for the design lifecycle of core features within the Heartbeat mobile app, encompassing user research, ideation, prototyping, and final delivery.

• AI-Enhanced Design Process: Proactively integrate and utilize AI tools to accelerate and improve various stages of the design process, from concept generation to asset creation.

• Elevate User Experience: Drive the product experience from a functional state to an exceptional level, focusing on user-centricity and design excellence.

• User Research & Insights: Conduct and synthesize findings from various user research methodologies, including interviews, usability testing, and surveys, to inform design decisions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster strong, proactive working relationships with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists, ensuring alignment and effective communication throughout the product development cycle.

• Data Synthesis & Simplification: Translate complex technical data and energy concepts into simple, elegant, and actionable product design solutions.

• User Advocacy: Champion the needs and perspectives of the end-user within a fast-paced, technically oriented environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on product ownership and a hands-on approach to design. The expectation of leveraging AI tools daily is a critical requirement that differentiates this role. The "Working Student" aspect implies that the scope of "ownership" might be scoped to specific features or modules under guidance, rather than full product strategy.

🎓 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: While formal years of experience are not explicitly stated, the "Working Student" title suggests candidates are early in their careers, likely with 0-2 years of relevant experience gained through internships, academic projects, or personal endeavors. A demonstrable portfolio is essential.

Required Skills:

• AI-Native Design Workflow: Proven daily use of AI tools in the design process, with the ability to showcase impactful work and methodologies.

• End-to-End Design Execution: Experience taking features from initial problem definition (0 to 1) through to a shipped product.

• Mobile App Design Fluency: Profound understanding and application of mobile app design patterns and best practices.

• UX Process & Craftsmanship: Strong capabilities across the entire UX process, including wireframing, user flows, and information architecture.

• Visual Design & UI Craft: A keen eye for aesthetics, attention to detail, and the ability to create polished, high-fidelity user interfaces.

• Prototyping Proficiency: Ability to create interactive prototypes to test and communicate design concepts effectively.

• User Research Acumen: Proficiency in conducting user interviews, usability testing, and surveys, and synthesizing findings.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with product managers, engineers, and data scientists.

• Strong Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication in English, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and concisely.

• High Agency & Initiative: Proactive approach to identifying and solving problems without explicit direction.

• Builder Mindset: A passion for tangible execution and bringing ideas to life.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with data synthesis and translating complex information into simple design solutions.

• Experience within the energy sector or a strong interest in renewable energy and sustainability.

• Knowledge of Agile development methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-native" and "Block-shaped" (meaning strong across UX, visual, UI, and collaboration) indicates that 1KOMMA5° is looking for well-rounded designers who are early adopters of new technologies and possess a holistic understanding of the design discipline. The "Builder mindset" suggests a preference for candidates who are not only conceptual but also execution-oriented.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• AI Integration Showcase: A dedicated section or clear examples demonstrating how AI tools were used to enhance the design process, improve efficiency, or achieve specific outcomes.

• End-to-End Case Studies: Detailed case studies of at least one significant feature or product that you took from initial concept to a shipped experience, detailing your role, process, and the impact.

• Mobile App Design Examples: Clear examples of mobile application interfaces and user flows, showcasing proficiency in mobile-specific design patterns and user experience.

• Problem-Solving Demonstrations: Examples that highlight your ability to synthesize complex data or technical concepts into simple, elegant design solutions.

• Collaboration Examples: Evidence or descriptions of how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams (PMs, engineers, data scientists) on design projects.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Clearly outline the design process followed in your case studies, emphasizing user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases.

• AI Integration Methodology: Detail the specific AI tools used and the methodology behind their integration into your design workflow.

• Impact Measurement: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback demonstrating the impact of your design decisions on user engagement, satisfaction, or conversion.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Working Student" role, the portfolio should focus on depth over breadth. A few well-documented case studies that highlight the required skills, particularly AI integration and end-to-end ownership on mobile apps, will be more impactful than a large collection of disparate work. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a "Working Student" position in Germany, the salary will be based on the German minimum wage for student interns and apprentices, and potentially adjusted based on the specific company's pay scale for such roles. For a part-time role (e.g., 20 hours/week), a typical range could be between €12-€18 per hour, depending on the specific responsibilities and the student's year of study.

• Hamburg: Cost of living is moderate to high.

• Berlin: Cost of living is moderate.

• Munich: Cost of living is high.

Benefits:

• Dynamic International Team: Opportunity to work with a motivated and diverse global team.

• Climate Impact: Contribute directly to the energy transition and climate protection efforts.

• Direct Decision-Maker Access: Engage directly with core decision-makers within the company.

• Full-Time Entry Opportunities: Excellent chances for conversion to a full-time position post-graduation in a rapidly growing scale-up.

• Remote Work Flexibility: Option to work remotely across Germany, with access to physical offices in Hamburg, Berlin, or Munich.

• EGYM Wellpass: Access to a wide range of fitness and wellness facilities.

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

Working Hours: This is a part-time position, likely requiring approximately 20 hours per week, consistent with typical "Working Student" roles in Germany. The exact schedule can be discussed and potentially flexed to accommodate academic commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is an estimation based on typical "Working Student" compensation in Germany. The benefits package is strong, particularly the remote work option and the potential for full-time conversion, which are attractive for students seeking to launch their careers. The EGYM Wellpass is a significant perk for employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Energy Technology, Renewable Energy, Software (AI-driven Energy Management)

Company Size: Over 2,000 employees worldwide, with a significant presence across Europe and Australia. This indicates a scale-up environment that is past its initial startup phase but still growing rapidly.

Founded: The company's founding information is not explicitly provided but its rapid growth and global presence suggest a relatively recent founding date, likely within the last 5-10 years, focusing on innovation in the energy sector.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the B2C mobile app team. This team likely comprises Product Managers, Engineers (iOS/Android), Data Scientists, and other Designers.

• The Product Designer will report to a lead designer or product lead, working closely with a dedicated Product Manager and engineering team for specific feature development.

Methodology:

• AI-First Approach: The company emphasizes using AI for optimization and automation, particularly in its "Heartbeat AI" platform, influencing product development and design.

• Agile Development: Likely employs agile methodologies for product development, enabling rapid iteration and response to market changes.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong focus on leveraging data from user behavior and the energy market to inform product decisions and optimize system performance.

• Integrated Energy Systems: The company's core philosophy is to manage solar, batteries, heat pumps, and e-mobility as a unified, intelligent system, which translates into complex product features requiring clear design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: 1KOMMA5° positions itself as an innovator in the renewable energy space, combining hardware (regional craftsmanship) with sophisticated software (Heartbeat AI). The company culture appears to be driven by a strong mission, a fast-paced scale-up environment, and a commitment to technological advancement, particularly AI. The "Working Student" role is positioned as a genuine contributor, not just an assistant.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level / Working Student (Product Design / UX/UI)

This role is designed for students to gain practical, hands-on experience in a crucial area of product development. It offers exposure to the full design lifecycle within a dynamic scale-up environment. The focus is on learning and contributing, with a clear path for growth.

Reporting Structure: The Working Student Product Designer will likely report to a Senior Product Designer, Design Lead, or Product Manager within the B2C mobile app team. They will work closely with a dedicated team of engineers and data scientists.

Operations Impact: While this role is in Product Design, the "operations" aspect comes from contributing to the operational efficiency and user experience of the Heartbeat app. This app is central to 1KOMMA5°'s strategy of integrating and managing energy systems, directly impacting customer adoption, satisfaction, and the company's ability to transition households to renewable energy. A well-designed app enhances user engagement, simplifies complex energy management, and ultimately supports the company's mission and revenue goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in mobile app design, UI/UX principles, user research, and crucially, AI-driven design workflows.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience in the rapidly growing renewable energy and cleantech sector.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with real-world, impactful projects that can significantly boost future career prospects.

• Full-Time Conversion: A strong performance as a Working Student can lead to a full-time Product Designer role upon graduation, offering accelerated career progression within a leading European scale-up.

• Networking: Build connections with experienced professionals in design, product, and engineering within a fast-paced tech company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a successful Working Student is clearly defined: gain experience, build a portfolio, and potentially secure a full-time role. The company's focus on AI and sustainability offers unique learning opportunities beyond standard design roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid model with physical offices available in Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich, alongside a Germany-wide remote work option. This offers flexibility for employees.

Office Location(s):

• Hamburg: Neuer Wall 35, 20354 Hamburg

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

• Collaborative & Innovative: Expect a dynamic work environment that encourages collaboration between design, product, and engineering teams. The emphasis on AI and energy transition fosters an innovative atmosphere.

• Tech-Forward: Access to modern design tools and technologies, including Figma, Cursor (likely for AI-assisted coding/design), and other relevant software.

• Impact-Oriented: The work environment is geared towards making a tangible impact on climate change and shaping the future of energy.

Work Schedule: Part-time (likely ~20 hours/week), with flexibility to accommodate academic studies. This schedule allows for deep work on specific features while balancing educational responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and remote options are significant attractions for students, offering flexibility. The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation likely translates into an engaging and purpose-driven work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess qualifications, AI integration examples, and mobile design experience.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion about your background, motivations, and understanding of the role. This may include behavioral questions and a review of your portfolio in detail.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise to assess your design thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to apply AI in a design context. This could be a take-home assignment or a live exercise.

• Cross-Functional Team Interview: Meeting with engineers and/or Product Managers to evaluate collaboration skills and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss cultural fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Integration: Clearly showcase how you've used AI tools. Explain the specific problem AI solved, the tools used, and the impact on your design process or outcome. Use screenshots of AI prompts and outputs where relevant.

• Focus on Mobile & End-to-End: Prioritize case studies that demonstrate your full design process for mobile applications, from discovery to delivery. Detail your role, the challenges, your solutions, and the results.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: For each case study, articulate the user problem or business challenge you addressed and how your design decisions provided an elegant solution.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Use clear language and focus on impactful visuals.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to talk through your portfolio projects in detail, answering questions about your process, decisions, and learnings.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Research 1KOMMA5° and the Heartbeat app. Understand their mission, target audience, and the complexities of energy management systems.

• Practice AI Integration: Think about how you would approach a design problem using AI tools. Be prepared to outline hypothetical AI-assisted design workflows.

• Mobile Design Patterns: Refresh your knowledge of common mobile UI/UX patterns and best practices.

• Communication: Practice articulating your thought process and design rationale clearly and concisely, simulating interview conditions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's AI proficiency and ability to deliver end-to-end mobile design solutions. A strong portfolio demonstrating these aspects is crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design and prototyping tool for UI/UX design, collaboration, and asset creation.

• Cursor: Likely used for AI-assisted coding or design tasks, indicating a forward-thinking approach to the development workflow.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's capabilities, potentially other tools for advanced interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer role, but understanding how user data flows from product usage into CRM or marketing automation systems can provide context for feature design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Cursor highlights the expected technical toolkit. Cursor's inclusion suggests that 1KOMMA5° is at the cutting edge of integrating AI into their development and design processes, and candidates are expected to be proficient or eager to learn in this area.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A strong commitment to making a tangible difference in the energy transition and climate protection.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies, particularly AI, to solve complex problems and drive efficiency.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team-oriented environment where cross-functional cooperation is essential for success.

• Ownership & Agency: Encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their work and proactively drive initiatives.

• Builder Mentality: A culture that values execution and bringing ideas to life, rather than just theoretical discussions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is deeply integrated with product management, engineering, and data science, ensuring a holistic approach to product development.

• Feedback Loops: Open to constructive feedback and iterative design processes, valuing diverse perspectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and new insights, particularly around AI in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be mission-driven, fast-paced, and technologically advanced. Success in this role will require alignment with these values, particularly the drive for impact and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Technical Concepts: Translating intricate energy system concepts and AI functionalities into user-friendly mobile experiences.

• AI Integration Optimization: Continuously finding new and effective ways to leverage AI within the design process to maximize efficiency and impact.

• Balancing Academic and Professional Demands: Juggling part-time work responsibilities with academic coursework.

• Fast-Paced Scale-Up Environment: Adapting to rapid changes, evolving priorities, and the demands of a growing company.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Specialization: Becoming an expert in applying AI tools and methodologies within product design.

• Renewable Energy Industry Knowledge: Gaining deep insights into the cleantech sector and the future of energy management.

• Product Development Lifecycle: Comprehensive understanding of how B2C mobile applications are built and scaled in a high-growth company.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced designers, PMs, and engineers within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the innovative nature of the company and the role itself. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to specialize in cutting-edge areas like AI in design and the booming renewable energy sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used AI tools to significantly improve your design process or the outcome of a project. What was the problem, the AI tool, and the result?"

• "Walk us through a mobile app feature you designed from scratch. Detail your process, the user problem, your design decisions, and how you collaborated with engineers and PMs."

• "How would you approach designing a feature for our Heartbeat app that helps users understand their energy consumption patterns based on complex data?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about 1KOMMA5° and our mission? Why are you interested in working in the renewable energy sector?"

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our AI-first culture?"

• "Describe your ideal team collaboration style, especially when working with engineers and product managers."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Start with your strongest case study, ideally one showcasing AI integration and end-to-end mobile app design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role and process, the challenges, your solutions, and the impact (metrics or qualitative feedback).

• Highlight AI: Explicitly point out where and how AI was used, explaining its value. Use visuals of AI-generated outputs if applicable.

• Be Interactive: Be prepared to dive deep into specific design decisions and answer detailed questions about your process and rationale. Show your Figma files or prototypes if requested.

• Enthusiasm for the Mission: Convey genuine excitement about 1KOMMA5°'s mission and the opportunity to contribute to the energy transition.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just design skills but also a forward-thinking approach to AI integration and a genuine interest in the company's mission. The portfolio presentation is a critical component for assessing practical application.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant coursework, projects, and any experience with design tools (Figma), AI tools, and mobile app design. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating end-to-end design on mobile apps and clear examples of AI integration in your workflow.

• Prepare for the Interview: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to AI in design, and your motivations for joining 1KOMMA5°. Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail.

• Research the Company: Understand 1KOMMA5°'s mission, their products (especially the Heartbeat app), and their position in the renewable energy market. This will help tailor your answers 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.