Lead Product Designer (First Design Hire)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer (First Design Hire) Company: Jua.ai Location: Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Date Posted: October 1, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ years (Mid to Senior level, with leadership potential) Remote Status: Hybrid (with emphasis on in-person collaboration)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end UX/UI design lifecycle for Jua.ai’s advanced AI-driven Earth intelligence platform, focusing on intuitive interfaces for time-critical, expert workflows.
• Drive user research initiatives, synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions and ensure product-market fit for complex B2B technical products.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive Figma design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficient implementation across web and platform applications.
• Collaborate closely with software engineers, research scientists, and go-to-market teams, translating complex functionalities into user-friendly and reliable tools.
• Leverage analytics and AI-assisted design tools to optimize user experiences, measure design impact, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the design function.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is Jua.ai’s first dedicated design hire, indicating a critical need for a self-starter who can establish design processes and a design system from the ground up. The role requires not only strong execution skills but also strategic thinking to define the design vision and approach for a complex, data-rich B2B product. The “Lead” title suggests an expectation of mentorship and potential team growth in the future.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End Design Leadership: Spearhead the entire UX/UI design process for Jua.ai’s AI weather platform, encompassing user research, concept validation, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and final delivery.
• User-Centric Research & Validation: Conduct in-depth user interviews, surveys, and usability testing to gather actionable insights from domain experts, translating feedback into design improvements and product strategy.
• Design System Development & Governance: Architect, build, and maintain a modular Figma design system, including comprehensive documentation and usage guidelines, to ensure visual consistency and design efficiency across all product touchpoints.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster strong partnerships with software engineers, research scientists, product managers, and go-to-market teams, ensuring seamless design implementation, resolving technical constraints, and aligning design efforts with business objectives.
• Data-Informed Design Decisions: Utilize analytics tools (e.g., PostHog) to define user behavior taxonomies, build funnels, and analyze cohort data, informing design iterations and measuring the impact of design changes on key business metrics.
• AI-Assisted Design Integration: Explore and implement AI-assisted design tools, effectively prompting, evaluating, and refining AI-generated outputs to create production-ready designs that enhance efficiency and creativity.
• Microcopy & Content Design: Craft clear, concise, and tone-consistent microcopy for navigation, error states, tooltips, and other UI elements to enhance usability and user comprehension.
• Stakeholder Communication: Articulate design rationale, present work-in-progress and final designs effectively to diverse internal stakeholders, including executive leadership, engineering, and sales teams.
• Trend & Best Practice Integration: Continuously research and integrate emerging UX/UI trends, tools, and best practices to elevate the design quality and user experience of Jua.ai’s platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on “time-critical, expert workflows” and “B2B, data-rich technical products” suggests a need for design solutions that prioritize clarity, efficiency, and accuracy above all else. The responsibility to “leverage analytics tools (e.g. user behavior tracking)” highlights the importance of a data-driven approach to design, requiring the candidate to not only create interfaces but also measure their effectiveness.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, human-computer interaction, and user experience methodologies is expected, often gained through formal education or equivalent professional experience. Experience: A minimum of 7 years of dedicated experience in UX/UI design, with a proven track record in B2B, data-rich technical product environments. Experience as a first or founding designer is highly preferred, demonstrating the ability to establish design functions independently.

Required Skills:

• End-to-End UX/UI Design: Mastery of the full design lifecycle, from user research and strategy to visual design and implementation support.
• Portfolio Excellence: A compelling portfolio showcasing a range of B2B, data-rich technical product designs, with clear evidence of usability improvements, visual design quality, and measurable outcomes.
• User Research Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to conduct user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, and to translate findings into actionable design insights.
• Figma Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Figma, including deep knowledge of component libraries, prototyping features, and design system creation.
• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Hands-on experience with AI design tools, including the ability to effectively prompt, evaluate, and integrate AI-generated outputs into design workflows.
• Design Systems: Strong understanding and practical experience in developing and maintaining scalable design systems, including documentation and style guides.
• Responsive & Accessible Design: Solid grasp of responsive design principles and adherence to accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
• Data Analytics Integration: Experience using user behavior tracking tools (e.g., PostHog, Google Analytics, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions, define event taxonomies, and build user funnels.
• Agile & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to thrive in agile development environments and collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with confidence in presenting design work and rationale to diverse stakeholder groups.

Preferred Skills:

• Basic Front-End Development Knowledge: Familiarity with TypeScript, React, and Tailwind CSS to better understand implementation constraints and collaborate with engineers.
• Complex Data Visualization: Experience designing interfaces for applications with highly complex or dense data visualizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for “first/solo design hire or founding designer experience” is a critical signal. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their experience in establishing design processes, building design systems, and influencing product strategy from the ground up. The specific mention of PostHog suggests a preference for candidates with direct experience in this or similar product analytics platforms.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 2-4 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end design ownership for B2B, data-rich technical products.
• Problem/Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed by each design project.
• Process Documentation: Illustrate the design process employed, including research methodologies, ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.
• Visual Design Excellence: Present high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that highlight strong visual design principles and attention to detail.
• Measurable Outcomes: Quantify the impact of design solutions using relevant UX metrics (e.g., conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores) or business outcomes (e.g., increased revenue, reduced support costs).
• System Thinking: Demonstrate an understanding of how designs integrate within a larger product ecosystem and contribute to a cohesive user experience.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing and optimizing user workflows for efficiency and effectiveness in complex technical environments.
• Implementation & Automation: Examples of how designs were implemented, potentially highlighting collaboration with engineering on efficient development practices or automation opportunities.
• Measurement & Analysis: Demonstrations of how designs were evaluated post-launch using analytics and user feedback to drive further iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, especially given the “first design hire” context. Candidates must be prepared to walk through their portfolio, explaining not just what they designed but why, detailing their decision-making process, and highlighting their ability to drive tangible results through design. The specific mention of PostHog and analytics integration means portfolio pieces should ideally demonstrate how data informed design decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the “Lead” title, 7+ years of experience, and location in Zürich, Switzerland (a high cost-of-living area), a competitive salary range is anticipated. For a Lead Product Designer in Zürich with this experience level, a typical range could be CHF 120,000 - CHF 160,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major European tech hubs, considering the specialized nature of AI and Earth intelligence platforms.

Benefits:

• Stock Options: Generous stock options offered, providing ownership and participation in the company’s long-term success.
• Competitive Salary: A strong base salary commensurate with experience and market standards.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, attending industry conferences, and skill enhancement.
• Hybrid Work Environment: The flexibility of a hybrid work model balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.
• Impactful Work: The chance to work on cutting-edge technology with significant real-world applications in climate and energy.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid model suggests flexibility in daily scheduling, with an emphasis on collaborative time during core business hours and in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data for comparable roles in Zürich, Switzerland, factoring in the specialized nature of the company’s technology (AI, Earth Intelligence) and the seniority of the position. The inclusion of “generous stock options” is a key incentive for startup environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on Earth Intelligence, AI, Weather Forecasting, and Energy Trading solutions. Jua.ai operates at the intersection of advanced scientific modeling and commercial application, aiming to provide decisive trading advantages through unparalleled understanding of Earth’s systems. Company Size: As a growing startup, Jua.ai likely operates with a lean, agile team structure. The “first design hire” status indicates the company is past the very early seed stage but is still building out its core functional teams. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company’s mission suggests it is likely a relatively recent venture focused on leveraging cutting-edge AI and simulation technology.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Pods: Expect teams to be structured around specific product areas or initiatives, comprising engineers, research scientists, and go-to-market professionals.
• Direct Reporting: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, CTO, or a senior executive overseeing product development.
• Collaborative Environment: The culture emphasizes “high-agency,” “transparent communication,” and “rapid iteration,” suggesting a dynamic environment where individuals are empowered to take initiative and collaborate closely.

Methodology:

• Data Supremacy: A core principle is leveraging data to maintain a competitive edge and drive decision-making.
• Agility & Speed: The company values operating at “highest clock speed” to adapt quickly and move from idea to production rapidly.
• User-Centric Innovation: Innovation is driven by understanding and serving user needs, particularly within the energy and trading sectors.
• Fact-Based Decision-Making: Decisions are grounded in data and objective analysis, fostering a culture of clear communication and alignment.

Company Website: [Jua.ai Company Website - Placeholder, as URL was not provided]

📝 Enhancement Note: Jua.ai’s mission to build a “universal physics simulator” for Earth systems is ambitious and technologically sophisticated. The company culture prioritizes performance, agility, and data-driven decision-making, with a strong emphasis on user impact and innovation. The “adventure” value suggests a willingness to tackle complex, challenging problems.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a “Lead” Product Designer, marking a significant step into a leadership capacity. It signifies a move from individual contribution to influencing design strategy, establishing best practices, and potentially mentoring future designers. The “first design hire” aspect means the individual will define the design function’s trajectory. Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a senior leader (e.g., CTO, Head of Product) and will work closely with engineering and research leads. This structure offers visibility and direct influence on product direction. Operations Impact: The designer’s work will directly impact the usability and effectiveness of Jua.ai’s core platform, which is designed to provide significant trading advantages. Successful design implementation will translate to increased user adoption, efficiency, and ultimately, profitability for clients, directly influencing the company’s market position and revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership Expansion: As the company scales, there is a clear path to grow into a Head of Design or Design Manager role, building and leading a design team.
• Strategic Product Influence: Opportunity to significantly shape the product roadmap and user experience strategy based on deep user understanding and market insights.
• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for complex AI, machine learning, and scientific simulation platforms, becoming a recognized specialist in a niche, high-demand field.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain broader exposure to business strategy, scientific research, and go-to-market dynamics through close collaboration with diverse teams.
• Industry Impact: Contribute to groundbreaking technology that addresses critical global challenges in climate and energy, offering a unique career path with significant societal impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The “first design hire” status is a pivotal growth opportunity. It allows the candidate to establish their own vision for design at Jua.ai, build processes, and set the foundation for future design team growth. This is a high-impact role with significant potential for career advancement and specialization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Jua.ai operates a hybrid work environment. This suggests a balance between remote work flexibility and the necessity for in-person collaboration, likely on designated days or for specific team events. Office Location(s): The primary office location is Zürich, Switzerland. This provides access to a vibrant European tech ecosystem, talent pool, and a high standard of living. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: Office days are likely designed for focused collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and team-building activities, fostering strong working relationships.
• Modern Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma), collaboration platforms, and potentially advanced hardware necessary for design work.
• Interdisciplinary Interaction: Frequent opportunities to interact with and learn from software engineers, research scientists, and business development professionals, promoting a rich learning environment.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work week is expected, with flexibility in daily hours. The hybrid model necessitates clear communication and coordination regarding in-office days and availability for remote collaboration. The emphasis on rapid iteration suggests a dynamic pace where efficient time management is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model implies a need for strong self-management and proactive communication skills. Candidates should be comfortable structuring their work to maximize both independent focus and collaborative synergy, whether in the office or remotely.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (likely Head of Product or CTO) to discuss your background, design philosophy, and alignment with the role’s strategic needs.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, highlighting key projects and demonstrating your design process and impact. This may include a focused design exercise or case study discussion related to Jua.ai’s product challenges.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders, including software engineers and research scientists, to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate design with development.
• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with the CEO or other senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic vision, and alignment with the company’s mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-4 of your strongest B2B, data-rich technical product case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end design capabilities and impact.
• Tell a Story: Structure each case study with a clear narrative: the problem, your role and process, the solutions developed, and the measurable outcomes.
• Highlight Data & AI: Emphasize projects where you used data analytics to inform design or incorporated AI/ML concepts into your work.
• Showcase Figma Mastery: Be prepared to discuss your design system approach, component libraries, and prototyping techniques within Figma.
• Explain Your ‘Why’: Articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the positive results of your design work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Jua.ai’s business, the AI/Earth Intelligence space, and the challenges faced by energy traders and analysts.
• Think Systemically: Consider how design fits into a complex, data-intensive platform. Focus on clarity, efficiency, and trust.
• Practice Presenting: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and design thinking clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your process and outcomes.
• Prepare for Data-Driven Questions: Be ready to discuss how you would approach user research, A/B testing, and analyzing user behavior data within the Jua.ai context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical. Candidates should treat it as a strategic presentation, showcasing not only design skills but also their ability to think critically about complex problems, collaborate effectively, and drive measurable business value. The emphasis on data and AI means portfolio pieces that highlight these aspects will be particularly strong.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and design system development. Advanced proficiency is expected.
• Prototyping Tools: Within Figma or standalone tools (e.g., InVision, Principle) for creating interactive prototypes.
• Wireframing Tools: Potentially Balsamiq, Sketch, or other tools for early-stage ideation and schematic design.
• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Experience with tools like Uizard, Galileo AI, or similar platforms for leveraging AI in the design process.

Analytics & Reporting:

• PostHog: Specifically mentioned, indicating a need for experience in defining event taxonomies, building funnels, analyzing cohorts, and using user behavior data to inform design.
• General Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude for tracking user behavior and measuring design impact.
• Data Visualization Tools: Understanding of how to design for effective data presentation and potentially experience with dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker) if relevant to the platform’s analytics features.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly mentioned for the designer role, understanding how design integrates with CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms might be beneficial for B2B product context.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Jira/Confluence: Likely used for agile project management and documentation within engineering teams.
• Slack/Microsoft Teams: Standard communication platforms for cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and experience with PostHog are explicitly highlighted requirements. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools in detail, providing specific examples of how they have used them to drive design outcomes. Familiarity with AI design tools is also a significant differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance & Ambition: A drive to achieve high standards and deliver exceptional results.
• Agility & Rapid Iteration: Embracing change, moving quickly from idea to execution, and adapting to new information.
• Data Supremacy: Commitment to data-driven decision-making and using insights to guide strategy and product development.
• User Focus & Impact: Deep understanding of user needs and a dedication to creating solutions that provide tangible value and solve critical problems.
• Transparent Communication: Open and honest sharing of information, fostering trust and alignment across teams.
• Adventure & Innovation: A willingness to tackle complex, unprecedented challenges and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is deeply embedded within product teams, working hand-in-hand with engineering and research.
• High Agency & Ownership: Team members are empowered to take initiative, make decisions, and drive projects forward independently.
• Fact-Based Dialogue: Discussions and decision-making are grounded in data and objective analysis, encouraging constructive debate.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: Continuous feedback and refinement are integral to the development process, ensuring quality and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize a proactive, results-oriented, and collaborative approach. The “adventure” aspect suggests a culture that thrives on tackling difficult, cutting-edge problems. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values align with these principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing Design Foundations: As the first designer, you’ll be responsible for defining processes, building a design system, and shaping the design culture from scratch.
• Complex Domain Expertise: Understanding and designing for highly technical domains like physics simulation, advanced weather modeling, and financial trading requires significant learning and adaptation.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Creating intuitive interfaces for expert users dealing with time-critical, data-rich information demands a delicate balance between cutting-edge features and ease of use.
• Data Integration & Visualization: Effectively designing for complex data sets and ensuring clear, actionable insights are presented to users can be a significant technical and design challenge.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent design vision and implementation across rapidly evolving engineering and research efforts requires strong communication and influence.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in Earth intelligence, AI applications in climate science, and the energy trading market.
• Design System Leadership: Build and scale a design system that serves as a foundational element for Jua.ai’s future product growth.
• AI Design Specialization: Gain hands-on experience integrating AI into the design workflow, becoming proficient in leveraging and refining AI-generated design assets.
• Product Strategy Influence: Play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of a groundbreaking product through user-centric design insights.
• Leadership Development: Grow into a leadership role, potentially building and managing a design team as the company expands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in the “first design hire” aspect. This role offers immense potential for impact and career acceleration by defining the design function and contributing to a truly innovative technology.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• “Describe your experience establishing a design system from scratch. What were the key considerations, challenges, and outcomes?” (Focus on modularity, documentation, and adoption.)
• “How would you approach user research for a platform used by expert energy traders? What methods would you prioritize, and how would you synthesize findings for engineers and scientists?” (Highlight understanding of B2B expert users and data-driven insights.)
• “Walk us through a complex, data-rich B2B product you designed. What was the core problem, your design process, the technologies involved, and the measurable impact?” (Prepare a detailed case study from your portfolio.)
• “How do you leverage analytics tools like PostHog to inform your design decisions? Can you give an example of a design iteration driven by user behavior data?” (Be ready to discuss event taxonomies, funnels, and A/B testing.)
• “What is your experience with AI-assisted design tools? How do you see them augmenting, rather than replacing, the designer’s role?” (Showcase practical application and critical evaluation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• “What excites you about Jua.ai’s mission and the Earth intelligence space?” (Research the company’s vision and market.)
• “How do you align with our values of performance, agility, and data supremacy?” (Connect your past experiences and work style to these values.)
• “Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders with differing opinions on a design decision. How did you approach it?” (Demonstrate communication and persuasion skills.)
• “What are your expectations for collaboration with engineering and research science teams in a hybrid environment?” (Showcase understanding of interdisciplinary work and remote collaboration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin each case study by stating the problem and the key results achieved.
• Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) extensively to illustrate your process and solutions.
• Narrate Your Process: Explain why you made certain decisions at each stage, linking them to user needs and business goals.
• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with cross-functional teams.
• Quantify Everything Possible: Use metrics to demonstrate the success and ROI of your design work.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about specific design choices, technical constraints, and user research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating a strong design process, demonstrating data-driven decision-making, and showcasing experience with complex B2B products. For the portfolio review, candidates must be ready to deeply explain their thought process and the tangible impact of their work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position at Jua.ai:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Submission is Mandatory: Ensure your application includes a link to your online portfolio (website) or a well-organized PDF. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to B2B, data-rich technical products, design systems, user research, and any experience as a first/founding designer. Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Select your strongest case studies and practice presenting them, focusing on your process, decision-making, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to discuss Figma and PostHog experience.
• Research Jua.ai: Understand their mission, technology, target market (energy trading), and company values to articulate your interest and cultural fit effectively.

⚠️ 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.