10+ years in consumer design leadership, focusing on hands-on product development
Strong user engagement skills, prioritizing real user feedback over data alone
Ability to define problems clearly and create actionable visions
Proficient in integrating AI into design workflows for enhanced efficiency
Demonstrated taste and craftsmanship in design, balancing speed and quality
Skilled in building trust and mentoring within cross-functional teams
Bonus: Experience in language learning or education-related products
Responsibilities
Set the experience vision for your designated area, emphasizing empathy for diverse learners
Identify opportunities at the intersection of user needs and AI capabilities, translating them into prototypes
Create innovative interaction patterns for AI-driven learning experiences
Rapidly prototype and iterate using AI tools and interactive platforms
Collaborate across teams to ensure a cohesive user experience
Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to guide product exploration and improvements
Benefits
Flexible focus based on individual strengths
Opportunity to lead significant design initiatives
Collaborative environment with cross-functional teams
Emphasis on mentorship and professional growth
Access to cutting-edge AI tools and technologies
Full Job Description
The role
You'll lead design for a major part of Speak's consumer experience, either growth (activation, engagement, discovery) or core learning (AI tutoring, speaking practice, feedback, progression). We'll pick the focus together based on your strengths.
We don't use seniority titles internally, but elsewhere this would be a Principal Product Designer: a hands-on IC who sets direction for a product area, drives our most consequential work, and helps other designers do their best work.
Set the experience vision for your area, grounded in empathy for learners across cultures and levels
Spot opportunities at the intersection of learner needs, product insights, and new AI capabilities, and make them tangible through prototypes that shape strategy with Product and Engineering
Invent interaction patterns for AI-powered learning that go beyond generic AI templates
Prototype and iterate quickly in AI tools, code, or interactive tools
Lead across team boundaries so the holistic experience feels cohesive
Use qualitative and quantitative signals to decide what to explore, ship, and improve
What we're looking for
Consumer design leadership. Likely 10+ years, including shaping a major consumer product area hands-on through shipping and iteration. Scope, craft, and impact matter more than years.
Close to users. You seek out real people, not just data, and test early with prototypes.
Product judgment. You frame the problem first and turn ambiguity into a clear vision others can build toward.
AI-native workflow. You use AI throughout your own workflow and build systems to unlock speed and quality in your creative and strategic work.
Taste and craft at speed. You have a point of view on great experiences and set the bar for the team. You also know when to stay scrappy vs when to spend time in polish.
Influence and mentorship. You build trust across teams, help groups reach decisions, and make other designers better.
Bonus
Experience in language learning, education, or cross-cultural products
Contributions to design systems that scale beyond one team
