Product Designer, Defense

Applied Intuition; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Intuition, Inc. is seeking a Product Designer specializing in developer tools to shape the UX for autonomous software platforms and defense applications. You will translate complex requirements into intuitive interfaces.

You will collaborate with engineers, PMs, and defense experts, lead end-to-end design from research to launch, and contribute to a scalable design system.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional experience as a Product Designer (or similar) focused on complex software applications.
• Experience on automotive products, real-time simulation interfaces, or defense-related UX.
• Strong portfolio across desktop and mobile showing user-centered and visual design.
• Proficiency with design/prototyping tools (Figma).
• Excellent communication and ability to convey design decisions.
• Thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments.
• Experience leading user research from planning to synthesis.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design from concept to launch, including user research, wireframes, prototyping, testing, and visual design
• Translate complex requirements into elegant design solutions
• Develop high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes
• Conduct user research with commercial and defense personnel to understand workflows in mission-critical environments
• Collaborate with product management, engineers, and defense subject matter experts to refine designs
• Maintain a consistent design system across products
• Advocate for the user throughout the product lifecycle

Skills

4+ years experience

Automotive/defense UI

Figma

User research

Cross-functional collaboration

Visual design

Tools

Figma

Job description

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions

As a Product Designer specializing in developer tools, you will be instrumental in shaping the user experience of sophisticated software platforms critical to autonomy as well as national security. You will work on products that enable the development, testing, and deployment of advanced autonomous systems and command and control applications for both commercial and defense customers. This role will be at the critical intersection of autonomy, hardware, and software. It requires a unique blend of design expertise, an understanding of complex operational environments, and the ability to translate intricate technical requirements into intuitive and highly effective user interfaces. You will collaborate closely with enables engineers, product managers, and defense experts to deliver groundbreaking solutions that directly impact mission success. Part of this role will be advocating for testing and research methodologies to prove the products meet user needs.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

• Lead the end-to-end design process from concept to launch, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and visual design

• Translate complex operational requirements and technical constraints into elegant, user-centric design solutions

• Develop high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate design ideas and gather feedback

• Conduct user research with both commercial and defense personnel to deeply understand their workflows, pain points, and operational needs in mission-critical environments

• Work iteratively with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and defense subject matter experts, to refine designs

• Contribute to and maintain a consistent design system that ensures usability and scalability across multiple products

• Advocate for the user throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring that products are intuitive, efficient, and reliable under demanding conditions

We're looking for someone who has:

• 4+ years of professional experience as a Product Designer, UX Designer, or similar role focused on complex software applications

• Experience working on automotive products, video game UX or similar interactive, real-time simulation interfaces, demonstrating an ability to design engaging and highly responsive user experiences with complex input schemes and visual feedback

• A strong portfolio showcasing a solid understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and visual design in a range of form factors, including desktop and mobile

• Proficiency with design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma)

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions to diverse audiences

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and technically demanding environment

• Experience establishing, running and collating user research

Security Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

• Must hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

For more information about U.S. security clearances: click here.

Nice to have:

• Experience with 3D visualization, geospatial data, or real-time data display.

• Knowledge of military operations, doctrines, or specific defense technologies.

• Active U.S. Government security clearance.

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact [e-mail]. We will work with you!