Design Lead

About The Job

Midjourney is an independent research lab exploring new mediums of thought and expanding the imaginative powers of the human species. We are a small, self-funded team focused on design, human infrastructure, and AI. We don't think the future should look like yesterday's software. Our design team works across research, engineering, and product to make new capabilities feel intuitive, fun to use, and deeply human.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Chief Design Officer to shape the direction of Midjourney's products.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead the product design team.
• Stay close to the work by designing key product experiences and helping teams solve their hardest design problems.
• Partner closely with engineering and research to turn new tech into intuitive product experiences.
• Establish design reviews and operating rhythms that help the team do its best work.
• Ensure a coherent experience across Midjourney's growing portfolio of products.

Requirements

• You've spent the last decade designing software people love to use.
• You've led design teams, but you still want to be in Figma every day.
• You're as comfortable thinking through product strategy as you are refining a single interaction.
• You work well with engineers and like building things that don't have established playbooks.
• You care about craft and iterate until something feels right.
• You're comfortable using tools like Claude Code and Cursor as part of your workflow.
• You believe the best work comes from showing work early and often, and collaboratively iterating on unfinished work.
• You're excited by the idea that AI requires entirely new interaction paradigms, not just new features.
• You work more than you show off.
• You're excited by the idea that AI requires entirely new interaction paradigms, not just new features.

Qualifications

• You have a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and ability to solve complex design problems.
• You have experience leading a design team and mentoring junior designers.
• You have a deep understanding of user-centered design principles and iterative design processes.
• You have experience working with cross-functional teams including product managers, engineers, and researchers.
• You have a passion for pushing the boundaries of design and technology.

Skills

• Strong visual design skills and proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience with user research methods and the ability to distill insights into actionable design solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience with AI and machine learning concepts and how they can be applied to design.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including base salary, bonus, and equity options.
• Flexible work schedule with full-time hybrid option.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Professional development opportunities and access to cutting-edge technology and research.

Pay

$285,000–$350,000 + benefits

Schedule

Full-time. San Francisco Hybrid.

How to Apply

A portfolio is required. We care much more about what you've made than where you've worked. If this role excites you, we'd love to hear from you—even if you don't check every box.