Founding Designer (Code-First / 100% Remote)

About the Role

The company's mission is to make Building Information Modeling (BIM) smarter, faster, and more collaborative. With a growing team and a flexible culture, neoBIM GmbH offers an innovative work environment that is perfect for those looking to make a real impact.

As the Founding Designer, you will be working closely with the founders and engineers to shape the product's design and user experience. Your primary medium will be code, and you will be expected to work in a code-first environment, using tools like Claude to turn ideas into working UI.

What You Will Do

• Define and build the design system in code, using shadcn/ui as the foundation
• Prototype directly in code with AI assistance, ensuring that your designs are buildable and live in the codebase
• Design the entire product surface, including the 3D canvas and viewport controls, property panels, dashboards, and onboarding flows
• Own iconography and illustration, crafting the icon set and product illustrations or art-directing freelancers to deliver a consistent, high-quality visual language
• Work in a tight loop with engineers, where handoff mostly means a code review, not a translation
• Shape the brand and marketing surface as the company grows
• Collaborate with the founders and engineers to define the product's design and user experience
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the product's technical capabilities and limitations
• Create design systems and guidelines that ensure consistency across the product
• Participate in code reviews and ensure that design is integrated into the development process

What We Are Looking For

• A designer who thinks in systems and understands software constraints
• Experience designing for 3D, spatial, or canvas-based software
• Proficiency in working in code (HTML/CSS/React) and using tools like Claude or similar tools
• Strong icon and illustration skills, with the ability to produce high-quality visual language
• Experience with shadcn/ui and understanding of its tokens, variants, and primitives
• Ability to design with light/dark mode and responsiveness from the start
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work closely with engineers and founders
• A portfolio that showcases your design and coding skills, with a focus on code-first design

Nice to Have

• Experience with Blender, Rhino, SketchUp, Cinema 4D, Spline, or a game engine
• Familiarity with other design tools and technologies, such as Figma or Adobe Creative Suite
• Knowledge of accessibility guidelines and principles
• Experience working in a remote-first environment
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies

Benefits and Perks

• Founding-level ownership of design at a well-backed startup
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Direct access to the founders, with no design-by-committee or layers between you and the work
• The chance to define how a category of professional 3D tooling looks and feels for the next decade
• Access to world-class infrastructure and a culture of deep tech and real-world application
• Flexibility with remote-first work environment and a great team that shapes the future
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• A dynamic and innovative work environment that is perfect for those looking to make a real impact

• Build a strong portfolio: Showcase your design and coding skills, with a focus on code-first design. Include live links to your projects and highlight your collaboration with engineers.
• Develop your coding skills: Proficiency in working in code (HTML/CSS/React) and using tools like Claude or similar tools is essential for this role. Make sure you have a strong foundation in coding principles and practices.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends: Follow the latest developments in design, technology, and construction to stay ahead of the curve. This will help you bring innovative ideas to the table and contribute to the company's mission.
• Prepare for a code-first design interview: Be ready to showcase your coding skills and design thinking. Practice solving design problems in code and be prepared to discuss your design decisions and process.
• Highlight your collaboration skills: As a Founding Designer, you will be working closely with engineers and founders. Emphasize your ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Showcase your problem-solving skills: Highlight your ability to break down complex design problems into manageable parts and develop creative solutions. Use specific examples from your portfolio or experience to demonstrate your skills.
• Research the company and role: Understand the company's mission, values, and culture. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the company's success and how the role aligns with your career goals.