Head of design

Company details

Description of the offer

SPARQ is an automotive AI startup based in California that is reimagining the relationship drivers have with their cars. We are creating a premium experience where any driver can be effortlessly in the know.

The Opportunity:

As Head of Design, you’ll be in charge of all design initiatives.

This isn’t just about managing teams and projects—it’s about crafting the language through which drivers will fall in love with their cars again. You won’t just create interfaces—you’ll architect moments of clarity and delight in an industry drowning in complexity.

You’ll have the rare canvas of both digital and physical products and spaces to shape, with the freedom to make bold decisions that define our brand’s soul. We’re not looking for someone to execute briefs; we’re looking for the visionary who’ll lead our design manifesto.

You’ll be working directly with the founders, engineering, and marketing teams.

What You’ll Do:

• Establish and evolve our design vision, principles, and system
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of talented designers
• Exercise meticulous attention to detail in all design deliverables
• Drive design decisions independently while aligning with company objectives
• Oversee the end-to-end design process with complete ownership
• Ensure pixel-perfect execution across all product touchpoints
• Drive design research to uncover user needs and validate solutions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams while maintaining design integrity
• Present design concepts to stakeholders and incorporate feedback thoughtfully
• Articulate design decisions clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences

What You Bring:

• 6+ years of experience as a Product Designer: UX/UI design and micro-interactions
• 2+ years of leadership experience managing design teams
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional design work and attention to detail
• Experience with design systems and component libraries
• Superior communication skills across written, verbal, and visual mediums
• Ability to translate complex design concepts into compelling narratives
• Experience effectively communicating with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Proven ability to work autonomously and make high-impact design decisions
• Demonstrated obsession with design details and craft excellence
• Experience working in fast-paced, iterative environments
• Expertise with design tools like Figma, Framer and Adobe Creative Suite

Extra Points if You Have:

• Experience at early-stage startups or high-growth companies
• Knowledge of front-end development and design implementation

Who You Are Not:

• Someone who needs detailed instructions and extensive oversight
• A designer who prioritizes trends and aesthetics over solving real user problems
• Someone uncomfortable with ambiguity or rapid changes in direction
• A designer who can’t clearly articulate the “why” behind their decisions
• Someone who considers startup intensity an unreasonable hinderance on their lifestyle
• Someone who lack’s curiosity

Why Join Us:

This is a founding team role for people who are pathologically unwilling to accept the status quo. We’re assembling the unusually talented, unreasonably ambitious, and unapologetically obsessive. The automotive world doesn’t need another incremental improvement—it needs a complete rewiring.

We set intense standards that would make most people quit. Then we celebrate our wins with the same intensity. Our LA Auto Show presence didn’t just turn heads—it snapped necks. Even XZIBIT left our launch party a believer. But don’t take our word for it, see for yourself!

Location of employment

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