UX Designer

RealNetworks | Seattle, WA | Contract | Primarily On-Site

About the Role We're at an inflection point in consumer technology. AI is fundamentally changing what products can do and how people experience them — and most of the best ideas haven't been built yet. We're building for that moment, designing a consumer platform that takes full advantage of what AI now makes possible in ways that simply couldn't have existed a few years ago.

The product is in active development and the design foundation is still being laid. That's the opportunity.

This is a contract role based in Seattle. We work together in person and believe proximity drives the kind of creative collaboration that makes products great. That said, for the right candidate with a strong track record of delivering remotely, we're open to a more flexible arrangement.



 

The Role

This is a rare chance to define the design identity of an AI-powered product from the inside out. You'll establish the visual and interaction language, set the bar for what great feels like, and make the calls that shape how families experience some of the most meaningful moments in their lives.

You'll be the design voice on a small, fast-moving team, working directly with engineering and product management every day. Design decisions don't wait for cycles here — they happen in conversation, in real time, with the people building alongside you. A big part of the challenge — and the excitement — is designing for AI-driven features in ways that feel effortless and human rather than technical. You'll also bring modern AI design tools into your daily workflow not as a novelty but as a competitive edge, moving from concept to testable prototype at a pace that changes what's possible for a team this size.

If you've been waiting for a product you'd actually care about — and a team where design has a real seat at the table from day one — this is it.

Apple Photos and Google Photos have armies of engineers and billions in R&D. We have a better idea — and we need you to help us design it.



 

What You'll Do

• Own it all — the UX, the human interface, the design language, and the core experience. You'll be the person who decides what this product looks like, how it feels, and why users will love it.
• Use AI-assisted design tools to rapidly generate concepts, iterate on layouts, and produce testable prototypes without bottlenecking the team
• Drive rapid prototyping using AI-based design platforms — turning briefs into interactive, testable experiences in hours rather than days
• Partner daily with engineering and product management to move ideas into execution quickly and with quality
• Lead user research and translate insights into design decisions without waiting for a formal research function
• Build and maintain a lightweight design system that scales as the product grows
• Contribute to product thinking, not just execution — we want your opinion on what we should build

 

What We're Looking For

• 4+ years of UX/product design experience on consumer mobile apps
• Strong portfolio showing work on social, media, or content-driven apps — photo sharing, video platforms, social networks, or similar
• Fluency with modern design tools: Figma (including AI features and plugins), and AI-powered rapid prototyping platforms such as Galileo, Uizard, Relume, Midjourney, or equivalent — this is a core requirement, not a bonus
• A proven track record of using AI-based design tools to compress the concept-to-prototype cycle — show us how fast you move
• Experience working on small teams where you wear multiple hats and move without heavy process
• A genuine instinct for simplicity and clarity in the user experience

Nice to Have

• Experience designing privacy or safety features (consent flows, permissions, content controls)
• Familiarity with AI-powered product features and how to make them feel intuitive
• Background in parenting, family, or consumer lifestyle products

 

What We Offer

• Competitive contract rate
• Seattle-based and primarily in-office; remote considered for exceptional candidates with demonstrated remote success
• The chance to define a product's design identity at an early and formative stage
• A small team where your work ships and your impact is visible

RealNetworks is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.