About algo1
algo1 is a VC-backed, stealth-mode startup building behavioural AI for the retail industry. Our platform has been built from the ground up with no legacy systems, no patchwork, just a clean slate and a clear vision. Our mission is to bring the intelligence of modern machine learning directly to the in-store retail experience.
Our obsession with grocery retail and the shopper experience sets us apart. If you're excited by the opportunity to transform an experience that touches millions of people every day, you'll feel right at home here.
The Role
This role reports directly to our Head of Design and works closely with Product and Engineering.
You'll own the experience of a completely new kind of retail interaction. Working alongside our Head of Design, you'll define how behavioural AI feels in the hands of millions of shoppers. From the first sketch to the interface that ships in stores, you'll set the standard for how our products look, feel and behave.
This isn't a role maintaining an established product or polishing an existing design language. You'll help define the visual language, interaction patterns and design culture of a company that's still being built.
What You'll Own
Own the shopper experience from first concept to production, making thousands of design decisions that collectively determine how effortless our product feels.
Turn complex user problems into simple, elegant interaction flows that people can use instinctively.
Create high-fidelity interfaces with exceptional attention to typography, spacing, hierarchy and visual detail.
Prototype relentlessly, answering difficult product questions before they're written in code.
Use motion and micro-interactions intentionally to improve clarity, feedback and delight.
Raise the quality bar across engineering and design so that what ships feels as considered as what was designed.
Evolve the design system through reusable components, tokens, patterns and documentation that enable the team to move faster.
Use AI throughout your workflow to explore concepts, generate ideas, prototype faster and improve design quality.
Observe real shoppers using the product in stores and translate behavioural insights into better experiences.
About You
Must Have
Experience designing and shipping digital products that customers use regularly, with a portfolio demonstrating both UX thinking and exceptional visual craft.
A track record of simplifying complex user journeys into intuitive, elegant experiences.
Excellent visual design fundamentals, including typography, layout, spacing, hierarchy and interaction design.
Experience building and evolving design systems that have been adopted by engineering teams.
High proficiency with Figma, prototyping and modern product design workflows.
Strong understanding of usability and accessibility, with the judgement to balance ideal design with practical delivery.
Comfortable working closely with engineers and product managers in a fast-moving environment.
AI-native design habits, using modern AI tools to accelerate exploration, iteration and delivery.
Nice to Have
Motion design skills with a strong understanding of meaningful animation and interaction.
Familiarity with Tokens Studio, design-to-code workflows and modern frontend collaboration.
Experience contributing beyond product into brand systems and visual identity.
Experience designing AI-powered, consumer-facing or retail technology products.
Experience conducting observational research in real-world environments.
How We Work
We're a startup, so this is a high-intensity environment. The people who thrive here are curious, proactive, and love building. If you're happiest when you're creating, experimenting, and moving fast, you'll fit right in.
We draw our energy from being together, so this is primarily an office-based role. It suits someone who enjoys the quick conversations and shared momentum that comes from building together. Our office is on what we think is the best garden square in London, just a couple of minutes from Tottenham Court Road, so it's easy to get to and a great place to be.
What We Offer
Competitive salary and meaningful equity.
25 days' annual leave.
Real ownership from day one.
