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 RoleThis 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
- 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
- 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.
Skills Required
- 4+ years of UX/product design experience on consumer mobile apps
- Strong portfolio showing work on social, media, or content-driven apps
- Fluency with modern design tools: Figma and AI-powered prototyping platforms
- Proven track record of using AI-based design tools
- Experience working on small teams wearing multiple hats
What We Do
Building on a legacy of digital media expertise and innovation, RealNetworks has created a new generation of products that employ best-in-class artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance and secure our daily lives. SAFR® (safr.com) is the world's premier facial recognition platform for live video. Leading in real-world performance and accuracy as evidenced in testing by NIST, SAFR enables new applications for security, convenience, analytics, and powers StarSearch by Real and RealPlayer 20/20 (real.com). Kontxt™ (kontxt.com) is the foremost platform for categorizing A2P messages to help mobile carriers build customer loyalty and drive new revenue through text message classification and antispam.









