The UX Designer will define the design identity for an AI-powered product, own user experience, create prototypes rapidly, and collaborate closely with engineering and product management.
RealNetworks | Seattle, WA | Contract | Primarily On-SiteAbout the RoleWe'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 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
Nice to Have
RealNetworks is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
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.
RealNetworks Seattle, Washington, USA Office
568 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA, United States, 98104
Similar Jobs
Cloud • Information Technology • Machine Learning
Design and deliver scalable, conversion-focused website experiences and design systems. Partner with developers, marketers, and stakeholders to support large-scale redesigns, migrations, high-fidelity prototypes, animations, and developer handoffs, leveraging AI-assisted workflows to improve efficiency and quality.
Top Skills:
Ai-Powered ToolsAnalytics/Heatmaps/Experimentation ToolsComposable Web PlatformsFigmaHeadless Cms
Information Technology • Energy
Lead strategy and execution of UX for enterprise distributed energy management platforms. Conduct and synthesize user research, design end-to-end experiences and high-fidelity prototypes in Figma, maintain scalable component libraries and design systems, embed inclusive and accessible practices, collaborate with product and engineering in agile delivery, iterate on usability improvements, and mentor other designers.
Top Skills:
AgileAi-Enabled Design ToolsComponent LibrariesDesign SystemsFigma
Software • Appliances
Contract UX Designer embedded with the EchoWare product team to create user flows, wireframes, and low/high-fidelity prototypes. Iterate designs from user feedback, align with design systems and accessibility standards, collaborate with engineering and stakeholders to ensure implementation fidelity, communicate design rationale, and contribute to evolving component libraries.
Top Skills:
Figma
What you need to know about the Seattle Tech Scene
Home to tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle punches far above its weight in innovation. But its surrounding mountains, sprinkled with world-famous hiking trails and climbing routes, make the city a destination for outdoorsy types as well. Established as a logging town before shifting to shipbuilding and logistics, the Emerald City is now known for its contributions to aerospace, software, biotech and cloud computing. And its status as a thriving tech ecosystem is attracting out-of-town companies looking to establish new tech and engineering hubs.
Key Facts About Seattle Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 287,000; 13% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software, biotechnology, game development
- Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Madrona, Fuse, Tola, Maveron
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Children’s Research Institute



