Design Engineer

About Retell AiRetell AI is using the first principles to reimagine the call center with cutting edge voice AI.Since launching 18 months ago, thousands of companies now utilize Retell’s AI voice agents to handle sales, support, and logistics calls that once required large teams of human agents. Backed by Y Combinator, Alt Capital, and other leading investors, we have scaled to $36M ARR with a team of 20 people, up from $5M at the start of 2025.Our vision for 2026 is to build a modern CX platform where entire contact centers are powered by AI. Instead of basic automation that needs constant human tuning, we’re creating intelligent AI “workers” that can act as frontline agents, QA analysts, and managers — continuously executing, monitoring, and improving customer interactions.We’re growing quickly and looking for ambitious builders who want to tackle hard technical problems, move fast, and have real impact at one of the fastest-growing voice AI startups.Let’s build the future together.We’re a top 50 AI app in a16z list: https://tinyurl.com/5853dt2x#4 on Brex's Fast-Growing Software Vendors of 2025: https://www.brex.com/journal/brex-benchmark-december-2025We're also one of the top ranking startups on: https://leanaileaderboard.com/About The RoleRetell is hiring a Design Engineer to own the bridge between design and code.You will build and maintain our design system, prototype in code, implement UI primitives, and ensure that what ships looks exactly like what was designed. AI tools are a first-class part of how you work, not a side experiment. You will collaborate closely with our product designer and work across the engineering team to raise the quality bar on every product surface.This is a role for someone who cares as much about the craft as the output. You ship real components to a real product used by thousands of companies running AI voice agents at scale.Key ResponsibilitiesWork AI-first: use Cursor and Claude Code as your starting point for component work, with your own judgment refining qualityBuild and own the Retell design system: component library, Storybook, design tokens, and Figma variablesPrototype in React and TypeScript and test with real users before full systemizationTranslate Figma designs into production-grade components with pixel-level accuracyOwn design-code parity across Retell's core product: dashboard, agent config, CRM viewsReview frontend PRs for visual quality, not just functionalityDocument and share AI-native prompts and workflows with the design and engineering teamPartner with the product designer to evolve the visual language as the product scalesYOU MIGHT THRIVE IFYou have built or significantly contributed to a design system at a real productYou are fluent in Figma and know how to maintain a component library at scaleYou write clean React + TypeScript and care about component API designYou actively use Cursor, Claude Code, or similar tools and have clear opinions on how to get good outputYou prototype in code rather than waiting for pixel-perfect specsYou notice when spacing is off and can't leave it aloneDesigners and engineers both love working with youYou thrive in fast-moving products where specs evolve mid-buildWhat We Are Looking ForMust haveStrong Figma skills: component library, variables, auto layoutSolid frontend: HTML, CSS, React, TypeScriptExperience building and maintaining UI component librariesDesign systems knowledge: tokens, spacing, visual consistency at scaleActive use of AI coding tools with clear opinions on where they help and where they don'tHas shipped real components to production productsNice to haveExperience with StorybookMotion and interaction design sensibilityFamiliarity with accessibility standardsBackground at a design-forward SaaS companyInterest in mentoring others on AI-native workflowsHow We EvaluateWe care less about where you went to school and more about:Whether you have actually owned a design system, not just contributed to oneWhether your components are clean, reusable, and visually accurateWhether you use AI tools fluently and can show us howWhether designers and engineers both want to work with youWhether you sweat the details that make products feel polishedJOB DETAILSCash: 180k - 300kEquity: Equity ProvidedLocation: Redwood City, CA, USUS Visas: Retell AI is open to sponsoring work authorization for qualified candidates, including H1B/H-1B, TN, L-1, E-3, F-1 (OPT/CPT), and O-1 visas.Other Benefits100% coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurance$70/day DoorDash credit for unlimited breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks$200/month wellness reimbursement (gym, fitness classes, etc.)$300/month commuter reimbursement (gas, Caltrain, etc.)$75/month phone bill reimbursement$50/month internet reimbursementCompensation PhilosophyBest Offer Upfront: Choose from three cash-equity balance options; no negotiation needed.Top 1% Talent: Above-market pay (top 5 percentile) to attract exceptional builders.High Ownership: Small teams, >$1M revenue/employee, and significant equity.Performance-Based: Offers tied to interview performance, not experience or past salaries.INTERVIEW PROCESSStage 1: Recruiter intro call (30 min)Stage 2: Hiring manager experience screening + portfolio review (45 min)Stage 3: Live technical exercise, component build and walkthrough (60 min)Stage 4: Final onsite with cross-functional team (2 hours)