Head of Design, AI Builder

Babbel Labs is building the future of language learning. We are an AI-first, independent company within the Babbel group, based in Berlin. Our teams bring AI, research and product together to ship experiences that set a new standard for how people learn.

We're a small, fast-moving team rethinking how people learn languages with AI. We're looking for an experienced product designer to take over hands-on design leadership: shaping the product's direction, running discovery, and getting work delivered.

This is a design leadership and mentoring role, not a people management role. You'll guide the craft and direction of the design team. Speed, precision and quality are how we work. You'll set the pace. You'll work AI-first, using various ways to test ideas quickly and turning the best ones into experiences that are ready to hand off.

Ways of working

This is a hands-on design leadership role on a small, experienced design team that works AI-first. AI tools are built into how the whole team works every day, from discovery to delivery. It is hybrid: a mix of time together in the office and working remotely.

Diversity at Babbel

As part of our ongoing journey towards building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive company, we welcome everyone to apply, especially individuals who are underrepresented in tech. We are a learning company, inside and out, and we encourage you to apply even if you do not fit all the technical requirements — all candidates are assessed based on skills, qualifications, and our business needs. Please state your pronouns in your application, and let us know if you'd like to be addressed by a name other than the one appearing on your official documents. If you have a disability or special need, feel welcome to inform us so we can provide proper assistance in the application process.

• Proven design leadership. Solid experience leading product design, with a record of shipping work that users actually adopted.
• Excellent UI craft and motion design. Learning happens moment by moment, so polished interfaces and purposeful motion are essential to a great learning experience.
• Hands-on prototyping in code. You're comfortable in SwiftUI and HTML/CSS/JS and can build things people can use and test.
• AI fluency. You use AI tools like Claude Code as a real part of how you design, not an add-on.
• Design systems know-how. A working knowledge of design systems and how they make teams faster and more consistent.
• A coaching mindset. Experience coaching designers and raising a team's standards through example, feedback and shared practices.
• Clear communication. You work well with technical and non-technical partners, including specialists like linguists and learning designers.
• Comfort with ambiguity. You thrive on fast iteration and figuring things out as you go.

• Room to learn new tools as they arrive. Try them on real work as soon as they come out, and help decide what the team adopts.
• A consumer product used around the world. Design for a live product that real learners use every day, globally.
• A competitive salary.