Design Engineer

ABOUT RETELL AI

Retell AI is using 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 $60M ARR with a team of 40 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-2025

• We're also one of the top ranking startups on: https://leanaileaderboard.com/

• Enterprise tech 30: https://www.wing.vc/et30/overview

ABOUT THE ROLE

Retell 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 RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work AI-first: use Cursor and Claude Code as your starting point for component work, with your own judgment refining quality

• Build and own the Retell design system: component library, Storybook, design tokens, and Figma variables

• Prototype in React and TypeScript and test with real users before full systemization

• Translate Figma designs into production-grade components with pixel-level accuracy

• Own design-code parity across Retell's core product: dashboard, agent config, CRM views

• Review frontend PRs for visual quality, not just functionality

• Document and share AI-native prompts and workflows with the design and engineering team

• Partner with the product designer to evolve the visual language as the product scales

YOU MIGHT THRIVE IF

• You have built or significantly contributed to a design system at a real product

• You are fluent in Figma and know how to maintain a component library at scale

• You write clean React + TypeScript and care about component API design

• You actively use Cursor, Claude Code, or similar tools and have clear opinions on how to get good output

• You prototype in code rather than waiting for pixel-perfect specs

• You notice when spacing is off and can't leave it alone

• Designers and engineers both love working with you

• You thrive in fast-moving products where specs evolve mid-build

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Must have

• Strong Figma skills: component library, variables, auto layout

• Solid frontend: HTML, CSS, React, TypeScript

• Experience building and maintaining UI component libraries

• Design systems knowledge: tokens, spacing, visual consistency at scale

• Active use of AI coding tools with clear opinions on where they help and where they don't

• Has shipped real components to production products

Nice to have

• Experience with Storybook

• Motion and interaction design sensibility

• Familiarity with accessibility standards

• Background at a design-forward SaaS company

• Interest in mentoring others on AI-native workflows

HOW WE EVALUATE

We care less about where you went to school and more about:

• Whether you have actually owned a design system, not just contributed to one

• Whether your components are clean, reusable, and visually accurate

• Whether you use AI tools fluently and can show us how

• Whether designers and engineers both want to work with you

• Whether you sweat the details that make products feel polished

JOB DETAILS

• Cash: 180k - 300k

• Equity: Equity Provided

• Location: Redwood City, CA, US

• US 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 BENEFITS

• 100% 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 reimbursement

COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY

• Best 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 PROCESS

• Stage 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)