Note: You must apply by sending an email, see "How to Apply" below.

About Playlab

We help educators create and share AI-powered tools and learning experiences that actually advance teaching and learning.

Here's how:

First, we give educators the tools to build AI experiences that solve their specific challenges - no traditional coding required. Then, we partner with researchers to study what's working and what isn't. Finally, we use these insights to improve both our platform and the underlying AI technology, making everything work better for teachers and students.

As a nonprofit, we're creating an open ecosystem where great ideas can spread. When one teacher builds something effective, others can easily adapt it for their students. And when researchers validate what works, that knowledge helps everyone build better educational AI.

The Work

Pioneer New AI Interaction Patterns

• Design novel ways for educators to create and customize AI learning experiences
• Create interfaces that make AI capabilities discoverable and understandable
• Develop new patterns for AI-powered tools and experiences
• Shape how students engage with AI across different learning contexts

Build from Real Educational Insights

• Work directly with educators to understand their needs and contexts
• Design and run studies to evaluate AI interaction effectiveness
• Create frameworks for measuring engagement and learning outcomes
• Transform research insights into improved design patterns

Define the Future of Educational AI

• Create design systems that scale across diverse educational needs
• Design tools that help educators understand AI capabilities and limitations
• Build interfaces that grow with advancing AI technology
• Shape how we explain AI concepts to educational audiences

You'll Love It Here If

• You believe we can improve society by improving education
• You care about ethics and bias in AI and how that can effect education
• Love creating new interaction patterns for emerging technology
• Get excited about making complex systems accessible and useful
• Want to define how AI transforms teaching and learning
• Enjoy working directly with educators and students
• Think deeply about measuring and improving user experiences
• Are realistic about AI limitations while seeing massive potential

Required Experience

• 10+ years designing rich interactive web applications, with recent AI experience
• Strong systems thinking and ability to create scalable design patterns
• Excellence in user research and evidence-based design
• Track record of shipping innovative user experiences
• Proven ability to lead design strategy and mentor others

Valuable Additions

• Experience designing educational or creative tools
• Background in designing developer tools or platforms
• Expertise in measuring and improving user outcomes
• Experience with AI-enabled interfaces

Benefits

• Competitive salary for mission-driven work
• Flexible schedule with unlimited PTO (minimum 15 days)
• Full health/dental/vision (100% employee, 80% family)
• $1,000 home office setup
• New MacBook Pro
• $100/month wellness reimbursement
• Bi-annual team retreats

How to Apply

We believe the best way to evaluate fit is to work together. Instead of coding challenges, we offer a paid contract-to-hire process:

Email careers@playlab.ai with:

• Subject line: "Principal Designer"
• Brief note about your interest in Playlab
• LinkedIn profile and/or resume

Initial conversations:

• 30-minute intro with co-founder
• 60-minute design discussion about past work
• 60-minute team fit discussion

Paid 2-4 week contract (works around your current schedule)

• Work on real projects
• Get to know the team
• Evaluate mutual fit
• Receive competitive contract rates

We don't require you to leave your current role during the contract period. If there's mutual interest, we'll make a full-time offer before the contract ends.

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We're creating entirely new ways to use AI in education - ways that can be studied, improved, and shared. If you're excited about turning cutting-edge AI into reliable tools for learning, we'd love to hear from you.