---
title: 'Product Designer, Defense at Applied Intuition'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/product-designer-defense-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-whhr2axckz3v'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Product Designer, Defense at Applied Intuition

- **Company:** [Applied Intuition](https://feeny.ai/companies/applied-intuition)
- **Location:** Sunnyvale, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-22
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/applied/3036d5f2-5723-4ffb-8599-269435b35200

## Job description

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at [applied.co](http://applied.co). We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions As a Product Designer specializing in developer tools, you will be instrumental in shaping the user experience of sophisticated software platforms critical to autonomy as well as national security. You will work on products that enable the development, testing, and deployment of advanced autonomous systems and command and control applications for both commercial and defense customers. This role will be at the critical intersection of autonomy, hardware, and software. It requires a unique blend of design expertise, an understanding of complex operational environments, and the ability to translate intricate technical requirements into intuitive and highly effective user interfaces. You will collaborate closely with enables engineers, product managers, and defense experts to deliver groundbreaking solutions that directly impact mission success. Part of this role will be advocating for testing and research methodologies to prove the products meet user needs. At Applied Intuition, you will:

- Lead the end-to-end design process from concept to launch, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and visual design
- Translate complex operational requirements and technical constraints into elegant, user-centric design solutions
- Develop high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate design ideas and gather feedback
- Conduct user research with both commercial and defense personnel to deeply understand their workflows, pain points, and operational needs in mission-critical environments
- Work iteratively with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and defense subject matter experts, to refine designs
- Contribute to and maintain a consistent design system that ensures usability and scalability across multiple products
- Advocate for the user throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring that products are intuitive, efficient, and reliable under demanding conditions

We're looking for someone who has:

- 4+ years of professional experience as a Product Designer, UX Designer, or similar role focused on complex software applications
- Experience working on automotive products, video game UX or similar interactive, real-time simulation interfaces, demonstrating an ability to design engaging and highly responsive user experiences with complex input schemes and visual feedback
- A strong portfolio showcasing a solid understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and visual design in a range of form factors, including desktop and mobile
- Proficiency with design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma)
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions to diverse audiences
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and technically demanding environment
- Experience establishing, running and collating user research

Security Requirements:

- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

For more information about U.S. security clearances:[click here](https://www.state.gov/securityclearances). Nice to have:

- Experience with 3D visualization, geospatial data, or real-time data display.
- Knowledge of military operations, doctrines, or specific defense technologies.
- Active U.S. Government security clearance.

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment. Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position. Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws. FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact careers@applied.co. We will work with you!

## About Applied Intuition

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Applied Intuition builds software and digital infrastructure to bring physical AI — autonomous driving and robotics — to every moving machine on the planet.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series C; $1.5B total funding raised)
- **Headquarters**: Sunnyvale, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2017
- **Founders**: Qasar Younis (CEO) and Peter Ludwig (CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Autonomous driving, robotics, defense technology, simulation and validation software for ADAS/AD systems.
- **Target customers**: B2B — automotive OEMs (18 of top 20 global automakers), trucking, construction, mining, agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Defense and its allies.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “To build physical AI that creates a safer, more prosperous world.”

## Products & Services
- **Tools for Vehicle Intelligence**: Simulation, validation, and data management platforms for ADAS and autonomous vehicle development. SaaS and software tools for engineers building intelligent machines.
- **Vehicle OS**: An operating system for vehicles that manages over-the-air updates, data pipelines, and in-vehicle software, enabling automakers to deploy and maintain software-defined vehicles at scale.
- **Self-Driving Systems / Autonomy Stack**: End-to-end autonomous driving solutions, including perception, planning, and control, designed for cars, trucks, and off-road machinery.
- **NextGen OS & Infrastructure**: Platforms for defense, robotics, and next-generation physical AI applications, including solutions used by the U.S. military.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: ~$15 billion (as of 2024/2025, per LinkedIn profile)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of $1.5 billion; 1,153 employees (+55% YoY); 396 active job postings
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, Floodgate, NVIDIA, Databricks; partners include 18 of top 20 global automakers and U.S. defense agencies.
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Acquired EpiSci (Feb 2025), Caliber Data Labs, and entities in Germany/UK.
  - Headcount grew 55% YoY; 1,000+ engineers.
  - Office expansion to 12 countries (US, UK, Germany, Sweden, South Korea, Japan, India, etc.).
  - Active hiring — job postings up 117.6% YoY.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Deep domain expertise**: Founded by YC alum/former GM engineer (Qasar Younis) and ex-Google Maps/Android Automotive engineer (Peter Ludwig).
- **Talent density**: 1,000+ engineers, 40+ ex-CTOs, and 30+ former founders on staff — a unique concentration of senior, founder-level talent.
- **Breadth of industry coverage**: Serves automotive, defense, trucking, mining, agriculture, and construction — rare diversification in physical AI.
- **Trusted by government and top OEMs**: U.S. military and 18 of top 20 global automakers rely on their stack, creating high switching costs and deep moats.
- **End-to-end platform**: Covers simulation, validation, OS, and full autonomy stack — not just a point solution.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expansion into defense**: Heavy investment in defense AI, including acquisitions and dedicated government offices in Washington D.C., San Diego, and Ft. Walton Beach.
- **Scaling physical AI beyond automotive**: Driving autonomy into mining, agriculture, construction, drones, and satellites.
- **Growing global footprint**: Opening offices in Europe and Asia to serve local OEM and defense clients.
- **Deepening the research lab**: Building a world-class AI research team focused on real-world intelligence.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “1,000 engineers, 40 ex-CTOs, and 30 former founders” — a high-agency, high-trust environment where engineers take ownership of hard problems from day one.
- **Impact**: Work on technology that goes from sports cars to fighter jets to mining trucks — real-world physical AI that saves lives and reshapes industries.
- **Benefits**:
  - 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
  - 50% 401(k) matching
  - Up to 12 weeks fully paid parental leave
  - Learning stipend for education and training
  - Fitness and wellness stipend
  - 25 free Lyra coaching/therapy sessions per year
  - Catered lunches and expensed dinners, snacks, and drinks at offices
  - Alumni network for long-term professional connections
- **Work model**: Office-first culture with global hubs (12 offices across US, Europe, and Asia). Not fully remote — roles are generally tied to a specific office location.

## Sources
1. [appliedintuition.com — About](https://www.appliedintuition.com/about)
2. [appliedintuition.com — Homepage](https://www.appliedintuition.com/)
3. [linkedin.com — Applied Intuition Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/applied-intuition-inc)
4. [appliedintuition.com — Careers](https://www.appliedintuition.com/careers)
5. [appliedintuition.com — Jobs](https://www.appliedintuition.com/jobs)

## Other roles at Applied Intuition

- [Learning Experience Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/learning-experience-designer-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-nw5fbax08gjq) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Engineering Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/engineering-technician-applied-intuition-australia-sjpctwrdzdde) — Australia
- [Software Integration Engineer - Defense](https://feeny.ai/job/software-integration-engineer-defense-applied-intuition-ann-arbor-q5y0wh7s3yef) — Ann Arbor, MI
- [Systems Engineer - Robotics](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-engineer-robotics-applied-intuition-washington-851jj0anzv65) — Washington, DC
- [Forward Deployed Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-software-engineer-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-2q2scpmyc7gc) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Prediction and Planning - Technical Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/prediction-and-planning-technical-lead-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-t6dj9pk6p4ze) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Senior Technical Recruiter - Physical AI & Defense](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-technical-recruiter-physical-ai-defense-applied-intuition-washington-mj0jkf60xwpt) — Washington, DC
- [Legal Operations Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/legal-operations-manager-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-8pkfnbyc1pnz) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Customer Technical Program Manager, Vehicle OS](https://feeny.ai/job/customer-technical-program-manager-vehicle-os-applied-intuition-sunnyvale-10961xxtmd6d) — Sunnyvale, CA
- [Software Engineering Manager - Simulation Products](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineering-manager-simulation-products-applied-intuition-ann-arbor-54qpw9ccj3z2) — Ann Arbor, MI