Director, Product Design at Formation Bio

At Formation Bio, we are working to solve one of the most significant challenges in modern medicine. While advancements in AI and drug discovery are creating more potential treatments than ever, the traditional pharmaceutical industry often struggles to move these candidates forward due to the high costs and time associated with clinical trials. Founded in 2016 as TrialSpark, we have built a unique technology platform designed to accelerate every aspect of drug development. By partnering with biotechs and pharma companies to acquire and develop new medicines, we are dedicated to ensuring that life-saving treatments reach patients much faster. We are backed by a group of visionary investors, including a16z, Sequoia, and Sanofi, and we are looking for leaders who are passionate about using technology to reshape the future of healthcare.

The opportunity

As our Director of Product Design, you will serve as a strategic bridge between our business goals, user needs, and cutting-edge tech innovations. Your work will directly influence how we develop drugs, as you translate complex industry intelligence into tangible product strategies. You will sit at the intersection of product management, engineering, and scientific research, ensuring that our design solutions are not only user-friendly but also deeply rooted in the realities of clinical development. This is a high-impact role where your design leadership will help us refine our product roadmap and drive meaningful innovation across our entire portfolio.

A day in the life

• You will partner with our technology leadership to define the product vision, strategy, and roadmap, ensuring every initiative aligns with our mission to make drug development more efficient.
• You will guide our design team through deep discovery and research, helping them understand the complex human and data-driven workflows that define the pharmaceutical landscape.
• You will mentor and develop a talented team of product designers, fostering a culture of high-quality execution, continuous improvement, and seamless cross-functional collaboration.

Who you are

You are a seasoned design leader with at least 7 years of experience in product-focused roles, including 4 years dedicated to driving business strategy. You thrive in ambiguous environments and possess a deep intellectual curiosity about how AI and LLMs will transform the future of product development. You are comfortable working with technical stakeholders to turn complex, abstract ideas into functional, real-world products. While experience in the life sciences is a significant advantage, we are most interested in your ability to lead high-performing teams, your desire to solve complex internal user challenges, and your willingness to roll up your sleeves to ensure our collective success. You communicate effectively across diverse disciplines and are comfortable engaging with experts at all levels of the organization.

Why you'll love it here

We believe in rewarding our team for their vital contributions to our mission. We offer a competitive salary range of $211,000 to $265,000, which is benchmarked against the New York City market regardless of where you choose to live. Beyond your base pay, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Remote work options to support your lifestyle.
• Hybrid work arrangements for those who prefer a mix of home and office environments.
• Flexible work location to ensure you can do your best work from anywhere.