Embedded product design for high-growth teams

Senior product designers and leaders embedded directly into software teams across AI, B2B, and GovTech.

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At Mainframe, we help software teams maintain product velocity – without the friction of hiring, handoffs, or agency overhead.

We provide senior product designers and leaders who integrate at the right level for your team, from async support to fully embedded product units.

What we work on

  • We can own day-to-day design execution – from early concepts to shipped interfaces. Work happens directly inside your team, alongside engineering, without handoffs or translation loss.

  • We build interactive prototypes to explore new ideas, align stakeholders, and de-risk decisions early. Prototypes are treated as working artifacts – tools for thinking, testing, and moving forward.

  • We support efficient, pragmatic research to inform product decisions – user interviews, concept testing, and rapid feedback loops. Research is scoped to unblock progress, not slow it down.

  • We help teams create and evolve design systems that support speed at scale. Systems are built to be practical, flexible, and grounded in how teams actually work – not over-engineered from day one.

Why scaling teams choose us.

  • High velocity

    Hiring senior product talent takes months. Momentum doesn’t. We embed in as few as 2 days so you can keep shipping while building long-term capacity.

  • Senior judgement

    Our designers and PMs operate with the context and confidence to make decisions, not wait for them. That means fewer cycles, clearer tradeoffs, and less downstream rework.

  • Embedded partners

    We work inside your tools, rituals, and team — not around them. No handoffs, no translation layers, and no agency friction slowing things down.

  • Autonomous support

    Our designers and product leaders don’t need hand-holding. They self-direct, collaborate directly with engineers, and make decisions with confidence.

No guesswork, we charge £7k per month.

Engagements are month-to-month, with a 2 month minimum initial commitment.

  • You've raised <$10M.

    Ship fast with dedicated senior design + product management.

    ✓ Dedicated Senior Product Designer
    ✓ Product leadership from Mainframe
    ✓ Wireframes, prototypes & research
    ✓ Design system kickstart
    ✓ Weekly rituals (standups, workshops)

    Perfect while you scale your team.

  • You've raised $10M+.

    Accelerate your roadmap with senior design capacity.

    ✓ As many senior designers as needed
    ✓ Dev-ready UI + annotated handoffs
    ✓ Design system scaling & maintenance
    ✓ Sprint integration & test parties
    ✓ Iteration velocity

    Ship ahead of hiring. Never pause.

Ready to start?

Book an intro call and we’ll help you map the next move and make real progress, fast.

Book a call

Frequently asked questions.

  • They’re embedded day-to-day, but managed by Mainframe. That means you get full integration without the overhead or risk of hiring.

  • Most engagements can kick off within 2–5 days after alignment and signing.

  • Yes. Teams scale support up or down as needs change, with clear notice periods to keep things smooth on both sides.

  • That’s expected. Our goal is to help teams maintain momentum and leave them stronger than we found them — not create long-term dependency.