Head of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design

Company: Hilo by Aktiia

Location: Switzerland

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Leadership / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-15

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid / Remote-First

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design vision, craft, and quality across all product touchpoints, encompassing both digital and physical experiences.

• Establish and uphold the design standard for the entire company, ensuring a cohesive and delightful user experience.

• Guide and inspire a team of product designers, shaping the direction of hardware, app, and digital interfaces with a focus on excellence and attention to detail.

• Translate complex product challenges into elegant, human-centered solutions, making design a key driver of the company's mission to improve cardiovascular health.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership position, implying significant strategic influence and responsibility for shaping the company's design direction. The emphasis on both digital and physical product experiences suggests a broad scope beyond typical digital design roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End Experience Design: Shape the look, feel, and behavior of digital and physical product experiences, ensuring a seamless and cohesive journey across app, web, device, and all customer interactions.

• Hardware & Physical Product Sensibility: Contribute to the design direction of physical products, including materials, form factor, and finishes, ensuring consistency with broader product and brand experiences.

• Design Leadership & Quality Bar: Act as the primary owner of design decisions, providing clear creative direction and feedback to designers and cross-functional teams, and raising the overall standard of design through strong taste, critique, and hands-on guidance.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, engineering, marketing, and leadership teams, ensuring design is fully integrated into product development and company decision-making, and partnering with the Brand Manager for consistent execution.

• Building the Design Function: Shape how design operates as a function within the company, establishing clear principles, processes, and ways of working to support high-quality output and fostering a culture of craft and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and team management. The specific mention of a "product design refactor" indicates a period of significant transformation and a need for strong collaborative leadership to navigate these changes effectively.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Industrial Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Head of Design role.

Experience:

• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in design.

• Proven experience working across both digital and physical product touchpoints.

Required Skills:

• End-to-End Experience Design: Ability to conceptualize and execute holistic user journeys across all product facets.

• Hardware & Physical Product Design Sensibility: Understanding of materials, form factor, manufacturing considerations, and their integration with digital experiences.

• Design Leadership & Vision: Capacity to set a clear design direction, inspire teams, and make decisive calls.

• User Interface (UI) & User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and information architecture.

• Design Systems: Expertise in creating, implementing, and maintaining robust design systems for consistency and scalability.

• Visual Design & Craft: Exceptional eye for detail, including typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Motion Design: Proficiency in designing intuitive and engaging animations and transitions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to partner effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Executive leadership.

• Product Thinking: Ability to understand business objectives and translate them into effective design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the med-tech or healthcare industry.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and usability testing.

• Brand integration and consistency across product touchpoints.

• Experience building and scaling design teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 8-12+ years, coupled with the "Head of Design" title, suggests this role is for a seasoned design leader who can operate strategically and is comfortable taking significant ownership within a dynamic scale-up environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Holistic User Journeys: Showcase case studies demonstrating end-to-end design thinking for both digital interfaces and physical products, illustrating how they integrate seamlessly.

• Process Improvement & Innovation: Present examples of how design thinking has solved complex user problems or business challenges, highlighting the process from research to execution.

• System Design & Implementation: Include examples of design systems, style guides, or component libraries that have been created or contributed to, demonstrating scalability and consistency.

• Impact & Results: Quantify the impact of design work through metrics related to user engagement, satisfaction, conversion rates, or product adoption, where possible.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in mapping out user flows and optimizing them for efficiency and intuitiveness, particularly in complex product ecosystems.

• Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Provide examples of how design processes were integrated with engineering, product management, and marketing workflows to ensure alignment and successful product launches.

• Design Governance & Quality Assurance: Illustrate approaches to maintaining design quality, conducting design critiques, and ensuring adherence to established design principles and standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on both digital and physical products, portfolios should ideally showcase a range of work that spans hardware integration, app design, and potentially web interfaces. Demonstrating an understanding of how these elements come together cohesively is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Head of Design role in Switzerland with 10+ years of experience, especially in a venture-backed scale-up, the estimated salary range would typically be between CHF 140,000 and CHF 190,000 annually. This range accounts for the high cost of living in Switzerland, the senior leadership level, and the specialized nature of combining digital and physical product design expertise.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Stock options or equity participation (common in scale-ups).

• Health insurance and other standard Swiss benefits.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Flexible working arrangements (hybrid/remote-first).

• Contribution to a mission-driven company focused on improving global health.

Working Hours: The role is listed as Full-Time, with an expected commitment of approximately 40 hours per week. However, given the senior leadership nature, flexible hours and a focus on results are likely prioritized over strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule, aligning with the hybrid/remote-first work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on research of senior design leadership roles in Switzerland, considering factors like cost of living, industry benchmarks for scale-ups, and the specific skillset required. Actual compensation may vary based on individual experience, negotiation, and company-specific compensation structures.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hilo by Aktiia operates within the rapidly evolving MedTech and Digital Health sectors, focusing on cardiovascular health and specifically on blood pressure monitoring. This industry is characterized by innovation, rigorous regulatory standards, and a strong emphasis on user well-being and data accuracy.

Company Size: Hilo by Aktiia is a venture-backed scale-up company. This implies a dynamic, growing environment that balances the agility of a startup with increasing structure and ambition. It suggests a culture where employees can have a significant impact and shape company processes.

Founded: The company's technology is rooted in 18 years of research from the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM). While the founding date of Hilo by Aktiia itself isn't specified, this deep research background suggests a foundation built on scientific rigor and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely to be integrated within product development, working closely with product managers, engineers, and potentially marketing and brand teams.

• As Head of Design, this role will lead a team of product designers, setting the overall design direction and fostering a collaborative environment.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered Design: The company's mission and product focus strongly suggest a human-centered approach, prioritizing user needs, comfort, and health outcomes.

• Data-Driven Iteration: Given the med-tech nature and venture funding, a data-driven approach to product development, including design iterations based on user feedback and clinical validation, is expected.

• Agile Development: In a scale-up environment, agile methodologies are common, requiring design to be adaptable and integrated into iterative development cycles.

Company Website: https://hilo.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on a critical health issue (high blood pressure) and its unique, medically accurate technology suggests a culture that values both innovation and responsibility. The "scale-up" status implies a fast-paced environment with opportunities for significant individual contribution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position at the "Head of" level, indicating direct management responsibility and strategic oversight of the design function. It's a critical role for a leader who can establish design as a core competency and differentiator for the company.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Design would likely report to a senior executive, such as the Chief Product Officer (CPO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), or even the CEO, depending on the company's organizational structure. This close reporting line ensures design strategy is aligned with overall business objectives.

Operations Impact: The Head of Design will have a profound impact on Hilo by Aktiia's success by:

• Defining the user experience, which is critical for adoption and adherence in the health-tech space.

• Ensuring the product's aesthetic and functional quality aligns with its medical-grade positioning.

• Driving user delight and trust through thoughtful, cohesive design across all touchpoints.

Growth Opportunities:

• Team Expansion: Opportunity to build and grow the design function, hiring and mentoring new talent as the company scales.

• Strategic Influence: Influence product strategy, company vision, and brand identity through design leadership.

• Industry Leadership: Become a recognized leader in designing for medical devices and digital health solutions.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop broader leadership skills by collaborating closely with executive teams across product, engineering, and marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for a designer to leave a lasting imprint on a company operating in a high-impact industry. The growth potential is tied to the company's scaling trajectory and the successful execution of its design vision.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hilo by Aktiia operates as a hybrid/remote-first company with Headquarters in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. This suggests a flexible work environment where employees can choose to work from home or from the office, fostering autonomy and work-life balance.

Office Location(s): The company's headquarters are in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. While specific office details aren't provided, it's reasonable to assume a modern workspace designed to facilitate collaboration for those who choose to work on-site.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The HQ in Neuchâtel likely serves as a central point for key meetings, team gatherings, and collaborative sessions for those in the region.

• Technology-Enabled: As a tech company, expect access to modern design tools, collaboration software, and hardware prototypes necessary for the role.

• International Team: The remote-first approach implies working with a globally distributed team, fostering diverse perspectives and requiring strong digital communication skills.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an emphasis on flexibility due to the hybrid/remote-first model. The focus will be on achieving outcomes and meeting project deadlines rather than adhering to rigid office hours. This flexibility is crucial for balancing international collaboration and personal work styles within the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid/remote-first" model is a significant aspect, offering flexibility but also requiring strong self-discipline and communication skills. Candidates should be comfortable working autonomously and collaborating effectively across different time zones and locations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience and fit for the Head of Design role.

• Design Portfolio Presentation: A deep dive into your portfolio, where you'll present key projects, discuss your design process, and articulate your strategic thinking. Be prepared to discuss both digital and physical product design examples.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with product, engineering, and potentially marketing leaders to assess collaboration style, strategic thinking, and ability to integrate design into product development.

• Leadership & Culture Fit Interview: A conversation with senior leadership (e.g., CPO, CEO) to evaluate leadership style, vision for design, and alignment with Hilo by Aktiia's values.

• Potential Design Challenge: You may be asked to complete a small design exercise or critique to assess your problem-solving skills and design sensibility in real-time.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase End-to-End Thinking: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to design cohesive experiences across digital and physical touchpoints. Clearly articulate the problem, your process, your role, and the impact of your solutions.

• Articulate Design Strategy: Go beyond aesthetics; explain the strategic rationale behind your design decisions and how they align with user needs and business goals.

• Demonstrate Leadership: If possible, include examples of how you've mentored designers, influenced product direction, or improved design processes within teams.

• Highlight Craftsmanship: Ensure your portfolio is impeccably designed, showcasing attention to detail in typography, layout, interaction, and visual systems.

• Tailor to Hilo: Research Hilo's products and mission, and be prepared to discuss how your experience and vision can contribute to their specific challenges and goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Hilo's current products and their target audience.

• Focus on User Needs: Think about the core challenges users face with blood pressure monitoring and how design can improve adherence, understanding, and overall health management.

• Consider Physical & Digital Integration: Be ready to discuss how physical product design (wearability, comfort, materials) interacts with the digital experience (app interface, data visualization).

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss not only their past design work but also their vision for how design can specifically elevate Hilo's unique medical device and its accompanying digital platform. The emphasis on a "product design refactor" means preparedness for discussing transformation and collaborative problem-solving is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects for motion), InVision, Principle.

• 3D Modeling/CAD Tools (for Hardware): Familiarity with tools like SolidWorks, Rhino, or similar might be beneficial for hardware design collaboration.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Miro.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Understanding of how to interpret user analytics from tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms influence the customer journey can provide valuable context for holistic experience design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard digital design tools like Figma is essential. Experience or familiarity with tools used in physical product design and development will be a significant advantage, reflecting the dual nature of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Move the Needle: A focus on driving impactful results for customers and the company, prioritizing effectively, and maintaining a high bar for quality and outcomes. This translates to design that directly contributes to user health and business growth.

• Move Fast, Learn, Refine: An approach that balances urgency and craft, emphasizes iteration, continuous improvement, and taking ownership. Designers are expected to be agile, responsive, and committed to elevating their work.

• Team First: Fostering strong relationships through trust and openness, providing clear and honest feedback, and valuing collaboration. This promotes a supportive environment where great work and teamwork are intertwined.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Design: Design is expected to be deeply integrated with product, engineering, and marketing, working in tandem rather than in isolation.

• Constructive Critique: A culture where feedback is openly given and received, encouraging continuous improvement and shared learning within the design team and across departments.

• Shared Ownership: A collaborative spirit where teams collectively own product success, with design playing a pivotal role in guiding user-centric development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values – "Move the Needle," "Move Fast, Learn, Refine," and "Team First" – are critical indicators of their desired work culture. Candidates should demonstrate how their approach to design aligns with these principles, emphasizing impact, agility, and collaborative teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Digital & Physical Design: Integrating cohesive user experiences across distinct digital interfaces and physical hardware presents a unique challenge that requires a broad skill set and strategic vision.

• Navigating a Product Refactor: Contributing to and guiding a significant product design refactor requires adaptability, strong communication, and the ability to manage change effectively within a collaborative framework.

• Elevating Design Standards: As the first Head of Design, establishing and embedding a high standard of design craft and process across a growing company requires strong leadership and influence.

• MedTech Regulatory Environment: Designing for a regulated medical device requires a deep understanding of user safety, data privacy, and compliance, which can add complexity to the design process.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Develop skills in shaping company-wide design strategy, building design teams, and influencing executive decision-making.

• MedTech Innovation: Gain expertise in designing for cutting-edge medical technology and understanding the unique challenges and opportunities within the digital health sector.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Deepen understanding of product development, engineering constraints, and marketing strategies through close collaboration.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and develop junior designers, fostering their growth and building a strong design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but also offer substantial opportunities for growth and impact. Candidates who thrive in complex, evolving environments and are passionate about improving health outcomes will find this role particularly rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your vision for Hilo's design language, considering both our digital app and physical device. How would you ensure consistency and a delightful user experience across both?"

• "Given that we are undergoing a product design refactor, what would be your initial priorities and approach to ensure a smooth and effective transformation? How would you collaborate with Product and Engineering during this phase?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Hilo's values – 'Move the Needle,' 'Move Fast, Learn, Refine,' and 'Team First' – resonate with your personal working philosophy and leadership style?"

• "What excites you most about Hilo's mission to improve cardiovascular health, and how do you see design playing a critical role in achieving this?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem statement, your specific role and responsibilities, your design process (research, ideation, iteration, execution), the solutions you developed, and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Emphasize Holistic Design: Dedicate time to showcasing projects that integrate digital and physical design. Explain the challenges and successes of bridging these two realms.

• Showcase Leadership & Collaboration: Discuss instances where you led a design effort, mentored designers, or worked effectively with cross-functional teams. Use examples that align with Hilo's values.

• Be Ready for Critique: Anticipate constructive feedback on your work and be prepared to discuss your rationale and how you would approach improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design philosophy in the context of a health-tech scale-up and demonstrate how they can lead design through a period of significant product evolution. Strong examples of cross-functional collaboration and data-informed design decisions will be highly valued.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application through the Workable platform, ensuring your resume and portfolio are up-to-date and readily accessible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in end-to-end product design (digital and physical), design leadership, and your ability to drive impact. Tailor the presentation to highlight relevance to Hilo's mission and current challenges (e.g., the product refactor).

• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your years of experience, leadership roles, expertise in both digital and physical product design, and any relevant experience in fast-paced environments or the health-tech sector. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design vision, leadership style, and how you embody Hilo's core values. Be ready to walk through your portfolio projects with confidence and clarity, focusing on your strategic contributions and outcomes.

• Research Hilo: Thoroughly understand Hilo by Aktiia's products, mission, technology, and recent developments. Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewers that demonstrate your engagement and strategic interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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