Associate Product Designer at Natera

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Product Designer

Company: Natera

Location: San Carlos, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design (Kit Design)

Date Posted: 2025-06-10T19:00:07

Experience Level: Associate (2-4 Years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

Support commercial kit management across all Natera product lines with a focus on design and testing.
Design commercial collection kits with an emphasis on patient sample safety and sustainable design principles.
Conduct essential packaging studies and testing, including temperature validation and shipping analysis.
Collaborate closely with internal teams (Product Management, Marketing, Logistics, Procurement, QA/RA) and external vendors.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the description heavily emphasizes the physical design, testing, and management of commercial kits, which aligns more closely with an Industrial Design or Operations-focused role within the product design lifecycle. The focus is on tangible product components and logistics rather than digital interfaces or user experience flows.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Work cross-functionally with Product Managers, Marketing, Procurement, Logistics, and Lab Operations to gather necessary information for accurate kit specifications and documentation.
Design commercial collection kits, prioritizing patient sample safety and incorporating green/sustainable design considerations.
Perform required kit packaging studies and testing, including temperature validation, shipping analysis, and packaging evaluations.
Partner with external kit vendors to ensure adherence to development and launch schedules, proactively escalating issues and proposing solutions.
Utilize project management skills to anticipate, investigate, and resolve issues to meet project deliverables.
Serve as a liaison between Product Management, Procurement, and Logistics, ensuring alignment on commercial kit volume changes.
Manage and oversee change requests for commercial requisition forms, ensuring compliance with internal documentation processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are focused on the physical product lifecycle, emphasizing collaboration with operations, logistics, and manufacturing partners rather than typical digital product design responsibilities like wireframing, prototyping, or user interface design. This reinforces the interpretation of the role's design focus on physical kits.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Industrial Engineering.

Experience: 2-4 years of career experience specifically in kit design, with a proven track record of meeting aggressive deadlines in project management (2+ years). Experience working with external partners and cross-functional teams is essential.

Required Skills:

Kit Design principles and practices.
CAD software proficiency (specifically AutoCAD mentioned).
Project Management methodologies and tools (Smartsheet/MS Project).
Experience in Healthcare Operations.
Strong Analytical Skills to identify problems and propose solutions.
Acute Attention to Detail in design specifications and documentation.
Effective Communication Skills for internal and external stakeholder collaboration.
Proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, MS PPT.
Proficiency in Adobe Pro and Canva.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with temperature validation and shipping analysis for sensitive materials.
Knowledge of sustainable packaging design principles.
Experience managing change control processes in a regulated industry (like healthcare).

📝 Enhancement Note: The required education and experience in Industrial Engineering and kit design, coupled with the emphasis on CAD and project management, strongly indicate that this role is focused on the physical product design and manufacturing aspects of medical kits, rather than digital product design.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Case studies demonstrating experience in physical product design, specifically kit design.
Examples showcasing the design process from concept to final product for tangible goods.
Documentation of testing methodologies applied to product design (e.g., temperature stability, packaging).
Visual presentation of design iterations and rationale behind material and structural choices.

Process Documentation:

Documented process for translating user/stakeholder needs into physical product specifications.
Examples of ideation and iteration methods used in physical product design.
Documentation of validation and testing approaches for physical products.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the focus on physical kit design, the portfolio should emphasize industrial design processes, material selection, manufacturing considerations, and testing protocols for tangible products, rather than typical UI/UX design artifacts like wireframes or prototypes. Case studies should detail the design challenges and solutions for physical kits.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $57,300 - $71,700 USD per year

Benefits:

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
Life and Disability insurance plans.
Free Natera testing for employees and immediate families.
Fertility Care Benefits.
Pregnancy and Baby Bonding Leave.
401k benefits.
Commuter benefits.
Generous Employee Referral Program.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours (likely 40 hours per week), primarily on-site to facilitate collaboration on physical kit design and testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range aligns with an Associate-level role in the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly for a position with a focus on industrial design and operational aspects within the biotechnology industry. The benefits package is comprehensive and typical for a company of Natera's size in this region, offering strong support for health and family needs.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Biotechnology Research, specializing in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing for oncology, women’s health, and organ health.

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (LinkedIn indicates 4684 employees).

Founded: 2004.

Team Structure:

This role reports within a team focused on commercial kit management.
Requires significant cross-functional collaboration with Product Management, Marketing, Logistics, Procurement, QA/RA, and Lab Operations.
Interaction with external kit vendors is a key component of the role.

Methodology:

Design processes likely involve a structured approach to product development, including specification definition, prototyping, testing, and validation, adhering to stringent healthcare and regulatory standards.
Emphasis on compliant and timely launches of commercial kits.
Project management methodologies are integral to coordinating cross-functional efforts.

Company Website: http://www.natera.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Natera's focus on biotechnology and medical diagnostics implies a highly regulated environment. The design culture for this role will prioritize precision, compliance with quality standards (like ISO 13485 and CLIA), and rigorous testing protocols over purely aesthetic or user interface design principles. Collaboration and adherence to timelines for product launches are critical.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Associate Product Designer. This is an entry to mid-level position focusing on supporting and executing defined kit design projects under guidance.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a more senior Product Designer, Product Manager, or a manager within Operations or Logistics, given the role's focus.

Design Impact: This role directly impacts the quality, safety, and efficiency of Natera's commercial kit offerings, which are essential components of their diagnostic services. Design decisions influence logistics, laboratory operations, and ultimately, the patient experience through sample collection.

Growth Opportunities:

Advancement to a Product Designer or Senior Product Designer role focusing on more complex kit designs or product lines.
Specialization in specific areas like sustainable packaging design or advanced testing methodologies.
Potential to move into project management or operational roles within the company, leveraging cross-functional experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for this role would likely involve gaining more autonomy in kit design projects, leading cross-functional initiatives, and potentially specializing in areas like advanced materials or manufacturing processes relevant to medical kits. Growth could also involve transitioning into broader product management or operations roles within the biotech sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Primarily office-based, located within Natera's facilities in San Carlos, CA. Likely involves access to laboratory or testing facilities for kit evaluation.

Office Location(s): San Carlos, CA. This is one of Natera's key operational and laboratory sites.

Design Workspace Context:

The workspace will be conducive to collaboration with team members from various departments involved in the kit lifecycle.
Access to CAD software and potentially physical prototyping or testing areas.
The environment will likely be structured and adhere to the standards of a biotechnology company, emphasizing safety and compliance.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site. The nature of working with physical products, testing, and cross-functional teams on-site necessitates a presence in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is critical for a role focused on physical product design, testing, and collaboration with laboratory and operational teams. The work environment will be influenced by the strict regulatory and quality standards of the biotechnology industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

Initial screening call to assess basic qualifications and experience in kit design and project management.
Portfolio review focused on physical product design projects, emphasizing process documentation and testing methodologies.
Technical interview assessing CAD skills and understanding of industrial design principles.
Behavioral interview to evaluate collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail.
Potential for a small design exercise or case study related to kit design challenges.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight case studies specifically related to kit design, packaging, or medical device components.
Clearly articulate the design process, including research, ideation, material selection, and testing.
Showcase proficiency in CAD and any relevant simulation or analysis tools.
Document the challenges faced in physical product design and how they were overcome.

Challenge Preparation:

Be prepared to discuss a design challenge related to creating a safe, efficient, and potentially sustainable medical kit.
Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach, consideration of materials and manufacturing, and understanding of regulatory requirements.
Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely.

ATS Keywords: Industrial Design, Kit Design, Packaging Design, CAD, AutoCAD, SolidWorks (if applicable), Project Management, Smartsheet, MS Project, Healthcare Operations, Biotechnology, Medical Devices, ISO 13485, CLIA, Quality Control, Testing, Validation, Prototyping, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Cross-functional Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Analytical Skills, Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Adobe Pro, Canva, MS Excel, MS Word, MS PPT, Sustainable Design, Temperature Validation, Shipping Analysis, Change Control.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will heavily weigh experience in physical product design, particularly within regulated industries. Demonstrating a strong understanding of industrial design principles, CAD proficiency, and project management within a quality-controlled environment will be crucial for success. The portfolio and interview should emphasize practical application and problem-solving in tangible product development.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

AutoCAD: Essential for creating detailed technical drawings and specifications for kits.
Other CAD Software (potentially SolidWorks, Inventor): May be used for 3D modeling and visualization of kit components.

Collaboration & Handoff:

Smartsheet / MS Project: Used for project planning, tracking timelines, and managing tasks across teams.
MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PPT): For documentation, reporting, and presentations.
Adobe Pro: Likely used for creating or editing documentation and forms.
Canva: May be used for creating visual materials related to kits, potentially for marketing or training.

Research & Testing:

Specific testing equipment or software for temperature validation, shipping analysis, and packaging integrity.
Data analysis tools (potentially within Excel or specialized software) to interpret test results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The toolset confirms the focus on technical design and project management for physical products. Proficiency in AutoCAD is a specific requirement, highlighting the need for precise technical documentation. The inclusion of project management tools underscores the operational and coordination aspects of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

Precision and Accuracy: Critical in designing medical kits that ensure sample integrity and patient safety.
Compliance and Quality: Adherence to strict regulatory standards (ISO 13485, CLIA) is paramount in the biotechnology industry.
Collaboration: Effective teamwork with cross-functional departments and external vendors is essential for successful kit development and launch.
Problem-Solving: Proactively identifying and resolving issues related to kit design, testing, or logistics.

Collaboration Style:

Highly collaborative, requiring constant communication with various internal teams and external partners.
Data-driven approach, using testing results to inform design decisions.
Emphasis on clear documentation and adherence to established processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The design culture within this role will be heavily influenced by the biotechnology industry's focus on quality, compliance, and scientific rigor. Collaboration and attention to detail will be key cultural values for success in this position.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Balancing design innovation with strict regulatory requirements and safety standards for medical kits.
Managing complex project timelines involving multiple internal stakeholders and external vendors.
Ensuring cost-effectiveness while maintaining high quality and sustainable design principles.
Adapting designs based on testing results and feedback from laboratory operations or end-users.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Gaining in-depth experience in medical device packaging and design within a regulated environment.
Developing advanced skills in specific CAD software and testing methodologies.
Expanding project management expertise by leading increasingly complex kit design projects.
Learning about the broader biotechnology and diagnostics industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are rooted in the intersection of design, manufacturing, logistics, and regulation within the biotechnology sector. Success requires a strong understanding of technical constraints, project management, and cross-functional communication. The growth opportunities involve deepening expertise in these areas and potentially moving into leadership or specialized technical roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Describe your process for designing a physical product, from initial concept to final production. Provide examples from your portfolio.
How do you approach incorporating safety and sustainability considerations into your design process for physical kits?
Walk through a project where you had to conduct testing (e.g., temperature, packaging) to validate a design. What were the challenges and outcomes?

Company Culture Questions:

How do you prioritize tasks and manage deadlines when working on multiple projects simultaneously?
Describe a time you had to collaborate with a cross-functional team (e.g., logistics, manufacturing, QA). How did you ensure effective communication and alignment?
How do you handle feedback on your designs, particularly from stakeholders with different technical backgrounds?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Select 2-3 case studies that best demonstrate your experience in physical product design, kit design, or regulated environments.
For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your design process, the solution, and the impact.
Emphasize your technical skills (CAD, testing) and your ability to work effectively with diverse teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing practical experience in physical product design, technical proficiency with CAD and relevant testing methods, and strong collaboration skills. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed projects, overcome technical challenges, and worked with cross-functional teams in a structured or regulated environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link
Customize your resume to highlight experience in kit design, industrial design, CAD, and project management, using keywords from the ATS list.
Prepare a portfolio showcasing relevant physical product design projects, including process documentation and testing details.
Research Natera's products and the biotechnology industry to understand the context of the role and tailor your application and interview responses.
Practice discussing your design process, technical skills, and collaboration experience, using examples from your portfolio.

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

Associate Product Designer