Associate Product Designer, Connected Products

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Product Designer, Connected Products

Company: Fortune Brands

Location: San Francisco, CA / North Olmsted, OH

Job Type: Hybrid (3 days on-site per week)

Category: Product Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-05

Experience Level: Entry-level

Remote Status: On-site preferred (Hybrid)

🎨 Role Summary

• Contribute to user experiences that span digital and physical interfaces
• Collaborate with mid-level and senior designers throughout the product lifecycle
• Use data and show curiosity in identifying additional sources to inform design decisions
• Advocate for user-centered refinements and improvements to the user-experience

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Contribute to user experiences that span digital (mobile) and physical (device) interfaces
• Collaborate with mid-level and senior designers throughout the product lifecycle
• Use available data and show curiosity in identifying additional sources to inform design decisions
• Communicate and collaborate with product managers, category managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to align on solutions
• Advocate for user-centered refinements and improvements to the user-experience
• Support design activities across the stack, from research to iteration to high-fidelity visuals
• Participate in workshops and cross-functional sessions, contributing insights and supporting facilitation
• Assist with user testing and research, learning to plan sessions and analyze insights under senior guidance
• Work with internal teams and partners to help create cohesive, seamless user experiences

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A BA/BS in design, UX/UI, HCI, or a related field – or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Entry-level role with a focus on learning and growth in the field of product design.

Required Skills:

• Familiarity with design tools (especially Figma), prototyping, and collaborative design processes
• An understanding of design systems and how to use them within an established framework
• Strong visual design skills and an eye for polished, consistent interfaces
• Solid understanding of user-centered design (UCD) principles and a willingness to grow in designing for digital interfaces and physical products
• Awareness of Material Design and Apple’s human interface guidelines
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Familiarity with user journeys, use cases, and user modeling, and an eagerness to co-create these with product managers and researchers
• Interest in how connected devices communicate via the internet, with some familiarity with IoT platforms and protocols (such as MQTT, CoAP, HTTP) a plus

Preferred Skills:

• Portfolio demonstrating thoughtful design solutions
• Experience with user research and testing
• Familiarity with agile methodologies
• Knowledge of the home products industry

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate your approach to user problems and thoughtful design solutions
• Showcase your ability to create polished, consistent interfaces across digital and physical products
• Include examples of your collaboration with other designers, stakeholders, and users
• Highlight your understanding of user-centered design principles and how you've applied them in your work

Process Documentation:

• Include research and discovery phases, highlighting the sources of data you've used to inform your design decisions
• Showcase your ideation and iteration methods, demonstrating your ability to refine and improve designs based on feedback
• Document your validation and testing approaches, including user testing insights and how you've incorporated them into your designs

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $88,000 USD per year

Benefits:

• Health Plans (robust health plans for associates and their families)
• 401(k) Program (market-leading 401(k) program with company contribution)
• Product Discounts (discounts on Fortune Brands' products)
• Flexible Time Off (flexible time off benefits, including half-day summer Fridays per policy)
• Fertility Benefits (inclusive fertility and adoption benefits)
• Employee Resource Groups (various ERGs to support inclusivity and associates' feeling of belonging at work)

Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) with a hybrid schedule (3 days on-site per week)

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Manufacturing (Home Products, Security, and Commercial Building Markets)

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1919

Team Structure:

• Fortune Brands has a large design team with multiple disciplines, including product design, industrial design, and UX design
• The design team is organized into cross-functional pods, working closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders
• The design team is led by a Senior Director of Product Design, Water, who oversees the connected products division

Methodology:

• Fortune Brands uses a user-centered design approach, focusing on creating products that meet the needs of both consumers and business partners
• The design process involves research, ideation, prototyping, user testing, and iteration, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and stakeholder involvement
• Fortune Brands uses design thinking methodologies to drive innovation and problem-solving

Company Website: www.fbin.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Entry-level (Associate Product Designer)

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Director of Product Design, Water, and will work closely with mid-level and senior designers within the connected products division

Design Impact: As an Associate Product Designer, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the design of connected Moen products, serving both direct-to-consumer needs and Fortune Brands' business partners

Growth Opportunities:

• This role offers the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experienced designers, providing a strong foundation for career growth in the field of product design
• As you gain experience and demonstrate your skills, you may have the opportunity to take on more complex design challenges and advance to a mid-level or senior design role
• Fortune Brands also offers numerous Employee Resource Groups to support the professional development and growth of its associates

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Fortune Brands' design studios are modern, collaborative spaces that foster creativity and innovation, with a focus on cross-functional teamwork and open communication

Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA and North Olmsted, OH

Design Workspace Context:

• Fortune Brands' design studios are equipped with the latest design tools and technology, allowing designers to work efficiently and effectively
• The design team is organized into cross-functional pods, with designers working closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to create cohesive, seamless user experiences
• Fortune Brands offers a hybrid work schedule, with associates working on-site 3 days per week and remotely for the remainder of the week

Work Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) with a hybrid schedule (3 days on-site per week)

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess your qualifications and fit for the role
• Phone or video screen: A brief conversation to discuss your background, experience, and design process
• On-site or virtual design challenge: A hands-on design challenge that allows you to demonstrate your skills and approach to user-centered design
• Final interview: A meeting with the Senior Director of Product Design, Water, and other key stakeholders to discuss your fit for the role and the team

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Include a variety of projects that showcase your ability to design for both digital and physical interfaces
• Highlight your understanding of user-centered design principles and how you've applied them in your work
• Demonstrate your ability to collaborate with other designers, stakeholders, and users, and to incorporate feedback into your designs
• Include case studies that clearly articulate your design process and the rationale behind your decisions

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Fortune Brands' products and design language, as well as the company's commitment to user-centered design principles
• Prepare a design challenge that demonstrates your ability to create user experiences that span digital and physical interfaces, using data and user research to inform your design decisions
• Practice presenting your design process and rationale, and be prepared to discuss your work and answer questions from the interview panel

ATS Keywords: User-centered design, product design, UX design, visual design, collaboration, communication, design tools, prototyping, design systems, user research, IoT, data-driven design, design thinking, design process, design challenge, portfolio review

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma: A collaborative design tool used for creating and sharing design files, with a strong focus on prototyping and iteration
• Sketch: A digital sketching tool used for quickly creating and exploring design ideas
• Adobe Creative Suite: A suite of design tools used for creating and editing visual assets, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects
• InVision: A prototyping and user testing tool used for creating interactive design mockups and gathering user feedback

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Slack: A team communication platform used for collaborating with designers, product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders
• Jira: A project management tool used for tracking design tasks and progress
• Confluence: A collaboration software used for sharing design documentation and knowledge

Research & Testing:

• UserTesting: A user research platform used for conducting remote usability tests and gathering user feedback
• Google Analytics: A web analytics tool used for tracking user behavior and measuring design performance
• Miro: A collaborative whiteboarding tool used for brainstorming, planning, and presenting design ideas

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-centered: Fortune Brands prioritizes the needs and preferences of users, using data and research to inform design decisions
• Collaborative: The design team works closely with other departments, including product management, engineering, and marketing, to create cohesive, seamless user experiences
• Innovative: Fortune Brands encourages designers to think creatively and push the boundaries of what's possible, driving continuous improvement and growth
• Inclusive: Fortune Brands fosters a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a strong commitment to supporting the professional development and growth of its associates

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional: The design team works closely with other departments, including product management, engineering, and marketing, to create cohesive, seamless user experiences
• Iterative: Fortune Brands uses an iterative design process, with designers continually refining and improving their work based on feedback from users, stakeholders, and other designers
• Transparent: Fortune Brands encourages open communication and collaboration, with designers sharing their work and insights with the broader team

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Designing for both digital and physical interfaces, with a strong focus on creating cohesive, seamless user experiences
• Working with connected devices and IoT platforms, with an understanding of how these devices communicate via the internet
• Balancing the needs of both consumers and business partners, with a strong focus on creating products that meet the needs of both groups
• Managing a large design team with multiple disciplines, including product design, industrial design, and UX design

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Fortune Brands offers numerous Employee Resource Groups to support the professional development and growth of its associates
• The design team hosts regular workshops and training sessions, with a strong focus on continuous learning and skill development
• As an Associate Product Designer, you will have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experienced designers, providing a strong foundation for career growth in the field of product design

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Can you walk us through your design process, from research and discovery to iteration and high-fidelity visuals?
• How do you approach user research and testing, and how do you incorporate user feedback into your designs?
• Can you share an example of a design challenge you faced in a previous role, and how you approached and resolved it?

Company Culture Questions:

• How do you approach collaboration and communication with other designers, stakeholders, and users?
• Can you share an example of a time when you had to advocate for a user-centered design approach, and how did you approach and resolve it?
• How do you approach working with a large, cross-functional design team, and how do you ensure that your designs align with the broader design system and brand guidelines?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prepare a portfolio that showcases your ability to design for both digital and physical interfaces, with a strong focus on user-centered design principles
• Include case studies that clearly articulate your design process and the rationale behind your decisions
• Practice presenting your design process and rationale, and be prepared to discuss your work and answer questions from the interview panel

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Product Designer, Connected Products position:

• Submit your application through the provided link
• Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight your skills and experience in product design, with a strong focus on user-centered design principles and your ability to design for both digital and physical interfaces
• Prepare a design challenge that demonstrates your ability to create user experiences that span digital and physical interfaces, using data and user research to inform your design decisions
• Research Fortune Brands' products and design language, as well as the company's commitment to user-centered design principles, and be prepared to discuss your work and answer questions from the interview panel