Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: myCareer - NSW Government

Location: Sydney, Parramatta, or Gosford, NSW, Australia

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (until Sept 2027)

Category: Product Design, UI/UX Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-10

Experience Level: Mid-Level (SNSW Grade 7/8)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🎨 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design, applying a customer-centric approach from discovery to delivery within a lean, iterative development environment.
• Shape meaningful digital experiences and customer journeys for the people of NSW, ensuring high-quality products and services.
• Collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and cross-functional teams to align customer expectations with product capabilities.
• Champion inclusive design and accessibility guidelines to create user-friendly products for a broad audience.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Apply a customer-centric approach to support the full product design lifecycle, including discovery, framing, iterative development, and delivery of digital products and services.
• Engage with customers and various stakeholders to understand diverse organisational needs and translate them into innovative design solutions.
• Ensure design consistency and adherence to established design systems, specifically contributing to and utilising the Service NSW GEL design components and patterns.
• Collaborate closely with product teams and other relevant stakeholders to align design efforts with product timelines and deliverables, supporting efficient design delivery.
• Implement inclusive design methodologies and accessibility guidelines (WCAG) to create user-friendly and accessible products that cater to the majority of people in NSW.
• Stay informed about relevant industry trends, design methodologies, and tools to identify and propose innovative solutions that optimise outcomes in line with organisational priorities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is typically expected, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong understanding of design principles and methodologies.

Experience: Proven experience working as a Product Designer or in a similar end-to-end design role. Experience working in lean or Agile development environments is highly valued. A strong portfolio showcasing your design process, case studies, and the impact of your work is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in end-to-end Product Design, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user interface (UI) design, and user experience (UX) design.
• Demonstrated experience applying a customer-centric or user-centered design approach throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders (customers, product managers, developers, etc.).
• Experience working in lean or Agile development methodologies, comfortable with iterative and incremental design processes.
• Understanding and application of inclusive design principles and web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG).
• Ability to break down complex problems into actionable design steps and propose innovative solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to or working with established design systems and component libraries (e.g., Service NSW GEL).
• Familiarity with Extreme Programming (XP) methodology, as mentioned in the company description.
• Experience in government or public sector design projects, understanding the unique constraints and opportunities.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end product design process, from initial problem framing and user research to final design solutions and their impact.
• Showcase your ability to translate complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive and effective digital experiences.
• Present visual design work that demonstrates attention to detail, adherence to design systems, and a strong understanding of UI principles.
• If applicable, include examples of work where you applied inclusive design principles and addressed accessibility requirements.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process, including your approach to user research, synthesis of findings, ideation techniques, and prototyping methods.
• Explain your rationale behind design decisions, highlighting how they address user needs and business goals.
• Demonstrate your iterative approach to design, showing how you incorporated feedback and insights into your solutions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The base salary for this role is stated as starting at $102,899 AUD per annum, plus superannuation.

Benefits:

• Competitive base salary as listed, with potential for growth within the SNSW Grade 7/8 band.
• Australian superannuation contributions in addition to the base salary.
• Opportunity to work within the NSW Government, contributing to services that benefit the public.
• Support for employee health and wellbeing programs.
• Potential for flexible working arrangements, aligning with the hybrid work environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and learning within the digital services team.

Working Hours: Full-time temporary position, typically involving standard working hours. Flexibility may be available within the hybrid work model to support focused design work and creative flow.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Government Administration - Focused on delivering customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform for the state of NSW.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Department of Customer Service)

Founded: Information not explicitly provided for the founding date of the Department of Customer Service, but it is a long-standing government entity.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design role is part of the Digital Services team at Service NSW.
• The team is described as collaborative and driven, working with modern technologies and platforms.
• Emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, working effectively with different disciplines beyond design (Product Management, Engineering, etc.).

Methodology:

• Strong adoption of User-Centred Design principles as a core approach.
• Utilisation of iterative development processes.
• Practice of Extreme Programming (XP) methodology within the team.

Company Website: https://www.customerservice.nsw.gov.au/

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is classified as SNSW Grade 7/8, which typically corresponds to a Mid-Level Product Designer within the NSW Government pay scales and career framework. Professionals at this level are expected to work with some autonomy, contribute significantly to design outcomes, and collaborate effectively across teams.

Reporting Structure: While the direct reporting line isn't specified, Product Designers at this level typically report to a Senior Product Designer, Design Lead, or Product Manager within the Digital Services team. The collaborative nature suggests a relatively flat hierarchy within project teams.

Design Impact: Product Designers in this role have a direct impact on the digital experiences and services provided to millions of NSW residents, contributing to significant government digital transformation initiatives. Their work is central to ensuring these services are user-friendly and accessible.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement to Senior Product Designer or Design Lead roles within Service NSW or other government agencies based on performance and experience.
• Opportunities to develop specialized skills in areas like accessibility, service design, or specific government service domains.
• Engagement in professional development programs and access to resources like the Capability Application Tool to support career progression within the NSW Government framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: The role is based within government office buildings, specifically McKell (Haymarket), Parramatta, and Gosford. The work environment is described as collaborative and driven, likely involving a mix of individual workspace and team collaboration areas.

Office Location(s): Primary locations are 2-24 Rawson Pl, Sydney (Haymarket), Parramatta, and Gosford, NSW. The organization is open to considering other locations if operationally feasible, with the expectation of attending a NSW Government workplace as required.

Design Workspace Context:

• The collaborative nature suggests open workspaces or dedicated team areas conducive to pair design or group discussions.
• Access to necessary design software, collaboration tools, and potentially physical whiteboards or ideation spaces.
• Opportunities for interaction with cross-functional team members (developers, product managers, etc.) in a co-located or hybrid setting.

Work Schedule: Full-time, temporary position. The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and potentially remote focused work, supporting creative flow and work-life balance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Expect an initial screening, likely involving HR or a hiring manager, focusing on your experience and alignment with the basic requirements.
• Subsequent interviews will likely involve members of the design team and potentially product or engineering counterparts.
• Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail, showcasing your approach to problem-solving, user research, and collaboration through portfolio case studies.
• A design challenge or whiteboarding session is likely to assess your on-the-spot problem-solving skills and design thinking.
• Cultural fit and collaboration style will be assessed throughout the process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure your portfolio presentation around compelling case studies that highlight your role and contributions to the design process.
• Focus on telling the story behind your projects, explaining the problem you were solving, your research methods, design iterations, and the impact of your work.
• Clearly demonstrate your proficiency with relevant design tools and your ability to deliver high-quality visual and interaction design.
• If you have experience with government or public sector projects, highlight them. Otherwise, demonstrate how your skills are transferable to this context, particularly regarding accessibility and inclusive design.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is provided, carefully read and understand the prompt. Ask clarifying questions if needed.
• Structure your approach, outlining your process and key considerations.
• Focus on demonstrating your design thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate your rationale.
• Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely, explaining your design decisions and how they address the challenge requirements.

ATS Keywords: Product Design, User-Centred Design, UX Design, UI Design, Service Design, Interaction Design, Visual Design, User Research, Usability Testing, Prototyping, Wireframing, Ideation, Design Thinking, Lean UX, Agile, Extreme Programming (XP), Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Inclusive Design, Accessibility (WCAG), Digital Transformation, Customer Experience, Problem Solving, Strategic Thinking, Communication, Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, Design Systems, Component Libraries, Government, Public Sector.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Specific design tools are not explicitly mentioned, but industry standards for product design roles include Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for UI/UX design and prototyping. Proficiency in at least one of these is expected.
• Tools for creating wireframes and user flows are also essential.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms for team communication.
• Handoff tools for developers, potentially integrated within design software or separate platforms like Zeplin or InVision.
• Tools for documentation and design system management, especially given the mention of the Service NSW GEL.

Research & Testing:

• Tools for conducting user research (e.g., survey platforms, remote testing tools).
• Prototyping tools for user testing and validation.
• Analytics platforms for measuring design performance and user behavior may be used by the wider team.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Customer-centricity: Placing the needs and experiences of NSW residents at the forefront of design decisions.
• Collaboration: Working closely and effectively with colleagues across design, product, engineering, and other disciplines.
• Innovation: Thinking smarter and adapting to deliver innovative digital solutions that improve public services.
• Inclusivity: Designing products that are accessible and user-friendly for all people in NSW, regardless of ability or background.

Collaboration Style:

• The culture is described as collaborative and driven, suggesting a fast-paced and team-oriented environment.
• Comfort with ambiguity and balancing multiple inputs indicates a need for adaptability and effective prioritization.
• Proactive communication and a willingness to challenge mindsets and improve processes are valued.
• Working effectively with different disciplines is a key aspect of the collaboration style.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Designing for a large and diverse user base across NSW, requiring a strong focus on accessibility and inclusive design to meet varied needs.
• Navigating the complexities of government processes and regulations while striving to deliver simple and intuitive user experiences.
• Working within a large organization, requiring effective communication and stakeholder management to gain alignment and advocate for user needs.
• Balancing iterative development and lean methodologies with the need to deliver robust and secure public services.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing for accessibility and inclusive design within a government context.
• Exposure to a wide range of government services, providing opportunities to work on diverse and impactful projects.
• Learning and applying methodologies like User-Centred Design, Extreme Programming (XP), and iterative development in practice.
• Access to training and resources provided by the NSW Government to support professional growth and capability development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to walk through your design process for a key project from your portfolio, highlighting your approach to research, ideation, testing, and collaboration.
• Discuss how you incorporate user feedback and data into your design decisions.
• Explain how you approach designing for accessibility and inclusivity.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research Service NSW and the Department of Customer Service to understand their mission, values, and recent digital transformation initiatives.
• Be prepared to discuss your experience working in collaborative, cross-functional teams and your comfort level with ambiguity.
• Ask thoughtful questions about the design team structure, collaboration practices, and how design impact is measured within the organization.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 strong case studies that best demonstrate your skills and experience relevant to this role, particularly those showcasing end-to-end product design, collaboration, and addressing user needs.
• Practice presenting your case studies concisely and engagingly, focusing on the problem, your process, key decisions, and the outcome.
• Be ready to discuss the impact of your design work, quantifying results where possible.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in product design, user-centered methodologies, collaboration, and, if applicable, experience in lean or government environments.
• Prepare your portfolio to showcase relevant case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end design process and the impact of your work, paying special attention to any projects involving accessibility or inclusive design.
• Review the NSW Government Capability Framework, particularly the focus capabilities listed in the full role description (accessible via the provided link), and prepare examples demonstrating your proficiency in these areas.
• Research Service NSW and the Digital Services team to understand their work and demonstrate your interest and alignment with their mission.