Senior Product Designer I

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer I

Company: Axon

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design, Design Systems, UX Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-09

Experience Level: Senior (6+ years)

Remote Status: Remote OK (Hybrid preferred near US R&D Hubs)

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead the design and evolution of Axon's Spark Design System, a critical component for a major flagship product redesign.
• Champion the adoption and extensibility of the design system across a wide product ecosystem serving public safety markets.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional product and engineering teams to ensure the design system effectively supports their needs and drives cohesive user experiences.
• Integrate innovative tools, including AI, to enhance the development, maintenance, and efficiency of the design system.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of the Spark Design System for a significant redesign initiative, ensuring alignment with product goals and user needs.
• Drive the adoption and ongoing development of the design system across various cloud applications and connected sensor products within the Axon ecosystem.
• Partner with product managers, engineers, and other design teams to gather requirements, define system components, and expand the design system's capabilities.
• Explore and integrate AI tools and emerging technologies to optimize design system workflows, improve component quality, and enhance designer productivity.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the impact and value of the design system, reporting findings to stakeholders.
• Conduct usability research and testing on design system components and patterns to validate effectiveness, accessibility, and consistency across different user scenarios.
• Ensure all design system contributions and usage adhere to established accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and best practices.
• Collaborate with platform and feature teams to align design system strategy with overall product strategy, ensuring seamless and cohesive user experiences.
• Monitor industry trends in design systems, UX research methodologies, and emerging technologies to inform the evolution of Axon's design practices.
• Contribute to the definition of global design patterns, principles, and processes that guide the overall user experience across the Axon product suite.
• Mentor junior designers, advocate for design excellence, and actively contribute to fostering a strong and inclusive design culture within Axon.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors, Interaction Design, or a related design-focused field. A strong portfolio demonstrating applied design and research capabilities is highly valued.

Experience: A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in product design, with at least 2 years specifically leading the design and management of design systems for products of medium to high complexity. Demonstrated experience with diverse UX research methodologies and data analysis techniques is required.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in Product Design, with a strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design process for complex software products.
• Proven expertise in Design System leadership, including architecture, governance, component design, documentation, and adoption strategies.
• Hands-on experience with UX Research methodologies such as usability testing, interviews, surveys, and data analysis to inform design decisions.
• Strong Conceptual Thinking and ability to translate complex problems into clear, user-centered design solutions.
• Proficiency in Visual Design principles, typography, layout, and interaction patterns to create aesthetically pleasing and functional interfaces.
• Expertise in Rapid Prototyping using industry-standard tools to effectively communicate design ideas and test concepts quickly.
• Experience designing for multiple platforms (web, mobile) and various interaction modalities (touch, mouse, keyboard).
• Solid understanding of front-end development technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and how design decisions impact implementation.
• Excellent Collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, etc.).
• Proven ability to articulate design decisions clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Accessibility Standards (e.g., WCAG) and best practices for creating inclusive digital products.
• Experience defining and tracking success metrics for design initiatives, particularly related to design system impact.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience integrating AI tools into design workflows or design system management.
• Experience with coding prototypes or contributing to front-end development is a plus.
• Experience mentoring junior designers or contributing to design team growth.
• Familiarity with the public safety sector or designing for mission-critical applications.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Your portfolio should prominently feature case studies of complex product design projects, ideally including significant contributions to or leadership of design system initiatives.
• Clearly articulate your design process, from problem definition and research through ideation, iteration, and final implementation.
• Showcase your ability to design for multiple platforms (web, mobile) and demonstrate proficiency in creating accessible and inclusive designs.
• Include examples of your conceptual thinking, visual design skills, and rapid prototyping capabilities.

Process Documentation:

• For design system work, detail your approach to component design, documentation, versioning, and promoting adoption across teams.
• For product design case studies, document your research methods (usability testing, interviews), how insights informed your design decisions, and the impact of your work.
• Demonstrate your iterative design process, including sketches, wireframes, prototypes, and user feedback loops.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD 124,500 - USD 199,200 per year. This range represents the starting base pay across the lowest to highest geographic markets where Axon operates in the US. The actual salary will be determined based on factors such as experience level, specific skills, location, and business needs. This is a total compensation role including base pay, bonus, and stock awards.

Benefits:

• Competitive base salary with potential for bonus and stock awards as part of a total compensation package.
• 401k retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Discretionary Paid Time Off, providing flexibility for work-life balance.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees.
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
• Access to Fitness Programs to support physical well-being.
• Emotional & Mental Wellness support resources.
• Opportunities for continuous Learning & Development through various programs.
• On-site office perks include snacks.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While core hours support collaboration, Axon emphasizes planning for work-life balance.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Public Safety Technology. Axon develops connected devices and cloud software for law enforcement and public safety professionals, focusing on critical safety and justice issues.

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (according to LinkedIn). This size suggests a well-established company with structured teams and processes, but still agile enough for individual impact.

Founded: 1993. Axon (formerly TASER International) has a long history in public safety technology, evolving from hardware to a comprehensive ecosystem of devices and software.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) team, focusing on cloud and local storage solutions for massive amounts of digital files.
• Reports to the Product Design Manager, DEMS, indicating a clear reporting line within the design organization.
• This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports, focusing on hands-on design system leadership and contribution.
• The team emphasizes collaboration across product teams to ensure system adoption and extensibility.

Methodology:

• The DEMS team focuses on understanding customer needs through direct engagement, including ride-alongs with first responders.
• There is an emphasis on productivity, avoiding unnecessary meetings and processes.
• Planning is emphasized to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• The design system work will support a major redesign, suggesting an agile or iterative development approach.

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

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Senior Product Designer I. This level indicates significant experience and the ability to lead complex design initiatives independently, particularly within the specialized area of design systems. Expectations include influencing design direction and mentoring others.

Reporting Structure: Reports to a Product Design Manager within the DEMS team. This structure provides guidance and support while allowing for autonomy in leading the design system work.

Design Impact: This role has a high potential for impact, directly influencing the user experience across Axon's flagship product and the broader ecosystem through the design system. Leading the design system for a major redesign is a strategic initiative with significant visibility.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement within the design organization, possibly to higher levels of Senior Product Designer or Design Lead roles focusing on design systems or platform design.
• Opportunity to deepen expertise in design systems, including governance, tooling, and integration with emerging technologies like AI.
• Growth in leadership and mentorship skills by advocating for design excellence and guiding the adoption of the design system across teams.
• Exposure to designing for a critical industry (public safety), offering unique challenges and domain expertise development.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Hybrid work model. The role offers the flexibility to work from home frequently but encourages living near a US R&D Hub (Scottsdale, Seattle, Atlanta, or Boston) for in-person collaboration when beneficial.

Office Location(s): Scottsdale, Arizona is the primary listed location, which is also Axon's headquarters. Other US R&D Hubs include Seattle, Atlanta, and Boston.

Design Workspace Context:

• While remote work is supported, proximity to a hub facilitates in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for complex design system work and team building.
• The company culture emphasizes avoiding red tape and unnecessary processes, suggesting a focus on efficient and productive work environments.
• Access to snacks in the office indicates a focus on providing basic amenities for employees who choose to work on-site.

Work Schedule: Full-time role with a focus on productivity and planning to maintain a healthy work-life balance. While specific hours aren't detailed, the emphasis on flexible work and avoiding unnecessary rituals suggests autonomy in managing one's schedule within project needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio to assess relevant experience in product design and design systems.
• Expect interviews focusing on your past projects, specifically your experience in leading and contributing to design systems. Be prepared to discuss your process, challenges faced, and impact.
• A design challenge or case study presentation will likely be part of the process. This may involve presenting a past project in detail or tackling a hypothetical problem related to design systems or the public safety domain.
• Interviews will assess your collaboration skills, ability to articulate design decisions, technical understanding (especially regarding design system implementation), and cultural fit with Axon's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your most impactful design system projects and complex product design case studies.
• For design system work, clearly explain your role, the scope of the system, how you approached component design and documentation, and your strategies for driving adoption. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., time saved for other designers/engineers).
• For product design case studies, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your narrative. Focus on the problem you solved, your user research methods, your iterative design process, and the outcomes of your work.
• Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and clearly communicates your design thinking and technical understanding.

Challenge Preparation:

• If given a design challenge, clarify the scope and expectations upfront. Focus on demonstrating your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to think systematically, especially if it relates to design systems.
• If presenting a past case study, practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and you can clearly articulate your decisions and rationale within the allotted time. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about any aspect of the project.
• For design system challenges, be ready to discuss scalability, governance, documentation strategies, and how you would handle contributions and feedback.

ATS Keywords: Product Design, Design System, UX Design, UI Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, UX Research, Usability Testing, Figma, Prototyping, Visual Design, Accessibility, WCAG, Design System Governance, Design System Adoption, Component Library, Pattern Library, Collaboration, Cross-functional Teams, Agile, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, User Flows, Wireframing, Information Architecture, Design Strategy, Platform Design, SaaS, Cloud Software, Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Digital Evidence Management, AI Integration, Mentorship, Design Leadership, Case Study, Portfolio Review, Design Process, Stakeholder Management, Communication, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma: Mastery in Figma is explicitly required and is likely the primary design tool used for UI design, prototyping, and design system management. Expect to demonstrate advanced proficiency.
• Other Industry-Standard Design Tools: While Figma is key, familiarity with other tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision may be beneficial, though not strictly required.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Collaboration Tools: Tools that facilitate cross-functional collaboration with product managers and engineers are essential. This likely includes tools for project management (e.g., Jira, Asana) and communication (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams).
• Handoff Tools: Tools or methods for effectively handing off designs and specifications to engineering teams are crucial, often integrated within Figma or through dedicated platforms.
• Documentation Tools: Tools for documenting design system guidelines, component usage, and design principles are necessary.

Research & Testing:

• UX Research Tools: Experience with tools supporting various UX research methodologies (e.g., user interview platforms, survey tools like Typeform or SurveyMonkey, usability testing platforms like UserTesting.com) is important.
• Analytics Tools: Familiarity with analytics platforms to measure design impact and user behavior may be beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Customer Focus: Deeply understanding and serving customers, particularly first responders, is a core value. This involves spending time with users to understand their needs and the real-world impact of the products.
• Collaboration: The team values close collaboration within the design team and across product and engineering teams.
• Productivity & Efficiency: Emphasis on avoiding unnecessary rituals and processes to focus on impactful work.
• Openness & Introspection: Fostering a culture where team members feel comfortable speaking their minds and engaging in introspection.

Collaboration Style:

• Collaborative mindset is a required skill, indicating a team that values working together effectively.
• Experience contributing to early-stage product definition and partnering through implementation highlights a collaborative approach across the product development lifecycle.
• The role involves working across product pillars and design teams to ensure design system adoption, requiring strong interpersonal and influencing skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Leading the design and adoption of a design system across a large product ecosystem, particularly during a major flagship product redesign, is a significant undertaking requiring strong leadership, technical understanding, and persuasive communication skills.
• Addressing the unique needs and complex workflows of public safety professionals presents design challenges related to usability, reliability, and designing for high-pressure environments.
• Integrating AI tools into design system workflows requires exploring new technologies and defining best practices for leveraging AI effectively and ethically in the design process.
• Ensuring accessibility standards are met across a wide range of components and products requires careful attention to detail and collaboration with development teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to become a key leader in design systems within a major technology company, influencing design practices across the organization.
• Deepen expertise in designing for the public safety sector, gaining valuable domain knowledge in a critical industry.
• Develop skills in integrating AI into design workflows and contributing to the future of design operations.
• Opportunities for mentorship and leadership development by guiding other designers and advocating for design excellence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to walk through your design process for a complex project, focusing on how you approached problem definition, research, ideation, and iteration. Use a specific example from your portfolio.
• Discuss your experience leading or contributing to a design system. Explain your approach to component design, documentation, versioning, and promoting adoption across teams. Provide specific examples of challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
• Describe a time you used UX research to inform your design decisions. Explain the methodology you used, the insights you gained, and how those insights influenced the final design.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research Axon's mission ("Protect Life") and values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you see your work contributing to their mission.
• Discuss your experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering). Provide examples of successful collaborations and how you navigate disagreements or challenges in a team setting.
• Ask questions about the design team structure, how design decisions are made, and the level of autonomy designers have.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• For your portfolio presentation, focus on 1-2 key case studies that best demonstrate your skills in product design and design systems.
• For design system projects, emphasize your strategic thinking, collaboration with engineers, and the impact of the system on design and development efficiency.
• For product design projects, highlight your user-centered approach, problem-solving skills, and the business or user outcomes of your work.
• Be prepared to discuss the "why" behind your design decisions and articulate your design rationale clearly and concisely.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link.
• Carefully review your resume to ensure it highlights your relevant experience in product design and, specifically, design system leadership. Use keywords from the "ATS Keywords" section where appropriate and natural.
• Tailor your portfolio or a selection of portfolio pieces to showcase your strongest work related to design systems, complex product design, and potentially designing for mission-critical applications. Focus on clear case studies that detail your process and impact.
• Prepare for interviews by practicing walking through your portfolio case studies and anticipating questions about your design process, collaboration style, and experience with design systems.
• Research Axon's products, mission, and values to be prepared to discuss your interest in the company and how your skills and experience align with their goals.