Contract Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Contract Product Designer

Company: Stable Kernel

Location: Atlanta, GA

Job Type: Contract

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: April 28, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (10+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design initiatives, from conceptualization through to successful delivery of digital products and systems.

• Drive product vision and strategy development by translating complex business objectives into intuitive and engaging user experiences.

• Serve as a key contributor in the product discovery phase, encompassing ideation, user research, prototyping, and iterative testing.

• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with product managers and engineering teams to ensure seamless design-to-development handoffs.

• Create comprehensive design documentation, including user stories, user flows, information architecture, wireframes, and high-fidelity visual designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a Contract Product Designer, emphasizing a project-based engagement. The "senior" designation and 10+ years of experience requirement suggest a leadership capacity within design projects, requiring strategic thinking and end-to-end ownership. The hybrid nature implies a need for both remote productivity and in-office collaboration for client meetings and team synergy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with diverse stakeholders, including clients and internal teams, to deeply understand business goals and translate them into user-centric software product experiences.

• Define and articulate a clear product vision and strategic roadmap, ensuring alignment with client objectives and market opportunities.

• Act as a skilled storyteller and concept creator, effectively communicating design ideas and solutions to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Lead the product discovery process, meticulously planning and executing activities such as ideation workshops, user research, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Develop a comprehensive suite of design artifacts, including detailed user stories, user flows, robust information architecture, low-fidelity sketches, interactive wireframes, and polished visual designs.

• Construct functional prototypes to rigorously validate design concepts and test user experience with internal teams, clients, and end-users.

• Maintain continuous, high-touch collaboration with product managers and software engineers throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial discovery to final delivery.

• Undertake moderate domestic travel as required for in-depth user research, client consultations, and impactful design presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-cycle design process, from strategic definition to detailed execution. The emphasis on collaboration with stakeholders, product managers, and engineers points to a need for strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills, crucial for a senior-level contract role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is beneficial. Significant practical experience and a robust portfolio can often substitute for formal educational requirements.

Experience: A minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in designing complex digital products and enterprise-level systems is essential. This should encompass a broad understanding of system-level design, visual aesthetics, and the nuances of designing for mobile, web, and IoT platforms.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in digital product design, with a deep understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• Proven ability to lead product design projects from initial concept through to successful launch.

• Expertise in defining product vision and strategy, aligning design solutions with business objectives.

• Strong skills in user research, ideation, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Proficiency in creating essential design artifacts: user stories, user flows, information architecture, wireframes, and visual designs.

• Experience in building and utilizing functional prototypes for validation and testing.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with product managers and software engineers throughout the development lifecycle.

• Confidence in presenting design concepts and solutions both visually and verbally to diverse audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with one or more programming languages, demonstrating an understanding of technical constraints and possibilities.

• Familiarity with business and marketing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and how design impacts them.

• Interest in industrial design principles, particularly as they relate to the integration of software with mobile devices.

• Experience in designing for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of deep design expertise, strategic thinking, and practical execution capabilities. The "10+ years" requirement, coupled with the need for a portfolio demonstrating "how to go from a blank canvas to a shipped product," underscores the expectation of senior-level autonomy and end-to-end project ownership. The preferred skills suggest a candidate with a broader understanding of the product ecosystem.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a breadth of high-quality UX/UI design work across various digital product types (mobile, web, IoT).

• The portfolio must clearly demonstrate leadership in product design processes, illustrating the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive projects from inception to completion.

• Evidence of designing complex systems and understanding the interplay between user experience, visual design, and technical implementation.

• Case studies that detail the entire product design lifecycle, from problem identification and strategic planning to ideation, prototyping, testing, and successful product delivery.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a structured approach to the product discovery phase, detailing methodologies used for planning, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Provide examples of how user research findings were integrated into the design process to inform decision-making and validate concepts.

• Demonstrate the creation and iterative refinement of design artifacts, including wireframes and visual designs, with an emphasis on usability and aesthetic quality.

• Illustrate experience in building functional prototypes and using them effectively for user testing and stakeholder feedback loops.

• Evidence of continuous collaboration with engineering and product management teams, highlighting how design requirements were translated for development and how feedback was incorporated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are critical for this role, demanding not just visual output but a clear demonstration of process, strategic thinking, and end-to-end project ownership. Candidates must be prepared to walk through their entire design journey for selected projects, substantiating their senior-level capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position, compensation will be negotiated based on experience, skill set, and project scope. For a Senior Product Designer with 10+ years of experience in Atlanta, GA, contract rates typically range from $70 to $120+ per hour, depending on the specific demands of the project and the candidate's demonstrated expertise.

Benefits: As a contract employee, the following benefits are provided by Stable Kernel:

• Health, vision, and dental plans with 100% personal coverage.

• 401K with above-average company matching.

• Group Life and Short Term Disability Insurance at no cost to the employee.

• Optional Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account participation.

• $3,000 annual industry educational budget for professional development.

• Paid time off and paid holidays, including a floating holiday.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available depending on project needs, but a consistent commitment to project timelines and deliverables is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for senior contract product designers in a major metropolitan area like Atlanta. The provided benefits are comprehensive for a contract role, indicating a commitment to contractor well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Custom Software Development / Product Innovation. Stable Kernel operates at the intersection of technology consulting and product development, specializing in helping Fortune 500 companies innovate and build custom software solutions. This industry context means the company works with complex, often enterprise-level challenges, requiring sophisticated design thinking and problem-solving.

Company Size: Stable Kernel is a growing firm. While the exact number isn't specified, the mention of "in-house product teams" and a "growing team" suggests a size that allows for specialized teams but maintains a collaborative and agile environment, likely ranging from 50-200 employees. This size offers opportunities for significant impact without being lost in a large corporate structure.

Founded: Founded by individuals passionate about product innovation, Stable Kernel has established itself as a firm that tackles the "unknown space between an identified problem and a future-focused solution." This history implies a culture built on exploration, strategic problem-solving, and a commitment to client success.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely consists of specialized designers (UX, UI, Product) who work in dedicated, cross-functional product teams.

• Reporting structures would typically involve designers reporting to a Design Lead or Director, while also being embedded within client-specific project teams.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, informed by user research and analytics, is paramount.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, focusing on agile methodologies to iterate and deliver value efficiently.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed to streamline design processes and development handoffs.

Company Website: https://stablekernel.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as inclusive and expansive, with a strong emphasis on integrity, respect, continuous learning, and a hunger for new challenges. This suggests a forward-thinking, client-focused, and collaborative environment where designers are empowered to innovate.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior to Lead Product Designer level. The requirement of 10+ years of experience and the expectation to lead projects from inception to completion indicate a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and mentorship potential. Candidates are expected to not only execute design but also to influence product strategy and guide the design process.

Reporting Structure: Contract designers typically integrate into existing project teams. While they might have a direct point of contact for contract management within Stable Kernel (e.g., HR or a project lead), their day-to-day reporting and collaboration will be within the specific client project team, working closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the success of custom software products for Fortune 500 clients. By designing valuable, intuitive, and beautiful experiences, the designer contributes to enhanced user adoption, increased client satisfaction, and ultimately, the achievement of client business goals and revenue objectives. The design strategy directly shapes the product's market viability and competitive edge.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like IoT design, complex enterprise systems, or advanced prototyping techniques.

• Leadership Development: Potential to lead design efforts on larger, more complex projects, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the evolution of Stable Kernel's design methodologies.

• Industry Exposure: Working with Fortune 500 clients across various sectors provides extensive exposure to different business challenges and market dynamics, broadening professional experience.

• Continuous Learning: The $3,000 annual educational budget supports formal learning, conferences, and skill development, fostering ongoing professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a contract role, "growth" is often measured by the depth and complexity of projects undertaken, the client relationships built, and the opportunity to influence strategy. The educational budget specifically supports continuous learning, aligning with the company value of lifelong learning.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Stable Kernel offers an "Inclusive 'People Before Place' work policy," which means employees can choose to work remotely, from the Atlanta office, or adopt a hybrid model. This promotes autonomy and flexibility tailored to individual needs and project requirements.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Atlanta, GA. This location serves as a hub for in-person collaboration, client meetings, and team events for those who opt for an office or hybrid arrangement. Specific details about office amenities would be available upon inquiry.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: For those choosing the office or hybrid model, the workspace is designed to foster collaboration, enabling direct interaction with colleagues and clients for brainstorming, workshops, and feedback sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, and Zeplin is expected, supported by Stable Kernel's technology infrastructure.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct team interaction are available for those in the office or hybrid setup, facilitating real-time problem-solving and knowledge sharing. Remote workers will engage through digital collaboration platforms.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. While flexibility exists due to the "People Before Place" policy, project deadlines and client meeting requirements will dictate the specific daily schedule. This allows for balancing personal needs with the demands of delivering high-quality design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "People Before Place" policy is a significant differentiator, offering considerable flexibility. This requires individuals to be highly self-motivated and disciplined, whether working remotely or in a hybrid capacity, to ensure consistent productivity and effective collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session to present your portfolio, focusing on specific case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end product design process, problem-solving skills, and leadership capabilities. Expect in-depth questions about your design decisions, rationale, and impact.

• Stakeholder Interview: An interview with a hiring manager or senior team member to discuss your experience, work style, and cultural fit with Stable Kernel's values. This may include behavioral questions.

• Technical/Skills Assessment (Potential): Depending on the role's specific needs, there might be a design challenge or a more in-depth technical discussion to evaluate your proficiency with design tools and methodologies.

• Final Interview: Possibly a discussion with a company principal or senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your ability to handle complex challenges from discovery to delivery, particularly those involving enterprise-level products, systems design, or novel solutions.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (discovery, ideation, design, testing, implementation), the key decisions you made and why, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize instances where you drove the design process, influenced strategy, collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams, and navigated ambiguity.

• Showcase Process Artifacts: Include examples of user stories, user flows, information architecture, wireframes, prototypes, and final visual designs to demonstrate the depth of your process.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or evidence of how your design solutions contributed to business goals (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If a design challenge is provided, thoroughly analyze the problem statement, target users, and objectives.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your structured approach to problem-solving. Outline your research, ideation, and design steps, even within a time constraint.

• Communicate Clearly: Be prepared to articulate your thought process, design decisions, and rationale concisely and effectively.

• Consider Constraints: Acknowledge potential technical or business constraints and how they might influence your design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a deep dive into the candidate's portfolio and design process. Demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to articulate complex design decisions will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency is required in at least one of the following: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch. Zeplin is also mentioned for design handoff. Candidates are expected to be adept at creating detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs using these tools.

• Collaboration & Communication: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms for day-to-day team communication and project updates.

• Project Management: Familiarity with agile project management tools such as Jira, Asana, or Trello is beneficial for understanding project workflows and timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary requirement for the designer, an understanding of analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) and how design impacts Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is a preferred skill. The ability to interpret data and user feedback to inform design decisions is valuable.

CRM & Automation:

• Basic understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms might be helpful for context, particularly when designing products that integrate with or support these functions, though direct proficiency is not listed as a core requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is strong proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping software. The preferred skills indicate a broader understanding of the product development ecosystem, including analytics and business metrics, which is highly valued in senior design roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity Always: Upholding honesty and ethical standards in all interactions, design decisions, and client engagements. This means transparent communication and delivering on promises.

• Respect Our Work and Each Other: Demonstrating professionalism, valuing diverse perspectives, and contributing to a positive and supportive work environment. This extends to respecting project timelines and client needs.

• Dedicated to Life-long Learning and Sharing: A commitment to continuous professional development, staying abreast of industry trends, and actively sharing knowledge and insights with colleagues and clients. The $3,000 educational budget directly supports this value.

• Stay Hungry for New Challenges: Embracing ambiguity, seeking out complex problems, and proactively looking for opportunities to innovate and push boundaries in product design. This aligns with the company's mission of navigating the unknown.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be deeply integrated with product managers and engineers, fostering a collaborative "one-team" approach to product development.

• Process-Oriented Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback loops on design processes and outcomes, leading to iterative improvements and a higher quality of work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing best practices, design principles, and lessons learned through internal discussions, presentations, or documentation to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize a strong ethical foundation, a collaborative and growth-oriented mindset, and a proactive approach to challenges. These are crucial for a contract designer who needs to integrate seamlessly into existing teams and contribute positively to the company culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working with Fortune 500 clients often involves complex, ill-defined problems. The challenge lies in driving clarity and definition through strategic questioning and a robust design process.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring that design vision is understood and supported by diverse stakeholders (technical, business, client) requires strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Balancing Innovation with Constraints: Developing cutting-edge solutions while adhering to client budgets, timelines, and technical limitations presents a continuous challenge.

• Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Maintaining seamless collaboration and strong team cohesion across distributed or hybrid work models requires proactive communication and engagement strategies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in enterprise-level product design, systems thinking, and potentially specialized areas like IoT or complex data visualization.

• Industry Conference & Certification Participation: Utilize the $3,000 annual educational budget to attend relevant conferences (e.g., UXPA, AIGA events), workshops, or pursue certifications that enhance design skills and industry knowledge.

• Operations Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior designers and product leaders within Stable Kernel, and potentially mentor junior team members on specific projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to consulting and complex product development. The growth opportunities are well-supported by the company's investment in education and its culture of continuous learning, enabling designers to expand their skill sets and strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define the product vision and strategy for a complex digital product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Preparation: Be ready to detail your strategic framework, stakeholder engagement, and how design decisions aligned with business goals.)

• "Walk me through how you approach product discovery for a new feature or product. What methods do you employ, and how do you ensure alignment with engineering and product management?" (Preparation: Focus on your ideation, research, and prototyping techniques, emphasizing collaborative workflows.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Stable Kernel values 'Integrity Always' and 'Respect Our Work and Each Other.' How do you embody these values in your daily work and client interactions?" (Preparation: Prepare specific examples of how you've demonstrated integrity and respect in past roles, particularly in challenging situations.)

• "Our culture encourages 'Life-long Learning and Sharing.' How do you stay current with design trends, and how have you shared your knowledge with colleagues?" (Preparation: Discuss your learning habits, any recent courses or conferences attended, and examples of mentoring or knowledge-sharing activities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and the impact. Use a consistent structure for clarity.

• Visualize Your Process: Don't just show final screens. Include sketches, wireframes, user flows, and prototypes to illustrate your thinking and iterative journey.

• Focus on Impact and Leadership: Highlight how your contributions led to tangible results and demonstrate instances where you took initiative, led discussions, or influenced product direction.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your rationale, trade-offs you made, and how you handled feedback or challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, process mastery, and leadership through concrete examples from your portfolio. The company's values should be woven into your responses to showcase cultural fit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Contract Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse portal link.

• Curate your portfolio meticulously: Select 3-5 projects that best highlight your end-to-end product design capabilities, leadership, and ability to navigate complex challenges. Ensure each case study clearly articulates the problem, your process, your role, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.

• Tailor your resume: Emphasize your 10+ years of experience, specific skills in UX/UI design, product strategy, and experience with relevant tools (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for a portfolio walkthrough: Be ready to present your selected case studies, articulate your design rationale, and discuss your process in detail. Practice explaining your work concisely and effectively.

• Research Stable Kernel: Understand their mission, client base (Fortune 500), and company values to articulate how your approach and experience align with their culture and approach to product innovation.

⚠️ 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.