Intermediate Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Intermediate Product Designer Company: Planitar Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: November 07, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on leading product design for the iGUIDE PLANIX mobile application, aiming to enhance user efficiency and streamline the onboarding process for new users.
• The Product Designer will collaborate closely with a Senior Designer to establish and refine design processes, standards, and best practices within the growing design team.
• A key aspect involves translating user needs and complex requirements into intuitive user flows, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• The position requires close partnership with engineering teams to ensure seamless implementation of design concepts and to balance design goals with technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The input describes a "Product Designer" role. Given the focus on a mobile app, user flows, mockups, and collaboration with engineers, this role is categorized under "Product Design / User Experience" to align with industry standards and provide clarity for relevant professionals. The "Intermediate" or "Mid-Level" designation is inferred from the 3+ years of experience requirement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the end-to-end design process for the iGUIDE PLANIX mobile application, from conceptualization to implementation, with a focus on user experience optimization.
• Improve the efficiency of existing users by refining current features and workflows within the application.
• Enhance the onboarding experience for new users, ensuring a smooth and intuitive introduction to the iGUIDE PLANIX app and its functionalities.
• Partner with the Senior Designer to co-develop and document design processes, establish design standards, and contribute to the overall design practice maturity.
• Create detailed user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design intent and user journeys.
• Participate actively in user research initiatives, including synthesis sessions, to identify user pain points, unmet needs, and opportunities for design innovation.
• Contribute to the development and evolution of a comprehensive design system, ensuring visual consistency and component reusability across Planitar's products.
• Work collaboratively and iteratively with engineering teams to ensure designs are technically feasible, implementable, and meet quality standards.
• Present design work, rationale, and user insights to cross-functional stakeholders, including Product Management, Engineering, and leadership.
• Help shape and optimize design-to-development workflows, ensuring efficient and clear handoff processes between design and engineering.
• Participate in strategic discussions regarding product direction and contribute to the establishment of team best practices and design methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities have been expanded to detail the full design lifecycle, from strategic contribution to detailed execution, with an emphasis on user-centricity and cross-functional collaboration, typical for a mid-level product designer role within a growing product team.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for roles requiring deep understanding of user experience principles and design methodologies. Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in UX design, interaction design, product design, or a closely related field. This experience should demonstrate a proven ability to deliver user-centered design solutions for digital products.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio is essential, showcasing a range of design projects that demonstrate visual excellence, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of user-centered design principles. This should include examples of user flows, wireframes, mockups, and prototypes.
• Figma Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Figma or comparable design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe XD), including experience with component libraries and interactive prototyping features.
• User Research Acumen: Experience participating in or a strong interest in learning and contributing to user research activities, including user testing, interviews, and usability studies.
• Craftsmanship & Velocity: Ability to balance high-quality design execution with the need for rapid iteration and timely delivery of product features.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A collaborative mindset, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and a proactive eagerness to learn from senior team members and peers.
• Developer Collaboration: Proven experience working directly with software developers, understanding technical constraints, and effectively communicating design requirements to ensure feasible and high-quality implementation.
• Design Process Contribution: Interest and aptitude for helping to establish and evolve design processes, standards, and best practices within a growing design organization.

Preferred Skills:

• Complex Application Design: Experience designing for complex B2B or technical software applications, demonstrating an ability to handle intricate user interfaces and workflows.
• Design Systems: Experience in building, maintaining, or contributing to design systems and component libraries.
• Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of and experience applying accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG) to ensure inclusive design solutions.
• User Flow Optimization: Demonstrated ability to analyze and optimize user flows for efficiency and intuitiveness.
• Visual Design Polish: A keen eye for visual details, typography, and layout that contributes to a polished and professional user interface.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Experience" requirement has been clarified to emphasize the type of experience and the critical need for a portfolio. "Preferred Skills" have been inferred based on the role's responsibilities and industry best practices for product design roles in technical software environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• User-Centered Design Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies that illustrate your design process from problem definition to final solution. Highlight your role, the challenges faced, your approach, and the impact of your design decisions.
• Problem-Solving Demonstration: Include examples that clearly articulate the user problem or business need you addressed, your strategic thinking, and how your design solution effectively solved the problem.
• Visual Design & UI Excellence: Present high-fidelity mockups and UI elements that demonstrate strong visual design skills, attention to detail, and an understanding of aesthetic principles.
• Prototyping Capabilities: Include interactive prototypes (links or video demonstrations) that showcase user flows and interaction design, demonstrating your ability to bring designs to life.
• Tool Proficiency Evidence: Clearly indicate the tools used (e.g., Figma, Sketch) and demonstrate your expertise, especially with component systems and advanced prototyping features.

Process Documentation:

• While not a direct portfolio requirement, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design process, including how they approach user research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration with engineering.
• Be ready to articulate how you would contribute to establishing and documenting design processes and standards within the Planitar team.
• Prepare to discuss how you have actively participated in or contributed to design system development and maintenance.
• Be prepared to discuss how you measure the success of your designs, potentially referencing metrics or user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is critical for design roles. The requirements are structured to guide candidates on what constitutes a strong design portfolio and what aspects of their process they should be prepared to articulate, aligning with industry expectations for product designers.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Product Designer with 3+ years of experience in the Waterloo, Ontario region, the estimated salary range is CAD $70,000 - $95,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio, and interview performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and dental insurance plans.
• Paid time off, including vacation days, personal days, and statutory holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conference attendance.
• Potential for stock options or performance-based bonuses, depending on company policy and individual contribution.
• Hybrid work environment that fosters collaboration while offering flexibility.
• Opportunities to contribute to a growing design practice and shape its future.
• Access to advanced technology and tools for design and development.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work arrangement. Specific daily schedules can often be discussed with the hiring manager to accommodate personal needs while ensuring team collaboration and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for a Product Designer in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, considering the specified experience level. Benefits are typical for tech companies in Canada. The "work arrangement" is specified as hybrid, implying some on-site presence is required, which aligns with the "On-site" remote status derived from the input.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focusing on real estate technology (PropTech) and spatial data capture through the iGUIDE system. Planitar's recent acquisition by REA Group, a global leader in digital property, indicates a strong presence and ambition in the property technology sector. Company Size: Planitar, now part of REA Group, likely operates with a growing team structure. REA Group is a large, publicly traded company, suggesting that Planitar benefits from the resources of a significant organization while potentially maintaining an agile, innovative culture typical of its previous independent status. This offers a blend of stability and growth-oriented opportunities. Founded: Planitar was founded to develop and commercialize the iGUIDE technology. Its integration with REA Group signifies a new phase of expansion and market penetration, particularly in North America.

Team Structure:

• The design team is described as growing, with the new Product Designer partnering with an existing Senior Designer. This suggests an opportunity to influence and shape the design practice.
• This role will be part of a product team that includes Product Management and Engineering, requiring strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Reporting lines will likely be to a Design Lead, Manager, or Head of Product, depending on the current organizational structure within Planitar/REA Group.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Approach: Emphasis on understanding user needs through research and translating them into functional and intuitive product solutions.
• Iterative Development: A focus on rapid prototyping and collaboration with engineering to deliver solutions efficiently.
• Design System Adoption: Commitment to building and leveraging a design system for consistency and scalability.
• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated, the integration with REA Group suggests a strong inclination towards data analysis to inform product decisions and measure impact.

Company Website: https://planitar.com/ (Note: The company URL was null in the input, so a placeholder is used. The domain derived from the URL is planitar.com)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context has been enriched by referencing the acquisition by REA Group, highlighting the industry landscape and potential company culture dynamics. The team structure and methodology are inferred based on the role's description and common practices in tech product development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Intermediate Product Designer," indicating a mid-level position. It requires significant autonomy in design execution for a specific product area (iGUIDE PLANIX app) while also involving mentorship from a senior designer and contribution to establishing team standards. It's a stepping stone towards senior or lead design roles. Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a senior design leader (e.g., Senior Designer, Design Manager) and will work closely with Product Management and Engineering teams. This structure facilitates learning from experienced professionals and exposure to product strategy and technical implementation. Operations Impact: The Product Designer will directly impact the usability, efficiency, and adoption of the iGUIDE PLANIX app. By improving user flows and onboarding, they will contribute to customer satisfaction, retention, and potentially the acquisition of new users, thereby influencing the company's growth and market position in the PropTech space.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UX/UI design, interaction design, prototyping, and user research, potentially specializing in mobile applications or B2B technical software.
• Leadership Potential: As the design practice grows, there will be opportunities to take on more design leadership responsibilities, mentor junior designers, and contribute to strategic design initiatives.
• Design System Contribution: Play a key role in building and scaling the design system, gaining valuable experience in creating reusable components and design patterns.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Develop a strong understanding of product management and software engineering processes through close collaboration.
• Industry Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge within the rapidly evolving PropTech and digital property sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career progression and impact have been detailed, positioning the role within the broader design career landscape and highlighting its potential for growth and influence within Planitar and REA Group.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Waterloo, Ontario, and is described as "Hybrid," indicating a mix of on-site work and remote flexibility. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster teamwork and innovation, with dedicated workspaces for design and engineering functions. Office Location(s): Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (N2L 5Z4). This location is known as a technology hub, offering a dynamic professional ecosystem. Specific details regarding office amenities or accessibility would need to be confirmed directly.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The on-site component is crucial for design, facilitating face-to-face collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and the Senior Designer, which is vital for brainstorming, design reviews, and agile development.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma) and potentially other collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Jira) will be provided, enabling efficient workflow and communication.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for regular team interactions, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose, while also providing personal focus time.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the hybrid arrangement allowing for some flexibility in daily schedules. This structure supports the need for both focused design work and collaborative team sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" section has been fleshed out based on the "Hybrid" work arrangement and the common characteristics of tech office environments in established tech hubs like Waterloo.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and fit.
2. Portfolio Review & Discussion: Expect a session with the Senior Designer and potentially a Product Manager to discuss your portfolio in depth. Be prepared to walk through your case studies, explain your design decisions, and articulate your process.
3. Technical/Design Challenge: A practical design exercise may be given, either as a take-home assignment or a live whiteboard challenge, focusing on problem-solving, interaction design, and your approach to a specific product scenario.
4. Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with engineers and Product Managers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and how you integrate design within a product development lifecycle.
5. Final Interview: Potentially an interview with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking, cultural fit, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role and responsibilities, the constraints, your design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your solutions, and the outcomes/impact.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your points effectively. Provide context for each artifact.
• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you collaborated with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, positive user feedback).
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with the iGUIDE PLANIX app's nature (mobile, technical software, efficiency-focused). Showcase your Figma skills prominently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Planitar, the iGUIDE technology, and the iGUIDE PLANIX app if possible.
• Practice Problem-Solving: Be ready to analyze a given design problem, ask clarifying questions, brainstorm solutions, and articulate trade-offs.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process and design methodology, not just the final deliverable. Explain why you made certain design choices.
• Consider Constraints: Be mindful of technical feasibility and business goals when proposing solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips have been tailored to a product design role, emphasizing the importance of a visual portfolio, case studies, and demonstrating design process and collaboration skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is explicitly mentioned as a required tool. Proficiency in Figma for UI design, prototyping, and component system management is essential.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's built-in capabilities, experience with other prototyping tools might be beneficial for varied fidelity needs, though Figma is the primary focus.
• Design System Management Tools: Experience with tools or methodologies for creating and maintaining design systems (often integrated within Figma, but could involve documentation platforms).

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and measure design impact.
• A/B Testing Tools: Experience with A/B testing frameworks to validate design hypotheses and optimize user flows.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how designs integrate with CRM systems (like Salesforce) or automation workflows can be beneficial for B2B or technical software applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Tools & Technology Stack" section is populated based on the explicit mention of Figma and inferred needs for a product designer in a tech company, including analytics and potential integration points.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value emphasizing the importance of understanding and advocating for the user throughout the design and development process.
• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with Product Management, Engineering, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
• Craftsmanship & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished, and intuitive user experiences.
• Efficiency & Velocity: Balancing the pursuit of design excellence with the need to deliver features and iterate quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to refining design processes, learning new skills, and contributing to the growth of the design practice.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work hand-in-hand with engineers and product managers, participating in all stages of the product lifecycle.
• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open feedback, constructive critique, and transparent communication regarding design decisions and challenges.
• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share learnings, best practices, and insights within the design team and across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred based on the role's responsibilities, the company's industry, and common cultural elements found in growing tech organizations that emphasize product development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing Design Standards: As a growing design practice, a key challenge will be defining and implementing robust design processes, standards, and potentially a comprehensive design system from the ground up.
• Balancing Craft and Velocity: The need to deliver high-quality design solutions quickly in an agile development environment requires careful prioritization and efficient workflows.
• Integrating with Technical Constraints: Working with complex technical software and hardware necessitates a deep understanding of engineering limitations and finding creative solutions within those constraints.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and buy-in for design decisions across Product, Engineering, and other departments can be challenging but is vital for success.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Direct mentorship from a Senior Designer provides a structured path for skill enhancement and career guidance.
• Design System Development: Hands-on experience building and scaling a design system offers valuable expertise in design architecture and scalability.
• Industry Exposure: Deep dive into the PropTech industry and the unique challenges of designing for spatial capture and real estate platforms.
• Process Innovation: Opportunity to influence and improve design workflows, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the product team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed around the specific context of a growing design team within a tech company, focusing on process development and specialized industry knowledge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new feature for the iGUIDE PLANIX app, from initial concept to handoff to engineering." (Focus on user research, ideation, prototyping, and collaboration.)
• "How would you approach improving the onboarding experience for new users of a complex technical application like ours?" (Highlight user-centricity, iterative design, and understanding user pain points.)
• "Tell me about a time you had to balance conflicting design requirements or constraints. How did you resolve it?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Planitar and REA Group, and our role in the PropTech industry?" (Show research and genuine interest.)
• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially when working with engineers and product managers?" (Emphasize communication, empathy, and shared ownership.)
• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive?" (Discuss your knowledge of accessibility standards and practical application.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your journey, and the resolution.
• Focus on "Why": Clearly articulate the rationale behind your design decisions. Why this approach? Why this solution?
• Showcase Figma Mastery: Be ready to demonstrate your Figma skills, especially regarding component systems and interactive prototyping.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your specific contributions, design trade-offs, and how you handled feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation questions are crafted to probe for essential skills and experience relevant to a Product Designer role, focusing on process, problem-solving, collaboration, and understanding of user-centered design within a technical context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the application through the provided link: https://planitar.bamboohr.com/careers/60
• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your best work, with a focus on case studies that demonstrate your design process, problem-solving skills, and proficiency in Figma. Tailor it to highlight relevant experience with mobile apps or complex technical software.
• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description such as "Product Design," "UX Design," "Figma," "Prototyping," "User Research," and "Design Systems." Quantify your achievements whenever possible.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your contributions to past projects, and your approach to collaboration. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your portfolio.
• Research Planitar & REA Group: Familiarize yourself with the company's mission, products (especially the iGUIDE PLANIX app), and the broader PropTech industry. Understand how your skills can contribute to their goals.

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

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