Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer
Company: Cloudera
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Product Design / UX/UI
Date Posted: 2026-02-10T00:00:00
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead cross-cutting product design initiatives for Cloudera's Private Cloud form factor, a critical component of their hybrid data platform, focusing on data lifecycle management and other key product areas.
• Drive the entire user-centered design process, from initial user research and competitor analysis to high-fidelity interface design, prototyping, and feature validation.
• Champion the Product Triad model to foster meaningful collaboration and inspire teams to deliver their best work, ensuring a seamless integration of design and engineering.
• Iterate on existing application features to enhance usability, improve user experience, and drive key product metrics for enterprise-ready improvements within the Cloudera Data Platform (CDP).
• Contribute to the growth and evolution of the Cloudera Design team by improving processes, maintaining and expanding the design system, and fostering a human-first design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Lead Product Designer, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility in shaping product direction and design strategy, particularly for the Private Cloud offering. The focus on "data lifecycle management" and "data mesh" suggests a need for designers with a strong understanding of complex data platforms and enterprise-level solutions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design comprehensive user flows, diagrams, wireframes, and high-fidelity visual designs that align with product requirements and adhere to established product design standards.
• Create detailed design specifications and supporting assets to facilitate clear communication and ensure the quality of implementation by development teams.
• Actively participate in design reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback from fellow designers and cross-functional stakeholders to refine designs.
• Facilitate collaborative workshops and brainstorming sessions to unlock innovation and gather diverse perspectives for product development.
• Serve as a key advocate for the Product Triad, fostering strong partnerships with Product Management and Engineering to drive collective success and deliver exceptional user experiences.
• Conduct thorough product research, including user interviews and usability studies, to gather insights that inform design decisions and validate solutions.
• Perform competitive analysis to understand market trends, identify best practices, and ensure Cloudera's offerings remain competitive and innovative.
• Contribute to and maintain Cloudera's design pattern libraries, ensuring consistency and scalability across the product suite.
• Mentor and provide guidance to other members of the design team, fostering their professional growth and upholding design quality standards.
• Dive deep into domain research to gain a profound understanding of Cloudera's customers and the underlying technology powering their data solutions.
• Iterate on existing application features to improve usability, enhance user satisfaction, and drive key performance metrics.
• Assist in the planning and estimation of design activities, contributing to broader workflow coordination and setting realistic expectations for design deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution and leadership, emphasizing the need for a designer who can both execute detailed design work and influence product strategy. The specific mention of "Private Cloud form factor" and "data lifecycle management" underscores the importance of domain expertise in enterprise data platforms.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or related discipline).
Experience: 6+ years of professional experience in UX design, UI design, product design, and/or web application design, with a strong focus on enterprise software, PAAS, and SAAS applications.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to conceptualize and demonstrate visual communication skills through a strong portfolio, with examples of process and design approaches highly recommended.
• Deep understanding of user-centered design (UCD) processes and methodologies, specifically as applied to complex enterprise software environments.
• Mastery of fundamental design principles, including a firm grasp of grid systems, typography, and color theory.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining design consistency across all product touchpoints.
• Strong collaborative skills, with demonstrated experience working effectively within cross-functional, international teams.
• Demonstrable systems thinking skills, enabling the ability to design for complex, interconnected systems.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design and collaboration tools, including Figma, Zeplin, and Miro, along with associated prototyping tools.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills, essential for clear stakeholder communication and team collaboration.
• Experience working with concepts related to data mesh and data lifecycle management.
• Self-starter with excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects with shifting priorities effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in coordinating and conducting comprehensive usability studies.
• Working knowledge of front-end web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks, as well as mobile-centric design patterns.
• Proficiency in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research to gather user insights.
• Experience designing for specialized data domains, including data streaming, data engineering, data warehousing, machine learning, and AI applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of core design competencies, enterprise software experience, and specific domain knowledge in data management. The portfolio requirement is crucial, with a preference for showcasing the design process and not just final deliverables. Proficiency in Figma, Zeplin, and Miro is a clear technical prerequisite.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, with a strong emphasis on the process and methodology used to arrive at the final solutions.
• Evidence of conceptualization and strong visual communication skills, demonstrating the ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive user interfaces.
• Case studies detailing the problem statement, user research performed, design iterations, challenges encountered, and the measurable impact of the design solutions.
• Examples of how user-centered design principles were applied throughout the design lifecycle, from ideation to implementation.
• Demonstrations of systems thinking, illustrating how designs integrate within larger product ecosystems and considering the end-to-end user journey.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed documentation of design workflows, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and collaboration with engineering.
• Clear articulation of how design decisions were informed by user feedback, data analysis, and business objectives.
• Examples of process optimization within design projects, showcasing improvements in efficiency, collaboration, or design quality.
• Documentation of contributions to or maintenance of design systems, including pattern libraries and style guides.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing polished UIs and demonstrate a deep understanding of the design process, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to articulate the why behind design decisions. The emphasis on "process and design approaches" and "systems thinking" is particularly important for a lead role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €70,000 - €100,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy, supporting work-life balance.
• "Unplugged Days" to encourage rest and prevent burnout.
• Flexible Work-From-Home (WFH) Policy, allowing for adaptable work arrangements.
• Comprehensive Mental & Physical Wellness programs to support employee well-being.
• Phone and Internet Reimbursement Program to support remote work needs.
• Access to Continued Career Development opportunities, including training and skill enhancement.
• Comprehensive Benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, and competitive compensation.
• Paid Volunteer Time to encourage community engagement.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to foster a sense of belonging and support diverse communities within the company.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week, approximately 40 hours/week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on industry benchmarks for Lead Product Designer roles in Prague, Czech Republic, with 6+ years of experience and requiring proficiency in enterprise software and specialized data domains, a salary range of €70,000 - €100,000 annually is estimated. This range considers the seniority, technical requirements, and cost of living in Prague. The provided benefits are directly extracted from the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically Data Management, Cloud Computing, and Enterprise Software. Cloudera is a leader in hybrid data platforms, empowering organizations to transform complex data into actionable insights. Company Size: Cloudera has a significant global presence, typically categorized as a large enterprise with over 5,000 employees worldwide. This size implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact. Founded: Cloudera was founded in 2008. This history suggests a mature company that has evolved with the data landscape, offering stability and deep-rooted expertise in its field.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is part of a larger Product Management organization, likely working within a "Product Triad" structure, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.
• This role involves leading cross-cutting initiatives, suggesting interaction with multiple product teams and potentially senior leadership.
• The team culture emphasizes a "human first" approach, valuing individual growth, compassionate feedback, and continuous learning, supported by external education and mentorship.

Methodology:

• The team employs a user-centered design approach, prioritizing user interviews, usability studies, and iterative feedback loops.
• Design processes are likely standardized and documented, with a focus on maintaining a robust design system and pattern libraries for consistency and efficiency.
• Collaboration is key, with facilitated workshops and active participation in cross-functional teams to drive innovation and ensure successful product delivery.

Company Website: https://www.cloudera.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Cloudera operates in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving technology sector. The company's focus on complex data solutions for large enterprises means that design challenges are sophisticated, requiring a deep understanding of user needs in demanding environments. The emphasis on a "human first" design culture suggests a supportive and collaborative work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Mid-Senior level" and specifically a "Lead Product Designer." This signifies a position of significant influence and responsibility, moving beyond individual contribution to encompass leadership in design strategy, mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration. It's a stepping stone towards Principal Designer or Design Manager roles. Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Director or VP of Product Design or a Senior Design Lead. They will work closely within a Product Triad, reporting functionally to design leadership while collaborating operationally with Product Management and Engineering leads for specific product initiatives. Operations Impact: The design work directly impacts the usability, adoption, and perceived value of Cloudera's core products, particularly the Private Cloud form factor and data lifecycle management features. Successful design leadership here can lead to increased customer satisfaction, reduced support costs, improved data utilization, and a stronger competitive market position for Cloudera's complex data solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in enterprise data platforms, data mesh architectures, AI/ML-driven design, or specific data lifecycle management phases.
• Leadership: Advance into roles like Principal Product Designer, focusing on strategic design challenges, or transition into management roles overseeing design teams and strategy.
• Skill Development: Opportunities for external education, attending industry conferences (e.g., design, data science, cloud computing), and gaining certifications in advanced design methodologies or specific technologies.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Expand influence across product lines and contribute to the overall product vision and strategy at a higher level.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title implies a clear career progression path. Candidates should be looking to not only execute design but also to influence process, mentor others, and contribute to the strategic direction of product design at Cloudera. The emphasis on data-centric domains suggests opportunities to become a subject matter expert in a highly valuable niche.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Cloudera offers a hybrid work model. This means the work environment will likely involve a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work. The office space is expected to be modern, designed to support collaboration, and equipped with the necessary technology for both individual work and team meetings. Office Location(s): The role is based in Prague, Czech Republic, with potential for the company to have additional offices globally. Employees are expected to work from the designated Prague office on certain days as part of the hybrid arrangement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices will likely feature meeting rooms, huddle spaces, and open areas designed to encourage spontaneous interaction and collaborative problem-solving among designers, product managers, and engineers.
• Technology & Tools: Access to high-speed internet, modern workstations, and the full suite of design and collaboration tools (Figma, Zeplin, Miro, etc.) will be provided.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with design peers, product managers, engineers, and potentially other stakeholders, fostering strong working relationships and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid policy offers flexibility, allowing individuals to balance their work responsibilities with personal commitments, while ensuring consistent team presence and collaboration during designated in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key feature. Candidates should be comfortable working both independently from a remote location and collaboratively in an office setting. The emphasis on collaboration suggests that in-office days will be structured around team activities and strategic discussions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, walking through selected case studies. This is a critical stage where the depth of their design process, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities will be evaluated. Expect to discuss your role, challenges, and outcomes.
• Technical/Design Interviews: These may involve problem-solving exercises, system design challenges, or deep dives into specific projects from your portfolio. You might be asked to critique existing designs or ideate on new features.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineering Leads to assess collaboration style, ability to work within a Product Triad, and understanding of technical constraints and product goals.
• Hiring Manager/Team Lead Interview: A final discussion to assess overall fit, leadership potential, and alignment with the team's culture and objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 projects that best showcase your skills relevant to enterprise software, data platforms, and lead-level responsibilities.
• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodology used (UCD, research, iteration), the challenges faced, your design decisions, and the quantifiable outcomes or impact. Use diagrams and flowcharts to illustrate your process.
• Highlight Systems Thinking: Demonstrate how your designs fit into a larger product ecosystem and consider the end-to-end user journey.
• Demonstrate Leadership: If possible, include projects where you mentored others, led design initiatives, or influenced product strategy.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, collaboration experiences, and how you handle feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Cloudera, its products (especially CDP, Private Cloud), and the concepts of data mesh and data lifecycle management.
• Practice Design Exercises: Be ready for hypothetical design challenges related to enterprise software, data visualization, or complex workflow optimization. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.
• Refine Your Storytelling: Prepare to tell compelling stories about your projects, focusing on the impact and lessons learned.
• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewers about the team, product challenges, design culture, and growth opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Lead Product Designer role will be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio as a demonstration of practical skills and strategic thinking. Candidates should prepare to not only present their work but also to discuss their design philosophy, leadership potential, and understanding of enterprise-level design challenges.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design sessions. Proficiency is essential for creating high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.
• Zeplin: Used for design handoff to engineering, providing detailed specifications, assets, and style guides.
• Miro: A virtual whiteboard tool essential for collaborative brainstorming, user journey mapping, workflow design, and workshop facilitation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a designer's primary tool, understanding how to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Amplitude, or internal product analytics tools) will be crucial for iterating on existing features and measuring design impact.
• Familiarity with dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) might be beneficial for understanding how design metrics are tracked and presented.

CRM & Automation:

• While direct CRM/automation tool usage might be limited for a designer, understanding how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms impact the user journey and data flow within an enterprise context is valuable. This is particularly relevant given Cloudera's enterprise focus.
• Familiarity with how data platforms integrate with various enterprise systems is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified tools (Figma, Zeplin, Miro) are standard for modern product design teams. The emphasis on these tools suggests a streamlined design-to-development workflow. While not explicitly required, an understanding of how design impacts broader enterprise systems, including CRM and data analytics, would be a significant advantage for a Lead Product Designer at Cloudera.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human First: Prioritizing the well-being, growth, and collaboration of team members. This translates to compassionate feedback, supportive mentorship, and a focus on work-life balance.
• Curiosity Driven: Encouraging a proactive approach to learning, exploration, and innovation. Designers are expected to be inquisitive about user needs, technology, and market trends.
• Precision & Simplicity: Striving for high-quality, well-crafted designs that bring clarity and ease of use to complex products.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and cross-functional partnerships as essential for delivering successful products.
• Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizing user research and product data to guide design choices and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Product Triad Model: Close, integrated collaboration with Product Management and Engineering is central to the design process.
• Cross-functional Partnership: Working effectively with international teams, design peers, and stakeholders across the organization.
• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging candid, compassionate, and constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement in both individual work and team processes.
• Workshop Facilitation: Actively leading and participating in collaborative sessions to drive innovation and shared understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "human first" and "curiosity driven" values suggest an environment that supports professional development and encourages proactive engagement. The emphasis on collaboration, particularly within the Product Triad, highlights the importance of strong interpersonal and communication skills for success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Enterprise Data Platforms: Designing intuitive user experiences for highly complex enterprise software dealing with vast amounts of data requires deep domain understanding and sophisticated design solutions.
• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Driving new features and improvements for a critical product like the Private Cloud while maintaining stability and backward compatibility for enterprise clients.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent vision and execution across geographically dispersed and functionally diverse teams (design, product, engineering).
• Keeping Pace with Technology: The rapid evolution of data technologies (AI, ML, data mesh) requires continuous learning and adaptation of design approaches.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of data lifecycle management, data mesh concepts, and enterprise data strategies.
• Leadership Skills Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and refine strategic thinking through role-specific responsibilities.
• Industry Exposure: Access to continued career development, which may include attending relevant industry conferences (e.g., data science, cloud computing, UX design), workshops, and online courses.
• Design System Evolution: Contributing to and shaping the evolution of Cloudera's design system, enhancing scalability and consistency across products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to leading design for complex enterprise software. The growth opportunities are directly tied to the role's lead status and the dynamic nature of the tech industry, offering clear paths for skill enhancement and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex enterprise software product you've designed. What were the unique challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and domain understanding).
• "How would you approach designing a feature for data lifecycle management within our Private Cloud offering? Walk us through your initial thoughts and process." (Demonstrate your understanding of the domain and your design methodology).
• "Tell us about a time you had to influence stakeholders or a cross-functional team to adopt your design recommendations. What was your strategy?" (Highlight your collaboration and communication skills).
• "How do you ensure consistency and scalability in your designs, especially within a large product ecosystem?" (Showcase your systems thinking and design system experience).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Cloudera and our mission to empower data transformation?" (Show your research and alignment with the company).
• "How do you embody our 'human first' and 'curiosity driven' values in your work?" (Connect your personal approach to the company's stated values).
• "Describe your experience working in a Product Triad or similar cross-functional team structure." (Elaborate on your collaboration style).
• "How do you measure the success or impact of your design work?" (Focus on metrics, user feedback, and business outcomes).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), key decisions and rationale, challenges, and outcomes (quantifiable if possible).
• Visual Storytelling: Use clear visuals (user flows, wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to support your narrative. Explain why you made certain design choices.
• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the results of your work – how it improved user experience, solved a business problem, or drove key metrics.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect interviewers to ask detailed questions about specific aspects of your projects, your decision-making, and your collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of enterprise design principles, a robust and adaptable design process, strong collaboration skills, and specific experience relevant to data platforms. Your portfolio presentation is your primary tool to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Cloudera careers portal via the provided Workday link.
• Portfolio Customization: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best align with enterprise software design, data platforms, and leadership experience. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX Design," "UI Design," "Product Design," "User-Centered Design," "Enterprise Software," "Figma," "Systems Thinking," and "Data Lifecycle Management." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, walking through portfolio case studies, and preparing for potential design challenges or strategy questions related to complex data platforms.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Cloudera, its products (especially the Cloudera Data Platform and Private Cloud), and its company culture. Understand their mission and values to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ 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.