Lead Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer Company: Miter Location: San Francisco, California, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Date Posted: 2026-01-24 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design strategy and execution for core product workflows, impacting how construction contractors manage their businesses.
• Drive end-to-end design processes, from initial problem discovery and user research to final execution and iterative improvements.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to translate complex business needs into simple, intuitive user experiences for B2B SaaS.
• Focus on simplifying intricate HR, payroll, and operational processes within the construction technology sector, reducing cognitive load for users.
• Play a pivotal role in shaping product direction by identifying usability gaps and opportunities for workflow optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Lead Product Designer," implying a senior individual contributor with significant ownership and influence. The focus on B2B SaaS within the construction industry, coupled with AI and embedded payments, suggests a need for designers adept at understanding complex enterprise workflows and translating them into user-friendly interfaces. The emphasis on "ownership" and "driving solutions independently" highlights the need for a proactive and self-directed candidate.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the design vision and execution for key product areas, guiding the entire lifecycle from problem identification to solution delivery and iteration.
• Proactively identify and address usability challenges, workflow inefficiencies, and opportunities to streamline complex HR, payroll, and operational processes for contractors.
• Partner extensively with Product Managers and Engineers to translate ambiguous requirements and complex problems into clear, actionable, and user-friendly product designs.
• Conduct in-depth user research, including customer interviews and usability testing, to ensure design decisions are grounded in authentic customer needs and real-world workflows.
• Design elegant, scalable, and intuitive user experiences for complex B2B SaaS workflows, with a focus on eliminating unnecessary steps and minimizing cognitive load.
• Contribute to the overall product strategy by providing design perspectives on user needs, market trends, and technological possibilities within the construction tech space.
• Champion design best practices and contribute to the evolution of Miter's design system and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior-level role requiring end-to-end ownership. The emphasis on "proactively identify usability gaps" and "simplify complex HR, payroll, and operational experiences" suggests a deep dive into the operational backend of construction businesses. The need to "translate ambiguous problems into clear, intuitive product solutions" points towards strong problem-solving and strategic design thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for senior design roles. Equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered. Experience: 5+ years of dedicated experience as a Product Designer, with a significant portion focused on complex B2B SaaS or enterprise software products.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in end-to-end product design, covering user research, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design.
• Strong product thinking abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to simplify intricate workflows and systems into elegant, user-friendly solutions.
• Expertise in conducting user research methodologies, including customer interviews, usability testing, and synthesizing findings to inform design decisions.
• A strong sense of ownership and initiative, with the ability to independently identify problems, define project scope, and drive solutions to completion.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, enabling effective partnership with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Experience designing for complex B2B SaaS environments, understanding the unique challenges and user needs of enterprise clients.
• Ability to translate user needs and business requirements into intuitive and efficient product experiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the construction technology (ConTech) or vertical SaaS industry.
• Familiarity with AI-driven features and embedded payment systems in software.
• Experience contributing to or managing a design system.
• Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Understanding of agile development methodologies and experience working within cross-functional agile teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical experience and strong product thinking over formal education. The explicit mention of "5+ years" and "complex B2B SaaS or enterprise software" sets a clear bar for seniority. The "ownership and initiative" requirement is critical for a lead role where autonomy is expected.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design projects demonstrating your process from problem discovery to execution and iteration.
• Include case studies that highlight your ability to simplify complex B2B SaaS workflows and operational systems.
• Present examples of user research conducted, customer interviews, and usability testing, detailing how insights informed design decisions.
• Demonstrate your approach to collaborating with product and engineering teams on complex enterprise software projects.
• Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and the measurable impact of your solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow mapping and simplification strategies applied to complex operational processes (e.g., HR, payroll, finance in B2B context).
• Documentation of how user feedback and research were integrated into iterative design improvements.
• Prototypes and mockups that illustrate intuitive user experiences for enterprise-level software.
• Case studies that quantify the impact of design solutions, such as improvements in user efficiency, reduction in errors, or adoption rates.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role. It should not just display final designs but critically, the process behind them, especially regarding simplification of complex B2B workflows and the impact of user research. Demonstrating collaboration with engineering and product is also key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $170,000 - $210,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Above-market salary, commission, and equity packages.
• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and FSA plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Company-matched contributions.
• Unlimited PTO: Encourages employees to take necessary time off to recharge.
• Parental Leave: Generous 16-week paid leave for all parents.
• Learning & Development: Annual educational allowance for professional development.
• Office Extras: Snacks, coffee, lunch, and commuter benefits for in-office employees.
• Community: Multiple company-wide and team-specific offsites annually.

Working Hours: The standard work week is approximately 40 hours, with flexibility. For hybrid roles, 3 days per week are expected in the office. Remote roles offer greater flexibility, with travel for offsites.

📝 Enhancement Note: Miter positions its compensation as "well above market," which is a significant differentiator. The benefits package is comprehensive, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being, professional development, and work-life balance, including Unlimited PTO and generous Parental Leave.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (SaaS), Construction Tech (ConTech), FinTech (Embedded Payments). Miter operates at the intersection of these rapidly growing sectors, modernizing critical infrastructure software. Company Size: Miter has grown significantly since its 2021 launch, now serving thousands of customers and achieving tens of millions in ARR. This indicates a scale-up phase, likely with a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Founded: 2021. This is a relatively young, but rapidly growing company with significant investor backing ($50M+ from Bessemer, Coatue, Battery), suggesting innovation and ambition.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a Product department, closely aligned with Product Management and Engineering.
• As a "Lead," this role will be a senior individual contributor, potentially mentoring junior designers if the team grows, and will report into a Design Lead or Head of Product.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with designers working daily alongside PMs and Engineers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: User research and customer interviews are central to informing design decisions.
• Agile Development: Likely utilizes agile methodologies, requiring designers to work iteratively with engineering teams.
• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and solving real-world problems for contractors.
• Process Optimization: The core mission of Miter is to optimize contractor operations, so design work will heavily involve streamlining workflows.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Miter is positioned as a fast-growing, well-funded startup disrupting a traditional industry (construction) with modern technology (AI, embedded payments). The culture is likely to be innovative, results-oriented, and customer-focused, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and speed.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead Product Designer role, signifying a senior individual contributor position. It requires deep expertise in product design principles, strong strategic thinking, and the ability to drive complex projects autonomously. The scope includes significant ownership over product areas and influence on product direction. Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Head of Product, or a similar senior leadership role within the product organization. They will collaborate daily with Product Managers and Engineering leads. Operations Impact: The design work directly impacts the operational efficiency and financial health of construction contractors. By simplifying complex HR, payroll, and operational workflows, the designer contributes directly to Miter's value proposition and its ability to acquire and retain customers, thereby driving revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, contribute to design strategy, and potentially grow into a design management role as the team scales.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in B2B SaaS design, user research methodologies, and potentially gain exposure to AI and FinTech product development within the construction vertical.
• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping the product roadmap and user experience strategy for a rapidly growing company.
• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in construction technology and the operational challenges faced by contractors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential, moving beyond execution to strategic contribution and potential leadership. The fast-paced, well-funded environment of Miter suggests ample opportunities for career advancement and skill augmentation.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Miter offers a hybrid work model. For roles designated as hybrid and located within commuting distance of their offices (NYC, San Francisco), employees are expected to be in the office 3 days a week. This is intended to foster collaboration, brainstorming, and stronger team relationships. Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, and New York City. Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration (brainstorming, relationship building) with the flexibility of remote work.
• For remote employees, the emphasis is on asynchronous communication and intentional in-person gatherings (offsites).
• The office environment is likely to be dynamic and collaborative, supporting the fast-paced nature of a growing tech company.
• Access to necessary design tools and technology will be provided.

Work Schedule: While the standard is approximately 40 hours per week, Miter emphasizes work flexibility. The hybrid approach requires specific in-office days, while remote roles offer more autonomy, with occasional travel for company and team offsites.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of Miter's work environment, emphasizing the value of in-person interaction for certain roles while accommodating remote talent. This requires candidates to be comfortable with a blend of in-office and remote collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screen: A brief conversation with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A deep dive into your portfolio, focusing on your process, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate design decisions. This may involve a take-home design challenge or an in-depth discussion of past projects.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineering leads to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate design into the development lifecycle.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess leadership potential, strategic thinking, and overall fit with the team and company vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling is Key: Structure your portfolio around compelling narratives for each project. Clearly define the problem, your role, the constraints, your design process, the solutions you explored, and the impact of your final design.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, user flows, prototypes, final mockups) to illustrate your process and thinking.
• Focus on B2B SaaS & Complexity: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to tackle complex enterprise workflows and simplify them for users in a B2B context.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased user efficiency, reduced error rates, improved adoption).
• Be Prepared to Discuss: Expect to be asked detailed questions about your decision-making process, trade-offs you made, and how you incorporated user feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly research Miter, its product, and the construction industry to understand the context of the problem.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a clear, logical design process, even if you have limited time. Show how you'd approach discovery, ideation, and iteration.
• Prioritize and Justify: Be prepared to explain why you made certain design choices and how you prioritized features or solutions.
• Communicate Clearly: Present your findings and solutions concisely and effectively, anticipating potential questions from a product or engineering perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes practical design skills, problem-solving, and collaboration. A robust portfolio that showcases the design process for complex B2B SaaS solutions is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Miter likely uses industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite for wireframing, UI design, and prototyping. Figma is a strong possibility given its collaborative features.
• User Research Tools: Tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms).
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While the designer may not be directly responsible for analytics, understanding how to interpret product usage data and performance metrics will be beneficial. Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Looker might be used by product teams.

CRM & Automation:

• Miter's platform itself acts as a CRM/ERP for contractors. Designers will need to understand the underlying data structures and how they enable automated workflows. Knowledge of how CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) operate could be indirectly relevant for understanding B2B customer data.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools is essential. Familiarity with user research platforms and collaborative communication tools is also expected. While direct experience with analytics or CRM platforms isn't a primary requirement for the designer, an understanding of how these systems function and generate data is beneficial for informed design decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and solving the real-world problems of construction contractors.
• Ownership & Initiative: Empowering individuals to take responsibility, identify opportunities, and drive solutions independently.
• Simplicity & Clarity: Striving to make complex processes easy to understand and use through intuitive design.
• Speed & Iteration: A culture that values rapid learning, quick execution, and continuous improvement.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across product, engineering, and design to achieve shared goals.
• Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design and attention to detail.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Designers work hand-in-hand with Product Managers to define problems and solutions, and with Engineers to ensure feasible and high-quality implementation.
• Open Feedback Loops: Expect a culture where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to refine designs and processes.
• Shared Problem-Solving: The team likely approaches challenges collaboratively, leveraging diverse perspectives to find the best solutions.
• Agile Mindset: Embracing iterative development and adapting to changing priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Miter's culture appears to be built around a fast-paced, customer-centric, and collaborative environment, common in successful scale-up tech companies. The emphasis on "ownership" and "simplicity" directly aligns with the role's responsibilities.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Simplifying Extreme Complexity: The core challenge will be translating the intricate, often manual, processes of construction HR, payroll, and operations into a simple, digital user experience.
• Balancing Hybrid/Remote Needs: Ensuring effective collaboration and design quality across a hybrid and potentially distributed team.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Keeping pace with rapid product development and iteration cycles in a high-growth startup.
• Translating Ambiguity: Working with "ambiguous problems" requires strong analytical skills and the ability to define scope and direction independently.
• Customer Education: Potentially needing to educate users on new, more efficient ways of working that deviate from long-standing manual practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into ConTech: Gaining specialized knowledge in the construction technology sector and its unique operational requirements.
• AI & Embedded Payments: Exposure to cutting-edge technologies integrated into enterprise software.
• Design Leadership: Opportunities to mentor, shape design strategy, and potentially lead design initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Enhancing skills in product management and software engineering collaboration.
• Professional Development Allowance: Utilizing the annual educational allowance for courses, conferences, or certifications relevant to product design and B2B SaaS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the complexity of the industry and the startup environment. Growth opportunities are substantial, offering both technical skill expansion and leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to simplify an extremely complex B2B workflow. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem definition, user research, iterative design, and impact.)
• "How do you approach collaborating with product managers and engineers when requirements are ambiguous or conflicting?" (Highlight communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.)
• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you identified a significant usability gap or workflow inefficiency. How did you address it?" (Emphasize proactivity, user-centricity, and design execution.)
• "How do you balance the need for speed in a startup environment with the importance of thorough user research and design craftsmanship?" (Discuss iterative processes, prioritization, and quality assurance.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about Miter's mission to modernize construction technology?" (Show genuine interest in the industry and problem space.)
• "How do you see yourself contributing to a hybrid work environment and fostering strong team collaboration?" (Address comfort with hybrid work and proactive communication.)
• "What does 'ownership' mean to you in a product design role, and can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate initiative and accountability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Choose Your Best: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end process, B2B SaaS experience, and ability to solve complex problems.
• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level overview of the problem and your role, then dive into your process (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions, and quantifiable outcomes.
• Tell a Story: Engage your audience by explaining the narrative of each project, highlighting challenges and how you overcame them.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your decisions, trade-offs, and learnings. Be honest about challenges and what you would do differently.
• Showcase Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you worked with PMs and Engineers, and how their input influenced your design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your design process, demonstrating problem-solving skills for complex B2B scenarios, and showcasing your collaborative and ownership mindset.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating your experience with complex B2B SaaS products, workflow simplification, and user research. Tailor your project selection to highlight relevance to Miter's mission.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience in product design, specifically for enterprise software and B2B SaaS. Use keywords from the job description and quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, key decisions, and project outcomes. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions about problem-solving, collaboration, and ownership. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Miter, its product, its mission in the construction industry, and its recent funding. Understand the challenges faced by contractors and how Miter addresses them.

⚠️ 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.

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