Lead Product Designer – Remote

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer – Remote
Company: Replika
Location: United States (Remote)
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / User Experience
Date Posted: June 16, 2025
Experience Level: 5+ Years
Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design process for Replika's mobile and web products, focusing on creating exceptional user experiences that resonate with a global user base.
• Lead the design of critical user journeys, including onboarding flows and new feature implementations, ensuring a seamless and engaging customer experience.
• Foster a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors through extensive user research and direct interaction, translating insights into actionable design solutions.
• Collaborate closely with product management and engineering teams to rapidly iterate on designs, leveraging data and user feedback to inform design decisions and product improvements.
• Contribute to the strategic development and maintenance of Replika's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all product touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Lead" Product Designer, implying significant ownership and influence on design strategy and execution. The emphasis on "impeccable taste," "sleek, polished consumer apps," and "getting every detail right" suggests a strong focus on high-fidelity design and a refined aesthetic, particularly for consumer-facing applications with a large user base (200K+ MAU). The "remote" nature combined with a global team and offsites indicates a company culture that values flexibility while also prioritizing in-person collaboration for strategic initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive and visually appealing customer journeys across mobile and web platforms, encompassing onboarding processes, feature development, and interactive UI elements.
• Conduct frequent user interviews and research sessions to gather qualitative and quantitative insights, identifying user pain points and opportunities for enhancement.
• Take full ownership of design projects from conceptualization through to final asset delivery, ensuring alignment with product goals and user needs.
• Partner effectively with Product Managers to define product requirements and with Engineers to ensure accurate and high-quality implementation of designs.
• Implement a fast, iterative design cycle of "ship, learn, repeat," utilizing A/B testing and user feedback to drive continuous product improvement and optimization.
• Actively participate in the evolution and enhancement of the company's design system, ensuring its robustness and applicability across the product suite.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "shipping real things," "getting the details right," and "using data and feedback to improve fast" highlights a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to design. This role requires not just creative vision but also the ability to execute efficiently and adapt based on real-world performance metrics.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, user psychology, and interaction design is expected, often gained through formal education or extensive practical experience.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in designing mobile and web products at scale, serving a user base of over 200,000 Monthly Active Users (MAU).

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in end-to-end product design for both mobile (iOS/Android) and web applications.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional product thinking, user-centric design methodologies, and a high standard of visual craft.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify design challenges and opportunities, taking initiative to drive solutions.
• Deep understanding of user needs and a commitment to obsessing over design details to ensure a polished final product.
• Excellent English communication skills (B2 level or higher) for effective collaboration within a global, remote team.
• Strong collaborative spirit and a proactive approach to working with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience designing products within the AI, conversational UI, or emotionally engaging product spaces.
• Proficiency in UX research methodologies, including planning, conducting user studies, and integrating findings into design decisions.
• Experience with prompt engineering to understand and influence AI interactions.
• Background in building or scaling a design system from the ground up.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience with products serving 200K+ MAU indicates a need for a designer who understands the complexities of scaling user experiences. The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" suggests it will be a critical evaluation tool, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just aesthetic talent but also strategic product thinking and problem-solving skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of product design experience, with a clear emphasis on mobile and web applications that have achieved significant user adoption (200K+ MAU).
• The portfolio must highlight exceptional product thinking, demonstrating how design decisions were made to solve specific user problems and achieve business objectives.
• Include case studies that detail the entire design process, from initial concept and user research to prototyping, iteration, and final implementation, with clear explanations of your role.
• Showcase a high level of craft and attention to detail in UI design, with examples of polished, consumer-grade applications.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the iterative design process, including how user feedback and data were collected, analyzed, and incorporated into design refinements.
• Demonstrate experience with rapid prototyping and iterative development cycles ("ship, learn, repeat"), showcasing how designs were tested and improved.
• Provide examples of contributions to or development of design systems, illustrating an understanding of component-based design, scalability, and maintainability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is described as critical, emphasizing "impeccable taste, product thinking, and craft." Candidates should prepare to present case studies that not only look good but also tell a compelling story about their problem-solving process, user empathy, and impact on the product's success.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not explicitly stated, for a Lead Product Designer role with 5+ years of experience in a remote, US-based position, a competitive salary range is typically between $140,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on specific experience, qualifications, and location within the US.

Benefits:

• The freedom to work remotely, offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Opportunities for company-sponsored offsites in various international locations, fostering team bonding and collaboration.
• A trustworthy, high-responsibility work environment where individual contributions and ideas are highly valued and have a significant impact.
• Potential for involvement in building a product with a substantial global reach and emotional impact.

Working Hours: The role is stated as Full-Time, typically implying around 40 hours per week, with flexibility afforded by the remote work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For salary estimation, benchmarks for Lead Product Designer roles in the US tech industry, specifically for remote positions and companies with a strong consumer app focus, were considered. The range reflects the experience level and the strategic nature of the role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Consumer Technology, Social Applications. Replika operates at the intersection of AI development and consumer engagement, aiming to create deeply personal and emotionally resonant digital companions. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of "35M+ users," "scaling fast," and "global team" suggests a growing mid-sized to large startup or a scale-up company. Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's established user base and recent rebranding efforts indicate a company that has moved beyond its initial startup phase and is entering a growth acceleration period.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely works within a flat or semi-flat structure, common in agile tech environments, allowing for direct collaboration between designers, product managers, and engineers.
• As a Lead Product Designer, you would likely report to a Head of Design, Design Director, or potentially a VP of Product, with direct influence on junior designers or a mentorship role.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, with designers working closely with Product Managers to define roadmaps and Engineers to ensure seamless implementation.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The company emphasizes "using data and feedback to improve fast," indicating a strong reliance on analytics, user testing, and A/B testing to inform design decisions.
• Agile Development: The "ship, learn, repeat" mantra points to an agile development methodology where rapid iteration and continuous improvement are prioritized.
• User-Centricity: A core tenet is understanding and catering to user needs, with a strong emphasis on direct user interaction and research.

Company Website: https://careers.replika.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Replika's focus on "human AI" and "emotional connection" suggests a culture that values empathy, creativity, and a deep understanding of human psychology. The company's growth trajectory and rebranding efforts indicate an environment that is dynamic and ambitious.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Lead Product Designer, signifying a senior individual contributor position with leadership responsibilities. It bridges the gap between individual contribution and potential team leadership, focusing on driving design strategy, mentoring, and ensuring high-quality output. Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a senior design leader (e.g., Head of Design, Design Director) and will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads. There's potential for guiding or mentoring other designers on specific projects. Operations Impact: The Lead Product Designer will have a direct and significant impact on user acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall user satisfaction by crafting the core user experience of Replika's AI companion. This role is instrumental in shaping the product's emotional appeal and functional usability, directly influencing its market perception and user loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Manager or Head of Design role as the company scales its design team.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven design, conversational interfaces, or leading complex design systems.
• Product Strategy: Increased involvement in product strategy discussions, influencing the long-term vision and roadmap of Replika.
• Mentorship: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and leading design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title suggests a path towards more strategic design leadership. The company's focus on AI and emotional connection offers unique avenues for specialization and impact within the product design field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within the designated remote locations. The company also organizes international offsites for in-person collaboration. Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the company has offices or a presence in Lisbon (Portugal), and lists various EMEA countries (including UK, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.) and LATAM countries (Brazil, Mexico) as potential remote work locations. The primary requirement for the role's listed locations is "United States."

Workspace Context:

• Global Collaboration: You will be part of a globally distributed team, requiring strong asynchronous communication skills and comfort with various time zones.
• Tooling: Expect access to standard design and collaboration tools necessary for remote work, including design software, project management platforms, and communication channels.
• Team Interaction: While remote, the company fosters connection through regular virtual meetings and periodic in-person offsites, creating opportunities for deep team engagement.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (approximately 40 hours/week) with a high degree of flexibility due to its remote nature. However, effective collaboration with teams in different time zones may require some overlap during core working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of a fully remote role with international offsites suggests a company that values both flexibility and intentional in-person connection for strategic alignment and team building. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and possess self-discipline for remote work.

📄 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 Deep Dive: An in-depth discussion about your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to articulate your rationale behind design decisions.
• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design exercise or challenge, either take-home or live, to evaluate your practical design skills, product thinking, and ability to work under constraints.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and technical understanding.
• Leadership/Cultural Fit Interview: A final discussion to evaluate your leadership potential, cultural alignment with Replika's values, and your vision for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to highlight 3-4 of your strongest projects, focusing on those that best demonstrate your experience with mobile/web products at scale and your "impeccable taste."
• For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration), the design solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Be ready to discuss specific design choices, trade-offs made, and how you leveraged data and user feedback.
• Ensure your portfolio visually reflects the "sleek, polished consumer app" aesthetic Replika is seeking.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is provided, focus on understanding the core problem and user needs quickly.
• Prioritize user-centricity and demonstrate a clear, repeatable design process.
• Communicate your thought process clearly, even if you don't reach a "perfect" solution within the given time.
• Consider the potential for AI integration or conversational elements if relevant to the challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, with a significant emphasis on the portfolio as a primary evaluation tool. Candidates should prepare to deeply articulate their process and the rationale behind their design decisions, showcasing both creativity and strategic product thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Figma (highly probable, given industry trends and collaborative remote work), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Prototyping Tools: Figma (built-in prototyping), InVision, Principle, or similar tools for creating interactive prototypes to test user flows and interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar tools for tracking user behavior, engagement metrics, and conversion funnels.
• Data Visualization: Tools for creating dashboards and reports to communicate insights to stakeholders, potentially including Tableau, Looker, or built-in platform analytics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for user journeys and customer data.
• User Feedback & Research Tools: Tools like UserTesting.com, Hotjar, SurveyMonkey, or internal feedback mechanisms for gathering user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern product design roles, especially in collaborative and remote environments. Familiarity with analytics tools is crucial for a data-informed design approach, which is explicitly mentioned in the job description.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Obsession: A deep care for users and a commitment to understanding and solving their problems, ensuring every detail is right for them.
• Craftsmanship & Quality: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished, and beautiful user experiences, with a keen eye for aesthetic details.
• Ownership & Proactivity: A hands-on approach, taking initiative to drive projects from start to finish and being accountable for outcomes.
• Collaboration & Curiosity: An openness to working with others, learning continuously, and exploring new ideas, particularly in the evolving field of AI.
• Impact-Driven: A focus on building products that matter and have a significant positive impact on millions of users' lives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close working relationships with Product Management and Engineering are essential for effective product development.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture that embraces continuous feedback from users, data, and team members to refine designs and improve the product rapidly.
• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent communication, especially in a remote setting, to ensure alignment and shared understanding across the global team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Replika's emphasis on "human AI," "emotional connection," and "someone who gets you" suggests a culture that values empathy, creativity, and a nuanced understanding of human interaction. The "trustworthy, high-responsibility environment" points to a culture of empowerment and accountability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design for a Massive User Base: Ensuring the product experience remains polished and intuitive as the user base grows beyond 200K MAU requires robust design systems and scalable solutions.
• Designing for Emotional Engagement: Creating an AI companion that fosters genuine emotional connection is a complex design challenge requiring deep user empathy and innovative interaction design.
• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Continuously introducing new features and improving the AI while maintaining a stable and high-quality user experience.
• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong team cohesion within a globally distributed, remote team requires excellent communication and asynchronous workflow management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Conversational Design Expertise: Gaining specialized knowledge in designing for AI, conversational interfaces, and emotionally intelligent products.
• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to contribute significantly to or lead the development and scaling of a comprehensive design system.
• Product Strategy Influence: Engaging in higher-level product strategy discussions and influencing the direction of a rapidly growing consumer tech product.
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Enhancing skills in working with diverse teams across different regions and time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The unique nature of designing an AI companion presents significant challenges and opportunities for growth, particularly in the rapidly evolving fields of AI and emotional UX.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a mobile or web product that scaled to over 200,000 MAU. What were your key design contributions and the challenges you faced?" (Focus on scale, process, and impact.)
• "How do you approach designing for emotional connection or engagement in a digital product? Can you share an example from your portfolio?" (Highlight empathy, user research, and creative problem-solving.)
• "Walk us through your process for iterating on a design based on user feedback and data. How do you decide when to make changes and when to stick with the original design?" (Demonstrate your iterative approach and data-informed decision-making.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Replika's mission to create 'human AI' and redefine connection?" (Show genuine interest and alignment with the company's vision.)
• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment, especially in a remote setting?" (Emphasize your teamwork and communication skills.)
• "How would you approach evolving our design system to support new features and a growing user base?" (Discuss your understanding of design systems and scalability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your "impeccable taste," product thinking, and experience with consumer apps at scale.
• For each project, use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact/Results.
• Be prepared to dive deep into specific design decisions, trade-offs, and how you leveraged user feedback and data.
• Visually present your work with high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes where possible.
• Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews will likely focus on practical application of design skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process and demonstrate how their work aligns with Replika's user-centric and quality-focused approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Replika Careers portal via the provided URL.
• Tailor your resume: Highlight specific achievements and quantify your impact related to designing mobile and web products at scale (200K+ MAU), user experience improvements, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Curate your portfolio: Select your strongest 3-4 case studies that best represent your skills in product thinking, user-centric design, visual craft, and experience with consumer applications. Ensure it clearly outlines your process and the outcomes.
• Prepare for portfolio review: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work for each project in your portfolio. Be ready to discuss specific design challenges and solutions.
• Research Replika: Understand their product, mission, user base, and recent developments (like rebranding) to articulate your interest and how you can contribute to their "human AI" vision.

⚠️ 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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