Principal Product Designer, Assisted Experiences

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Product Designer, Assisted Experiences Company: T-Mobile Location: Bellevue, Washington, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: 2025-08-14 Experience Level: 7-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads the design strategy and execution for innovative digital products, focusing on customer delight and business impact within the assisted experiences domain.
• Mentors and inspires a team of designers, fostering a culture of design excellence and continuous learning in emerging design trends and technologies.
• Collaborates effectively across cross-functional teams, including project and product management, to translate business requirements and technical possibilities into user-centered solutions.
• Acts as a champion for design thinking, demonstrating the value of UX design and research in creating superior digital products and influencing key stakeholders.
• Establishes, evolves, and evangelizes design strategy across the organization, ensuring consistency and impact in T-Mobile's digital offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Principal" level, indicating significant leadership and strategic influence. The focus on "Assisted Experiences" suggests a specialization in user journeys that involve customer support, sales assistance, or guided interactions, which are critical for customer retention and upselling in a service-oriented industry like telecommunications.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Strategy & Vision: Envision complex UX ecosystems, push the boundaries of the status quo, and articulate a compelling design vision for assisted experiences.
• User-Centered Design: Lead user-centered design activities for web and mobile applications, ensuring intuitive, engaging, and effective user journeys.
• Team Mentorship & Development: Guide, mentor, and inspire junior and mid-level designers, sharing best practices for responsive design, new trends, and emerging technologies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with project and product managers, understanding business needs, feature requirements, and technical constraints to plan and execute design initiatives.
• Design Evangelism: Serve as an evangelist for design thinking and user experience principles, partnering with key leaders to demonstrate the value of design in product development.
• Stakeholder Management: Present design strategies, concepts, and research findings to stakeholders at various levels, advocating for user needs and design best practices.
• Process Evolution: Establish, evolve, and evangelize design standards, processes, and methodologies across the company to enhance design quality and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design work, strategic leadership, and team mentorship, typical of a Principal level role. The emphasis on "pushing the boundaries" and "envisioning complex UX ecosystems" suggests a need for forward-thinking and innovative design approaches.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 7-10 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) Design, Product Design, or Interaction Design, with a strong portfolio showcasing successful digital product implementations.
• Proven experience in a Principal or Senior Designer role, demonstrating leadership in design strategy and team mentorship.
• Experience designing for complex digital ecosystems, preferably within telecommunications, e-commerce, or customer service-oriented industries.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of UX principles, user-centered design methodologies, interaction design, information architecture, and usability best practices.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Presentations: Proven ability to create and deliver compelling presentations to executive leadership and cross-functional teams, effectively advocating for design solutions.
• Analytics: Strong analytical skills to interpret user data, research findings, and performance metrics to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including mentoring, guiding, and inspiring design teams, and influencing product strategy.

Preferred Skills:

• Prototyping & Wireframing Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar.
• Visual Design: Strong visual design skills, including typography, color theory, layout, and brand consistency.
• User Research: Experience with various user research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and persona development.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile development processes and experience working effectively within cross-functional Agile teams.
• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or managing design systems for consistency and scalability across products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills directly align with a senior-level design position, emphasizing strategic thinking, communication, and leadership alongside core UX competencies. The mention of "responsive mobile & desktop design" and "new trends and technologies" points to a need for adaptability and staying current with industry advancements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of digital product design projects, with a strong emphasis on "assisted experiences" and complex user journeys.
• Demonstrations of your design process, from initial research and ideation through wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final implementation.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design solutions, and the measurable impact on user satisfaction and business objectives.
• Examples of how you've mentored or led other designers, demonstrating leadership and knowledge sharing.
• Evidence of strategic thinking and the ability to connect design decisions to broader business goals.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase how you approach user research, including methodologies used and how insights were translated into design decisions.
• Provide examples of how you’ve collaborated with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to define requirements and iterate on designs.
• Illustrate your experience with usability testing, A/B testing, and other methods for validating and optimizing designs post-launch.
• Detail your experience in establishing or contributing to design systems, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal Product Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It should not only display design execution but also strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of the design process from end-to-end, with specific examples relevant to "assisted experiences."

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Base Pay Range: $115,400 - $208,100 annually.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is competitive for a Principal Product Designer role in the Bellevue, Washington area, reflecting the significant experience and leadership expected. Regional cost of living and industry benchmarks for senior design positions in major tech hubs support this range. The specific salary will be determined by factors including work location, qualifications, and experience.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
• Financial Wellness: Flexible Spending Account, 401(k) with company match, Employee Stock Grants, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Time Off & Leave: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), approximately 4 weeks for new full-time employees, and up to 12 paid holidays annually. Paid Parental and Family Leave, Family Building Benefits, and Back-up Care services.
• Professional Development: Tuition Assistance, College Coaching, and opportunities for continuous learning.
• Insurance & Protection: Short-term and Long-term Disability, Voluntary AD&D, Voluntary Accident, Voluntary Life, and Voluntary Disability Insurance, plus Voluntary Long-Term Care Insurance.
• Employee Perks: Mobile service and home internet discounts, Pet Insurance, and Commuter/Transit Programs.
• Corporate Bonus: Eligible for an annual bonus with a target of 20% of base salary, based on company and/or individual performance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are approximately 40 hours per week.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: While standard hours are mentioned, the nature of a Principal role at a dynamic company like T-Mobile may require flexibility to meet project deadlines and strategic initiatives.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications / Mobile Services. T-Mobile is a leading wireless carrier known for disruptive innovation and a customer-centric approach, often referred to as the "Un-carrier." Company Size: Large Enterprise (T-Mobile has tens of thousands of employees globally). This scale offers opportunities for broad impact and exposure to complex, large-scale projects. Founded: 1994 (as VoiceStream Wireless). T-Mobile has a history of evolving and challenging the status quo in the telecommunications industry.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within product development or technology departments, collaborating closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and marketing.
• This Principal role will likely report into a Design Lead or Director, with direct mentorship responsibilities for other designers on the "Assisted Experiences" team.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close partnerships with teams responsible for customer support, sales, digital platforms, and potentially marketing and operations.

Methodology:

• T-Mobile emphasizes a data-driven approach, integrating analytics and user research to inform product decisions and measure success.
• Design thinking principles are likely embedded in the product development lifecycle, fostering innovation and user-centricity.
• Agile methodologies are standard for rapid iteration and collaboration between design and engineering.

Company Website: https://www.t-mobile.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: T-Mobile's "Un-carrier" culture suggests a fast-paced, innovative, and customer-focused environment. The large company size means that design strategies and execution can have a significant impact on millions of users, requiring robust processes and strong collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal Product Designer. This is a senior individual contributor role, recognized for deep expertise, strategic influence, and leadership in design. It signifies a mastery of design craft and the ability to drive significant product outcomes. Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Director of Product Design or Head of UX, with direct influence on the design direction for assisted experiences. May lead project teams or mentor junior designers. Operations Impact: The role directly impacts customer satisfaction, user engagement, and conversion rates for key customer interactions within T-Mobile's digital ecosystem. Successful designs can lead to increased customer loyalty, reduced support costs, and higher revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Track: Potential to move into management roles (e.g., Design Manager) or further specialize in UX Strategy or Design Operations.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of assisted experiences, customer journey mapping, or service design.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead design initiatives across multiple product lines or business units.
• Industry Recognition: Contribute to T-Mobile's reputation for innovative digital experiences, potentially leading to industry awards or speaking opportunities.
• Skill Development: Access to company-sponsored training, workshops, and conferences to stay abreast of the latest design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: A Principal role offers significant growth potential, not just in terms of title, but in the scope of influence and strategic impact. The opportunities at T-Mobile are geared towards continuous learning and career diversification within a large, dynamic organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily an on-site role, suggesting a traditional office environment. Office Location(s): Bellevue, Washington. This location is a major technology hub, offering a vibrant ecosystem for tech professionals.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities for frequent interaction with design peers, product managers, engineers, and researchers.
• Access to standard office technology and design tools will be provided.
• The environment likely encourages open communication, brainstorming, and feedback sessions to foster innovation and problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: Given the Principal level and the fast-paced nature of the tech industry, flexibility may be expected to meet project demands or critical deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working on-site in Bellevue provides access to a strong tech community and facilitates the close collaboration required for complex product design projects within a large enterprise.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about experience, responsibilities, and team dynamics.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A key stage where candidates present their portfolio, detailing their design process, problem-solving approach, and impact on past projects. This often includes a specific case study presentation.
• Design Challenge / Whiteboarding Session: May involve solving a design problem or discussing design approaches for a hypothetical scenario.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, or other stakeholders to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.
• Executive/Senior Leadership Interview: Final interview to evaluate strategic thinking and overall fit for the Principal role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills relevant to "assisted experiences," leadership, and strategic thinking.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your unique role and contributions, your design process, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes (quantify impact whenever possible).
• Highlight Leadership: Include examples of how you've mentored designers, influenced product strategy, or driven design initiatives forward.
• Focus on Process: Clearly explain why you made certain design decisions, referencing user research, data, and business goals.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, ensuring it's concise, engaging, and within the allotted time. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Scope: Anticipate design challenges that might relate to customer service, onboarding, troubleshooting, or sales support within a telecom context.
• Think Aloud: During any design exercise, articulate your thought process, assumptions, and decision-making criteria clearly.
• Prioritize and Scope: Demonstrate an ability to break down complex problems and prioritize solutions based on impact and feasibility.
• Consider Multiple Solutions: Present alternative approaches and justify your preferred solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Principal role is rigorous, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio as a demonstration of strategic thinking, leadership, and end-to-end design execution. Candidates should prepare to articulate their impact and leadership capabilities extensively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP.
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence.
• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Hotjar, Google Analytics.
• Project Management: Asana, Trello, Monday.com (or similar tools used by product teams).
• CRM & Automation: While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms impact user journeys is beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Tableau, Power BI, or internal BI tools for understanding user behavior and product performance.

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how customer data is managed and how automated workflows (e.g., in customer service or sales) impact user experience is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools is a given. Beyond that, understanding how to leverage analytics and research tools to inform design and demonstrate impact is crucial for a Principal role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, driving exceptional user experiences.
• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas, challenging the status quo, and embracing new technologies and design approaches.
• One Team, Together: Fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and shared ownership across all teams and functions.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data and insights to inform strategy, design choices, and measure success.
• Accountability: Taking ownership of work, delivering high-quality results, and driving positive outcomes.
• Efficiency & Optimization: Continuously seeking ways to improve processes, workflows, and product performance.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with product, engineering, research, and other business units.
• Emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback, and a shared pursuit of excellence.
• Design reviews are a key part of the process for quality assurance and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: T-Mobile's stated values like "Customer Obsession" and "One Team, Together" are central to its identity. For a designer, this translates to a collaborative environment where user needs are paramount and cross-functional teamwork is essential for success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Constraints: Designing cutting-edge experiences while adhering to technical limitations, business requirements, and brand guidelines.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent vision and execution across diverse teams with potentially competing priorities.
• Managing Complexity: Designing intuitive solutions for complex user journeys and ecosystems within a large organization.
• Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously adapting design strategies to new technologies and evolving user expectations in the telecom industry.
• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating the business value and return on investment (ROI) of design initiatives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Access to internal training programs, workshops, and design-specific learning resources.
• Opportunities to attend industry conferences (e.g., UXPA, AIGA, Adobe MAX) and pursue relevant certifications.
• Mentorship from senior leaders within T-Mobile's design organization.
• Exposure to large-scale projects that offer significant learning and skill-building opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a large tech company, emphasizing the need for strong problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. The growth opportunities are substantial, leveraging T-Mobile's resources for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders or leadership to adopt your design vision. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, persuasion, and understanding business goals.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, and how have you incorporated them into your work?" (Demonstrate continuous learning and forward-thinking.)
• "Walk me through a complex design challenge you faced in a previous role. How did you approach it, what were the key decisions, and what was the impact?" (Highlight problem-solving, process, and measurable results.)
• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints?" (Showcase strategic trade-offs and pragmatic design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about T-Mobile's 'Un-carrier' approach, and how do you see your design philosophy aligning with it?" (Research T-Mobile's mission and values.)
• "How do you approach mentoring and providing feedback to other designers?" (Demonstrate leadership and team-building skills.)
• "Describe your experience working in an Agile environment and collaborating with product managers and engineers." (Highlight cross-functional collaboration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, use a clear problem-solution-outcome framework.
• Quantify Impact: Use metrics (e.g., increase in conversion, reduction in support calls, improvement in task completion time) to demonstrate the success of your designs.
• Showcase Your Process: Explain why you made certain choices, referencing research, data, and design principles.
• Highlight Leadership: Explicitly point out instances where you led initiatives, mentored others, or influenced strategy.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your technical skills, design decisions, and problem-solving strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design proficiency but also strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and a strong understanding of how design contributes to business success within a large, customer-focused organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on T-Mobile's careers portal.
• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 7-10 years of experience, focusing on leadership, strategy, and specific achievements in user experience design, particularly within "assisted experiences" or related domains. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare your portfolio: Select your most impactful projects that showcase your end-to-end design process, leadership, and quantifiable results. Ensure it's easily accessible and well-organized.
• Research T-Mobile: Understand their brand, customer focus, and "Un-carrier" philosophy to align your responses with their culture and values.
• Practice your presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough and prepare for common interview questions related to design strategy, problem-solving, and leadership.

⚠️ 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.