Principal Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Product Designer
Company: Commonwealth Bank
Location: Eveleigh, NSW, Australia (Sydney CBD Area) / Melbourne, VIC, Australia (VIC CBD Melbourne Area)
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design / Engineering Tools
Date Posted: 2025-09-29
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop intuitive, effective, and optimized AI-powered engineering tools to enhance the engineering experience and productivity within Commonwealth Bank.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, data scientists, and product managers, to ensure the seamless integration of AI technology into internal and external-facing products.
• Drive user-centric design principles, translating complex user needs and business objectives into actionable design decisions for AI-assisted capabilities.
• Utilize data-driven insights and service design methodologies to define and measure UX metrics, ensuring an integrated and seamless end-to-end user experience across various touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Principal Product Designer" but described as "Senior Product Designer" in the initial paragraphs. Given the seniority implied by "Principal" and the focus on complex software systems and AI, the experience level has been inferred as 5-10 years, aligning with typical principal-level expectations. The role emphasizes designing internal AI tools for engineering, with periodic work on customer-facing projects, indicating a dual focus on operational efficiency and user experience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering, data science, and product management teams to deeply understand user needs and overarching business objectives for AI-powered tools.
• Design intuitive and effective user-centric AI-powered tools that simplify, optimize, and automate engineering processes, thereby improving team efficiency and output.
• Create comprehensive UI flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mock-ups to clearly articulate design concepts and user journeys.
• Ensure all designs adhere to the bank’s established design system and align precisely with technical engineering requirements and constraints.
• Leverage user research methodologies (including human-centered design) and data analytics to understand staff, customer, and business drivers, defining and measuring key UX metrics for AI tools.
• Perform thorough desk research and market analysis to identify high-impact areas for AI-powered tool development and prioritize feature roadmaps based on market demand and potential business value.
• Apply service design principles to ensure the end-to-end user experience is cohesive, seamless, and aligned across product, technology, and customer needs.
• Communicate design concepts and trade-offs effectively to a diverse range of stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, and senior leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been expanded to detail the full lifecycle of product design within an enterprise technology context, emphasizing the unique aspects of designing AI-powered tools for internal engineering teams alongside potential customer-facing applications. The inclusion of service design and market analysis highlights a strategic approach to product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for principal-level roles. Demonstrated practical experience and a robust portfolio will be highly valued.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in Product Design, UX/UI Design, or a similar role, with a proven track record of designing and delivering complex software systems, platforms, or enterprise-level applications.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience as a Product Designer, UX/UI Designer, or similar, with a strong portfolio showcasing design work for complex software systems, platforms, or enterprise applications.
• Expertise in user research methodologies, including human-centered design, usability testing, and the ability to translate research insights into actionable design decisions.
• Proficiency in creating detailed UI flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mock-ups using industry-standard design tools.
• Strong understanding of design systems and the ability to ensure design consistency and adherence to established guidelines.
• Technical acumen with the ability to understand software development processes, communicate effectively with engineers, and discuss design-engineering trade-offs.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and rationale to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities, with a strategic and conceptual design thinking approach.
• Expertise in design and prototyping tools such as Figma.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for AI-powered tools, features, or platforms, demonstrating an understanding of AI interaction patterns.
• Familiarity with cyber security operations, specifically in areas like vulnerability remediation and penetration testing processes.
• Experience with service design methods, focusing on delivering an integrated user experience across multiple touchpoints and services.
• Ability to think broadly about the user experience, recognizing the influence of the surrounding environment and operational context on technology adoption.
• Experience with data analysis and the ability to define and track UX metrics to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualifications have been detailed to reflect the "Principal" title, emphasizing a need for deep experience in complex systems and a strategic approach. Preferred skills highlight areas that would give candidates an advantage, such as AI design experience and cybersecurity domain knowledge, aligning with the squad's focus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant projects demonstrating end-to-end product design experience, with a focus on complex software systems, platforms, or enterprise applications.
• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), and the final solution.
• Highlight projects that involved complex user flows, data visualization, or system integrations, demonstrating your ability to manage intricate design challenges.
• Include case studies that showcase the impact of your design decisions, supported by qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., user feedback, engagement metrics, efficiency gains).
• Demonstrate experience with designing for internal tools or platforms, if possible, to align with the core focus of this role.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented user research findings, including user personas, journey maps, and usability test reports.
• Showcase your approach to creating and maintaining design system components and guidelines to ensure consistency across projects.
• Include examples of how you have collaborated with engineering and product teams, demonstrating effective workflow integration and communication.
• Present case studies that detail how you have used data and analytics to inform design iterations and measure the success of implemented solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are tailored to a Principal Product Designer role, emphasizing complexity, impact, and process. The inclusion of specific documentation types and case study structures aims to guide candidates in presenting their experience effectively for AI and complex system design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Principal Product Designer role in Sydney/Melbourne with 5-10 years of experience, particularly within a major financial institution, the estimated annual salary range in Australia is AUD $170,000 - $220,000. This range accounts for the seniority, specialized skills in AI/complex systems, and the high cost of living in major Australian cities.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Generous employer contributions to superannuation (Australia's mandatory retirement savings scheme).
• Performance Bonuses: Potential for annual bonuses based on individual and company performance.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certifications, conference attendance, and skill enhancement, particularly in AI and design technologies.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for personal and work-related issues.
• Leave Entitlements: Generous paid annual leave, personal/carer's leave, and public holiday leave.
• Employee Banking Benefits: Access to preferential banking products and services.
• Modern Workspace: Access to well-equipped offices in prime CBD locations with collaborative spaces.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are typically around 37.5-40 hours per week. While an on-site role, Commonwealth Bank often offers some degree of flexibility in start and end times, subject to team and operational needs, allowing for effective management of design processes and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary has been estimated based on industry benchmarks for Principal Product Designers in Australia, considering the specific location and the financial sector. Benefits are detailed to reflect typical offerings from a large, established corporation like Commonwealth Bank, with a focus on professional development relevant to the role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking). Commonwealth Bank is one of Australia's largest and most reputable financial institutions, operating in a highly regulated and competitive market. This context means a strong emphasis on security, compliance, customer trust, and innovation.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees globally). Being part of a large organization means access to extensive resources, established processes, and opportunities for broad impact, but also requires navigating complex organizational structures and driving change through influence.

Founded: 1911. With over a century of history, Commonwealth Bank has a deep-rooted legacy and a strong understanding of the Australian market. This longevity suggests a stable environment with established systems and a forward-looking approach to digital transformation.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the CIO Technology division, specifically in a newly formed "AI Powered Security Engineering" squad.
• This squad focuses on enhancing and implementing Group Security engineering capabilities using AI and machine learning, aiming to safeguard systems and data.
• The Principal Product Designer will collaborate with a diverse team including engineers, data scientists, product managers, and potentially cybersecurity specialists.
• Reporting likely within a Product Design or Engineering leadership structure, with close collaboration across various technology and business units.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on Human-Centered Design and user outcomes.
• Integration of AI and Machine Learning into engineering processes and tools.
• Data-driven decision-making for UX improvements and feature prioritization.
• Agile and collaborative development methodologies are expected within technology teams.
• Strong focus on collaboration with technical stakeholders to ensure practical and effective design solutions.

Company Website: https://www.commbank.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context has been fleshed out to highlight the implications of working in a large financial institution, especially within a new AI-focused engineering squad. This includes understanding the emphasis on security, data, and collaboration with technical experts.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Principal level, signifying a senior individual contributor with deep expertise and a strategic outlook. It involves not only hands-on design but also mentoring junior designers, influencing design strategy, and driving innovation within the AI engineering space. The scope extends to designing for internal tools that impact the productivity of hundreds or thousands of engineers.

Reporting Structure: The Principal Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product Design, a Director of Engineering, or a similar senior leadership role within the CIO Technology division. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within the AI squad.

Operations Impact: The designs created will directly impact the efficiency, effectiveness, and security of Commonwealth Bank's engineering operations. By improving engineering tools with AI, this role contributes to faster development cycles, more robust security postures, reduced operational costs, and ultimately, better customer outcomes through more reliable and innovative products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI Design: Deepen expertise in designing for AI-driven products and user interfaces, a highly sought-after skill.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and influence the broader design community within CBA.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain in-depth understanding of cybersecurity, data science, and complex enterprise software development within a leading financial institution.
• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the strategic direction of AI adoption in engineering tools and processes across the bank.
• Career Progression: Potential to move into Lead Designer roles, Group Lead positions, or management roles within design or product functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career and growth analysis focuses on the "Principal" level designation, highlighting leadership, strategic influence, and specialization opportunities within the context of AI and enterprise technology design at a major bank.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with the role primarily based on-site in modern, well-equipped office spaces located in Sydney CBD (Eveleigh) or Melbourne CBD. These environments are designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s):

• Eveleigh, NSW (Sydney CBD Area)
• Melbourne, VIC (CBD Area)

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to be collaborative, with open-plan areas, dedicated team zones, and meeting rooms equipped with modern technology for presentations and remote collaboration.
• Access to a comprehensive suite of design and productivity tools, including Figma, and potentially specialized AI development environments.
• Opportunities for regular interaction with a diverse group of professionals, including engineers, data scientists, product managers, and other designers, fostering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (approximately 40 hours per week) with potential for some flexibility. The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, team synergy, and direct engagement with engineering teams for the design of complex AI tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description emphasizes the hybrid nature and the collaborative aspects of the office space, crucial for a role involving close work with technical teams and the use of advanced design tools.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Design Lead or Engineering Manager) focusing on experience, approach to design challenges, and understanding of AI/complex systems.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, highlighting relevant projects. This may be followed by a design challenge (e.g., a take-home exercise or an in-interview problem-solving session) focused on designing an AI-assisted engineering tool.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key collaborators such as Product Managers, Data Scientists, and Senior Engineers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to communicate design rationale.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader within the technology division to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your experience with complex software, AI design (if applicable), and ideally, internal tools or enterprise platforms.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your unique contribution, the process, the challenges, and the measurable outcomes. Use visuals effectively but focus on the narrative and your decision-making process.
• Highlight AI/Complex Systems: If you have experience designing for AI or intricate systems, make sure this is prominently featured and explained in detail. Discuss the specific challenges and solutions related to AI interactions or complex data flows.
• Demonstrate Process: Show your understanding of human-centered design, research methodologies, and how you iterate based on feedback and data.
• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design choices, trade-offs, and how you handle ambiguity or conflicting requirements from different stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly research Commonwealth Bank's technology division and the goals of AI in engineering.
• Focus on the User: Even for internal tools, identify the primary user (the engineer) and their pain points.
• Think Systemically: Consider how the AI tool integrates into existing engineering workflows and systems.
• Communicate Rationale: Clearly articulate your design decisions and assumptions, focusing on efficiency, usability, and impact.
• Time Management: Practice time management for any in-interview exercises.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process is detailed to provide actionable advice for operations candidates, focusing on the specific requirements of a Principal Product Designer role in an enterprise AI context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Expertise in creating and utilizing design systems within Figma is expected.
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools like InVision, Marvel, or Axure for creating interactive prototypes to simulate user flows.
• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for conducting usability testing, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

Analytics & Reporting:

• UX Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools that track user behavior and engagement within applications (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Pendo, Mixpanel) to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret data visualizations and potentially contribute to dashboard design for UX metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design impacts user journeys within broader systems (potentially including customer-facing applications) is beneficial. Familiarity with how design integrates with development workflows and CI/CD pipelines is also an asset.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, and Microsoft Teams for project management, documentation, and team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack focuses on design and collaboration tools crucial for a Principal Product Designer, with a specific emphasis on Figma and an understanding of how design integrates with analytics and development processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving both internal (engineering) and external (retail/business) customers through exceptional user experiences.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines (design, engineering, data science) to achieve shared goals and foster a supportive environment.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the exploration of new technologies like AI and constantly seeking ways to optimize processes and enhance user outcomes.
• Accountability & Excellence: Taking ownership of work, striving for high-quality outcomes, and maintaining the highest standards in design and execution.
• Integrity & Trust: Upholding ethical standards and building trust through transparent communication and reliable, secure systems.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Active collaboration with product managers, engineers, and data scientists is fundamental to this role, working in integrated squads.
• Design Critiques & Feedback: A culture that embraces constructive feedback through design reviews and critiques to refine solutions and elevate design quality.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights, and learnings across the design team and the broader engineering community.
• Agile & Iterative: Working within agile frameworks, embracing iterative design processes with frequent check-ins and adjustments based on feedback and evolving requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are inferred based on Commonwealth Bank's industry position and the description of the AI squad's mission, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and a strong user-centric approach within a professional financial services environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Complexity: Effectively translating the capabilities of AI into intuitive and predictable user experiences for engineers can be challenging, requiring careful consideration of user expectations and potential AI limitations.
• Balancing Internal vs. External Needs: Juggling the design requirements for internal engineering tools with the need to periodically contribute to customer-facing products requires adaptability and context-switching.
• Navigating Enterprise Structures: Driving design innovation and adoption within a large, established financial institution requires strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence across different departments.
• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying abreast of the fast-paced advancements in AI and design tools, and integrating them effectively into existing workflows and product strategies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Access to training and projects focused on the cutting edge of AI-human interaction design.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend leading design and technology conferences (e.g., UX Australia, design weeks) and participate in specialized workshops.
• Mentorship Programs: Benefit from mentorship from senior design leaders within Commonwealth Bank or participate in mentoring junior talent.
• Formal Training: Access to internal and external training programs for skill enhancement in areas like service design, cybersecurity principles, and advanced design technologies.
• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Opportunities to work on a range of challenging projects across different business units within the bank.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed around the specific context of AI design in an enterprise financial services setting, offering a realistic outlook and highlighting the potential for significant professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed an AI-powered feature or tool. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on your process, user considerations, and outcomes.)
• "How would you approach designing a tool to help engineers debug code more efficiently using AI?" (Demonstrate your user-centric approach, problem-solving skills, and understanding of engineering workflows.)
• "Walk me through your process for translating complex technical requirements into a user-friendly design for a non-technical audience." (Highlight your communication skills and ability to bridge gaps between technical and user needs.)
• "How do you ensure your designs align with both user needs and business objectives, especially when they might conflict?" (Showcase your strategic thinking and ability to find balanced solutions.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Commonwealth Bank and this specific role within the AI Powered Security Engineering squad?" (Research CBA's tech vision, AI initiatives, and express genuine enthusiasm.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and data scientists? Can you provide an example of a successful collaboration?" (Emphasize your teamwork, communication, and ability to work with technical stakeholders.)
• "How do you measure the success of your designs, particularly for internal tools that aim to improve productivity?" (Discuss UX metrics, A/B testing, and qualitative feedback.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Start with a high-level overview of your role and the project's goal. Dedicate significant time to explaining your process, the user research, and the design iterations.
• Quantify Where Possible: Present metrics and outcomes clearly. How did your design improve efficiency, reduce errors, or enhance user satisfaction?
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about specific design choices, technical constraints, and alternative solutions you considered.
• Highlight Collaboration: Discuss how you partnered with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders throughout the design process.
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize any experience with complex systems, enterprise software, or AI design. If you don't have direct AI design experience, focus on your ability to learn quickly and apply design principles to new technological challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation is geared towards the specific demands of a Principal Product Designer role, focusing on AI, complex systems, stakeholder collaboration, and portfolio presentation within an enterprise financial services context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Commonwealth Bank Careers portal via the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects that demonstrate your experience with complex software systems, enterprise platforms, or any AI-related design work. Tailor your case studies to highlight your problem-solving approach, user research methodologies, and measurable outcomes.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, key skills (Product Design, UX/UI, Human-Centered Design, Service Design, Figma, AI Design), and achievements relevant to enterprise-level product design and collaboration with technical teams.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to discuss your approach to designing AI-powered tools for engineering teams.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Commonwealth Bank's technology division, its commitment to innovation, and its approach to AI. Understand the company's values and consider how your own approach aligns with their culture.

⚠️ 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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