Principal Product Designer (Remote)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Product Designer (Remote) Company: Huckleberry Labs Location: Los Angeles, CA (Remote within the US) Job Type: Full Time, Remote Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: November 10, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ Years Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and own the end-to-end design process for new mobile product initiatives, from conceptualization to launch, ensuring alignment with user needs and overarching business objectives.
• Drive the creation of novel products and exceptional user experiences by deeply understanding user behaviors, motivations, and pain points, acting as a strong advocate for user-centered design decisions within a fast-paced, innovative environment.
• Foster collaborative partnerships with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and Research, to iteratively define problems, rapidly prototype solutions, and deliver high-quality, impactful user experiences.
• Strategically leverage quantitative data and qualitative user insights to inform design decisions, validate product concepts, and rigorously measure the impact of design interventions on key business metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input describes a Product Designer role, the "Principal" title and emphasis on leading new product design cycles, deeply understanding user behavior, and connecting design to business goals indicate a senior-level position requiring strategic thinking and ownership beyond typical mid-level designer responsibilities. The focus on mobile app design and "emerging or undefined spaces" suggests a role that requires significant autonomy and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the conceptualization, design, and execution of new mobile product features and functionalities, translating complex user needs into intuitive and delightful experiences.
• Conduct in-depth user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather critical insights that inform design strategies and product roadmaps.
• Develop comprehensive user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs using industry-standard tools like Figma or Sketch.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to define product strategy, prioritize features, and ensure design solutions align with business goals and market opportunities.
• Partner with Engineering teams to ensure seamless implementation of designs, providing clear specifications, assets, and ongoing support throughout the development lifecycle.
• Champion and uphold design best practices, including usability, accessibility, and consistency, ensuring all product outputs meet high standards of quality and user experience.
• Contribute to the evolution of the company's design system, ensuring scalability, maintainability, and adherence to brand guidelines across all product touchpoints.
• Use data analytics and A/B testing results to iterate on designs, optimize user journeys, and drive measurable improvements in key performance indicators (KPIs) such as user engagement, retention, and conversion rates.
• Present design concepts and rationale effectively to stakeholders at all levels, articulating user needs, design decisions, and potential business impact.
• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, technologies, and best practices in mobile product design, proactively sharing knowledge and driving innovation within the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are expanded to detail the typical activities of a Principal Product Designer, emphasizing user research, prototyping, cross-functional collaboration, and data utilization, which are standard for senior product design roles. The inclusion of "design system" and "A/B testing" reflects common practices in modern product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field is often preferred for Principal-level roles due to the strategic and research-intensive nature of the position. Experience: 7+ years of professional product design experience, with a significant focus on designing for mobile applications (iOS and Android). Proven experience in leading the design of new products or features from conception through to successful launch.

Required Skills:

• End-to-End Product Design: Mastery of the entire design lifecycle, from user research and ideation to prototyping, visual design, and post-launch analysis.
• Mobile App Design Expertise: Deep understanding of mobile-first design principles, platform conventions (iOS HIG, Material Design), and best practices for mobile user experiences.
• User-Centered Design (UCD) Principles: Strong foundation in usability heuristics, user psychology, and the ability to translate complex user needs into elegant solutions.
• Data-Informed Design: Demonstrated ability to leverage quantitative data (analytics, A/B tests) and qualitative feedback (user interviews, usability studies) to guide design decisions and measure impact.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency with industry-standard tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) for creating interactive prototypes, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional ability to work effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and other stakeholders, fostering a shared understanding and driving consensus.
• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to connect design solutions to broader business goals, understanding market dynamics, and contributing to product strategy.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to tackle ambiguous problems, define clear requirements, and devise innovative solutions that delight users.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale, present findings, and influence decision-making.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Systems: Experience in building, maintaining, or contributing to design systems.
• Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of WCAG guidelines and experience designing for inclusivity.
• Behavioral Science/AI/Data Science Understanding: Familiarity with how these disciplines can inform product design, given Huckleberry's use of these technologies.
• Emerging Technologies: Curiosity and understanding of new design trends and technologies.
• Experience in Health Tech/Parenting Apps: Domain knowledge in related industries can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are detailed to reflect the seniority of a "Principal" role, emphasizing strategic impact, data utilization, and cross-functional leadership. Preferred skills are added to align with industry trends and the company's stated technology focus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: A portfolio showcasing 3-5 detailed case studies that highlight the candidate's design thinking process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of their work. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, the user's needs, the design process undertaken, key decisions made, and measurable outcomes.
• Demonstration of End-to-End Ownership: Evidence of leading design initiatives from the initial discovery phase through to successful product launch and iteration, showcasing ownership and accountability.
• Mobile-Specific Projects: A significant portion of the portfolio should feature mobile app design projects, demonstrating proficiency with mobile UX patterns and platform considerations.
• Data & User Insight Integration: Clear examples of how user data, research findings, and analytics were used to inform design decisions and drive product improvements. Showcase metrics and quantifiable results where possible.
• Prototyping & Interaction Design: Inclusion of interactive prototypes or detailed descriptions of complex interaction designs that illustrate user flow and user experience.
• Visual Design Craftsmanship: High-quality visual design examples demonstrating attention to detail, aesthetic sensibility, and adherence to design principles.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Ability to document and illustrate user workflows, system processes, and interaction patterns clearly and concisely.
• Design Rationale: Evidence of articulating the reasoning behind design choices, linking them to user needs, business objectives, and research findings.
• Collaboration Artifacts: Examples of how design processes and decisions were communicated and collaborated on with cross-functional teams (e.g., shared Figma files, design specs, research summaries).

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are tailored for a senior design role, emphasizing strategic impact, data-driven decision-making, and end-to-end ownership, which are critical for a Principal Designer. The focus on "measurable impact" and "business goals" is crucial for this level.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $180,000 per year.

• This range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for Principal Product Designers in remote roles within the United States, particularly in high-cost-of-living areas like Los Angeles, CA. The specific salary will be determined by the candidate's experience, qualifications, and the company's internal compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Equity: Stock options or grants, providing ownership and potential upside in the company's growth.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO): Flexibility and autonomy in managing personal time off, promoting work-life balance.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance plans to support employee well-being.
• Paid Parental Leave: Generous paid leave for both primary and secondary caregivers, supporting new family needs.
• 401k Match: Employer contribution to retirement savings plans, aiding long-term financial security.
• Remote Work Stipend: Potential for a stipend to set up an effective home office environment.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, with an expected commitment of approximately 40 hours per week. Given the remote nature, there may be flexibility in daily scheduling, but core collaboration hours will likely be established to align with cross-functional team needs and time zones across the US.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly stated based on the input. Benefits are expanded with contextual details relevant to operations professionals and senior roles. Working hours are clarified with an assumption of flexibility typical in remote roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (SaaS, Mobile Applications), Healthcare (Pediatric Care, Family Support). Huckleberry Labs operates at the intersection of technology and family well-being, leveraging AI and data science to provide critical support to parents. This dual focus means processes and product development often require a blend of technical rigor and deep empathy. Company Size: Huckleberry Labs is a growing startup, likely in the stage where it's scaling its operations and product offerings. This implies a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant impact and potential for rapid career progression, alongside the challenges of evolving processes and structures. Founded: Founded in 2019, Huckleberry Labs is a relatively young company, driven by a mission to empower families. Its recent founding suggests a culture that is still solidifying but likely emphasizes innovation, agility, and a strong commitment to its core purpose.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a broader Product organization, reporting to a Head of Product or Design Lead.
• This Principal Designer will collaborate extensively with Product Managers, Software Engineers (mobile, backend, AI/ML), Data Scientists, and potentially User Researchers.
• The structure is expected to be relatively flat, encouraging direct communication and collaboration across disciplines to drive product development efficiently.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Huckleberry emphasizes using data science and AI. This translates into a design process that relies heavily on analytics, user behavior tracking, and A/B testing to validate hypotheses and measure success.
• Agile Development: As a startup, agile methodologies are likely employed, with iterative development cycles, frequent feedback loops, and a focus on delivering value incrementally.
• User-Centricity: Despite the technological focus, the core mission revolves around supporting families, so a deep understanding of user needs and empathy will be paramount in design and product strategy.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is inferred from the "About Huckleberry" section, highlighting the blend of technology and family support, the startup environment, and the emphasis on data and AI. This context is crucial for a Principal Designer to understand the strategic landscape.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Principal Product Designer role, representing a senior individual contributor position. It signifies a high level of expertise, strategic influence, and ownership. The role requires not just execution but also the ability to shape product direction, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the overall design strategy and culture. Reporting Structure: The Principal Product Designer is likely to report to a Director or VP of Product/Design, or potentially a Head of Product. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on a day-to-day basis, forming a core product triad for new initiatives. Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, as it directly influences the user experience of millions of families. Successful designs will drive user engagement, retention, and potentially new revenue streams, contributing directly to Huckleberry's mission and business growth. The "Principal" title suggests influencing product strategy and roadmap decisions based on user insights and design expertise.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Opportunity to mentor and guide junior designers, leading design efforts for major product initiatives, and potentially shaping the future design team structure.
• Strategic Product Influence: Contribute to product strategy, roadmap planning, and overall company direction through expert design insights and user advocacy.
• Skill Specialization/Expansion: Deepen expertise in mobile design, AI-driven product experiences, or explore adjacent areas of product management or research.
• Impact on a Growing Mission: Be instrumental in scaling a product that positively impacts millions of families, offering profound personal and professional satisfaction.
• Executive Visibility: As a Principal, there will be increased visibility with senior leadership, offering opportunities for direct feedback and strategic alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career and growth analysis is tailored to a Principal-level role, emphasizing leadership, strategic influence, and the unique impact of a design role in a mission-driven tech company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning there is no central office requirement. Employees work from their home offices. Office Location(s): While the role is remote, Huckleberry Labs has a headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. However, the company specifies it can hire full-time employees in a list of states, indicating a distributed workforce across the US. Workspace Context:

• Home Office Setup: Employees are expected to maintain a productive and professional home office environment conducive to focused design work and virtual collaboration.
• Technology & Tools: Access to necessary design software (Figma, Sketch), collaboration platforms (Slack, Zoom, Notion, etc.), and potentially a stipend for home office equipment.
• Team Interaction: Collaboration will be primarily virtual, facilitated through video conferencing, instant messaging, and shared digital workspaces. Opportunities for virtual team-building and social interactions are likely.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While remote roles often offer flexibility, there will be an expectation to be available during core business hours for meetings and collaborative sessions with teams across different US time zones. This requires strong time management and self-discipline to balance focused work with necessary team interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description focuses on the practicalities of a fully remote role, including home office setup, virtual collaboration tools, and managing time across different time zones, which are crucial for remote operations professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, alignment with the company mission, and salary expectations.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth conversation with the hiring manager (likely a Design Lead or Head of Product) to discuss experience, design philosophy, and role expectations.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Exercise: A significant part of the process will involve presenting a portfolio of work, highlighting key case studies. Candidates may also be given a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise to assess their problem-solving, design thinking, and collaboration skills in real-time.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders such as Product Managers and Engineering Leads to evaluate collaboration style, communication, and ability to work within a cross-functional team.
• Final Round/Executive Interview: Potentially a conversation with a senior leader (e.g., CPO, CEO) to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall alignment with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your capabilities as a Principal Product Designer, focusing on mobile app design and new product creation.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the key decisions you made (and why), the challenges you faced, and the measurable impact of your work. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your process and final designs.
• Highlight Decision-Making: Emphasize why you made certain design choices, referencing user research, data, or business goals. This is crucial for a Principal-level role.
• Showcase Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. Use metrics, KPIs, and user feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your process, your rationale, and how you would approach specific design challenges relevant to Huckleberry's product.
• Tailor to Huckleberry: Research Huckleberry's app and mission. Be ready to discuss how your skills and experience align with their specific needs and user base.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem statement, target users, and business objectives.
• Document Your Process: Clearly outline your approach, assumptions, research methods, design iterations, and final recommendations. Use visuals to support your narrative.
• Focus on Strategy and Rationale: For a Principal role, demonstrating strategic thinking and the ability to justify your decisions is as important as the final design output.
• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your findings and recommendations concisely and persuasively, as you would in an interview setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process is detailed with specific steps and advice tailored for a senior design role, emphasizing portfolio presentation, strategic thinking, and demonstrating impact, which are key differentiators for Principal-level candidates.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be the primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration, given its industry prevalence.
• Sketch: May also be used, especially if the team has existing projects or designers with a preference.
• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop): Useful for asset creation, image editing, and other graphic design tasks.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, dedicated tools like InVision or Principle might be relevant for more complex interactions or user testing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Platforms: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to track user behavior, engagement, and conversion funnels.
• A/B Testing Tools: Platforms like Optimizely or VWO to run experiments and validate design hypotheses.
• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially tools like Tableau or Looker for deeper data exploration, though designers may primarily consume insights from analysts.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Applicable Directly: While designers don't typically manage CRMs or automation platforms, understanding how these systems impact user journeys and data collection within the product ecosystem is beneficial.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Slack: For real-time communication and team announcements.
• Zoom: For video conferencing and virtual meetings.
• Notion/Confluence: For documentation, design specs, research summaries, and knowledge sharing.
• Jira: Likely used by engineering teams, so designers will interact with it for bug tracking and feature status.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools section is populated with industry-standard design and collaboration software relevant to a modern tech company and specifically to product design roles, including analytics and A/B testing tools that a data-informed designer would utilize.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity & Empathy: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of families, prioritizing their well-being and empowering them through product design.
• Data-Driven Innovation: A belief in using data science, AI, and behavioral insights to create innovative, effective, and magical experiences.
• Simplicity & Delight: Striving to create products that are beautifully simple, easy to use, and bring joy to users' everyday lives.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where cross-functional teams work together openly, share knowledge, and support each other.
• Impact & Ownership: A focus on creating tangible, measurable impact for users and the business, with individuals taking ownership of their contributions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Triads: A common collaboration model where Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers work closely together as a core unit for product development, ensuring alignment and shared ownership.
• Iterative & Feedback-Driven: Embracing an agile approach with continuous feedback loops from peers, stakeholders, and users to refine designs and product direction.
• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and honest communication via Slack, Zoom, and shared documentation platforms.
• Design Critiques: Regular design review sessions (critiques) to provide constructive feedback, share learnings, and elevate the quality of design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are inferred from the company description and the nature of a mission-driven tech startup, emphasizing user empathy, data, innovation, and agile collaboration, which are crucial for a Principal Designer to integrate into.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining & Designing in Ambiguous Spaces: Working on "new products and experiences in emerging or undefined spaces" requires comfort with ambiguity, strong problem-framing skills, and the ability to define structure where none exists.
• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: As a Principal, the challenge is to strategically align user-centric design with Huckleberry's business objectives and growth targets, ensuring both user delight and commercial success.
• Scaling Design Processes: As the company grows, the need to scale design operations, maintain consistency, and potentially build out design systems will present ongoing challenges.
• Navigating Fast-Paced Startup Environment: Adapting to rapid iteration, shifting priorities, and the demands of a growing startup requires resilience, flexibility, and strong time management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunity to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and contribute to the growth of the design discipline within the company.
• Strategic Product Development: Gain deeper experience in product strategy, roadmap planning, and influencing business decisions through design.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: Work with AI, data science, and behavioral science to create innovative product experiences, expanding expertise in these advanced areas.
• Industry Impact: Contribute to a product that has a significant positive impact on millions of families, offering a unique sense of purpose and accomplishment.
• Professional Development: Access to industry conferences, workshops, or online courses to stay current with design trends and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed to reflect the seniority of the Principal Designer role and the specific context of a growing mission-driven tech startup, highlighting strategic challenges and unique learning avenues.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design of a completely new product or feature from scratch. What was your process, what were the biggest challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your end-to-end ownership, problem-solving, and impact.)
• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and trade-off management.)
• "Huckleberry uses AI and data science. How would you incorporate these elements into your design process for a new feature aimed at helping parents manage their child's sleep?" (Showcase your ability to integrate complex technologies and data into user-centric solutions.)
• "Tell me about a time you had to advocate for a design decision that was met with resistance from stakeholders. How did you approach it, and what was the result?" (Highlight your communication, persuasion, and resilience skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Huckleberry's mission and our product? How do you see your role contributing to our goal of unlocking everyday magic for families?" (Showcase genuine interest and alignment with the company's purpose.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, especially in a remote setting?" (Discuss your preferred collaboration methods and experience with cross-functional teams.)
• "Describe your ideal team culture and how you contribute to it." (Assess your cultural fit and understanding of collaborative environments.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, key decisions, challenges, and outcomes. Use a consistent structure.
• Emphasize the 'Why': Explain the rationale behind your design decisions, referencing user insights, data, or business goals. This is critical for a Principal role.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, user flows, final UI) to illustrate your points effectively.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, task completion times).
• Be Ready for Deeper Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, alternative solutions you considered, and how you would iterate further.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows well, stays within the allotted time, and is delivered confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is specifically crafted for a Principal Product Designer, focusing on strategic questions, demonstrating leadership in design, and highlighting the ability to work with complex technologies and data in a mission-driven context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Lever.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with end-to-end product design, mobile app design, leading new product initiatives, and working with data and user insights. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest 3-5 case studies that best showcase your ability to solve complex problems, your design thinking process, your collaboration skills, and the measurable impact of your work, with a strong emphasis on mobile applications. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your decision-making process and rationale.
• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice presenting your chosen case studies, focusing on storytelling, demonstrating strategic thinking, and quantifying impact. Be ready to discuss your process in detail and answer in-depth questions.
• Research Huckleberry Labs: Understand their mission, their app, their target audience, and their use of AI/data science. Prepare to articulate why you're excited about this specific opportunity and how your skills align with their needs.

⚠️ 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.