Product Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Design Manager Company: Cato Networks Location: Tel Aviv District, Israel Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design Management / UX Leadership Date Posted: October 5, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ years in product/UX design, with 2-3 years in leadership

🚀 Role Summary

• This role involves leading and growing a nascent product design team, fostering a culture of excellence and ownership within a fast-paced cybersecurity startup.
• You will be responsible for the complete end-to-end design process, from initial user research to high-fidelity execution, ensuring user-centricity in complex B2B products.
• Strategic collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Executive teams is critical to translate intricate cybersecurity and networking concepts into intuitive and elegant user experiences.
• The position requires leveraging modern design tools, including AI capabilities, to enhance design efficiency, speed up workflows, and drive innovation in the product's user interface.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Product Design Manager," the description emphasizes a hands-on approach, suggesting this role is suitable for an individual contributor ready to step into management or an existing manager with a strong design execution background. The initial team size of 1-2 designers indicates a foundational leadership opportunity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Manage, mentor, and inspire a small but growing team of product designers, cultivating a culture of creativity, high standards, and shared ownership.
• Design Process Ownership: Lead the entire product design lifecycle, including user research, persona development, journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and creating high-fidelity visual designs.
• User-Centricity & Iteration: Facilitate usability testing, actively gather feedback from customers and stakeholders, and implement rapid iterations to continuously improve user experiences.
• Strategic Optimization: Utilize data analysis and competitive intelligence to inform design decisions, optimize existing features, and identify opportunities for new product enhancements.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Build strong collaborative relationships with Product Management, Engineering, and other key stakeholders to ensure design solutions align with business objectives and technical feasibility.
• Design System Development: Contribute to and build scalable design practices, including the evolution and implementation of design systems, to ensure consistency and efficiency across products.
• Domain Translation: Translate complex cybersecurity and networking concepts into simple, intuitive, and elegant user experiences that are accessible to enterprise customers.
• Innovation & Trend Awareness: Stay abreast of the latest design trends, UX best practices, and advancements in AI tools relevant to product design, bringing fresh insights and innovative approaches to the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on individual contribution ("hands-on design execution") and team leadership. The emphasis on translating "complex cybersecurity and networking concepts" points to a need for designers comfortable with B2B enterprise software and technical domains.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Visual Design, Interaction Design, Industrial Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in product design and UX design.
• At least 2-3 years in a formal leadership or management capacity, demonstrating the ability to guide and mentor design teams.
• Proven track record of designing for complex B2B products, specifically within the cybersecurity domain (e.g., network security, cloud security, identity management, endpoint protection, or similar areas).

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership: Proven ability to manage, mentor, and grow a design team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• End-to-End Design Process: Mastery of the full UX design lifecycle, from user research and journey mapping to wireframing, prototyping, and detailed visual design.
• Cybersecurity Domain Fluency: Demonstrated experience and understanding of designing for cybersecurity products and translating complex technical concepts into user-friendly interfaces.
• Modern Design Tools: Expertise in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a specific requirement for Figma.
• User Research & Testing: Proficiency in conducting user research, usability testing, and gathering actionable feedback from diverse user groups.
• Data-Driven Design: Ability to leverage quantitative and qualitative data, as well as competitive analysis, to inform and optimize design decisions.
• Storytelling & Communication: Exceptional ability to articulate design vision, rationale, and decisions effectively to various stakeholders, building consensus and driving alignment.
• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within agile development environments, balancing long-term design vision with iterative development cycles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI tools to enhance design workflows and outcomes.
• Familiarity with building and maintaining design systems.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort working in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Strong aesthetic sense with a keen eye for current UI/UX trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "hands-on design execution" alongside leadership duties suggests candidates should be comfortable contributing directly to design deliverables while also guiding a team. The explicit mention of Figma as a required tool is a key technical prerequisite.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Strategy & Vision: Showcase a clear understanding of how design contributes to product strategy, including examples of defining design direction for complex products.
• End-to-End Process Examples: Present detailed case studies demonstrating your involvement in the complete design process, from initial problem definition and user research through to final UI execution and post-launch iteration.
• Complex Problem Solving: Highlight specific examples of how you translated intricate technical concepts (especially within cybersecurity or networking) into elegant, user-friendly solutions.
• Leadership & Team Impact: Include examples of how you have mentored designers, improved team processes, or contributed to building design culture.
• Data-Driven Optimization: Provide evidence of how data, user feedback, and competitive analysis were used to iterate on and improve designs, leading to measurable outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to map out and optimize complex user workflows, particularly for enterprise software applications.
• System Implementation: Illustrate experience with developing and implementing design systems or style guides that ensure product consistency and scalability.
• Research & Testing Protocols: Outline your approach to user research and usability testing, including methodologies for gathering and synthesizing feedback.
• AI Integration Examples: If applicable, showcase how you have leveraged AI tools within your design process to enhance efficiency or explore new design possibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on both leadership and hands-on execution, portfolios should clearly delineate individual contributions versus team-led initiatives. For this role, strong case studies in B2B cybersecurity or complex enterprise software will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimate: Based on industry benchmarks for a Product Design Manager with 7+ years of experience in Tel Aviv, Israel, the estimated annual salary range is between 350,000 ILS and 550,000 ILS (approximately $95,000 - $150,000 USD).
• Explanation: This estimate considers the experience level (7+ years, with 2-3 years in leadership), the technical domain (cybersecurity/networking), the company's growth stage (startup with significant funding/market traction), and the cost of living and market rates in the Tel Aviv tech hub. Seniority, specific skill sets, and negotiation will influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage.
• Stock Options/Equity: Potential for equity in a rapidly growing company.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and continuous learning in design and cybersecurity.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Team Events & Culture: Opportunities for team building and social activities.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: Access to and use of advanced design and AI tools.

Working Hours:

• Standard: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available.
• Operations Context: While a standard work week is expected, the fast-paced startup environment may require occasional extended hours to meet project deadlines. Collaboration across time zones (if applicable) and agile development cycles will influence daily scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data for similar roles in Tel Aviv. The actual compensation package may vary. The benefits listed are common for tech companies in Israel and for roles of this seniority.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Cybersecurity, Cloud Networking, SASE (Secure Access Service Edge). Cato Networks is at the forefront of defining and leading the SASE market, a rapidly expanding sector critical for modern enterprise security and connectivity. Company Size: Cato Networks is a growth-stage startup, likely employing several hundred to over a thousand employees globally, with a significant R&D presence in Israel. This size offers the agility of a startup with the resources and market impact of a more established player. Founded: Cato Networks was founded by industry veterans Shlomo Kramer (co-founder of Check Point and Imperva) and Eldad Chai. Its founding signifies a deep expertise and vision in the cybersecurity space.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design Manager will lead a small, initially 1-2 person design team.
• This team will operate within a broader design group, likely reporting to a Head of Design or VP of Product.
• Close collaboration is expected with Product Management, Engineering teams (both front-end and back-end), and potentially Marketing and Sales.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using user research, analytics, and market data to inform product and design strategies.
• Agile Development: Design processes are integrated into agile sprints, requiring rapid iteration and close collaboration with development teams.
• User-Centric Design: A core principle is to deeply understand user needs and pain points within the complex cybersecurity domain to deliver intuitive solutions.
• Innovation & Disruption: As a pioneer in the SASE category, the company fosters an environment that encourages challenging the status quo and developing novel solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's leadership in the SASE category suggests a technically sophisticated user base and a product that requires a high degree of clarity and usability despite its complexity. The "startup" nature implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment where initiative is rewarded.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a mid-to-senior management level, requiring both strong individual contributor design skills and the ability to lead and develop a team. It represents a significant step into design leadership within a critical technology sector. Reporting Structure: The Product Design Manager will likely report to a Director or VP of Product or Design. They will directly manage a small team of UX/Product Designers. Operations Impact: The Product Design Manager has a direct and substantial impact on the usability, adoption, and perceived value of Cato Networks' SASE platform. By simplifying complex cybersecurity and networking functionalities, they enhance customer satisfaction, reduce support overhead, and contribute to the company's market leadership and revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Team Expansion: Opportunity to grow the design team by hiring and onboarding new talent as the company scales.
• Design System Ownership: Lead the development and evolution of a comprehensive design system for a global enterprise product.
• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping the product roadmap and design strategy for a category-defining product.
• Leadership Development: Gain significant experience in people management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership within a high-growth tech environment.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in cybersecurity and cloud networking design, becoming a recognized specialist in a highly sought-after field.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for an individual contributor to transition into a leadership role, or for an existing manager to make a significant impact on a product category leader. The opportunity to build a team from the ground up is a key differentiator.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. Cato Networks emphasizes in-person collaboration for its teams. Office Location(s): Tel Aviv District, Israel. This location is a major technology hub, offering access to a vibrant ecosystem of talent and innovation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting is designed to foster collaboration, with shared spaces, meeting rooms, and an open culture conducive to cross-functional teamwork between Design, Product, and Engineering.
• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design software (Figma is mandatory), prototyping tools, and potentially AI-assisted design platforms. The company invests in the tools necessary for efficient and effective product development.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for direct interaction with designers, product managers, engineers, and leadership, facilitating knowledge sharing and rapid problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work week is typically 40 hours.
• Given the startup environment and the nature of product development, there may be periods requiring flexibility and dedication to meet critical project milestones. Collaboration with teams in different regions might also necessitate some schedule adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration and team cohesion, which is common in growth-stage tech companies aiming to build a strong company culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, focusing on relevant experience in product design, leadership, and cybersecurity.
• Portfolio Review & Initial Interview: A deeper dive into your portfolio, discussing your design philosophy, process, and specific projects. This stage will assess your hands-on design skills and leadership potential.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a detailed case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your problem-solving approach, strategic thinking, and ability to translate complex requirements.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineering leads to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate design with development realities.
• Leadership & Culture Fit Interview: A final discussion with senior leadership to evaluate your leadership capabilities, cultural alignment with Cato Networks, and long-term vision for the design team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, and the quantifiable outcomes or business impact.
• Showcase Leadership: If possible, include examples of how you've mentored designers, influenced product strategy, or improved team processes.
• Highlight Cybersecurity Expertise: Emphasize projects related to cybersecurity, networking, or complex B2B enterprise software. Detail how you navigated technical constraints and user complexities.
• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your design thinking, from research and ideation to iteration and final execution. Show your rationale behind key decisions.
• Tool Proficiency: Clearly state the tools used, especially highlighting Figma expertise. If AI tools were used, explain their role and impact.
• Conciseness & Clarity: Present your work clearly and concisely, focusing on the most relevant and impactful projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with Cato Networks' SASE platform, the competitive landscape, and common challenges in enterprise cybersecurity/networking.
• Think Strategically: Be prepared to discuss not just the "how" but the "why" behind your design decisions. Consider business goals, user needs, and technical feasibility.
• Practice Storytelling: Structure your presentations like a narrative, guiding interviewers through your problem-solving journey and the impact of your work.
• Prepare for Leadership Questions: Be ready to discuss your management style, how you motivate teams, resolve conflicts, and foster a positive design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "small but growing design team" and "hands-on design execution" means your portfolio should demonstrate both individual design prowess and the potential to lead and mentor. Case studies related to B2B SaaS, cybersecurity, or complex technical platforms will be highly advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect to lead design efforts using Figma and potentially guide the team in its advanced features.
• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has robust prototyping capabilities, experience with tools like InVision, Axure, or similar for more complex interactive prototypes may be beneficial.
• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote usability tests, surveys, and interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey).
• Design System Management: Experience with tools or methodologies for building, maintaining, and scaling design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook integration).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Pendo to track user behavior, feature adoption, and identify areas for design optimization.
• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret and present data using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel/Google Sheets for reporting on design impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM/automation systems, understanding how design impacts workflows within these systems (e.g., sales enablement tools, marketing automation platforms) can be advantageous, especially for B2B products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma is critical. Proficiency and potentially leadership in leveraging Figma for complex enterprise applications will be a key differentiator. Understanding how design integrates with data analytics and contributes to business/revenue operations metrics is also important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of enterprise users facing complex cybersecurity challenges.
• Excellence & Ownership: A drive for high-quality design outcomes, taking personal responsibility for the success of products and team initiatives.
• Collaboration & Trust: Fostering an environment where open communication, honest feedback, and mutual respect are paramount across Product, Engineering, and Design.
• Innovation & Agility: Embracing a forward-thinking mindset, constantly seeking new solutions, and adapting quickly to evolving market demands and technological advancements.
• Simplicity in Complexity: A core value of distilling intricate technical concepts into elegant, intuitive, and manageable user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is seen as an integral part of the product development lifecycle, working hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Engineers from ideation through launch and iteration.
• Feedback Loops: Encouraging continuous feedback exchange, both within the design team and with external stakeholders, to refine designs and ensure alignment.
• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture where designers share best practices, insights, and learnings, fostering collective growth and innovation.
• Data-Informed Design: A collaborative approach where design decisions are informed by user data, market research, and business objectives, discussed openly with relevant teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "simplifying complexity" and "user-centricity" in the context of cybersecurity is a core cultural driver. Candidates should demonstrate an alignment with these values and a proactive approach to collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Domain: Translating sophisticated cybersecurity and networking concepts into intuitive user interfaces for technical enterprise users.
• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Ensuring cutting-edge features are also highly usable and don't introduce new security risks or operational burdens.
• Building a Design Culture: Establishing and scaling design practices, systems, and a strong design culture within a rapidly growing startup environment.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating diverse stakeholder needs and technical constraints to achieve cohesive product vision.
• Rapid Iteration in a Startup: Adapting to fast-paced development cycles and evolving product requirements while maintaining design quality.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Cybersecurity: Gain unparalleled expertise in the rapidly evolving field of cloud networking and cybersecurity.
• Leadership Development: Hone people management, strategic planning, and team-building skills in a high-growth environment.
• Design System Architecture: Lead the creation or expansion of a robust design system that impacts a global enterprise product.
• AI in Design Exploration: Experiment with and integrate AI tools to enhance design efficiency and explore new creative possibilities.
• Industry Exposure: Participate in industry events, gain insights into market trends, and network with leaders in the cybersecurity and SASE space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for high-growth tech companies in specialized domains. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly for those looking to advance into senior leadership and gain deep domain expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Vision & Leadership: "How would you define and drive the design vision for Cato's SASE platform, considering its complexity and target audience? How would you foster this vision within a small, growing team?"
• Process & Methodology: "Describe your end-to-end design process for a complex B2B product. How do you integrate user research, data analysis, and agile development into your workflow? What role do AI tools play in your process?"
• Problem-Solving: "Walk us through a challenging design problem you solved in the cybersecurity or complex enterprise software space. What was the problem, your approach, and the outcome? How did you balance user needs with business requirements?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Cultural Alignment: "What excites you about Cato Networks and the SASE market? How do you envision contributing to our design culture and values?"
• Team Dynamics: "Describe your ideal collaboration dynamic with Product Management and Engineering. How do you build trust and ensure effective communication?"
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your design work? What KPIs would you track for the SASE platform's user experience?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling Arc: Structure each case study with a clear beginning (problem/opportunity), middle (process/solution), and end (impact/learnings).
• Highlight Leadership Aspects: For each project, be ready to discuss your role in mentoring, guiding decisions, or influencing the team's direction, even if you weren't the sole designer.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the tangible results of your design efforts (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion times, improved user satisfaction scores).
• Address Complexity: Be prepared to articulate how you simplified complex technical concepts and navigated the specific challenges of B2B enterprise design.
• Showcase Figma Mastery: Demonstrate advanced techniques and workflows within Figma, and explain how you leverage its capabilities for efficiency and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing and mentoring designers, even if your direct management experience is limited. Frame your experience in terms of influencing and guiding others. Emphasize your ability to translate technical jargon into user-friendly solutions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Design Manager position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the Cato Networks careers page and submit your resume and any requested documents through their online portal.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in product/UX design, specifically emphasizing leadership roles, cybersecurity product design, and proficiency with Figma. Use keywords from the job description.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your design strategy, end-to-end process, leadership capabilities, and experience with complex B2B/cybersecurity products. Ensure clear articulation of problem, solution, and impact.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on your thought process, decision-making, and leadership contributions. Be ready to discuss your management style and vision for design.
• Research Cato Networks: Understand their SASE platform, market position, and company values. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the product, team, and challenges.

⚠️ 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.