Product Designer (2nd)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (2nd) Company: Reducto Location: San Francisco, California, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Enablement Date Posted: 2025-11-05 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead end-to-end product design for a rapidly growing AI data ingestion company, influencing user experience from core workflows to brand identity.
• Drive the definition and implementation of the company's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all user-facing touchpoints.
• Collaborate directly with executive leadership, engineering, and customers to translate complex user needs and business objectives into intuitive and impactful product designs.
• Contribute to a culture that highly values design excellence, attention to detail, and rapid iteration in a fast-paced startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a Product Designer role, its emphasis on "ops-heavy teams," "complex products," and "end-to-end ownership" suggests a strong connection to GTM Operations enablement. The successful candidate will likely be designing interfaces for users who leverage Reducto for operational tasks, data extraction, and AI model training, requiring a deep understanding of user workflows and how design impacts operational efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete design lifecycle for Reducto's product suite, encompassing user research, UX flow definition, wireframing, high-fidelity mockups, and prototyping.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system, establishing a cohesive visual language and reusable components to accelerate product development and ensure brand consistency.
• Conduct user research and customer interviews to gather insights, identify pain points, and validate design solutions, particularly for users in engineering, research, and operations roles.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and product leadership to ensure designs are feasible, technically sound, and align with strategic business goals.
• Define and evolve Reducto's brand identity and presentation to the world, ensuring a compelling and professional external image that resonates with target customers.
• Obsess over intricate details in UI/UX, pushing for pixel-perfect execution and fostering a culture where design quality is paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes "owning design end-to-end" and working "directly with our CEO, engineers, and customers," indicating a high degree of autonomy and responsibility. This implies that the role is not just about creating static designs but also about actively participating in product strategy and customer engagement, typical of early-stage product roles where design acts as a key driver of GTM success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mentioned, a strong portfolio demonstrating mastery of design principles and a proven track record of shipping complex products is paramount. A degree in Design, HCI, or a related field would be beneficial but is secondary to demonstrated skill. Experience: Minimum of 2+ years of experience shipping complex digital products, with a preference for products targeted at engineers, researchers, or operations-heavy teams. Experience in early-stage startup environments is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• End-to-end product design ownership: User research, UX/UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity mockups.
• Proficiency in designing for complex workflows and technical users (e.g., engineers, data scientists, operations teams).
• Experience in building, maintaining, and evolving design systems for scalability and consistency.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality craft and polish.
• Strong ability to navigate ambiguity and define structure in nascent product areas.
• Demonstrated high agency, proactive problem-solving, and a fast-paced execution mindset.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and executive leadership.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience in founding a company or building products at the very early stages of a startup.
• Familiarity with ML/AI concepts and the specific needs of AI development teams.
• Experience in brand development and establishing a visual identity for a company.
• A deep understanding of the challenges associated with unstructured enterprise data (PDFs, spreadsheets) and their impact on operational workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement to design for "engineers, researchers, or ops-heavy teams" directly links this role to the operational side of Reducto's customer base. The candidate must be able to translate complex technical and operational challenges into user-friendly interfaces, making them a crucial enabler of Reducto's Go-To-Market strategy by ensuring product adoption and customer success.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end design projects, clearly detailing your role, process, and impact for each.
• Demonstrate experience in user research, problem definition, and the ideation of solutions for complex user needs.
• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes that illustrate your design thinking.
• Showcase your ability to build and maintain design systems, including examples of component libraries, style guides, and their application.
• Highlight projects that demonstrate an understanding of technical or operations-heavy user bases, showcasing how you translated their needs into usable products.
• Present case studies that emphasize your ability to navigate ambiguity and iterate rapidly in a fast-paced environment.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process, from initial problem discovery through to final implementation and iteration.
• Demonstrate how you gather user feedback and incorporate it into iterative design improvements.
• Showcase how you collaborate with engineering teams to ensure successful design implementation and adherence to design system standards.
• Provide insights into how you approach building and scaling design systems to support product growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, the portfolio is critical. It should not only display aesthetic skills but also demonstrate a deep understanding of user workflows, particularly those that impact operational efficiency. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their designs have directly contributed to user success and adoption within technical or operations-focused customer segments, highlighting their role in enabling GTM and driving value for Reducto's clients.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $300,000 USD per year. This range reflects the seniority of the role, the high cost of living in San Francisco, and the significant impact expected from the second product designer at an early-stage, well-funded startup.

Benefits:

• Unlimited PTO: Encourages work-life balance and recharging for high-impact work.
• Daily Catered Lunch: Fosters team cohesion and provides a convenient perk for on-site employees.
• Reimbursed Transportation: Supports employees' commute and travel needs.
• Generous Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee well-being.
• Health and Wellness Budget: A $150/month reimbursement for gym memberships, fitness classes, or similar, promoting employee health.
• Parental Leave: Flexible leave policies to support new parents.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard full-time role in the US typically involves 40 hours per week. However, given the startup environment and emphasis on "working hard and moving quickly," actual hours may vary, requiring flexibility and dedication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is quite broad, indicating that compensation will be heavily dependent on the candidate's experience, demonstrated impact, and negotiation skills. Candidates with strong startup experience, a history of significant product contributions, or specialized knowledge in AI/ML or complex data systems may command compensation at the higher end of the range. The benefits package is typical for a well-funded startup, focusing on employee well-being and convenience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Enterprise Software, Data Extraction, Machine Learning (ML). Reducto operates at the intersection of these fields, providing advanced solutions for ingesting and processing unstructured enterprise data. Company Size: Early-stage startup (specific employee count not provided, but described as "hiring our 2nd Product Designer" and having grown revenue significantly). This implies a small, agile, and highly collaborative team. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company has secured significant funding and achieved substantial year-over-year revenue growth, indicating a mature early-stage presence.

Team Structure:

• The design team currently consists of one individual (the candidate will be the second Product Designer).
• The candidate will report directly to executive leadership, likely the CEO, given the absence of Product Managers.
• Close collaboration with a lean engineering team is expected.
• Direct interaction with customers is a key component of the role, facilitating a deep understanding of user needs and market demands.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Product Development: The company's focus on AI and data extraction implies a strong reliance on data to inform product decisions and measure success.
• Agile & Iterative Design: The emphasis on "shipping fast" and "moving quickly" suggests an agile methodology where rapid iteration and continuous improvement are prioritized.
• Customer-Centricity: Direct engagement with customers ensures that product development is aligned with real-world needs and operational challenges.
• Emphasis on Quality & Craft: Despite the fast pace, there's a stated high bar for quality and polish, indicating a balance between speed and excellence.

Company Website: https://reducto.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2nd Product Designer" title and direct reporting to the CEO suggest a critical role in shaping the company's product vision and user experience. This environment demands high initiative, a willingness to wear multiple hats, and the ability to influence product strategy from a design perspective, making it a significant opportunity for impact within a rapidly scaling AI company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level to Senior Product Designer, given the 2+ years of experience requirement and the expectation of end-to-end ownership. As the second designer, the individual will have the opportunity to establish and influence design processes and standards early on. Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report directly to the CEO or another senior executive, bypassing traditional product management layers. This offers high visibility and direct influence on product strategy and company direction. Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work will directly impact Reducto's Go-To-Market strategy by creating user-friendly interfaces that enable customers to effectively ingest, process, and leverage enterprise data. Well-designed products lead to higher adoption rates, increased customer satisfaction, and ultimately, greater revenue generation and retention for Reducto. The design of workflows for "engineers, researchers, or ops-heavy teams" is central to the value proposition.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: As the team grows, there's potential to lead the design function, mentor junior designers, and build out a world-class design team.
• Product Strategy Influence: Direct access to executive leadership provides ample opportunity to influence product roadmap, strategy, and overall business direction.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI/ML product design, complex data visualization, and user experience for technical and operational teams.
• Foundational Impact: Play a key role in defining the company's product and brand from its early stages, leaving a lasting mark on its trajectory.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's emphasis on designing for "ops-heavy teams" and the absence of PMs means this designer will be instrumental in translating complex operational needs into actionable product features. Their ability to understand and design for these workflows will be a direct driver of Reducto's success in the GTM space.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "in person" and "at our office in SF." This suggests a traditional office-based work environment, fostering direct collaboration and team interaction. Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States. This location offers access to a vibrant tech ecosystem and talent pool. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Being an on-site role in an early-stage company implies a close-knit team environment where spontaneous collaboration and knowledge sharing are encouraged.
• Tools & Technology: While specific tools are not listed in this section, it's reasonable to assume a standard design stack will be available, along with opportunities to choose and implement new tools as needed.
• Team Interaction: Daily lunch and in-person work facilitate frequent interaction with engineers, leadership, and other team members, promoting a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, but the startup environment may require flexibility beyond standard hours, especially during critical project phases or product launches. The emphasis is on "working hard and moving quickly."

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Francisco for an early-stage AI startup points to a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and potentially demanding work environment. This setting is ideal for individuals who thrive on direct interaction, rapid feedback loops, and being deeply embedded in the company's mission and operational challenges.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, discussing their process, impact, and design decisions. This will likely be followed by a design challenge or a deep dive into a specific problem relevant to Reducto's users (e.g., designing a new workflow for data extraction from complex PDFs).
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with engineers and leadership to assess technical understanding, collaboration style, and strategic thinking.
• Final Interview: Potentially with the CEO or other senior leaders to discuss vision, long-term impact, and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business and user impact of your designs. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., reduced time to complete a task, increased user adoption).
• Showcase Your Process: Detail your problem-solving approach, from research and ideation to iteration and final execution. Explain why you made certain design decisions.
• Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with complex workflows, technical users, or operational challenges, aligning with Reducto's customer base.
• Design System Expertise: Include examples of your contributions to design systems and how they drive efficiency and consistency.
• Storytelling: Present your projects as compelling narratives that showcase your skills, problem-solving abilities, and passion for design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Reducto's Product: Thoroughly research Reducto's offerings, target audience, and the problems they solve (e.g., challenges with PDF data extraction).
• Empathize with Users: Anticipate the needs and pain points of engineers, researchers, and operations teams working with complex data.
• Focus on Workflow: Design challenges will likely center on optimizing user workflows for efficiency, accuracy, and ease of use.
• Consider Ambiguity: Be prepared for challenges that require you to make assumptions and define structure in incomplete problem statements, reflecting the startup environment.
• Communicate Your Rationale: Clearly articulate your design thinking, trade-offs considered, and how your solution addresses the core problem.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on end-to-end ownership and the absence of PMs, interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can not only design but also strategize, research independently, and communicate effectively with technical stakeholders. The portfolio and any design challenge should clearly demonstrate these capabilities, particularly in the context of improving operational efficiency through design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Design Systems: Figma, Storybook (for component documentation), Zeplin (for handoff).
• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Hotjar, or similar tools for gathering qualitative and quantitative feedback.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, Slack (for communication and workflow).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer tool, understanding how to interpret data from tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude will be crucial for data-informed design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's daily toolset, but an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms impact user workflows and data management might be indirectly relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools will likely align with modern design stacks. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency with industry-standard design software and their experience in building or contributing to design systems. The ability to integrate design workflows with engineering tools (like Jira) and utilize user feedback platforms is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Bar for Quality & Craft: A relentless pursuit of excellence and polish in all design outputs.
• Speed & Agency: A bias for action, rapid iteration, and proactive problem-solving.
• Comfort with Ambiguity: Thriving in uncertain environments and actively creating structure.
• Customer Obsession: Deeply understanding and prioritizing the needs of users, especially those in operations and technical roles.
• Collaboration: Working closely and effectively with engineers, leadership, and customers.
• Data-Informed Decisions: Using data and user feedback to guide design choices.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Transparent Communication: Given the small team size and direct reporting lines, open and honest communication is essential.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Strong collaboration with engineering is vital for successful product delivery.
• Customer-Centric Feedback Loops: Actively seeking and incorporating feedback from customers to ensure product-market fit.
• Shared Ownership: A culture where everyone contributes to the product's success, with designers playing a key strategic role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Reducto appears to value initiative, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to delivering high-quality products rapidly. Designers are expected to be proactive problem-solvers and highly collaborative partners, deeply understanding the operational needs of their users.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining a New Brand & Design System: Establishing these foundational elements for a growing company requires strategic thinking and extensive execution.
• Designing for Complex Users: Catering to the specific needs and workflows of engineers, researchers, and ops professionals can be demanding.
• Balancing Speed and Quality: The constant drive to "ship fast" while maintaining a high bar for polish and detail.
• Navigating Ambiguity: Operating in an early-stage startup means dealing with evolving priorities and undefined processes.
• Limited Design Resources: As the second designer, you'll need to be highly efficient and resourceful.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Shape Product Strategy: Gain invaluable experience in influencing product direction at a fundamental level.
• Build a Design Function: Opportunity to establish design best practices and potentially build out a design team.
• Deep Dive into AI/ML: Develop specialized knowledge in designing for cutting-edge AI products and data infrastructure.
• Startup Leadership: Learn the intricacies of building and scaling a high-growth technology company from the ground up.
• Mentorship from Leadership: Direct access to experienced founders and executives provides unique learning opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but come with substantial rewards. Success in this role means not only developing as a designer but also gaining experience in product strategy, team building, and contributing to the foundational elements of a rapidly scaling AI company, particularly within its GTM enablement through user-centric product design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you took a product from concept to launch, focusing on how you navigated ambiguity and ensured user needs were met." (Prepare with a case study highlighting end-to-end ownership and problem-solving for technical/ops users).
• "How would you approach building a design system from scratch for a company like Reducto? What are the key considerations for scaling it?" (Focus on modularity, documentation, and collaboration with engineering).
• "Walk us through a complex design challenge you faced, detailing your process, the trade-offs you made, and the ultimate outcome." (Emphasize your rationale, user research, and iterative approach).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Reducto's mission and the problems we're solving in AI and enterprise data?" (Research Reducto's website, blog, and recent news; connect their mission to your passion for design impact).
• "How do you contribute to a culture that values high quality and polish, especially in a fast-paced environment?" (Highlight your personal standards, attention to detail, and methods for ensuring quality).
• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with engineers and executive leadership." (Emphasize open communication, shared goals, and proactive engagement).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around key projects, clearly stating your role, the problem, your process, and the measurable outcomes.
• Focus on Process: Don't just show final screens; explain your thinking, research, and iteration steps. This is crucial for understanding your problem-solving skills.
• Highlight Operations Relevance: Specifically call out projects that involved designing for complex workflows, technical users, or operational efficiency improvements.
• Demonstrate Design System Thinking: Showcase your understanding of creating scalable and maintainable design systems.
• Tell a Story: Engage your audience by weaving a narrative around each project, demonstrating your passion and strategic approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your ability to think strategically, operate autonomously, and demonstrate a deep understanding of user workflows that drive operational efficiency. Be prepared to discuss how your design decisions directly contribute to Reducto's business objectives and customer success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, experience with complex workflows, and ability to drive impact. Tailor your presentation to highlight how your skills align with Reducto's needs, especially in designing for technical and operational users.
• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your experience with product design, user research, design systems, and working in fast-paced environments. Use keywords relevant to AI, enterprise software, and product development. Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design philosophy, your approach to problem-solving, and your experience with ambiguity and rapid iteration. Be ready to discuss your motivations for joining an early-stage startup like Reducto.
• Research Reducto Thoroughly: Understand their product, target market, competitive landscape, and company mission. Be prepared to discuss how your design skills can directly contribute to their growth and success in the AI and enterprise data space.

⚠️ 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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