Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: Adaptive Security Location: New York, NY, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Support Date Posted: 2026-01-13 Experience Level: Senior (4+ years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design of innovative products and features from initial concept through to successful launch, ensuring a seamless transition from 0 to 1.
• Actively participate in shaping the company's strategic direction and product roadmap, influencing the future of AI-powered cybersecurity.
• Drive user-centric product development by planning and executing comprehensive user research, translating insights into actionable design solutions.
• Champion the value of design across the organization, helping to define processes, evolve design systems, and foster a design-aware culture.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering Leads to balance product vision with technical feasibility and business viability, ensuring high-quality, delightful user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary role is Product Designer, the emphasis on shaping strategy, product roadmap, and cross-functional collaboration positions this role as having significant GTM (Go-To-Market) operational impact. The designer will need to understand market needs and translate them into user-facing features that drive adoption and revenue.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process for new products and features, from ideation and user research to high-fidelity mockups and prototypes.
• Contribute strategically to defining the company's overall product vision and roadmap, aligning design initiatives with business objectives.
• Conduct user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather insights that inform product decisions and validate design concepts.
• Rapidly iterate on design concepts through prototyping and A/B testing to quickly validate product direction and gather user feedback.
• Deliver compelling and functional user experiences that balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints, ensuring a delightful and intuitive product.
• Utilize data and research findings to articulate design rationale and strategic thinking, effectively aligning stakeholders across Product, Engineering, and Leadership.
• Negotiate scope and release timelines with Product Management and Engineering, ensuring a realistic yet ambitious approach to product development.
• Partner closely with the Engineering team throughout the development cycle to ensure the quality and integrity of design implementation in every release.
• Actively contribute to defining and refining design processes, including evolving the design system in Figma, facilitating design thinking sessions, conducting design reviews, and establishing best practices for rapid iteration and effective collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic influence and tactical execution, common in senior design roles within fast-growing startups. The expectation to "help shape our design systems, processes, and team structure" indicates a significant opportunity for process improvement and operational efficiency within the design function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience working at a senior level in product design, with a proven track record of delivering impactful, user-centered designs.
• Demonstrated success in fast-paced startup environments, with experience navigating ambiguity and driving projects from concept to launch.
• Strong understanding of the full product development lifecycle, from discovery and research to design, development, and iteration.

Required Skills:

• Product Design: Expertise in crafting intuitive and engaging user experiences across web and potentially mobile platforms.
• User Research: Proficiency in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys) to inform design decisions.
• Prototyping: Advanced skills in creating interactive prototypes to validate design concepts and user flows.
• Usability Testing: Experience in designing and executing usability tests to identify and resolve user friction points.
• Design Systems: Ability to contribute to, maintain, and evolve comprehensive design systems for consistency and scalability.
• Figma: Expert-level proficiency in Figma for wireframing, mockups, prototyping, and design system management.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing.
• Wireframing & Mockups: Skill in creating clear and effective wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity mockups.
• Feedback Synthesis: Ability to thoughtfully synthesize and act upon feedback from various stakeholders and user research.
• Product Development Cycle: Deep understanding of the entire product development lifecycle from conception to launch and iteration.
• Strategic Rationale: Ability to articulate the 'why' behind design decisions, linking them to user needs and business objectives.
• Negotiation Skills: Adept at negotiating scope and timelines with stakeholders to ensure achievable product releases.
• Quality Assurance: Partnership with engineering to ensure design fidelity and functional quality in shipped products.
• Design Thinking: Experience applying design thinking methodologies to solve complex problems.
• Rapid Prototyping: Skill in quickly creating prototypes for fast feedback loops and validation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the cybersecurity industry or with AI-powered products.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools and the ability to leverage data to support design decisions.
• Experience mentoring junior designers or contributing to design team growth.
• Knowledge of front-end development principles to better collaborate with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and design systems, coupled with the need to "help shape our design systems, processes, and team structure," suggests a need for a candidate who can not only design but also operationalize design best practices within the company.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase 3-5 impactful projects that demonstrate end-to-end product design ownership, from problem definition to shipped product.
• Clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process followed, key challenges, and the measurable outcomes/impact of each project.
• Include examples of user research, wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final high-fidelity designs.
• Demonstrate how you leveraged data and user feedback to inform design decisions and iterate on solutions.
• Highlight contributions to or creation of design systems, showcasing consistency and scalability in your work.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal design process in detail, including how you approach user research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration.
• Provide examples of how you have helped define or improve design processes within previous teams, focusing on efficiency, collaboration, and quality.
• Discuss your experience with design reviews, feedback loops, and how you ensure design quality in collaboration with engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a senior role and the company is emphasizing shaping processes, the portfolio should not just showcase final designs but also the candidate's ability to define and improve design workflows and systems, demonstrating operational thinking within the design function.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $175,000 - $250,000 per year Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.
• Premium healthcare and wellness benefits.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
• Access to resources and mentorship.
• Supportive and inclusive work environment.
• Fantastic office atmosphere.

Working Hours:

• Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. The role requires on-site presence in New York City for five days a week, indicating a structured work schedule with potential for flexibility within core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a strong indicator of a senior-level position in a high-cost-of-living area like New York City, especially for a well-funded tech startup. Benefits are standard but emphasize growth and well-being, which are attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Company Size: Startup (Early-stage, Series B funded with significant investment) Founded: 2025 (Implied by Series B funding announcement in December 2025)

Team Structure:

• The design team is currently small, with this role being the 4th designer. This indicates a foundational stage for the design function, offering significant opportunity for influence.
• Designers will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, suggesting a highly collaborative, cross-functional structure.
• As an early member, the role has the potential to shape the team's structure, processes, and culture.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on leveraging data to articulate thought processes and strategic rationale, aligning stakeholders.
• User-Centric Development: Focus on user research, rapid prototyping, and usability testing to inform product decisions and ensure delightful user experiences.
• Agile & Iterative: Implied by the need for rapid prototyping, tight feedback loops, and collaboration with engineering for frequent releases.
• Process Evolution: Active involvement in defining and refining design processes, including design systems, reviews, and research methodologies.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Adaptive Security's positioning as NVIDIA and OpenAI's only AI cybersecurity investment highlights its cutting-edge nature and high growth potential. This environment will appeal to designers who thrive on innovation and want to build foundational products. The "repeat entrepreneurs" background of the founders suggests a disciplined, execution-focused culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer, contributing to foundational product experience and design operations. Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Head of Design or Head of Product, with close collaboration with Product Management and Engineering Leads. Operations Impact: The designer's work will directly influence product adoption, user satisfaction, and ultimately, Adaptive Security's ability to secure its position in the rapidly growing AI cybersecurity market. This role is critical in translating complex AI security concepts into user-friendly products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Opportunity to grow into a design lead or manager role as the team expands.
• Process & System Ownership: Play a key role in establishing and scaling the design team's operational processes and design system.
• Product Strategy Influence: Directly impact product strategy and roadmap through user research and design expertise.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI cybersecurity product design, user research methodologies, and advanced Figma capabilities.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers as the team grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "early member" aspect of this role is a significant growth driver. Candidates can expect to build their reputation and influence, potentially moving into leadership roles faster than in more established organizations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role requiring 5 days a week in the New York City office. This suggests a traditional office setting designed for collaboration. Office Location(s): New York City, NY. Specific office details are not provided but can be inferred to be a modern, well-equipped workspace typical of a funded tech startup.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on working closely with PMs and Engineering Leads indicates a highly collaborative workspace.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools, primarily Figma, and potentially other collaboration and project management software.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with product, engineering, and potentially founders, fostering a dynamic and fast-paced work atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, with a strong expectation of on-site presence. While core hours likely exist, the dynamic nature of a startup may require occasional flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 5-day on-site requirement is a key factor for candidates to consider. It suggests a culture that values in-person collaboration and team cohesion, which can be beneficial for rapid problem-solving and team building in a startup environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely Head of Design or Product) to delve deeper into experience, design philosophy, and role expectations.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing specific case studies and their design process. This may be followed by a take-home design challenge or an in-person/virtual whiteboarding session to assess problem-solving skills.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineering Leads to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to articulate design rationale.
• Founder/Leadership Interview: A final conversation with a founder or senior leader to assess strategic thinking, cultural alignment, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations around compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, challenges faced, and the quantifiable impact of your work.
• Process Depth: Be prepared to walk through your design process for each case study. Highlight how you used research, iteration, and collaboration to arrive at the final solution.
• Figma Mastery: Showcase your proficiency in Figma, including examples of design system components, complex interactions, and efficient workflow practices.
• Metrics & Outcomes: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced user errors, improved task completion times). If exact metrics aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how you would measure it.
• Company Alignment: Tailor your presentation to Adaptive Security's context – AI cybersecurity. Discuss how your past work demonstrates relevant skills or transferable insights.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem Framing: For any design challenge, focus on clearly defining the problem space and user needs before jumping into solutions.
• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate an understanding of business goals and how design can support them, particularly in a competitive market like cybersecurity.
• Collaboration Simulation: If a collaborative exercise, show how you actively listen, build on others' ideas, and communicate your thoughts clearly and constructively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the startup environment and the emphasis on shaping processes, interviewers will likely probe for proactive problem-solving, adaptability, and the ability to operate effectively with less structure. Candidates should prepare to discuss how they've navigated ambiguity and influenced outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert-level proficiency is a core requirement for all design and prototyping activities. This will be the central hub for design system, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Principle) might be beneficial for specific use cases.
• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools like UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Typeform, or similar for conducting user interviews and surveys.
• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with tools like Slack, Zoom, Asana, Jira, or Trello for team communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to understand user behavior and measure the impact of designs.
• Ability to interpret data dashboards and reports to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct requirement for the designer, understanding how design impacts CRM and sales/marketing automation systems can be a plus, especially for GTM alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as an "expert-level skill" underscores its critical importance. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate advanced techniques within Figma, including component libraries, auto layout, and interactive prototyping.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Impact: A drive to build cutting-edge products that solve critical problems in the AI cybersecurity space.
• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs through thoughtful design.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and close teamwork across Product, Engineering, and Design to achieve shared goals.
• Agility & Adaptability: The ability to move quickly, iterate based on feedback, and adapt to a rapidly evolving market and technology landscape.
• Ownership & Accountability: Taking initiative and responsibility for driving design outcomes and contributing to the company's success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Designers are expected to be integral partners with Product Managers and Engineers, involved from the early stages of strategy definition to final release.
• Iterative Feedback: A culture of continuous feedback, both giving and receiving, to refine designs and processes.
• Design Reviews: Regular design reviews to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment across the product.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely fast-paced and demanding, typical of a well-funded startup. The emphasis on early-stage team building and shaping processes means individuals are expected to be proactive and collaborative.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: As an early-stage startup, processes and product direction may evolve rapidly, requiring adaptability and comfort with uncertainty.
• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Designing for cutting-edge AI cybersecurity threats while ensuring the product is robust, scalable, and user-friendly.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively communicating and aligning design vision with diverse stakeholder perspectives (technical, business, user).
• Defining Design Operations: Establishing and refining design processes, tools, and best practices for a growing team.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge in the rapidly evolving field of AI cybersecurity.
• Product Strategy Influence: Directly contributing to the strategic direction of a high-growth tech company.
• Design System Development: Opportunity to build and scale a design system from its foundational stages.
• Leadership Potential: Significant opportunities for career advancement into design leadership roles as the company scales.
• Mentorship: Learning from experienced founders and leaders in the tech and cybersecurity space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lies in the "build from the ground up" nature of this role. Candidates who enjoy establishing processes and making a tangible impact will find this particularly rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design of a product or feature from 0 to 1. What was your process, what were the biggest challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your end-to-end ownership and problem-solving.)
• "How do you balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints when designing a new feature? Provide an example." (Demonstrate strategic thinking and pragmatism.)
• "How do you leverage user research and data to inform your design decisions and articulate your rationale to stakeholders?" (Highlight your analytical and communication skills.)
• "Imagine we need to design a new feature to combat AI-powered deepfakes. Walk me through your initial design process, including research and ideation." (Assess your approach to a new, complex problem in the domain.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Adaptive Security and our mission to stop AI-powered cyberattacks?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the company's vision.)
• "How would you contribute to shaping the design team's processes and design system as an early member?" (Address your proactive and operational mindset.)
• "Describe your ideal collaboration dynamic with Product Managers and Engineers." (Assess your team-player attitude and cross-functional communication style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Choose 2-3 of your most relevant and impactful projects. For each, clearly articulate: The Problem, Your Role & Responsibilities, The Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing, Iteration), Key Decisions & Trade-offs, The Outcome/Impact, and Key Learnings.
• Figma Showcase: Be ready to share your Figma files (or screen recordings) to demonstrate your proficiency, design system contributions, and prototyping skills.
• Quantitative Impact: Emphasize any metrics or results your designs achieved. If not directly measurable, discuss the intended business or user impact.
• Adaptability: Highlight projects where you navigated ambiguity or adapted to changing requirements, as this is crucial in a startup.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to not only design but also to think strategically about product direction and operationalize design best practices.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership, user research, Figma expertise, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with a fast-paced startup environment or complex problem-solving.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your senior-level experience, specific design skills (Figma, user research, prototyping), experience in startup environments, and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic thinking, and collaborative approach. Be ready to present your portfolio and discuss your experience in detail. Research Adaptive Security's mission and recent funding.
• Company Research: Understand Adaptive Security's position in the AI cybersecurity market, their funding rounds, and the significance of their AI focus. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

---