Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: Apaleo Location: Munich, Bavaria, Germany Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Date Posted: December 12, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product design processes, from user needs discovery to the delivery of intuitive and engaging user experiences for a cutting-edge hospitality tech platform.
• Translate complex technical and business challenges into innovative, human-centered design solutions that enhance hotel operations and guest experiences.
• Leverage design thinking methodologies and data-informed insights to solve critical problems for hoteliers, operators, and travelers within the hospitality ecosystem.
• Develop and iterate on design concepts through low-fidelity sketches, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes, ensuring clear visual communication and user flow.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with product managers, engineers, and fellow designers to collectively shape product strategy and feature development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for a technology company focused on the hospitality sector, requiring a deep understanding of both user needs (hoteliers, travelers) and the complexities of a SaaS platform, particularly one incorporating AI. The emphasis on "API-first" and "modular" infrastructure suggests a need for designers who can think systemically and design for extensibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the entire design lifecycle for new features and product enhancements, from initial concept and user research to final UI/UX implementation.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather insights and validate design decisions.
• Create detailed user flows, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design vision and functionality.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing) to ensure design alignment with business objectives and technical feasibility.
• Champion user-centered design principles, advocating for user needs and challenging assumptions to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Contribute to the continuous evolution and improvement of Apaleo's design system and overall design culture.
• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, AI technologies, and best practices in SaaS product development to drive innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility list clearly indicates a senior-level product design role where the individual is expected to take ownership and drive initiatives, not just execute tasks. The mention of "AI related" experience suggests a proactive approach to integrating AI into workflows and understanding AI product challenges is paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for such roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in product design, with a strong preference for experience in SaaS or platform-based products. Experience within the hospitality technology sector is a significant plus.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in product design (UI/UX) for web and mobile applications.
• Proven expertise in user-centered design principles, user research methodologies, and usability testing.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and the ability to connect design decisions to business outcomes.
• Proficiency in creating wireframes, user flows, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes using industry-standard design tools.
• Strong understanding of AI concepts and experience integrating AI into design workflows or products.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and influence stakeholders.
• Business fluency in English.
• Demonstrated curiosity, empathy, and a passion for understanding user needs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for API-first platforms or complex SaaS products.
• Familiarity with design systems and component-based design.
• Experience working in an agile development environment.
• Knowledge of the hospitality industry and its operational challenges.
• Additional languages spoken.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for AI experience is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they've used AI in their design process or how they approach designing AI-powered features. The portfolio requirement is heavily emphasized, suggesting it will be a primary evaluation tool.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design projects, detailing your process from problem definition to final solution.
• Examples demonstrating user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.
• Case studies that highlight your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and impact on user experience and business goals.
• Clear articulation of your role and contributions within team projects.
• Visual examples of how you've ensured visual clarity and user-centered design principles in your work.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of how you conduct user research and translate findings into actionable design insights.
• Examples of iterative design processes, including how you incorporate feedback and test hypotheses.
• Demonstrations of your ability to collaborate with engineering and product teams throughout the development lifecycle.
• Documentation of your approach to designing for complex systems or platform products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is expected to be a robust representation of the candidate's entire design process, not just final mockups. For this role, demonstrating experience with complex SaaS platforms and an understanding of AI integration within design workflows will be critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Munich, Germany, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €60,000 and €85,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific experience, skills, and the exact scope of responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Growth & Development: Dedicated learning budget for professional development and skill enhancement.
• Flexible & Remote Work Options: Trust in employees to manage their schedules and work location (home, office, or hybrid) to achieve optimal productivity.
• Free Public Transport: A fully covered Deutschland Ticket for travel across Germany.
• Health & Wellbeing: Access to extensive fitness and wellness facilities through the EGYM Wellpass membership.
• Paid Time Off: A generous 30 days of vacation per year.
• Team Connection: Regular social events, meetups, and celebrations to foster team cohesion.
• Competitive & Fair Compensation: Salaries benchmarked against market data to ensure fairness and reward performance.

Working Hours: The company operates with a flexible work setup, focusing on results rather than strict adherence to hours. A standard full-time role typically entails approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility to adapt schedules as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided benefits are substantial, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance, professional growth, and employee well-being. The Deutschland Ticket is a significant perk for those residing in or commuting within Germany. Salary estimation is based on Munich's cost of living and typical tech industry compensation for this experience level.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality Technology (PropTech / Hotel Tech) Company Size: Apaleo is a growing scale-up, likely employing between 50-250 individuals, indicating a dynamic and evolving organizational structure. Founded: While the founding year is not explicitly stated, Apaleo is positioned as a company transforming the industry, suggesting it's established enough to have a product in market but still retaining a fast-paced, innovative scale-up culture.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely integrated within product development squads, working closely with product managers and engineers.
• Reporting structure will probably involve a Design Lead or Head of Product, with designers having autonomy within their project scope.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers playing a key role in shaping product direction alongside business stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Design thinking and user-centered design are core methodologies, driving product development from a user-first perspective.
• Data-informed decision-making, utilizing user research and analytics, is emphasized.
• Agile methodologies are likely employed, facilitating iterative development and continuous improvement.
• A strong focus on AI integration suggests a forward-thinking approach to technology adoption and product innovation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Apaleo is positioning itself as a leader in modern hospitality technology, leveraging an API-first, modular, and AI-powered approach. This suggests a culture that values innovation, openness, and technical sophistication. The emphasis on "reshaping an entire industry" implies a mission-driven environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level Product Designer. The expectation is for the designer to lead projects independently, contribute strategically to product roadmaps, and mentor junior designers (if any). Responsibilities extend beyond execution to include process improvement and design culture elevation.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Product Manager, or Head of Product. They will work within cross-functional product teams, collaborating closely with engineers and product managers.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is direct and significant, shaping the user experience of Apaleo's platform. This influences user adoption, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency for hoteliers, and ultimately, the company's market competitiveness and revenue generation. Their work directly contributes to the "seamless, personalised guest experiences" and "smarter, more human" hospitality operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design, platform architecture, or user research methodologies.
• Leadership Development: Potential to move into a Senior Product Designer role, Design Lead, or Managerial positions, overseeing design teams and strategy.
• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in hospitality technology design, contributing to a rapidly evolving sector.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to building the design function at Apaleo.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to transition into Product Management or related roles due to strong product understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a Product Designer at a growing scale-up like Apaleo is typically strong, with opportunities to expand responsibilities and take on leadership roles as the company scales. The emphasis on AI and platform design provides avenues for specialized career development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Apaleo offers a flexible work setup, supporting hybrid models. This means employees can choose to work from the company's office in Munich, remotely, or a combination of both, depending on team needs and individual preferences.

Office Location(s): The primary listed location is Munich, Germany. This suggests a central hub for in-person collaboration, team events, and potentially office-based work for those who prefer it.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages deliberate collaboration, with office days likely focused on team workshops, brainstorming sessions, and relationship building.
• Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to industry-standard design software and collaboration tools, supporting both remote and in-office work. The company's "API-first" nature implies a tech-forward environment.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for spontaneous interaction and structured collaboration with product managers, engineers, and fellow designers.

Work Schedule: Flexible work schedules are encouraged, focusing on delivering results rather than fixed hours. While a standard 40-hour week is typical, employees have autonomy to manage their time effectively, provided it aligns with team collaboration needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and flexible work setup indicate a modern, trust-based work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with self-management and proactive communication, essential for effective hybrid collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discussing their process, problem-solving approach, and key projects. This is a critical stage.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, strategic thinking, and alignment with team needs.
• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other Designers to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.
• Design Challenge/Exercise: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home assignment or a live design exercise to evaluate their practical design skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Final Interview: Possibly with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the solution, and the outcome/impact.
• Process Emphasis: Clearly articulate your design process, including research, ideation, iteration, and testing. Show your thinking, not just the final product.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion, improved user satisfaction, reduced errors).
• AI Integration: Highlight any projects where you've incorporated AI into your design workflow or designed AI-powered features.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most relevant work efficiently, focusing on quality over quantity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully analyze any design challenge prompt, identifying key constraints and objectives.
• Time Management: Plan your time effectively for take-home assignments or live exercises.
• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to explain every design decision, linking it back to user needs, business goals, or technical considerations.
• Focus on Process: Even if time is limited, demonstrate your thought process and how you would approach solving the problem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely the most crucial step. Candidates should prepare to deeply discuss their design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Highlighting AI experience and platform design will be key differentiators.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).
• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or conducting in-person/remote interviews.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for analyzing user behavior and product performance (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude).
• Understanding of how to interpret data to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary design tool, familiarity with how CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) and automation platforms integrate with user-facing applications can be beneficial for understanding the broader business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern product design roles. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with these tools and how they leverage them to enhance their design process and collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of hoteliers and travelers.
• Innovation & Agility: A drive to push boundaries, experiment with new technologies (especially AI), and adapt quickly to market changes.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication, shared ownership, and a willingness to work together across disciplines.
• Impact & Ownership: A focus on delivering tangible results and taking responsibility for one's contributions.
• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: A mindset of exploration, asking questions, and constantly seeking to improve skills and knowledge.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with product managers and engineers as integrated members of product teams.
• Constructive Feedback: An environment where feedback is welcomed and used for continuous improvement of designs and processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the design team and the wider organization.
• Data-Driven Discussions: Debating design choices based on user research, analytics, and business impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Apaleo's stated values emphasize innovation, collaboration, and user focus, which are critical for a company building cutting-edge technology in a service-oriented industry. Candidates should align their responses with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Balancing the needs of multiple user types (hoteliers, guests, operators) within a modular, API-first platform.
• Integrating AI Seamlessly: Designing intuitive and trustworthy AI-powered features that genuinely enhance user workflows without causing confusion or distrust.
• Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to a fast-paced scale-up environment where priorities can shift and new challenges emerge rapidly.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Pushing the envelope with new technologies while ensuring the product remains accessible and user-friendly for a diverse user base.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Opportunities to become a leader in designing AI-driven SaaS products.
• Platform Design Mastery: Deepening expertise in designing for complex, API-first architectures.
• Industry Insight: Gaining extensive knowledge of the hospitality technology landscape.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Potential to grow into senior or lead roles, guiding the design direction and developing other designers.
• Professional Development Budget: Access to courses, conferences, and resources to acquire new skills and stay current with industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working with innovative technology in a dynamic industry. They also represent significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex feature for a SaaS platform. How did you approach understanding user needs and technical constraints?" (Test: Problem-solving, process, collaboration)
• "How would you approach designing an AI-powered feature for hoteliers that automates a routine task? What are the key considerations for user trust and adoption?" (Test: AI understanding, user-centricity, strategic thinking)
• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to balance competing business goals with user needs. What was your process and outcome?" (Test: Strategic thinking, negotiation, impact articulation)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Apaleo's mission to reshape hospitality tech? How do you see AI playing a role?" (Test: Company alignment, passion, strategic insight)
• "How do you envision contributing to and evolving Apaleo's design culture?" (Test: Culture fit, proactivity, leadership potential)
• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with product managers and engineers." (Test: Teamwork, communication, integration)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Start with a brief company/project overview, then delve into the problem statement, your role, design process (research, ideation, iteration), key design decisions, and finally, the outcome/impact.
• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals. Show wireframes, user flows, mockups, and prototypes. Highlight key UI elements and interactions.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about each project. Explain the "why" behind your choices.
• AI Focus: If applicable, dedicate a section to how you approached AI in your design process or product.
• Conciseness: Practice your presentation to be within the allotted time, focusing on the most impactful aspects of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that highlight your experience with SaaS, AI, and complex system design will be crucial. Tailor your portfolio presentation to address Apaleo's specific industry and technological focus.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and highlights projects most relevant to SaaS, platform design, and any AI-related work. Prioritize case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end design process.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of product design experience, specific UI/UX skills, user research capabilities, and any experience with AI or complex platforms. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through 2-3 key projects, articulating your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to user research and AI integration.
• Research Apaleo: Familiarize yourself with Apaleo's product, mission, and values. Understand their position in the hospitality tech market and their use of AI.

⚠️ 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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