Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: CARFAX Europe GmbH Location: Munich, Bavaria, Germany Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / UX/UI Date Posted: 2025-09-23 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the user experience of CARFAX Europe's digital solutions, focusing on creating intuitive and impactful user interactions.
• Champion a user-centric design philosophy, translating complex user needs into elegant and functional product designs.
• Leverage continuous discovery techniques to validate assumptions, iterate on concepts, and ensure data-informed design decisions.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UI designers and developers, within an agile framework to bring product visions to life.
• Contribute to a fair used car market by enhancing the usability and relevance of digital tools for users in the automotive sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities and required skills heavily emphasize UX/UI design and user research, aligning this role more closely with a Senior UX Designer or Product Designer with a strong UX focus within the operations and GTM context. The emphasis on B2B/SaaS and automotive topics suggests a strategic operational role supporting business processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct regular user research, including interviews and usability testing (weekly/bi-weekly), to gather actionable qualitative feedback for design improvements.
• Analyze and synthesize user feedback and research findings to inform and iteratively enhance UX design solutions.
• Develop comprehensive user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design concepts and solutions.
• Collaborate closely with UI Designers to ensure a cohesive and visually appealing user interface that aligns with brand guidelines and user needs.
• Implement continuous discovery habits, including opportunity solution trees and assumption testing, to validate design hypotheses and prioritize development efforts based on user data.
• Partner effectively with software developers to ensure seamless design handoffs and accurate implementation of designs, maintaining design integrity throughout the development lifecycle.
• Actively participate in agile ceremonies, providing design expertise and ensuring user experience considerations are integrated into sprint planning and execution.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of design systems and style guides to ensure consistency across all digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to UX design, emphasizing research, iteration, and collaboration, which are critical for operational efficiency and user adoption within a GTM strategy. The focus on continuous discovery and data-informed decisions points to a role driving product improvements that directly impact user engagement and operational workflows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role, though equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, product design, or a closely related field, with a strong preference for experience within the B2B/SaaS sector.
• Demonstrated experience conducting user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, contextual inquiry) and usability testing (on and offline).
• Proven familiarity with Continuous Discovery techniques, such as opportunity solution trees, assumption testing, and problem/solution validation.
• Solid understanding of interaction design principles, information architecture, user journey mapping, and accessibility best practices (e.g., WCAG).
• A deeply ingrained user-centric mindset, with the ability to advocate for user needs throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Proficiency in common design and prototyping tools, such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar. Experience with pen-and-paper sketching for rapid ideation is also valued.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in UX/UI design principles and best practices.
• Expertise in user research methodologies and usability testing execution.
• Strong command of design and prototyping tools, with Figma being a primary requirement.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective collaboration and presentation.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams in an agile development environment.
• A robust understanding of interaction design and information architecture.

Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in German, in addition to English, to facilitate communication with local stakeholders and users.
• Experience working with or a strong passion for the automotive industry or car-related topics.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools and the ability to interpret quantitative data to complement qualitative findings.
• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems.
• Knowledge of front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better inform design-for-implementation discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience, coupled with specific methodologies like Continuous Discovery and tools like Figma, positions this role as a key contributor to product strategy and development. The preference for automotive experience and German language skills indicates a need for domain understanding and local market integration, crucial for GTM success.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5-7 distinct projects that demonstrate expertise in UX/UI design and product development.
• Projects should clearly illustrate the candidate's design process, from initial research and ideation through to final implementation and iteration.
• Emphasis on case studies that highlight problem-solving skills, user-centric approaches, and the impact of design decisions on user experience and business outcomes.
• Direct examples of user research conducted, including methodologies used, key findings, and how insights were translated into design improvements.
• Demonstrations of wireframing, prototyping (interactive prototypes are highly valued), and high-fidelity design work, preferably using Figma.
• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (developers, product managers, other designers) and how contributions were made to shared project goals.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolios should include documentation of the design process, such as user journey maps, information architecture diagrams, or user flow charts.
• Case studies should detail the specific design challenges faced, the methodologies employed (e.g., design thinking, agile UX), and the rationale behind key design decisions.
• Evidence of how user feedback and data were incorporated into the design process, showcasing iterative improvements and validation steps.
• Examples of design handoffs to development teams, demonstrating an understanding of implementation constraints and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for a Product Designer role, especially in operations-focused companies where tangible results and process transparency are valued. The emphasis on case studies demonstrating process, user research, and collaboration directly reflects the need for candidates who can articulate their design thinking and its impact on product success, crucial for GTM strategy execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Munich, Germany, the estimated annual salary range is typically between €65,000 and €85,000 gross. This can vary based on the depth of experience, specific skill set, and the company's compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Financial Security: Fully company-funded pension plan, life insurance, and occupational disability insurance, providing comprehensive financial protection.
• Health & Wellness: Financial support for sports and wellness activities, promoting a healthy lifestyle. Access to free counseling for life and wellbeing challenges offers valuable support.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible and family-friendly working hours to accommodate personal needs.
• Additional Time Off: Extra days off for special occasions and volunteering opportunities, fostering community engagement and personal time.
• International Mobility: The possibility to work from abroad for up to 2 months per year, offering flexibility for remote work arrangements.
• Office Perks: Free CARFAX Office Lunch on Team Tuesdays, fostering team cohesion and a positive office environment.
• Team Engagement: Opportunities to participate in team events like the annual Hike Day and Christmas Party, building camaraderie.

Working Hours: The standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The company offers flexible and family-friendly working hours, suggesting a degree of autonomy in managing the workday, which is beneficial for deep work and focused design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is comprehensive, focusing on employee well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, which are attractive to experienced professionals. The inclusion of flexible hours and remote work options aligns with modern work expectations and can enhance productivity for roles requiring focused creative output. The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Munich, Germany, considering the experience level and company type.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The automotive industry, specifically focusing on the used car market. CARFAX Europe GmbH aims to create a fair and transparent used car market, positioning itself as a disruptor and innovator in this sector. This context implies a dynamic environment driven by market needs and technological advancement. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, CARFAX Europe GmbH is part of the larger CARFAX brand, suggesting it's a significant player within its niche. The mention of "27 nationalities" indicates a diverse and likely growing international team. A mid-to-large size company structure would provide resources and opportunities for impactful work. Founded: The founding date of CARFAX Europe GmbH is not provided, but CARFAX itself was founded in 1998 in the US. This suggests a company with established expertise and a proven track record, now expanding its operations and impact in Europe.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a Product Management or Engineering department, working closely with Product Managers, UI Designers, and Software Developers.
• The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, indicating a matrixed or agile team structure where individuals contribute to various product initiatives.
• Reporting lines would typically be to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a Senior Product Manager, with direct interaction across development teams.

Methodology:

• Agile Environment: The company operates within an agile framework, emphasizing iterative development, collaboration, and adaptability. This means design processes will be integrated into agile sprints.
• Continuous Discovery: A core methodology for this role, focusing on ongoing user research, testing assumptions, and prioritizing based on real user data to drive product evolution.
• User-Centricity: A foundational principle, ensuring that user needs and feedback are at the forefront of all design and product decisions.
• Data-Informed Design: Combining qualitative user insights with quantitative data analysis to make robust and effective design choices.

Company Website: https://www.carfax.eu/

📝 Enhancement Note: CARFAX Europe's mission to improve the used car market provides a strong sense of purpose. The international team and agile methodology suggest a modern, collaborative, and forward-thinking work environment. Understanding this context is crucial for candidates to align their operational approach with the company's goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level within product design. It requires significant autonomy in executing design tasks, influencing product direction through user insights, and mentoring junior team members if applicable. The expectation is for a proactive contributor who can independently manage design projects from conception to delivery. Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a Senior Product Manager. There will be close collaboration with Product Managers, UI Designers, Frontend Developers, and potentially other stakeholders in Marketing and Sales Operations to ensure product designs align with business objectives and user needs. Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly impacts the user experience of CARFAX Europe's digital platforms, which are key touchpoints for their customers. By creating intuitive and efficient tools, the designer contributes to:

• Increased user adoption and engagement with CARFAX products.
• Improved customer satisfaction and loyalty, reducing churn.
• Streamlined operational workflows for users, indirectly supporting CARFAX's business processes.
• Enhanced conversion rates for key user actions, contributing to revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, such as user research methodologies, interaction design patterns, or accessibility standards.
• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead UX Designer or Product Design Manager role, overseeing design strategy and managing a team.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining broader experience by working closely with product management, marketing, and sales operations teams, understanding the end-to-end product lifecycle and GTM strategy.
• Domain Expertise: Developing specialized knowledge within the automotive industry, becoming a subject matter expert in a niche but significant market.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall design maturity of the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within product design and potentially into product management or leadership. The emphasis on user impact and cross-functional collaboration provides valuable experience for anyone looking to grow within operations-adjacent roles that directly influence business outcomes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid working model, combining office-based collaboration with remote flexibility. CARFAX Europe maintains an office in the center of Munich, suggesting a professional and accessible workspace. Office Location(s): The primary office location is Barthstraße 2, 80339 Munich, Bavaria, Germany. This central location likely offers good public transport connections. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggest a workspace designed to foster teamwork, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing. Expect opportunities to engage with colleagues from various departments.
• Tools and Technology: Access to standard professional design software (Figma) and potentially other collaboration and project management tools will be provided to facilitate efficient work.
• Team Interaction: Regular "Team Tuesdays" with office lunch encourage in-person interaction and team building, balancing the flexibility of hybrid work.

Work Schedule: While the standard work week is around 40 hours, the company promotes flexible and family-friendly working hours. This allows for a degree of autonomy in structuring the workday, which is beneficial for deep design work and managing personal commitments, aligning with the needs of operations professionals who often require focused blocks of time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment with designated "Team Tuesdays" provides a structured approach to in-office collaboration while maintaining flexibility. This setup is designed to optimize both individual focus time and team synergy, crucial for executing complex design tasks within an operational context.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Screening: CV and portfolio review to assess qualifications, experience, and fit with the role's requirements.
2. Initial Interview (HR/Recruiter): A call to discuss background, motivations, salary expectations, and cultural fit.
3. Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, design philosophy, problem-solving skills, and understanding of the company's mission. This may include discussing specific portfolio projects.
4. Design Challenge/Portfolio Presentation: A practical exercise or a detailed presentation of selected portfolio pieces. This is where candidates showcase their process, research, design rationale, and collaboration skills. Expect questions on how their work impacts user experience and business goals.
5. Team/Cross-functional Interview: Meeting with potential colleagues (e.g., Product Manager, UI Designer, Developer) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and technical understanding.
6. Final Interview (Optional): A final discussion with a senior leader to confirm fit and address any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Clearly articulate your role and contributions in each project. Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, user flows) effectively.
• Process is Key: Detail your design process, emphasizing user research, ideation, iteration, and testing. Explain why you made certain decisions.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).
• Figma Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work done in Figma, as it's a key tool for this role.
• Tailor to CARFAX: Connect your past work and skills to CARFAX's mission and the automotive industry context. Explain how your user-centric approach can benefit their platform.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Continuous Discovery: Be prepared to discuss how you apply continuous discovery techniques and how you test assumptions.
• User Research Scenarios: Practice articulating how you would approach user research for a given problem within the used car market.
• Problem-Solving: Think about common UX challenges in B2B SaaS or automotive platforms and how you would approach solving them.
• Agile Collaboration: Be ready to discuss how you collaborate with developers and product managers in an agile setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is thorough, emphasizing both design craft and collaborative skills. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly demonstrates the requested skills and processes is critical for success. Understanding the company's mission and the specifics of continuous discovery will be key differentiators.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Deep proficiency is expected.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with tools like InVision, Marvel, or Adobe XD for creating interactive prototypes.
• Sketching Tools: Pen & Paper for rapid ideation and conceptualization.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting interviews and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).
• Analytics Tools (Familiarity): While not explicitly listed as a requirement for the designer, an understanding of how tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude are used to track user behavior and product performance is beneficial for data-informed design.
• Data Visualization Tools (Awareness): Familiarity with how data is presented and consumed by stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: JIRA, Asana, Trello, or similar for managing tasks and workflows within an agile environment.
• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams for day-to-day communication and team interaction.
• Design System Management Tools: If CARFAX uses a dedicated tool for its design system, familiarity would be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable for this role. While the designer may not directly manage analytics or CRM systems, understanding how these tools inform user behavior and business outcomes is crucial for designing effective solutions that support operational goals.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value that drives all design decisions, ensuring the user's needs and experience are prioritized.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and open communication across departments to achieve shared product goals.
• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to ongoing learning, iteration, and refinement of both products and processes.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing user research and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact.
• Passion for Cars: An appreciation for the automotive industry and a desire to contribute to a fairer used car market.
• Integrity & Transparency: Fostering an environment of honesty and openness, aligning with the company's mission.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively working with Product Managers, UI Designers, Developers, and potentially Marketing and Sales Operations to ensure holistic product development.
• Agile Teamwork: Participating in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives, contributing design insights and adapting to project needs.
• Feedback Exchange: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback on designs and processes to foster continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share expertise, best practices, and learnings with team members to elevate the collective skill set.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on user-centricity, collaboration, and continuous improvement aligns well with operational excellence. Candidates who can demonstrate these values in their work and communication will resonate well with the CARFAX Europe team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating user desires into product features that also meet business objectives and technical constraints.
• Navigating the Automotive Market: Understanding the nuances and specific user needs within the complex used car industry.
• Iterative Design in an Agile Framework: Adapting designs quickly based on new user feedback and changing project priorities within short sprint cycles.
• Cross-Cultural Design Considerations: Potentially designing for a diverse European user base with varying cultural expectations and digital literacy levels.
• Driving Adoption of New Features: Ensuring that new designs are not only intuitive but also effectively communicated and adopted by users.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Training: Opportunities to attend workshops or online courses focused on advanced UX research techniques, interaction design patterns, or accessibility standards.
• Industry Conferences: Participation in design or automotive industry conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends and network with peers.
• Mentorship Programs: Access to mentorship from senior designers or product leaders within CARFAX Europe or the broader CARFAX organization.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gaining exposure to product management, business analysis, and marketing strategies to broaden understanding of the GTM process.
• Design System Contribution: Opportunity to influence and contribute to the evolution of CARFAX's design system, enhancing personal skills in component-based design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex design challenges within a growing market, offering significant learning and development potential for ambitious designers. Addressing these challenges effectively will require strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• User-Centric Design Philosophy: "Describe your approach to user-centric design. How do you ensure user needs are prioritized throughout the product development lifecycle?" (Prepare with examples of how you've advocated for users.)
• Continuous Discovery Application: "Can you walk us through a project where you utilized Continuous Discovery techniques? What were the key assumptions you tested, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on opportunity solution trees or assumption testing.)
• Collaboration in Agile: "How do you collaborate with developers and product managers in an agile environment? Describe a time you had to balance design vision with technical constraints." (Highlight communication strategies and compromise.)
• Problem-Solving Process: "Imagine a user is struggling to understand the pricing structure on our used car listings. How would you approach diagnosing and solving this UX problem?" (Outline your research and design steps.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "Why are you interested in CARFAX Europe's mission to create a fairer used car market?" (Research CARFAX's market position and values.)
• Team Dynamics: "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid setting?" (Share examples of teamwork and communication.)
• Design Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your designs? What metrics do you typically track?" (Discuss KPIs related to user engagement, task completion, satisfaction.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: Present your portfolio projects as compelling stories, detailing the problem, your process, your solutions, and the impact.
• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals (mockups, prototypes, user flows) and ensure they are easy to understand.
• Process Demonstration: Clearly articulate your UX process, highlighting user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases.
• Figma Showcase: Emphasize your Figma skills by showcasing interactive prototypes or complex interface designs created in the tool.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key projects within a set time limit, focusing on the most relevant and impactful work. Practice your delivery to ensure it's smooth and professional.

📝 Enhancement Note: Thorough preparation, focusing on demonstrating practical application of UX methodologies, collaborative skills, and alignment with CARFAX's mission, will be key. Being able to articulate the impact of your design work using metrics is crucial for a role that bridges design and business operations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the CARFAX Europe GmbH careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is updated and highlights projects demonstrating your expertise in UX/UI design, user research, and prototyping using Figma. Tailor case studies to showcase problem-solving relevant to B2B/SaaS or automotive contexts.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of experience, focusing on achievements and responsibilities related to user research, interaction design, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice answering common UX interview questions, especially those related to continuous discovery and agile methodologies. Prepare to present 2-3 key portfolio projects, focusing on your process and the impact of your designs.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CARFAX Europe's mission, values, and the used car market landscape. Understand their product offerings and target users to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

⚠️ 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.