Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Firestorm

Location: San Diego, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: May 08, 2026

Experience Level: 4+ years

🚀 Role Summary

• Shape the user experience across Firestorm’s software portfolio, including manufacturing intelligence platforms and tactical applications, by translating complex workflows into intuitive interfaces.

• Drive the end-to-end design process, from user research and ideation to high-fidelity mockups and engineering handoff, ensuring usability and feasibility in challenging operational environments.

• Champion emerging best practices in AI-assisted prototyping and contribute to establishing UX standards and processes within a fast-paced startup.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Business Development to deliver production-ready interfaces that meet the needs of front-line personnel and operators.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically tailored for a Product Designer who can navigate the complexities of defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. The emphasis on "operators," "contested environments," and "field observations" suggests a need for a designer who can empathize with and design for high-stakes, often resource-constrained scenarios. The requirement for U.S. Citizenship and potential DoD security clearance highlights the sensitive nature of Firestorm's work, impacting the candidate pool and requiring careful consideration of background and eligibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Product and Engineering Leadership to design intuitive workflows for complex manufacturing and defense operations, focusing on user-centricity and operational efficiency.

• Champion emerging best practices around AI-assisted prototyping to accelerate iteration cycles and explore innovative design solutions.

• Document design decisions meticulously and maintain comprehensive design specifications to ensure seamless and accurate engineering handoff, reducing development friction.

• Conduct in-depth user research, including field observation, usability testing, and stakeholder interviews, to translate complex findings into actionable design solutions that balance user needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives.

• Design for highly constrained environments, such as tablet interfaces for factory floors, offline-capable workflows for remote operations, low-bandwidth field conditions, and multi-persona access models, ensuring robust functionality under adverse circumstances.

• Support the maturation and adoption of a design system to maintain brand consistency and streamline the design and development of Firestorm’s software portfolio.

• Help establish and refine UX standards, processes, and best practices for the design function within the organization, contributing to a scalable and effective design operation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily lean into the practical application of design in real-world, operational settings. The emphasis on "field observation," "offline-capable workflows," and "low-bandwidth conditions" indicates a need for a designer who understands the constraints of users operating outside of typical office environments. The mention of "AI-assisted prototyping" suggests an expectation for the candidate to be at the forefront of design technology and innovation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• U.S. Citizenship is mandatory due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.

• Proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools, with a strong preference for Figma, to produce detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Demonstrated experience designing for data-dense, workflow-driven applications, such as enterprise SaaS, manufacturing execution systems (MES), enterprise resource planning (ERP), logistics management, or other operations management tools.

• Strong understanding of core interaction design principles, effective information architecture, and the implementation of responsive and adaptive design patterns across various devices and screen sizes.

• Proven experience conducting user research methodologies, including field observation, usability testing, and stakeholder interviews, and effectively translating research insights into concrete design decisions and improvements.

• Ability to collaborate effectively cross-functionally with Product Management and Engineering teams, clearly articulating design rationale, and integrating technical constraints into design solutions.

• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, iterative startup environments, demonstrating a proactive approach to design challenges without waiting for perfect requirements.

Preferred Skills:

• 6+ years of significant UX/UI design experience with increasing levels of scope, responsibility, and ownership.

• Experience designing specifically for manufacturing, defense, aerospace, or industrial environments where end-users interact with software under challenging real-world constraints.

• Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems, shop floor workflows, or production management software.

• Experience designing for tablet-first interfaces and developing robust offline-capable user experiences.

• Demonstrated fluency with AI-assisted design and prototyping tools, with a proven track record of leveraging them to accelerate design iteration and enhance overall design quality.

• Background working with and contributing to established design systems and component libraries at scale.

• Understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and the ability to design inclusive interfaces for users with diverse skill levels and abilities.

• Experience supporting business development efforts through the creation of compelling visual storytelling, demo assets, or customer-facing prototypes.

• Prior experience in a startup or high-growth technology environment.

• A genuine passion for developing tools that empower operators in complex, real-world scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain a DoD security clearance are critical and will significantly narrow the candidate pool. This is a non-negotiable aspect of the role due to ITAR regulations, which are crucial in the defense and aerospace sectors. The emphasis on "data-dense, workflow-driven applications" and specific mentions of MES/MRP systems point towards a highly specialized UX/UI designer with experience in operational technology or complex enterprise software.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 4-6 diverse projects demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership, from initial concept and user research to final implementation and iteration.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the design process followed, key challenges encountered, and the quantifiable impact or outcomes achieved.

• Include examples of user research synthesis, wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.

• Demonstrate your ability to design for complex, workflow-heavy applications, with a focus on data visualization, operational dashboards, or enterprise software interfaces.

Process Documentation:

• Present case studies that clearly outline your design process, emphasizing how you translated user needs and business requirements into effective design solutions.

• Detail how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, Business Development) and incorporated their feedback and technical constraints.

• Include examples of how you documented design decisions, maintained design specifications, and facilitated smooth engineering handoffs.

• Showcase your experience in establishing or contributing to design systems, including component libraries and style guides, to ensure consistency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the nature of the role, the portfolio should strongly emphasize practical application and problem-solving in operational contexts. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their designs have directly impacted user efficiency, operational effectiveness, or business outcomes in complex environments, rather than just aesthetic appeal. The inclusion of AI-assisted prototyping work would be a significant plus.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 – $150,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company matching or contributions.

• Equity grants for new hires, providing ownership in Firestorm's growth.

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), fostering work-life balance and autonomy.

• Generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus during November and December.

• Extensive Parental Leave policy.

• Lifestyle Spending Account to support employee well-being and personal interests.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA), and Health Savings Account (HSA) options for tax-advantaged savings.

• Specialized insurance coverage including Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.

• Employer-paid Basic Life/AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance, with options to purchase additional coverage.

• Robust Mental Health Resources offering 24/7 access to therapy and other support services.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available in a startup environment. Travel up to 20% domestically is required for field operations, integration events, and customer support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range of $120,000 - $150,000 USD for a Product Designer with 4+ years of experience in San Diego, CA, is competitive and aligns with industry benchmarks for specialized roles in tech startups, especially those in defense or aerospace. The extensive benefits package, including equity and unlimited PTO, reflects a modern startup approach to employee compensation and well-being. The mention of relocation assistance for those open to moving to San Diego is also a positive indicator for candidates outside the immediate area.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Manufacturing, Autonomous Systems, Aerospace Technology. Firestorm operates at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and critical national security needs, aiming to disrupt traditional defense manufacturing with agile, deployable solutions.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, typical for a venture-backed startup in this space, Firestorm likely falls into the 50-250 employee range, indicating a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individual contributions have a significant impact. This size often means cross-functional collaboration is essential and processes are still evolving.

Founded: Founded with a mission to address critical gaps in defense capabilities, Firestorm is likely a relatively young company, driven by innovation and a strong vision for the future of defense manufacturing and deployment.

Team Structure:

• The Product team likely comprises Product Managers, Product Designers (like this role), and potentially UX Researchers, working collaboratively to define and deliver the product vision.

• Designers will work closely with Engineering teams (software and hardware) and Business Development/Sales to ensure product-market fit and customer satisfaction.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, leveraging user research, market analysis, and product performance metrics to guide development.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed for software development, enabling rapid iteration and adaptability.

• A strong emphasis on user-centric design, particularly for operators in challenging environments, will shape product development processes.

Company Website: firestorm.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Firestorm's mission in defense manufacturing and autonomous systems is highly specialized. This implies a culture that values innovation, technical excellence, problem-solving, and potentially a strong sense of mission or purpose. The startup environment suggests a culture of rapid iteration, adaptability, and high ownership, which can be both exciting and demanding for employees.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior Product Designer, requiring 4+ years of experience with a strong portfolio. The responsibilities include not only execution but also contributing to establishing UX standards and processes, indicating a potential for leadership influence within the design function.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Director of Product Design, or a similar senior leadership role within the Product organization. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work will directly influence the usability, efficiency, and adoption of critical software used in defense manufacturing and operational deployments. Their designs will impact the effectiveness of operators, the speed of production, and ultimately, Firestorm's ability to deliver on its mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: As the design function matures, there will be opportunities to take on more leadership responsibilities, mentor junior designers, and shape the future of UX at Firestorm.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas such as designing for extreme environments, AI-assisted design, or complex manufacturing workflows.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Develop a deep understanding of product strategy, engineering challenges, and business development, potentially leading to broader product management or GTM roles.

• Impactful Projects: Contribute to groundbreaking technologies with significant real-world impact, offering a unique career path within the defense technology sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The opportunity to "establish UX standards and processes" is a key growth indicator, suggesting this role can evolve into a lead or principal designer position as the company scales. The unique industry context also offers growth beyond typical tech roles, potentially into product strategy or even specialized defense technology consulting.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role at Firestorm's Headquarters in San Diego, CA. The work environment encompasses both a standard office setting for design and collaboration and potentially exposure to a manufacturing environment.

Office Location(s): San Diego, California, USA. This location offers a vibrant tech and defense industry ecosystem. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and Business Development teams, suggesting open-plan areas or dedicated project rooms designed to foster interaction.

• Tools and Technology: Access to modern design tools (Figma), potentially with AI-assisted capabilities, and standard office equipment will be provided. The company's focus on advanced manufacturing might also mean exposure to relevant operational technology.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional syncs are expected, providing ample opportunities for interaction and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time business hours are expected, with the potential for flexibility common in startup environments. Travel up to 20% is required for field operations, integration events, and customer support, which may involve non-standard hours depending on operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual nature of the work environment (office and manufacturing) is noteworthy. Designers may need to spend time observing or interacting within a production facility, which requires adaptability and an understanding of industrial settings. The on-site requirement is crucial for fostering the close collaboration and rapid iteration Firestorm emphasizes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on U.S. Citizenship and DoD clearance eligibility.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will present their portfolio, detailing specific projects, design decisions, and outcomes. A design challenge or case study, potentially related to manufacturing or defense workflows, may be assigned to assess practical problem-solving skills and design methodology.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineering Leads to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate design with development.

• Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Product, CTO, CEO) to assess strategic thinking, culture fit, and alignment with Firestorm's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business value and user impact of your designs. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "increased user adoption by Y%").

• Showcase Process: Go beyond polished final screens. Detail your research, ideation, iteration, and problem-solving steps. Explain why you made certain design decisions.

• Tailor to Firestorm: Highlight projects that demonstrate experience with complex workflows, data-dense interfaces, or operational technology. If you have experience in defense, manufacturing, or similar industries, emphasize it.

• Prepare for Discussion: Be ready to discuss your design choices, trade-offs, and how you handled technical constraints or challenging feedback.

• Demonstrate Research Skills: Explicitly show how user research informed your designs, especially field observations or studies in operational contexts.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Firestorm's products (Crucible, ArcTAK, Ignite, WarRoom), their mission in defense manufacturing, and the challenges faced by operators in contested environments.

• Focus on Workflow: If given a design challenge, prioritize understanding and optimizing complex workflows. Think about data flow, user roles, and decision-making processes.

• Consider Constraints: Be mindful of designing for limited connectivity, ruggedized devices, and high-stakes decision-making.

• Articulate Rationale: Clearly explain your design choices, the assumptions you made, and how your solution addresses the problem statement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on U.S. Citizenship and DoD clearance will likely be a primary filter early in the process. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their eligibility frankly and demonstrate a clear understanding of ITAR. The design challenge will likely probe the ability to design for operational constraints and complex data.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The preferred tool for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.

• AI-assisted Prototyping Tools: Experience with emerging AI tools to accelerate design iteration and ideation is highly valued.

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting usability testing, surveys, and analyzing user feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Qualtrics) may be utilized.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar platforms for understanding user behavior and product adoption.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that help visualize complex data, potentially including custom dashboards or BI tools.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct CRM role, understanding how product design impacts CRM data and user workflows within sales/customer success contexts can be beneficial.

• Project Management Tools: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for task management, bug tracking, and collaborating with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as preferred, making it a critical skill. The mention of "AI-assisted prototyping" suggests the company is forward-thinking and values designers who leverage advanced technologies to improve efficiency and creativity. Familiarity with tools used in manufacturing intelligence (like MES interfaces) or defense applications is a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to supporting operators and contributing to national security objectives.

• Innovation & Builder Mindset: Encouraging creative problem-solving and a proactive approach to developing new technologies.

• Excellence & Rigor: Maintaining high standards in design, engineering, and operational execution.

• Collaboration & Ownership: Fostering a team environment where individuals take initiative and work together to achieve common goals.

• Adaptability & Resilience: Thriving in a dynamic startup environment with the ability to pivot and overcome challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close partnerships between Product, Design, and Engineering are fundamental, with frequent communication and feedback loops.

• Iterative Design Culture: Embracing rapid prototyping, user testing, and continuous improvement based on feedback.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across teams to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in defense is a significant cultural driver. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their alignment with this mission and their comfort working in a sector that may have unique ethical considerations or security protocols. The "builder" and "operator" focus suggests a culture that values pragmatism and hands-on problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Extreme Constraints: Creating effective user experiences for environments with limited connectivity, low bandwidth, ruggedized hardware, and high-stakes user needs.

• Balancing Usability and Security: Ensuring intuitive interfaces while adhering to stringent security protocols required in defense applications.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a fast-paced startup environment where requirements can evolve rapidly, requiring flexibility and proactive problem-solving.

• Integrating New Technologies: Staying ahead of the curve with tools like AI-assisted design and incorporating them effectively into the workflow.

• ITAR Compliance: Understanding and designing within the framework of export control regulations, particularly if international collaboration or deployment becomes a factor.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Knowledge: Gaining deep expertise in designing for defense, manufacturing, and operational technology sectors.

• AI Design Tools: Becoming proficient in cutting-edge AI-assisted design tools and workflows.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contributing to the strategic direction of Firestorm's software portfolio and influencing product roadmaps.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Development: Learning from engineers, product managers, and business development professionals to gain a holistic understanding of product creation and market dynamics.

• Potential for Leadership: Growing into a lead design role as the company expands its design team and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Challenges" section directly addresses the unique demands of Firestorm's industry and operational context. Candidates should be ready to discuss how they would approach these specific challenges and see them as opportunities for professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for users with limited technical literacy or in a high-stress environment. How did you approach it?" (Focus on empathy, user research, simplification, and testing.)

• "How would you approach designing features for offline-capable applications, considering data synchronization and conflict resolution?" (Emphasize understanding constraints, iterative design, and user feedback loops.)

• "Discuss your experience with AI-assisted design tools. How have you leveraged them, and what are their limitations?" (Showcase forward-thinking, efficiency gains, and critical evaluation of tools.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Firestorm's mission, particularly in the defense technology sector?" (Connect personal values to the company's mission, highlight understanding of the industry's importance.)

• "How do you handle ambiguity and rapid changes in project requirements typical of a startup?" (Demonstrate adaptability, proactivity, and comfort with iterative processes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative: the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the impact.

• Focus on Process: Show your work visually (sketches, wireframes, flows) but explain the why behind your decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs, even if they are estimates based on user feedback or qualitative improvements.

• Address Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how you worked within technical limitations, budget, or time constraints.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation, not a monologue. Ask clarifying questions and be receptive to feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the candidate's ability to design for operational realities and complex workflows. The U.S. Citizenship and DoD clearance requirement will be a critical point of discussion early on. Candidates should also be ready to articulate their understanding of Firestorm's unique market and mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.gem.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects that align with Firestorm's focus on complex software, manufacturing intelligence, defense applications, or operational technology. Highlight case studies demonstrating end-to-end design process, user research (especially field observation), and quantifiable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as "UX/UI Design," "Figma," "User Research," "Interaction Design," "Manufacturing," "Defense," "ITAR," and "DoD Security Clearance." Clearly state your U.S. Citizenship and your eligibility to obtain a DoD security clearance.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling and articulating your design process and rationale. Prepare to discuss how you handle ambiguity, collaborate cross-functionally, and design for constrained environments.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Firestorm's mission, products (Crucible, ArcTAK, Ignite, WarRoom), and the defense manufacturing landscape. Understand the challenges faced by their target users and how your design skills can directly contribute to solving them.

⚠️ 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.