Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer
Company: HomeBuddy
Location: Bulgaria
Job Type: CONTRACTOR Category: Product Design / UI/UX Operations Date Posted: 2025-10-22T11:09:10.96
Experience Level: 5-10 years (Mid to Senior Level) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of high-quality, user-centered product designs that directly impact business objectives and enhance the overall product experience for HomeBuddy users.
• Translate complex user needs, business requirements, and available data insights into intuitive, visually engaging, and functional interfaces for web applications.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing teams to ensure design initiatives are strategically aligned with company goals and maintain a consistent brand and user experience across all touchpoints.
• Actively contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the company's Design System, and participate in Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) and user-testing initiatives to continuously improve product performance and user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is categorized under "Product Design / UI/UX Operations" to reflect the blended nature of design execution and operational impact, emphasizing a data-driven and collaborative approach. The experience level is inferred as Mid to Senior based on the 4+ years of experience requirement and the expectation of contributing to design systems and CRO.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• User-Centered Design Delivery: Conceptualize, design, and deliver exceptional user experiences for web platforms, ensuring designs are intuitive, accessible, and aligned with user needs and business goals.
• Interface Design & Development: Transform intricate concepts and data into clear, visually appealing, and user-friendly interfaces, with a strong emphasis on mobile-first design principles.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Product Managers, Developers, and Marketing teams to define project scope, gather requirements, provide design direction, and ensure seamless integration of designs into the development lifecycle.
• Design System Management: Develop, maintain, and evangelize the company's Design System, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all product interfaces.
• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) & User Testing: Contribute to CRO strategies by designing A/B tests, analyzing user behavior through analytics tools, and participating in user research and testing to identify areas for product improvement.
• Data-Driven Design Decisions: Leverage user data, analytics, and feedback to inform design decisions, iterate on existing features, and propose new design solutions that demonstrably improve key performance indicators (KPIs).

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities have been expanded to detail the operational aspects of product design, such as Design System management and CRO involvement, which are critical for driving business results in a growth-oriented company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is beneficial. Candidates will be evaluated primarily on their portfolio and practical experience.

Experience: A minimum of 4 years of dedicated experience in Product Design or UI/UX Design is required, with a proven track record of successfully shipping multiple projects from concept to launch.

Required Skills:

• Product & UI/UX Design: Demonstrated expertise in crafting user flows, wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes for web applications.
• Figma Mastery: Proficient and advanced user of Figma for all stages of the design process, including collaboration, prototyping, and component management.
• Mobile-First Design Principles: Deep understanding and practical application of designing for various screen sizes and devices, with a focus on responsive and adaptive design.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within agile, cross-functional teams, providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Analytical & Data-Driven Approach: Aptitude for interpreting user data, analytics (e.g., GA4, Hotjar), and user research findings to inform design strategies and measure impact.
• Problem-Solving: Strong ability to tackle complex design challenges with creative and practical solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Conversion-Focused Design: Experience in designing for conversion optimization, understanding user psychology, and implementing A/B testing strategies.
• Analytics Tools Proficiency: Familiarity with tools such as Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Hotjar, Mixpanel, or similar for user behavior analysis.
• Motion Design/Prototyping: Skills in creating engaging animations or advanced interactive prototypes to enhance user experience.
• Basic HTML/CSS: Foundational understanding of web development technologies to better collaborate with engineers and understand implementation constraints.
• Design System Contributions: Experience in building, documenting, or contributing to comprehensive design systems.
• Mentorship: Experience guiding or mentoring junior designers.
• AI Tools in Design: Familiarity with or interest in leveraging AI tools to streamline creative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between required and preferred skills is based on the core responsibilities of the role and the "nice to have" section of the original description. Emphasis is placed on Figma and data-driven aspects, reflecting modern product design operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Shipped Projects: A strong portfolio showcasing at least 3-5 significant projects that have been launched and are live, demonstrating end-to-end design ownership.
• Design Process Documentation: Clear articulation of your design process for each project, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final UI design.
• Problem/Solution Framing: For each project, clearly define the user problem or business challenge, your approach to solving it, and the specific design solutions implemented.
• Impact & Metrics: Quantifiable results or demonstrable impact of your designs. This could include metrics related to user engagement, conversion rates, task completion times, retention, or user satisfaction.
• Figma Proficiency Showcase: Examples that highlight your mastery of Figma, including complex component usage, interactive prototyping, and collaborative workflows if applicable.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Showcase examples of how you have mapped out user journeys and designed intuitive workflows that streamline complex tasks for users.
• Optimization & Iteration: Provide case studies demonstrating how you have used data and user feedback to iterate on designs and improve product performance or user experience.
• System Integration: If applicable, illustrate how your designs integrate with existing systems or contribute to the consistency of a larger design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are tailored for a product design role, emphasizing the demonstration of process, problem-solving, and measurable impact, which are key indicators of a candidate's ability to contribute to HomeBuddy's growth objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Product Designer with 4-10 years of experience in Bulgaria, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €30,000 - €60,000 annually, depending on specific skills, portfolio strength, and the final scope of responsibilities. Given HomeBuddy's emphasis on an "industry-leading compensation package," the upper end of this range, or potentially higher for exceptional candidates, is anticipated.

Benefits:

• Remote Work Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere within Bulgaria, with the assurance of designated working hours for team collaboration.
• Work-Life Balance: Achieve a harmonious work-life balance with a flexible schedule tailored to local needs, complemented by paid vacation, sick leave, and observance of local holidays.
• Professional Development: Access to paid training opportunities, including courses, events, and conferences, to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Equipment & Tools: A work equipment allowance to partially cover the cost of chosen hardware and access to up-to-date applications and tools to maximize productivity.
• Compensation Package: An industry-leading compensation package designed to attract and retain top talent.
• Recognition & Rewards: Opportunities for recognition and rewards for both outstanding individual contributions and team successes.
• Well-being Allowance: An allowance program designed to support fitness activities and mental health programs.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While offering flexibility, candidates must be available during agreed-upon core working hours to facilitate team collaboration and communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on average compensation for Product Designers in Bulgaria, adjusted for experience and the company's stated commitment to competitive pay. Benefits are listed comprehensively as provided in the input data, with added context for clarity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Home Improvement & Technology Platform. HomeBuddy operates at the intersection of technology and the home services industry, aiming to streamline the process of connecting homeowners with reliable contractors. This sector is characterized by a need for trust, transparency, and efficient user experiences. Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but the mention of a "small idea" growing into a "fast-growing platform" and investing in design suggests a dynamic, potentially mid-sized startup or scale-up environment. This often means flatter hierarchies, faster decision-making, and a high degree of individual impact. Founded: The founding date is not specified. However, the description indicates a journey from a "small idea" to a "fast-growing platform," suggesting a company that has moved beyond its initial stages and is focused on scaling and optimizing its operations.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Teams: The job description emphasizes collaboration with Product, Dev, and Marketing teams, indicating a matrixed or project-based team structure common in tech companies.
• Design Team Integration: While the exact size of the design team isn't specified, the role's responsibilities (Design System, CRO, user testing) suggest it's either a dedicated design function or a significant part of a larger product team.
• Reporting: The candidate will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a similar senior role responsible for product strategy and execution.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Evolution: HomeBuddy emphasizes that its platform "consistently and positively evolves based on data insights and the most up-to-date tools." This points to a culture that values quantitative analysis and evidence-based decision-making.
• Agile & Iterative: The collaborative nature with Product and Dev teams hints at agile methodologies, where iterative development and continuous feedback loops are integral.
• User-Centricity: The core mission of creating a "friendly and trusted platform" and the focus on "user-centered designs" highlight a strong commitment to understanding and serving the end-user.

Company Website: https://homebuddy.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferences about company size and structure are drawn from the description of growth and team collaboration. The emphasis on data and user-centricity is highlighted as key cultural drivers for operations and design professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid to Senior Product Designer level. The requirement for 4+ years of experience, the expectation to ship projects, and the responsibility for contributing to a Design System and CRO initiatives indicate a need for seasoned professionals capable of independent work and strategic input. Candidates are expected to not only execute designs but also influence product direction and uphold design standards.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Product Manager, Head of Product, or a Design Lead. They will be an integral part of cross-functional product teams, working closely with engineers and marketers. The emphasis on teamwork and shared responsibility suggests a collaborative reporting dynamic rather than a strict hierarchy.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is directly tied to enhancing the user experience, driving conversions, and improving the overall effectiveness of the HomeBuddy platform. By delivering high-quality, user-centered designs and contributing to CRO, this role directly influences lead generation, user retention, and ultimately, the business's revenue growth and market position in the home improvement sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: With experience and demonstrated success, there's potential to grow into a Senior Product Designer role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and having a greater influence on design strategy and team direction.
• Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like UX research, conversion optimization, design systems, or even explore emerging fields like AI in design.
• Cross-Functional Advancement: The collaborative environment could lead to opportunities to transition into Product Management or other strategic roles within the company, leveraging their deep understanding of user needs and product development.
• Impactful Project Ownership: The chance to own significant product features or redesigns, contributing directly to the company's growth trajectory and gaining valuable experience in a scaling tech environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis of career level and growth opportunities is based on the stated experience requirements, responsibilities, and the company's growth-oriented nature. The impact is framed in terms of direct business outcomes relevant to operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position. HomeBuddy embraces a distributed workforce model, allowing employees to work from their preferred location within Bulgaria. Office Location(s): Bulgaria. While fully remote, the role specifies geographical eligibility within Bulgaria, likely due to local employment laws, tax considerations, or the need for team members to be available during specific regional working hours.

Workspace Context:

• Home Office Setup: Candidates are expected to maintain a productive home office environment. The company provides a work equipment allowance to support this, ensuring access to necessary technology and tools.
• Collaborative Digital Space: The remote nature necessitates a strong reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Figma, Slack, project management software) for seamless communication and teamwork.
• Flexible Work Structure: The environment supports a flexible schedule, enabling individuals to tailor their workdays to personal needs while ensuring availability for team syncs and project deadlines.

Work Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The schedule is flexible, allowing for adjustments based on local time zones and personal preferences, provided core collaboration hours are met for team alignment and project progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment focuses on the implications of a fully remote role, including the need for self-discipline, effective digital collaboration, and the support provided by the company for remote setups.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and fit.
• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: Expect to present a selection of your best work, detailing your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your designs. This will likely involve technical questions related to Figma, design principles, and user-centered methodologies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Interview: Interviews with members of the Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams to evaluate your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to align design with broader business objectives.
• Hiring Manager/Leadership Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager or a senior leader to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential within HomeBuddy.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your skills in product design, UI/UX, and your ability to drive results. Prioritize projects that align with HomeBuddy's industry (home improvement, service platforms) or demonstrate strong conversion optimization.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, and the specific solutions you implemented. Emphasize your decision-making rationale.
• Showcase Impact: Quantify the results of your work whenever possible. Use metrics, user feedback quotes, or case study data to demonstrate the positive impact of your designs on business goals or user experience.
• Highlight Figma Mastery: Include examples that demonstrate advanced Figma usage, such as complex component libraries, interactive prototypes, or collaborative features.
• Address CRO & Data: If possible, include projects where you've used data analytics or CRO principles to inform design decisions and improve outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise. This will likely involve a specific problem statement related to the HomeBuddy platform. Focus on demonstrating your structured approach, creative problem-solving, and ability to articulate your design choices.
• Time Management: If given a take-home challenge, plan your time effectively to ensure thoroughness without over-engineering.
• Presentation Clarity: Practice presenting your design solutions concisely, focusing on the "why" behind your decisions and how they address the given problem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process is structured based on typical tech company hiring practices for design roles, with specific advice tailored to showcasing operations-relevant skills like data-driven design and cross-functional collaboration.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the core design tool. Expect extensive use for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Mastery is essential.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's native capabilities, experience with tools like Protopie, InVision, or Framer might be beneficial for advanced interactive prototypes.
• Design System Management Tools: Familiarity with tools or processes for documenting and managing design system components and guidelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics 4 (GA4): Essential for understanding user behavior, tracking conversions, and identifying trends on the platform.
• Hotjar/FullStory/similar: Tools for heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback to gain qualitative insights into user interactions.
• Analytics Dashboards: Experience with tools like Tableau, Looker, or internal dashboards for visualizing key performance indicators (KPIs).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a primary design tool, understanding how product design impacts CRM data or user lifecycle management (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can be advantageous.
• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for task management, sprint planning, and cross-team coordination.
• Communication Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for daily team communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is inferred from the role's responsibilities and preferred skills, focusing on tools crucial for modern product design operations, data analysis, and team collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Teamwork & Trust: A core value where colleagues rely on each other, fostering a positive and supportive work environment. This translates to open communication and shared responsibility in design projects.
• Initiative & Feedback: The company values proactive individuals who take ownership, share feedback openly, and contribute to improvements. Designers are encouraged to voice suggestions and see their efforts recognized.
• Responsibility & Impact: A culture that empowers individuals to take responsibility for challenging tasks and directly see how their contributions influence the final product and business outcomes.
• Creativity & Professional Growth: HomeBuddy invests in design, valuing creative freedom and providing opportunities for designers to grow professionally and develop their skills.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Embracing data insights to guide platform evolution and product improvements, ensuring that design decisions are informed and impactful.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The design team is deeply integrated with Product, Engineering, and Marketing, working collaboratively to achieve shared goals. This involves regular communication, joint problem-solving, and mutual respect for different expertise.
• Feedback-Rich Environment: An open culture where constructive feedback is encouraged and valued, both for design iterations and process improvements.
• Agile & Iterative: Embracing agile methodologies means working in short cycles, adapting to feedback, and continuously refining designs and processes based on learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Team culture and values are derived from the explicit statements in the job description, framed to highlight how these values translate into the day-to-day work and expectations for a designer in an operations-focused role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Experience with Business Goals: Effectively translating complex user needs and business objectives into intuitive designs that satisfy both parties.
• Remote Collaboration Efficiency: Maintaining seamless communication and collaboration with distributed teams, ensuring alignment and clear understanding across different locations and time zones.
• Rapid Iteration & Data Interpretation: Quickly iterating on designs based on user feedback and analytics, and accurately interpreting data to drive impactful changes.
• Evolving Design Systems: Keeping pace with evolving product needs and design best practices to ensure the Design System remains relevant, scalable, and efficient.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in UX research, interaction design, visual design, and prototyping through company-sponsored training.
• CRO & Analytics Specialization: Developing a stronger understanding of conversion optimization strategies and advanced analytics tools to become a more data-driven designer.
• Design System Leadership: Potential to take a lead role in evolving and managing the Design System, a highly valuable skill in the industry.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learning about product management, marketing strategies, and software development lifecycles through close collaboration.
• Mentorship: Gaining experience by mentoring junior designers or being mentored by senior leaders within the product and design functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are identified based on the nature of the role, the company stage (fast-growing platform), and the remote work environment, all framed to align with operations and career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Walk me through a challenging product design project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your approach, key decisions you made, and the outcome?" Focus on articulating your thought process, user-centricity, and how you leveraged data.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders or resolve design disagreements with product or engineering teams. How did you approach it?" Prepare examples demonstrating communication, negotiation, and alignment skills.
• Data-Driven Design: "How do you use data (analytics, user testing) to inform your design decisions and measure success? Can you provide an example?" Be ready to discuss specific metrics and tools you've used.

Company & Culture Questions:

• HomeBuddy's Mission: "What excites you about HomeBuddy's mission and the home improvement industry?" Research the company's platform, target audience, and market position.
• Remote Work & Teamwork: "How do you ensure effective collaboration and maintain strong relationships with a remote team?" Highlight your experience with remote tools and communication strategies.
• Design Philosophy: "What are your core design principles, and how do they align with creating a 'friendly and trusted platform'?" Connect your personal values and approach to the company's stated values.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear story: Problem -> Your Role -> Process & Solution -> Results/Impact.
• Highlight Figma & Tools: Be ready to demonstrate specific Figma workflows or discuss how you utilize other relevant tools.
• Emphasize Data & CRO: If available, clearly show how data influenced your design decisions and led to measurable improvements.
• Conciseness is Key: Aim for clarity and impact, respecting the interviewer's time. Focus on the most critical aspects of each project.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to the specific requirements of a Product Designer role, emphasizing the demonstration of design process, data utilization, and collaborative skills within a remote, growth-oriented company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Use the provided link to submit your resume through the Workable platform.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your specific contributions, and the measurable impact. Pay close attention to showcasing your Figma proficiency and any experience with data-driven design or CRO.
• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 4+ years of product design experience, proficiency in Figma and mobile-first design, and any experience with analytics tools or design systems. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and project outcomes concisely. Be ready to explain your decisions and showcase your impact.
• Research HomeBuddy: Understand HomeBuddy's mission, target audience, and the competitive landscape of the home improvement platform industry. Consider how your design approach can contribute to their goals of building trust and efficiency.

⚠️ 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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