Product Designer

Koda Health
Full_time$80k-90k/year (USD)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: Koda Health Location: United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: 2025-10-10 Experience Level: 3-5+ years Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

  • Spearhead the design direction for patient and clinician-facing care planning platforms, focusing on intuitive and empathetic user experiences.
  • Translate complex clinical workflows and patient needs into simplified, accessible interfaces, driving user engagement and satisfaction.
  • Conduct comprehensive user research to gather insights that directly inform and validate design decisions, ensuring a user-centered approach.
  • Develop and maintain robust design systems and ensure brand consistency across all digital platforms.
  • Foster a collaborative design environment, working closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to achieve seamless product implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Product Designer, focusing specifically on patient and clinician platforms within the healthcare sector. The emphasis on transforming complex clinical workflows into intuitive experiences suggests a strong need for UX/UI expertise, user research capabilities, and a deep understanding of healthcare user needs. The company's early-stage, venture-backed nature implies a fast-paced environment with significant opportunities for impact and ownership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the end-to-end design process for Koda Health's care planning solutions, encompassing user research, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design for both web and mobile applications.
  • Translate intricate clinical protocols and patient requirements into user-friendly, accessible, and actionable design solutions that enhance the healthcare journey.
  • Execute qualitative and quantitative user research methodologies, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to deeply understand user pain points and inform design iterations.
  • Establish and meticulously maintain comprehensive design systems, style guides, and component libraries to ensure visual consistency, brand integrity, and efficient design handoffs.
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing, to ensure design feasibility, alignment with business objectives, and successful front-end implementation through design QA.
  • Act as a vocal advocate for the end-user, championing design thinking principles and user-centric methodologies throughout the organization to foster a shared understanding of design's impact.
  • Contribute to the strategic product roadmap by identifying opportunities for design innovation and process improvement that align with Koda Health's mission to simplify healthcare planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level Product Designer role with significant ownership and leadership potential. The emphasis on "leading the design direction" and "translating complex clinical workflows" indicates a need for strategic thinking and problem-solving skills beyond standard UI execution. The requirement to "advocate for users and champion design thinking" points to a culture that values design's strategic input.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this nature. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience: 3–5+ years of dedicated experience in product design, user experience (UX), or UI design, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality web and mobile applications. Experience in the healthcare technology sector is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

  • Demonstrated expertise in product design, with a comprehensive portfolio showcasing successful web and mobile application designs.
  • Proven experience in conducting user research, including user interviews, usability testing, and persona development, to inform design strategies.
  • Proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.
  • Experience in collaborating closely with engineering teams on front-end implementation and performing design quality assurance (QA) to ensure pixel-perfect execution.
  • Familiarity with accessibility standards, such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), and the ability to design inclusive products.
  • Experience designing user interfaces and workflows for clinician-facing or patient-facing applications.
  • Strong understanding of design systems, component libraries, and their implementation for maintaining brand consistency and scalability.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions effectively to diverse stakeholders.
  • Experience working within early-stage, venture-backed startup environments, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach.
  • Fluency in English, both written and verbal, for clear and effective communication.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with animation and motion design to enhance user experience and product engagement.
  • Knowledge of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better collaborate with engineers.
  • Familiarity with agile development methodologies and their application in design workflows.
  • Experience with A/B testing and data analysis to iterate on design solutions.
  • A passion for and understanding of the healthcare industry and its unique challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "3-5+ years" suggests a mid-level to senior individual contributor role. The specific mention of "early-stage venture-backed startups" indicates a need for candidates comfortable with ambiguity, rapid iteration, and a high degree of ownership. The emphasis on Figma and WCAG standards are critical technical requirements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates a minimum of 3-5 years of product design experience, with a primary focus on web and mobile applications.
  • The portfolio must include detailed case studies of at least two significant projects, showcasing your end-to-end design process from problem identification through to solution implementation and impact.
  • For each case study, clearly articulate the user problem, your role in the project, the design challenges encountered, your design process (including research and iteration), and the measurable outcomes or impact of your design solutions.
  • Evidence of designing for complex workflows, particularly those involving clinical or patient-facing scenarios, should be prominently featured.
  • Showcase your proficiency with design tools, particularly Figma, through examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs.

Process Documentation:

  • Demonstrate your ability to document design processes, including user research findings, design decisions, and rationale, in a clear and organized manner.
  • Provide examples of how you have contributed to or managed design systems, including style guides and component libraries, to ensure consistency and scalability.
  • Showcase your experience in collaborating with engineering teams, including how you facilitate design handoffs and conduct design QA to ensure fidelity and usability.
  • Illustrate your approach to user research, detailing methodologies used, participant recruitment, and how research insights were translated into actionable design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio with case studies, including specific project details and measurable outcomes, is crucial for this role. This indicates that Koda Health values demonstrated impact and a structured approach to problem-solving through design, typical for a growing startup.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 USD per year. This range is based on the provided information and reflects a mid-level Product Designer role in the United States, considering the specified experience level and the startup environment.

Benefits:

  • Flexible, Unlimited Paid Time Off: Encourages a healthy work-life balance and empowers employees to take time off as needed.
  • Great Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Comprehensive health insurance options to support employee well-being.
  • 401k Option: Retirement savings plan to help employees plan for their future.
  • Yearly Personal Development Budget: An annual allowance for professional growth, covering books, courses, training, and other development opportunities.
  • Annual Company and Team Events: Opportunities for team building and fostering a strong company culture.

Working Hours: Full-time, with an expectation of approximately 40 hours per week. Given the remote nature and unlimited PTO, there is likely flexibility in daily scheduling, provided core collaboration hours are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided. The benefits package includes standard offerings for a US-based tech company, with "Unlimited Paid Time Off" and a "Personal Development Budget" being attractive perks for growth-oriented professionals. The mention of "CST or EST" for work hours suggests a need for overlap with specific US time zones.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology (HealthTech). Koda Health operates within a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector focused on improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes through technology. This industry demands innovation, a deep understanding of user needs (both patients and clinicians), and adherence to regulatory considerations. Company Size: Early-stage venture-backed startup. This implies a lean, agile, and fast-paced environment where every team member's contribution is highly visible and impactful. Roles often require versatility and a willingness to wear multiple hats. Company Description: Koda Health is dedicated to transforming healthcare experiences by making care planning easy to understand and act upon. Their focus is on creating patient-centered and clinician-friendly interfaces for complex healthcare planning.

Team Structure:

  • The Product Design team is likely small and integrated within the broader Product and Engineering departments.
  • The Product Designer will report to a Head of Product or a similar leadership role, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Software Engineers.
  • Cross-functional collaboration is essential, requiring close interaction with clinical advisors, patient advocates, and potentially sales/marketing teams to gather diverse perspectives.

Methodology:

  • Data-driven decision-making, leveraging user research, analytics, and A/B testing to validate design hypotheses and measure impact.
  • Agile development methodologies, emphasizing iterative design, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.
  • User-centered design (UCD) principles are paramount, ensuring that all design solutions are grounded in a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors.
  • Emphasis on creating scalable and maintainable design systems to ensure efficiency and consistency across product offerings.

Company Website: https://koda.health/

📝 Enhancement Note: As an early-stage HealthTech startup, Koda Health likely values innovation, user empathy, and a proactive, collaborative work ethic. The company's mission to simplify healthcare planning suggests a focus on user experience as a key differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a mid-level to senior Product Designer. It involves leading design initiatives for specific platforms, requiring a blend of execution skills and strategic input. The designer is expected to take ownership of significant product areas and contribute to the overall design vision.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Product Lead, Head of Product, or a similar senior management role. They will work in close partnership with Product Managers and Engineering teams, forming a core product development triad.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work will directly influence user adoption, satisfaction, and retention for Koda Health's care planning solutions. By creating intuitive and accessible interfaces, the designer will play a critical role in simplifying complex healthcare processes for patients and clinicians, thereby contributing to improved health outcomes and operational efficiency for healthcare providers. Their designs will be instrumental in the company's ability to scale its services and achieve its business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Technical Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in UX/UI design, user research methodologies, design systems, and potentially explore areas like motion design or accessibility consulting.
  • Product Strategy Involvement: Contribute more significantly to product strategy discussions, user feedback analysis, and roadmap prioritization.
  • Leadership Potential: As the company grows, opportunities may arise to lead design projects, mentor junior designers, or even build and manage a design team.
  • Industry Specialization: Develop deep expertise within the HealthTech sector, becoming a go-to resource for understanding patient and clinician needs in digital health.
  • Professional Development: Utilize the provided personal development budget for specialized courses, certifications, conferences, or workshops relevant to product design and the healthcare industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant opportunities for growth within a startup environment, allowing for increased responsibility and impact. The focus on a specialized area like HealthTech can lead to deep domain expertise.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. Koda Health operates as a remote-first company, allowing employees to work from anywhere within the United States. This provides maximum flexibility in terms of location and work-life integration.

Office Location(s): United States. The company is open to hiring candidates located anywhere within the US. This broad geographic reach allows access to a diverse talent pool. The requirement to work CST or EST suggests a preference for candidates within or willing to align with these time zones for better collaboration.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: While remote, the culture emphasizes active collaboration through digital tools like Slack, Zoom, and Figma. Regular virtual meetings, design critiques, and team syncs are expected to foster connection and shared understanding.
  • Operations Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), communication platforms (Slack), project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana), and video conferencing solutions (Zoom) will be provided or expected.
  • Operations Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will be through scheduled video calls, asynchronous communication channels, and virtual team-building activities. The success of remote collaboration hinges on proactive communication and engagement.

Work Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While fully remote, adherence to core working hours within CST or EST time zones may be required to facilitate team collaboration and synchronous communication. The unlimited PTO policy suggests flexibility in managing personal time alongside work commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of the role offers significant flexibility, but the mention of CST or EST working hours implies a need for some overlap with specific US time zones for effective collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A brief review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.
  • Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where you present 1-2 key projects from your portfolio, detailing your process, challenges, and outcomes. This is a critical step to evaluate your design thinking and communication skills. Be prepared to discuss your role, decision-making process, and the impact of your designs.
  • Design Exercise/Case Study: You may be given a small design challenge or a case study to work on, either as a take-home assignment or a live exercise during an interview. This assesses your problem-solving abilities, design execution, and approach to specific product challenges.
  • Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with Product Managers and Engineers to assess your collaborative skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate design into the development lifecycle. These interviews will focus on how you work with others and ensure successful implementation.
  • Hiring Manager/Leadership Interview: A final conversation with the hiring manager or a senior leader to discuss your experience, career aspirations, cultural fit, and overall alignment with Koda Health's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select projects that best highlight your skills in user research, problem-solving, UI/UX design, and measurable impact, particularly those relevant to healthcare or complex workflow design.
  • Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions. Structure your presentation logically, from problem definition to solution and outcomes.
  • Showcase Your Process: Don't just show final mockups. Include wireframes, user flows, research insights, and iterations to demonstrate your thought process and adaptability.
  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).
  • Highlight Collaboration: If applicable, explain how you collaborated with stakeholders, engineers, and other team members, and how you managed feedback.
  • Clarity on Role: Clearly define your specific contributions to each project, especially if it was a team effort.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly understand the problem statement, target users, and business goals.
  • Time Management: Allocate your time effectively between research, ideation, design, and presentation preparation.
  • Focus on Process: Even if you can't complete everything, demonstrate a strong design process and clear rationale for your decisions.
  • Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your thought process concisely and persuasively, anticipating questions about your approach and solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes portfolio presentation and design thinking, which is standard for product design roles. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design rationale and demonstrate tangible impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: This is the primary design tool mentioned, essential for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Proficiency is a must.
  • Design Systems: Experience in building, maintaining, or utilizing design systems is critical for ensuring consistency and scalability.
  • Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools for more advanced interactions might be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • User Research Tools: Proficiency in conducting user interviews, usability testing, and surveys. Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, or SurveyMonkey might be used.
  • Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to understand user behavior and measure design impact.
  • Data Visualization Tools: While not explicitly mentioned, the ability to interpret data presented in dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Looker) can be valuable.

CRM & Automation:

  • Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and collaborating with engineering teams.
  • Collaboration Platforms: Slack for real-time communication, and potentially tools like Miro or Mural for virtual whiteboarding and brainstorming sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a required tool. Familiarity with user research platforms and project management tools is also highly relevant for a remote role focused on product development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of patients and clinicians through thoughtful design.
  • Empathy: The ability to step into the shoes of users and design solutions that are compassionate and supportive, especially within the sensitive context of healthcare.
  • Collaboration: A strong belief in the power of teamwork, working closely with cross-functional partners to achieve shared goals and deliver exceptional products.
  • Innovation: A drive to explore new ideas, challenge conventional approaches, and leverage technology to create transformative healthcare experiences.
  • Simplicity: A dedication to making complex processes, like healthcare planning, as straightforward and accessible as possible for all users.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be active participants in product development squads, working hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Engineers.
  • Feedback Exchange: A culture of open and constructive feedback, involving regular design critiques, peer reviews, and collaborative problem-solving sessions.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of design best practices, research insights, and learnings across the team and the wider organization to foster continuous improvement.
  • Data-Informed Design: Utilizing data from user research and product analytics to inform design decisions and validate hypotheses, rather than relying solely on intuition.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the company's mission in healthcare and its startup nature, values like empathy, user-centricity, and collaboration are likely core to Koda Health's culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Translating Complex Healthcare Workflows: Simplifying intricate clinical processes and patient journeys into intuitive digital experiences requires deep user understanding and creative problem-solving.
  • Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively mediating between the needs of patients/clinicians and the strategic objectives of a growing startup.
  • Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong communication, alignment, and a sense of team cohesion in a fully remote environment.
  • Rapid Iteration and Ambiguity: Adapting quickly to changing priorities and feedback in a fast-paced startup setting, where processes may still be evolving.
  • Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusivity: Designing for a diverse user base with varying technical abilities and potential health conditions, adhering to strict accessibility standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Specialized HealthTech Design: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the healthcare industry's unique design challenges and user needs.
  • Design System Leadership: Opportunities to significantly influence and expand the company's design system.
  • Product Strategy Influence: Contributing to the strategic direction of Koda Health's product offerings.
  • Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers or be mentored by experienced product leaders as the company scales.
  • Professional Development Budget: Direct access to funding for courses, certifications, conferences, or books to enhance skills in areas like UX research, interaction design, or healthcare informatics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in designing for healthcare, coupled with the startup environment, offer significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to design for a complex, regulated industry like healthcare. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" Focus on your process, research, and how you ensured compliance and usability.
  • "How do you approach translating abstract user needs or clinical workflows into concrete design solutions? Walk us through an example from your portfolio." Be ready to dissect a case study and explain your rationale step-by-step.
  • "Imagine you're designing a feature to help patients track medication adherence. What user research methods would you employ, and what key considerations would you have for usability and accessibility?" Prepare to outline a research plan and highlight critical design elements.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you specifically about Koda Health's mission to simplify healthcare planning?" Show genuine interest and connect it to your own values or career goals.
  • "How do you envision collaborating with product managers and engineers in a remote, startup environment?" Discuss your preferred communication methods, feedback loops, and approach to cross-functional teamwork.
  • "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, particularly within the HealthTech space?" Highlight your commitment to continuous learning and your proactive approach to professional development.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: Begin with the problem, your role, the solution, and the impact. Use a clear, chronological flow for each case study.
  • Highlight Your Process: Emphasize research, ideation, iteration, and user testing. Show, don't just tell, how you arrived at your final designs.
  • Be Data-Driven: Quantify the impact of your designs with metrics whenever possible. If metrics are unavailable, discuss qualitative feedback and anticipated outcomes.
  • Articulate Trade-offs: Discuss any design decisions where you had to make trade-offs and the rationale behind those choices. This demonstrates strategic thinking.
  • Engage Your Audience: Prepare for questions and encourage interaction. Be ready to elaborate on specific design choices or methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of user-centered design, the ability to translate complex problems into elegant solutions, and effective collaboration within a remote, product-focused team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided application link on Workable.
  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio URL is clearly visible in your application. Select 1-2 case studies that best represent your experience in web/mobile design, user research, and ideally, healthcare or complex workflow design. Tailor your portfolio to highlight Figma proficiency and accessibility considerations.
  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 3-5+ years of product design experience, specific achievements in UI/UX design, user research, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description such as "Product Designer," "Figma," "User Research," "Design Systems," "Accessibility," and "Healthcare."
  • Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review your portfolio projects, preparing to articulate your design process, challenges, and the impact of your work. Practice presenting your case studies, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and demonstrating problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with remote collaboration and startup environments.
  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Koda Health's mission, products, and target audience. Understand their commitment to simplifying healthcare planning and how your design skills can contribute to this goal. Research their existing digital presence to gain context for their design language and user experience.

⚠️ 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.


Application Requirements

Candidates should have 3-5+ years of experience in product design with a strong portfolio. Familiarity with accessibility standards and proficiency in design tools like Figma are essential.