Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer
Company: Ownwell
Location: Austin, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / User Experience
Date Posted: September 16, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and evolve user-centered digital experiences for Ownwell's property owner platform, focusing on intuitive interfaces and accessible design principles.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and engineers to translate product strategy and user needs into tangible design solutions, from initial concept through to final implementation.
• Leverage user research, behavioral data (e.g., Mixpanel, Hotjar), and AI tools to inform design decisions, identify pain points, and drive product improvements.
• Contribute to the growth and maintenance of a scalable design system, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and brand alignment across all product touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Product Designer, implying a focus on the end-to-end design process for digital products. The emphasis on "zero-to-one projects," user research, data analysis, and AI tools suggests a dynamic environment where a candidate can significantly influence product direction and user experience. The "Remote OK" status indicates flexibility for candidates not located in Austin, TX.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Product Managers to conceptualize and design new product features and initiatives, from ideation and wireframing to high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research, including interviews, surveys, usability testing, and analysis of behavioral data, to uncover user needs and validate design hypotheses.
• Support ongoing product development by iterating on existing features, incorporating user feedback, performance metrics, and market insights to enhance usability and impact.
• Contribute to the strategic development and maintenance of Ownwell's design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to best practices across all digital products.
• Utilize AI tools to accelerate the design process, including generating initial UX copy, exploring design concepts, producing graphics, running accessibility checks, and performing first-round design critiques.
• Analyze product usage data from platforms like Mixpanel and Hotjar to identify trends, user pain points, and opportunities for design optimization.
• Advocate for and implement accessible, inclusive, and delightful user experiences that align with Ownwell's mission to democratize real estate expertise.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and marketing, to ensure seamless product delivery and a unified user journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product thinking and hands-on design execution. The specific mention of zero-to-one projects and supporting ongoing iterations indicates a need for adaptability and a broad design skillset. The expectation to use AI tools for various design tasks points to a forward-thinking approach to design workflows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating a deep understanding of product design principles, UX/UI best practices, and a user-centered design approach is paramount. Formal education in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is beneficial but not strictly required if experience and portfolio are exceptional.
Experience: A minimum of 3 years of dedicated experience as a Product Designer, with a focus on web and mobile-web products, is essential. Experience working within a fast-paced startup environment and contributing to early-stage product development or "0 to 1" features is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Expertise: Proven ability to design end-to-end user experiences for digital products, from concept to launch.
• Figma Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration.
• User Research & Analysis: Experience conducting various forms of user research (interviews, surveys, usability testing) and analyzing behavioral data (Mixpanel, Hotjar) to drive design decisions.
• Design System Contribution: Ability to contribute to, maintain, and leverage design systems for consistency and scalability.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present design concepts clearly and effectively to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail and the ability to translate complex problems into simple, elegant design solutions.
• AI Tool Familiarity: Curiosity and practical experience using AI tools to enhance design workflows, including copywriting, concept generation, and design critique.
• Agility & Adaptability: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced startup environment, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design & Micro-interactions: Experience designing engaging animations and subtle interactions that enhance user experience.
• Graphic Design: Skills in graphic design principles and execution that can be applied to product interfaces and marketing assets.
• Portfolio of 0→1 Features: A portfolio showcasing successful contributions to early-stage products or the development of new features from inception.
• Property Tech or FinTech Familiarity: Exposure to or interest in the property technology or financial technology sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical design skills, a strong command of Figma, and a data-informed approach. The preference for a portfolio showcasing "0 to 1" features suggests the company values designers who can build from the ground up. Familiarity with AI tools is highlighted as a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Product Design: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your involvement in the entire product design lifecycle, from initial problem definition and user research to final UI design and post-launch iteration.
• 0→1 Feature Contributions: Highlight specific examples of features or products you helped conceptualize and build from scratch, demonstrating your ability to navigate ambiguity and drive innovation.
• Data-Informed Decisions: Clearly articulate how user research, behavioral data (e.g., metrics from Mixpanel, Hotjar), and A/B testing informed your design choices and led to measurable improvements.
• Design System Utilization/Contribution: Include examples of how you've used or contributed to a design system, demonstrating your understanding of scalability, consistency, and component-based design.
• Problem-Solving & Impact: Detail the user pain points addressed, the design solutions implemented, and the tangible business or user outcomes achieved (e.g., increased conversion, reduced error rates, improved user satisfaction).

Process Documentation:

• User Research Synthesis: Demonstrate how you synthesize user research findings into actionable insights and design recommendations.
• Iterative Design Process: Show evidence of iterative design, including wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and incorporating feedback to refine designs.
• AI Tool Integration: Provide examples of how you've leveraged AI tools to enhance your design workflow, such as for content generation, idea exploration, or efficiency gains.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate your process for working with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders, emphasizing clear communication and feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, requiring a demonstration of the entire design process, data utilization, and the ability to build new features. The emphasis on "0 to 1" work and the use of AI tools in the portfolio are key differentiators.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Mid-Level Product Designer with 3+ years of experience in Austin, TX, the estimated annual salary range is typically between $85,000 and $115,000. This range accounts for the cost of living in Austin and the competitive market for experienced designers.

Benefits:

• Flexible PTO: Offers flexibility for personal time off, encouraging a healthy work-life balance.
• Competitive Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage to support employee well-being.
• Learning Support: An annual stipend of $1,000 is provided for professional development, including courses, certifications, or conferences relevant to design and technology.
• Parental Leave: Up to 16 weeks of fully paid parental and bonding leave to support new parents.
• Real Estate Consulting Licensing: As applicable, Ownwell supports obtaining and renewing real estate and tax consulting licenses, which could be a unique benefit for those interested in the industry's operational aspects.
• Access to First Round Network: Provides opportunities for professional networking and community building outside of the company.

Working Hours: The role is likely based on a standard 40-hour work week, though the "fast-paced startup environment" and "remote OK" status suggest a degree of flexibility. Employees are expected to be available during core business hours for collaboration, with potential for occasional work outside of these hours to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers in Austin, TX, considering the stated experience level. The benefits package is comprehensive, with unique offerings like learning stipends and industry-specific licensing support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Ownwell operates within the PropTech (Property Technology) and FinTech (Financial Technology) sectors, specifically focusing on reducing the costs associated with real estate ownership. This industry is characterized by innovation, data utilization, and a drive to simplify complex financial processes for consumers. Company Size: Ownwell is a growing startup, indicated by its "1000% year-over-year" growth and funding from top investors. This implies a dynamic, resource-constrained, yet opportunity-rich environment where team members can have a significant impact. Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly stated, the rapid growth suggests a relatively young company that has achieved significant product-market fit. This often translates to a culture that is agile, experimental, and values speed and iteration.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a Product department, working closely with Product Managers and Engineers.
• The Product Designer will report to the Lead Designer, indicating a mentorship and guidance structure for skill development.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, with designers expected to work seamlessly with Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Data Science teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by user research, behavioral analytics (Mixpanel, Hotjar), and AI tools, emphasizing a quantitative approach to understanding user needs and product performance.
• Agile Development: The startup environment suggests an agile or iterative product development process, where designs are continuously refined based on feedback and data.
• Process Optimization: A core value of the company is to simplify complex processes for property owners, which likely extends to optimizing internal workflows and design processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to make real estate costs more transparent and equitable, combined with its rapid growth and investor backing, suggests a mission-driven culture. The emphasis on "people are our superpower" and "win together" points to a collaborative and supportive team environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Product Designer, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to product development, work closely with senior team members, and gain exposure to rapid growth and innovation in the PropTech/FinTech space. Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to the Lead Designer, providing a direct line for mentorship, design feedback, and career guidance. This structure is beneficial for skill development and understanding best practices within the company. Operations Impact: As a Product Designer, your work directly impacts the user experience of Ownwell's platform, influencing customer acquisition, retention, and overall satisfaction. By creating intuitive and effective interfaces, you directly contribute to the company's mission of simplifying real estate ownership costs and making them more equitable.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of product design, such as user research, interaction design, visual design, or design systems.
• Mentorship: Direct guidance from the Lead Designer to hone design craft, strategic thinking, and professional development.
• Product Ownership: As the company grows, there may be opportunities to take on more ownership of specific product areas or lead design initiatives.
• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience in the fast-growing PropTech and FinTech sectors, understanding the unique design challenges and opportunities within these industries.
• Cross-Functional Learning: Exposure to Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, and business strategy, broadening your understanding of the entire product development ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mid-level nature of this role provides a solid foundation for career growth. The mentorship from a Lead Designer and the exposure to a high-growth startup environment offer significant potential for skill development and advancement within the product design field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the job is listed as "Remote OK," Ownwell is based in Austin, TX. This suggests that while remote work is supported, there might be a physical office space available for those who prefer working in-person or for occasional team gatherings and collaborative sessions. Office Location(s): The primary location is Austin, TX. For remote employees, the work environment consists of their home office setup, emphasizing the need for good internet connectivity and a conducive workspace.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect to utilize digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Figma) extensively to communicate and work with team members across different locations.
• Tech-Enabled Design: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma) and analytics tools (Mixpanel, Hotjar) is a given, enabling efficient and data-driven design work.
• Team Interaction: Regular virtual stand-ups, design reviews, and team meetings will be crucial for staying connected, sharing progress, and fostering a sense of team unity.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely 40 hours per week. Given the startup culture and remote flexibility, there may be an expectation for some flexibility in working hours to accommodate different time zones and project needs, as long as core collaboration hours are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote OK" status implies a commitment to flexible work arrangements, which is a significant factor for many designers. The emphasis on collaboration tools suggests a well-established remote work infrastructure.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and design alignment.
• Portfolio Presentation/Design Challenge: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, walking through 1-2 key case studies that highlight your problem-solving process, design thinking, and impact. Some companies may also provide a small design challenge focused on a specific problem relevant to their product.
• Hiring Manager/Lead Designer Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, design philosophy, collaboration style, and how you approach user research and data analysis.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineers to assess your ability to collaborate, communicate technical constraints, and integrate designs into the development process.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or executive to assess cultural fit and overall alignment with the company's vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies like a narrative, clearly outlining the problem, your process, your role, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the quantifiable results.
• Showcase Your Process: Don't just show final screens. Include wireframes, user flows, research insights, iterations, and rationale behind your design decisions.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible. Use metrics, user feedback, or business outcomes to demonstrate the value you delivered.
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with Ownwell's mission, product type (web/mobile-web), and the requirements mentioned (e.g., 0→1 features, data analysis, AI tools).
• Be Concise and Clear: Present your work professionally and be prepared to speak articulately about each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem: If given a design challenge, first ensure you fully understand the problem statement, target users, and objectives.
• Ask Clarifying Questions: Don't hesitate to ask questions to gather more context before diving into solutions.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process, research approach, and how you'd iterate on potential solutions, rather than just delivering a polished final design.
• Consider Constraints: Think about technical feasibility, business goals, and user needs when proposing solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to evaluate not just design skills but also the candidate's problem-solving approach, communication abilities, and cultural fit. A strong, well-articulated portfolio is crucial for advancing through the stages.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Mastery of Figma's features, including components, auto layout, and collaborative editing, is essential.
• AI Design Tools: Expect to use various AI tools for tasks such as generating UX copy, producing design concepts, creating graphics, running accessibility checks, and getting initial design feedback. Specific tools are not mentioned but the role implies a willingness to experiment with emerging AI design assistants.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Mixpanel: Used for product analytics, tracking user behavior, and understanding product engagement. Ability to interpret Mixpanel data to inform design decisions is key.
• Hotjar: Utilized for user behavior analysis, including heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback surveys, to identify usability issues and user pain points.

CRM & Automation: While not directly part of the design role, understanding how design impacts the user journey within CRM systems or automated workflows can be beneficial. Familiarity with how design outputs integrate with development pipelines (e.g., Zeplin, Storybook) is also a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tech stack emphasizes modern design and analytics tools. Proficiency in Figma and a proactive approach to leveraging AI tools are critical. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Mixpanel and Hotjar is necessary for data-informed design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep focus on understanding and serving the needs of property owners, ensuring that product designs are user-centric and solve real problems.
• Take Ownership: Proactively identify challenges, propose solutions, and take responsibility for design outcomes and their impact on the product and users.
• Do The Right Thing: Uphold ethical design practices, prioritize accessibility and inclusivity, and make decisions that are in the best interest of the user and the company's mission.
• Go Far Together: Collaborate effectively with team members, share knowledge, support colleagues, and work towards common goals in a unified manner.
• Accelerate Innovation: Embrace new technologies (like AI tools), experiment with novel approaches, and drive continuous improvement in design processes and product experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, fostering open communication and shared understanding of product goals and user needs.
• Feedback-Driven: Actively seek and provide constructive feedback during design reviews and team discussions to refine designs and improve overall product quality.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to a culture of learning by sharing insights from user research, design experiments, and best practices within the design community and across the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values are deeply embedded in its operations and team interactions. A candidate who embodies these values, particularly customer obsession, ownership, and collaborative innovation, will likely thrive in Ownwell's environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: In a fast-paced startup, there's a constant need to move quickly while maintaining high design standards and user experience quality. Developing strategies for rapid iteration without sacrificing thoughtful design will be key.
• Navigating Ambiguity: Early-stage product development often involves ambiguity. The designer will need to be comfortable defining problems, exploring solutions, and iterating based on limited initial information.
• Integrating AI Tools Effectively: Learning how to best leverage AI tools to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and critical thinking in the design process presents an ongoing learning opportunity.
• Scalability of Design System: As the product and company grow, maintaining and evolving the design system to support new features and ensure consistency across an expanding product suite can be a significant challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• PropTech/FinTech Domain Expertise: Develop a deep understanding of the property and financial technology sectors, gaining insights into user behaviors and industry trends.
• AI in Design: Become proficient in leveraging cutting-edge AI tools to streamline workflows, generate ideas, and explore new creative possibilities in design.
• Product Strategy Involvement: Gain exposure to product strategy discussions and learn how design contributes to overall business objectives and growth.
• Mentorship and Skill Advancement: Receive direct guidance from the Lead Designer, fostering growth in design craft, user research methodologies, and strategic product thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of a high-growth startup environment and offer significant opportunities for professional development. Embracing these challenges actively will lead to substantial learning and skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Product Vision & Strategy: "How would you approach designing a new feature for Ownwell that addresses [specific user pain point]? What data would you look for, and how would you validate your initial concepts?" (Focus on demonstrating your process, research, and iterative approach.)
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had to work with a Product Manager or Engineer with conflicting priorities. How did you navigate the situation and reach a design solution?" (Highlight communication skills, empathy, and problem-solving.)
• Problem-Solving & Data Interpretation: "Imagine our user retention rate dropped by 5% last month. How would you use data from Mixpanel or Hotjar to diagnose the potential causes and propose design solutions?" (Showcase your analytical thinking and ability to translate data into actionable design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Cultural Alignment: "How do Ownwell's core values resonate with your own work philosophy? Can you give an example of how you've demonstrated 'Customer Obsession' or 'Take Ownership' in a past role?" (Research the values and prepare specific examples.)
• Team Dynamics: "Describe your ideal working relationship with a Product Manager and an Engineering team. What do you value most in cross-functional collaborations?" (Emphasize proactive communication and mutual respect.)
• Operations Impact: "How do you measure the success of your design work? What metrics do you typically track to demonstrate the impact of your designs on users and the business?" (Prepare to discuss KPIs and ROI.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Context is Key: For each case study, clearly define the problem, the business goals, and the target user.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Walk through your design process visually, using wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and user research findings.
• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially if you worked on a team.
• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify the results of your design decisions whenever possible (e.g., "Increased user engagement by X%", "Reduced task completion time by Y%").
• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your choices, challenges, and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on understanding Ownwell's mission, values, and product. Demonstrating a user-centered, data-informed design process, along with strong collaboration and communication skills, will be critical for success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on greenhouse.io.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating end-to-end product design, 0→1 feature development, and data-informed decision-making. Emphasize your use of Figma and any experience with AI design tools.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3+ years of product design experience, focusing on achievements and quantifiable results. Integrate keywords like "Product Design," "Figma," "User Research," "Data Analysis," and "AI Tools" naturally.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, process, and impact. Prepare examples that align with Ownwell's core values and the role's responsibilities.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Ownwell's mission, product, and company culture. Understand their approach to property tax appeals and how design contributes to their goal of making real estate ownership more transparent and equitable.

⚠️ 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.