Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: Solera Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: 2025-09-25 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 Years) Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote OK, potential for overlap with US/European hours)

🚀 Role Summary

• Contribute to the entire product development lifecycle, from initial problem discovery to solution refinement, for a global product portfolio.
• Create sophisticated cross-device interaction and user interface (UI) designs for desktop, tablet, and mobile platforms.
• Develop realistic user flows, interactive prototypes, and innovative product concepts using advanced design tools.
• Maintain a systemic view of design, ensuring UI components and screens integrate seamlessly with the established Design System.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and product management teams to deliver high-quality digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities strongly emphasize UI Design and interaction design, with a clear emphasis on contributing to and maintaining a Design System. This suggests a role that bridges UX/UI and requires a strong understanding of component-based design. The mention of "AI assisted design tool" indicates a forward-thinking approach to design workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive low to moderate-complexity product design projects from inception through to execution, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.
• Conceptualize and design intuitive user interfaces and seamless user experiences across various devices (desktop, tablet, mobile).
• Utilize advanced design tools, including AI-assisted platforms, to create high-fidelity prototypes and compelling product concepts.
• Actively participate in user research initiatives to gather critical insights into customer needs and behaviors, informing design decisions.
• Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the company's Design System, ensuring consistency and scalability across products.
• Translate design specifications into clear, actionable guidelines for development teams, ensuring pixel-perfect implementation.
• Foster strong working relationships with product managers and developers to ensure alignment and successful product delivery.
• Participate in defining and refining Solera's User Experience (UX) methodologies in collaboration with the broader design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a hands-on design role with significant ownership over specific projects. The expectation to contribute to methodology and the Design System indicates a desire for a designer who can influence and improve the team's overall design practice, not just execute individual tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Product Designer, UI Designer, or UX/UI Designer.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrable expertise in the end-to-end product design process, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.
• Proficiency with leading design and prototyping tools, with a specific requirement for expertise in at least one AI-assisted design tool (e.g., Figma Make, v0, Subframe).
• Strong understanding and practical experience in creating and maintaining Design Systems, ensuring component reusability and UI consistency.
• Excellent visual design skills with an eye for detail, typography, color theory, and layout.
• Proven ability to create cross-device interaction and UI designs for desktop, tablet, and mobile applications.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly in English.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Developers, and other Designers.

Preferred Skills:

• Solid expertise in mobile app design and development best practices.
• Experience with user research methodologies, including usability testing and user interviews.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and experience working in an agile environment.
• Ability to define UI components and elements from scratch when necessary, while adhering to established design principles.
• Experience in a global company or with products serving a diverse international user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI-assisted design tools is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to showcase projects that leverage these tools or demonstrate a strong understanding of their potential. Proficiency in Figma is explicitly mentioned, making it a core requirement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive digital portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of product design work.
• Demonstrations of your design process, from problem definition and user research to solution implementation and iteration.
• Case studies highlighting your ability to tackle complex design challenges and deliver user-centered solutions.
• Examples of cross-device (desktop, tablet, mobile) UI and interaction design.
• Specific inclusion of work demonstrating expertise with AI-assisted design tools.
• Evidence of contributions to or experience with Design Systems, including component design and maintenance.
• Projects that reflect an understanding of user needs and how design decisions address those needs.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase clear documentation of your design process within portfolio case studies.
• Illustrate how you gather user insights and translate them into actionable design strategies.
• Provide examples of how you collaborate with developers and product managers to ensure successful product launches.
• Demonstrate your approach to iterative design and how you incorporate feedback for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates must be ready to articulate their design process, the rationale behind their decisions, and the impact of their work, particularly highlighting how they've used AI tools and contributed to design systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Bangalore, India, typical annual compensation can range from ₹12,00,000 to ₹25,00,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for mid-to-senior level design roles in major Indian tech hubs, considering factors like experience, skill set, and the specific demands of a global technology company like Solera.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).
• Provident Fund (PF) and Employee State Insurance (ESI) as per Indian regulations.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry conferences.
• Access to cutting-edge design tools and technologies.
• Collaborative work environment with opportunities for cross-functional interaction.
• Potential for flexible working arrangements, including remote work options.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely to align with a typical full-time role, estimated at 40 hours per week. However, the role explicitly mentions potential overlap with US and European working hours, suggesting a need for flexibility and occasional adjustments to accommodate global team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for Bangalore. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and performance during the interview process. The mention of potential overlap with international working hours is a key consideration for work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive, Technology, Data Analytics, Insurance. Solera operates at the intersection of these sectors, providing software and services that manage the lifecycle of an automobile. Company Size: Solera is a large enterprise, with employee numbers typically in the thousands globally. This indicates a structured environment with established processes and a broad reach. Founded: Solera was founded in 1991. This long history suggests stability, experience in the market, and a deep understanding of its industry.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely operates within a larger Product or Engineering organization.
• Designers may specialize in specific product lines or feature areas.
• The team structure is expected to be collaborative, with designers working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Designers will report to a Design Lead or Head of Design, who oversees the team's output and strategy.

Methodology:

• Solera likely employs a mix of Agile and Lean methodologies for product development.
• Design-driven innovation and user-centricity are expected to be core tenets.
• The emphasis on a Design System suggests a commitment to scalable, efficient, and consistent design practices.
• Data analysis and user research are integral to informing design decisions and validating solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Solera's position in the automotive technology space implies a focus on complex, data-intensive applications. Designers will need to adapt to these complexities and contribute to solutions that are both functional and user-friendly within this domain.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior level (5-10 years of experience). It requires a designer capable of working independently on moderate-complexity projects and contributing to strategic design initiatives. The designer is expected to be a significant contributor to the team's output and potentially mentor more junior designers.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Lead within the Product organization. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and other designers on a day-to-day basis.

Operations Impact: Product Designers at Solera have a direct impact on the usability, user satisfaction, and adoption of their software products. By creating intuitive and efficient user experiences, they contribute to customer retention, operational efficiency, and ultimately, the company's revenue and market position. Their work influences how users interact with critical systems and data.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, complex data visualization, or mobile UX.
• Leadership Development: Potential to move into Senior Product Designer, Lead Product Designer, or Design Manager roles, with increased responsibility for strategy, team management, and mentorship.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Experience working on diverse product lines and collaborating with various business units within Solera.
• Design System Ownership: Opportunity to take on greater responsibility for the growth, governance, and strategic direction of the company's Design System.
• Industry Exposure: Deepen understanding of the automotive technology and data analytics industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is tailored to highlight how a Product Designer contributes to the operational success and revenue generation of a company like Solera, focusing on user adoption and efficiency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Solera likely maintains modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration and productivity. Given the hybrid nature, expect flexible workspaces, meeting rooms equipped for remote collaboration, and potentially dedicated areas for focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Bangalore, India. Solera is a global company with offices worldwide, suggesting potential for international exposure or collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic environment where teamwork and open communication are encouraged. Designers will work closely with product teams.
• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, etc.), collaboration tools, and potentially advanced hardware.
• Team Interaction: Regular design critiques, team meetings, and cross-functional sync-ups are standard. Opportunities to interact with product managers, engineers, and potentially business stakeholders.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the job description notes potential overlap with US and European working hours. This suggests a need for flexibility, with some meetings or collaborative sessions potentially occurring outside of standard Indian business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "overlap with US and European working hours" is a critical detail for candidates to consider regarding work-life balance and preferred working times.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A deep dive into your digital portfolio, often followed by a design challenge (take-home or live) to assess your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to apply concepts to Solera's context.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially other designers to evaluate your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to articulate design decisions.
• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Product) to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives, clearly outlining the problem, your role and process, the solutions you designed, and the measurable impact.
• Process Focus: Emphasize how you arrived at your solutions, not just the final visuals. Detail your research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing methods.
• AI Tool Showcase: Clearly highlight projects where you utilized AI-assisted design tools, explaining the benefits and outcomes.
• Design System Contribution: If applicable, showcase your experience with design systems, detailing your contributions to component libraries, style guides, or system governance.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most relevant work efficiently, focusing on quality over quantity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly research Solera's products and target audience to inform your approach.
• Define the Problem: Clearly articulate your understanding of the challenge and any assumptions you make.
• Process-Oriented: Demonstrate a structured design process, even within time constraints. Show your thinking, not just the end result.
• Justify Decisions: Be ready to explain the rationale behind every design choice, linking it back to user needs and business goals.
• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your process and decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should tailor their portfolio to this role, emphasizing AI tool usage, design system experience, and cross-device design. The design challenge will likely test practical application of these skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (required), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Sketch, InVision, Axure RP.
• AI-Assisted Design: Figma Make, v0, Subframe, or similar AI-powered design tools (demonstrated expertise required).
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with analytics platforms like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to understand user behavior and product performance.
• Familiarity with A/B testing tools to validate design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct tool for designers, understanding CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for user journeys and data flow within the company.
• Familiarity with project management tools is also beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma and at least one AI-assisted design tool are non-negotiable. Designers should be prepared to discuss their proficiency and practical application of these technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Solera's customers through thoughtful design.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams to achieve shared goals, valuing diverse perspectives.
• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and methodologies, including AI, to push the boundaries of design.
• Quality & Craftsmanship: Maintaining high standards for visual design, interaction design, and the overall user experience.
• Efficiency: Utilizing design systems and tools to create scalable, consistent, and maintainable design solutions.
• Adaptability: Thriving in a fast-paced environment and being open to feedback and iterative improvements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be integrated members of product teams, working closely with product managers and engineers throughout the development lifecycle.
• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and constructive feedback through design critiques and regular check-ins.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing design knowledge, best practices, and learnings within the design team and across the organization.
• Data-Informed Decisions: Using user research and analytics to guide design choices and validate solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values suggest a culture that balances user advocacy with business objectives, emphasizing teamwork and continuous improvement through data and feedback.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Domain: Solera operates in a complex industry (automotive lifecycle, insurance), requiring designers to quickly grasp technical concepts and user workflows.
• Balancing Global Needs: Designing for a global user base requires sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts, languages, and user behaviors.
• Design System Evolution: Contributing to and maintaining a robust Design System while supporting new feature development can be demanding.
• AI Integration: Effectively leveraging AI design tools to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and critical thinking.
• Cross-Time Zone Collaboration: Managing communication and collaboration effectively with teams in different time zones, including potential overlap with US and European hours.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Training: Access to courses and workshops focused on cutting-edge design techniques, tools (especially AI), and UX research methodologies.
• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend design conferences and engage with the broader UX community.
• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or lead design initiatives, fostering leadership skills.
• Cross-Product Exposure: Gaining experience across Solera's diverse product portfolio, broadening design expertise.
• Certification Programs: Pursuing certifications in relevant design or UX fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication. The growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing both technical design skills and leadership capabilities within a large organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a complex product you designed from start to finish. What was your process, and what were the key challenges you overcame?" (Focus on problem discovery, user research, iteration, and impact.)
• AI Tool Usage: "How have you leveraged AI-assisted design tools in your workflow? Can you provide an example of how it improved efficiency or created a better outcome?"
• Design Systems: "Describe your experience with Design Systems. How have you contributed to or utilized them? What are the benefits and challenges of working with a Design System?"
• Collaboration: "How do you handle disagreements with Product Managers or Engineers regarding design decisions? Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders."
• Problem Solving: "Imagine you need to design a new feature for [mention a Solera product type, e.g., a claims management system]. How would you approach understanding the user needs and designing the solution?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Solera and our mission in the automotive technology space?"
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, particularly AI in design?"
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive team culture."
• "How do you handle feedback on your designs, both positive and negative?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or chronologically. For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, user flows, and prototypes. If possible, include short video walkthroughs of interactive prototypes.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each case study. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions.
• AI/System Focus: Ensure your presentation explicitly addresses your experience with AI design tools and Design Systems, as these are key requirements.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key projects within a specified timeframe (e.g., 15-20 minutes), leaving ample time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare specific examples that directly address the requirements for AI tool proficiency, Design System experience, and cross-device design. Practicing the portfolio presentation to be clear, concise, and engaging is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Visit the Solera Careers portal via the provided URL and submit your application.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your digital portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features projects showcasing your AI-assisted design tool expertise, Design System contributions, and cross-device design capabilities. Select 2-3 of your most relevant projects for in-depth presentation.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of product design experience, specific skills in Figma and AI design tools, and achievements related to UI/UX design, user research, and collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and impact for each project in your portfolio. Prepare specific examples demonstrating how you handle feedback, collaborate with stakeholders, and solve complex design problems.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Solera's products, mission, and company culture. Understanding their position in the automotive technology market will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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