Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Valence

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-06

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office for NYC-based candidates)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design for an innovative AI coaching platform, from initial concept to shipped features, focusing on user experience and AI integration.

• Collaborate intimately with product management and engineering teams in agile, weekly cycles to translate complex requirements into intuitive interaction flows and high-fidelity designs.

• Contribute to and maintain a robust design system, ensuring visual consistency, craft, and scalability across the product as Valence expands its enterprise client base.

• Actively participate in design critiques, workshops, and paired design sessions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within a high-velocity team.

• Craft polished product copy and micro-interactions to enhance the user experience, making AI-driven interactions feel intuitive and human-centric for enterprise leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Product Designer," the emphasis on "AI native coaching platform for enterprise," "AI transforming work at a global scale," and the need to integrate AI intuitively suggests a strong connection to GTM operations, particularly in how the product's value proposition is designed and experienced by business users. The iterative design cycles and collaboration with engineering also align with operational efficiency principles in product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and iterate on core product features, including AI coaching flows, user onboarding experiences, comprehensive dashboards, and essential team collaboration tools, maintaining ownership from ideation to deployment.

• Actively contribute to the evolution and maintenance of Valence's design system, ensuring adherence to established standards and proposing enhancements to support product scalability and design consistency.

• Engage in weekly design sprints, working closely with product managers to define requirements and with engineers to ensure seamless implementation of designed solutions.

• Participate in and lead design critiques, providing constructive feedback to peers and incorporating feedback into design iterations to elevate product quality and user satisfaction.

• Develop compelling product copy and subtle micro-interactions that enhance usability, reinforce brand voice, and make AI-driven functionalities feel natural and approachable.

• Strategically explore and implement AI integrations within user interfaces, focusing on intuitive design patterns that avoid complexity and maximize user adoption and value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core product design tasks with a strategic focus on AI integration and enterprise adoption. This implies a need for designers who can not only execute visually but also understand the business impact and operational implications of AI in a B2B context, aligning with GTM strategy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of product design role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 3-5 years of dedicated product design experience, with a proven track record of shipping successful products in fast-paced, agile environments. Experience in small, high-velocity teams is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated strong craft in end-to-end product design, evidenced by a comprehensive portfolio.

• Proficiency in interaction design, visual design principles, and information architecture.

• Expertise in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Experience working with and contributing to design systems.

• Ability to make sound design decisions with incomplete information and iterate rapidly based on feedback and learning.

• Experience shipping product on small teams, demonstrating autonomy and ownership.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing conversational interfaces, chat products, or AI-powered user experiences.

• Familiarity with enterprise SaaS or B2B product design principles and workflows.

• A keen interest in the intersection of AI, professional coaching, and human behavior.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 3-5 years of experience and the emphasis on shipping product in small teams suggests a mid-level designer who can operate with significant autonomy. The "nice to have" skills are particularly relevant to Valence's core offering, indicating that candidates with this specialized experience will be highly competitive.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing strong visual design craft and end-to-end product thinking.

• Case studies demonstrating ownership of features from concept through to shipped product, highlighting problem-solving and design decision-making processes.

• Examples of how you've contributed to or maintained design systems, showcasing consistency and scalability.

• Prototypes or interactive examples that illustrate complex user flows and interactions, particularly those involving AI or conversational elements.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly outline the design process followed, including user research (if applicable), ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final visual design.

• Demonstrate how you translated requirements into clear interaction flows and high-fidelity designs within a collaborative product and engineering environment.

• Showcase how you contributed to or maintained a design system, including examples of reusable components and design patterns.

• Include examples of product copy and micro-interactions that were designed to enhance user experience and align with AI-driven functionalities.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a product designer role at a fast-paced startup like Valence, the portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to understand complex problems (like AI coaching), work collaboratively with technical teams, and operate autonomously with a focus on shipping value quickly. The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate an understanding of how design impacts user adoption and business outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Product Designer with 3-5 years of experience in New York City, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between $110,000 - $150,000 annually. This range accounts for the cost of living in NYC, the company's venture-backed status, and the demand for experienced designers in the AI/SaaS space.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary including base compensation and potential bonuses.

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision insurance provided from day one.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.

• Company-wide R&R (Rest & Relaxation) shutdowns to encourage well-being.

• Paid parental leave for new parents.

• Retirement plan support for both US and global employees.

• Meaningful equity ownership in a rapidly growing, venture-backed company.

• Potential for top-up grants based on performance and company scaling.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. While specific hours can be flexible, the expectation is active participation in weekly design cycles, collaboration with global teams, and availability for key meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers in NYC with 3-5 years of experience, considering the tech sector and the company's growth stage. Benefits are directly listed from the job description, highlighting a strong package typical of well-funded startups.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AI Technology / Enterprise Software / Professional Development. Valence operates at the cutting edge of AI, building a platform that transforms how organizations develop their leaders and employees. This positions them within a high-growth, innovation-driven sector.

Company Size: Valence is a venture-backed startup, likely in the early to growth stages. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individuals can have a significant impact and where processes are still evolving. The description mentions a "small, high-velocity product-design-engineering team," indicating a lean and agile operational structure.

Founded: Valence was founded with a mission to redefine work through AI. While a specific founding date isn't provided, their focus on "AI native" solutions and partnerships with Fortune 500 companies suggests a relatively recent but rapidly scaling operation.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is described as small and integrated within a high-velocity product-design-engineering unit. This suggests close collaboration and shared ownership.

• Designers will likely report to a Head of Product Design or a similar leadership role, working alongside Product Managers and Engineers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The emphasis on "AI native" and "AI transforming work" points to a culture that leverages data and AI insights to inform design decisions and product development.

• Agile Development: Weekly shipping cadences and close collaboration with engineering indicate an agile or lean product development methodology.

• Iterative Improvement: The company's focus on "problems that actually decide whether AI changes how organizations operate" and the need to "redefine what AI can mean" suggests a culture of continuous experimentation and iteration.

Company Website: https://www.valence.co/

📝 Enhancement Note: Valence positions itself as a leader in redefining work through AI. The culture described is one that thrives on innovation, rapid execution, and tackling complex, undefined problems. This is a key differentiator for operations professionals looking for roles where they can shape the future, rather than just maintain existing systems.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer (3-5 years of experience). It offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to own features end-to-end. It's an environment where a designer can grow into a senior or lead role by demonstrating impact, strategic thinking, and leadership in design and product development.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will be part of a "small, high-velocity product-design-engineering team." They will likely report to a design lead or Head of Product, working closely with Product Managers and Engineers. This structure fosters direct collaboration and rapid feedback loops.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is direct and significant, influencing how enterprise clients adopt and benefit from Valence's AI coaching platform. Success in this role means shipping features that drive user engagement, improve leader development outcomes, and contribute to the company's overall growth and market position in the AI-driven enterprise solutions space. The design of AI integrations directly impacts the perceived value and efficacy of the product, thus playing a crucial role in Go-To-Market success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in AI-driven product design, conversational interfaces, and enterprise SaaS. Opportunities to contribute to and shape a design system for a scaling product.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Senior Product Designer, Lead Product Designer, or even Design Manager roles as the company grows. Direct exposure to executive leadership and company strategy can accelerate career trajectory.

• Impact Leadership: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in designing AI for work, influencing industry best practices and shaping the future of enterprise AI adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a Product Designer at Valence is tied to the company's rapid scaling and its pioneering work in AI. The "ownership & rapid growth" and "AI-first operator" sections of the job description strongly suggest that this role offers accelerated career development and the chance to build highly sought-after expertise.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Valence offers a hybrid work model. For candidates based in New York City, this involves 3 days per week in their Union Square office. This setup aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The primary office context provided is Union Square, New York City, for hybrid employees. However, the role is also open to remote candidates within the United States, indicating a distributed team structure.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on embedded teams suggest a highly collaborative workspace where designers work closely with product and engineering. In-office days are likely focused on brainstorming, strategic discussions, and team building.

• Tools & Technology: Proficiency in Figma is required, suggesting a modern, digital-first design toolchain. The company's "AI native" focus implies a forward-thinking approach to technology across all functions.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with colleagues across product, engineering, and potentially sales/customer success teams is expected, fostering a holistic understanding of the product lifecycle and customer needs.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time (approx. 40 hours/week). While there's flexibility, the expectation is active engagement within weekly product cycles and collaboration across global time zones as needed. This requires strong time management and communication skills to balance remote and in-office work with team synchronization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in NYC, combined with remote options, offers flexibility. The "Union Square" location suggests a vibrant urban workspace. The emphasis on collaboration and working with global teams indicates a need for adaptable professionals who can thrive in a mixed-environment setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application & Screening: Initial review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, craft, and alignment with role requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Likely a conversation with the hiring manager (Allison Langille, Head of People) or a design lead to discuss experience, motivations, and initial cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing case studies and design process. A design exercise or challenge may be given to assess problem-solving skills, design thinking, and proficiency in Figma.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to integrate into the product team.

• Final Round: Potentially a discussion with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight End-to-End Ownership: Showcase projects where you were involved from concept to launch, detailing your role and decision-making at each stage.

• Focus on Problem-Solving: Clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your approach, and the impact of your design solutions. Quantify results where possible.

• Demonstrate Craft & Polish: Present high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that reflect attention to detail, visual consistency, and user experience best practices.

• Showcase AI/Conversational Design (if applicable): If you have relevant experience, specifically highlight projects involving AI, chat interfaces, or complex user flows.

• Explain Your Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process, explaining your rationale and how you collaborated with product and engineering.

• Tailor to Valence: Research Valence's product, AI focus, and company mission. Frame your portfolio examples to show how your skills align with their specific needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Valence's AI coaching platform and its target market (enterprise leaders).

• AI Integration Thinking: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing AI-driven features in a user-friendly and impactful way.

• Iterative Design: Practice thinking about how to break down complex problems into manageable design sprints and iterations.

• Figma Proficiency: Ensure you are comfortable using Figma for rapid prototyping and design iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "small, high-velocity team" and "shipping polished, thoughtful experiences on a weekly cadence" means the interview process will likely be focused on practical skills, speed, and collaborative capability. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their ability to contribute immediately and thrive in an iterative environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Mandatory for design, prototyping, and collaboration. Candidates are expected to be highly proficient.

• Design System Tools: Components within Figma or dedicated design system management software.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities, or potentially other tools for more complex interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for the designer, understanding how user data informs design decisions is crucial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) and how to interpret usage data to drive design improvements would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly within the Product Designer's purview, but understanding the context of enterprise SaaS and how the product fits into a larger business workflow (potentially involving CRM or sales automation) can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for Figma proficiency is paramount. While other tools are not listed, a strong Product Designer in this context should be aware of how their designs integrate into broader product development and analytics workflows to measure success and drive continuous improvement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Redefinition: A core value is to "redefine work itself" and tackle problems with no playbook, driven by AI's transformative potential. This means embracing ambiguity and pushing boundaries.

• High Velocity & Impact: The culture emphasizes shipping frequently, making decisions with incomplete information, and having an outsized impact from day one. This requires a results-oriented mindset.

• Craft & Polish: Despite the speed, there's a strong emphasis on "polished, thoughtful experiences" and maintaining "craft" in design. This suggests a commitment to quality alongside efficiency.

• Collaboration & Growth: Working "alongside the executive team," being "embedded with product and engineering," and participating in "design critiques" highlights a culture of open collaboration, continuous learning, and mutual development.

• AI-First Operator: A dedication to working with cutting-edge AI and building expertise in its enterprise application, aiming to be leaders in shaping its future at scale.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded & Integrated: Designers are not siloed but are integral parts of product-design-engineering teams, working closely with PMs and Engineers.

• Iterative & Feedback-Driven: The weekly cadence and emphasis on design critiques foster a collaborative environment where feedback is actively sought and incorporated.

• Transparent & Strategic: Working closely with the executive team and having transparency into strategy allows for more informed design contributions that align with business objectives.

• Cross-Functional: While the core team is product/design/engineering, understanding how design impacts GTM, sales, and customer success is likely valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Valence's culture is clearly geared towards ambitious individuals who want to innovate and make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving field of AI for enterprise. The emphasis on collaboration and growth within a fast-paced, high-stakes environment is a key cultural differentiator.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Ambiguity: Tackling "problems with no playbook" and integrating AI in novel ways requires comfort with uncertainty and the ability to define solutions where none existed before.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: Maintaining design quality and craft while shipping weekly requires efficient workflows, strong decision-making, and effective prioritization.

• Balancing Enterprise Needs with AI Innovation: Designing an AI coaching platform that is both powerful for Fortune 500 companies and intuitive for end-users presents a complex design challenge.

• Scaling Design Systems: As the product grows, ensuring the design system remains robust, scalable, and adaptable to new AI features will be an ongoing challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Product Design Specialization: Gain deep expertise in designing user experiences for AI-powered enterprise solutions, a highly in-demand skill.

• Scale-Up Experience: Learn how to build and scale design processes, systems, and teams within a high-growth startup environment.

• Strategic Impact: Contribute directly to company-defining projects and gain exposure to executive-level decision-making, accelerating leadership potential.

• Industry Recognition: Opportunity to become a leader in the emerging field of AI for work transformations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but directly tied to the growth and innovation opportunities. Valence is looking for designers who see these challenges as exciting problems to solve, rather than obstacles. The growth path is clearly defined by the company's ambitious mission.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex feature with limited information. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and ability to iterate.)

• "How would you approach designing a new AI-driven feature for our coaching platform? What user needs would you prioritize, and how would you ensure a good user experience?" (Demonstrate your understanding of AI, user needs, and design methodology.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Valence's mission to redefine work with AI, and why is this role a good fit for your career goals?" (Align your personal aspirations with the company's vision.)

• "Describe your experience working in small, high-velocity teams. What are the key elements of successful collaboration in such environments?" (Highlight your adaptability and teamwork skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative: the problem, your role, your process (ideation, research, design, testing), your solutions, and the impact/results.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify outcomes whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion, increased engagement, reduced task completion time). If direct metrics aren't available, articulate the potential business impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and clear visuals to demonstrate your design skills and the user experience.

• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind your design decisions. Why did you choose a particular UI pattern? Why this interaction?

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges encountered, and how you would handle specific scenarios relevant to Valence's product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh portfolio quality and the ability to articulate design decisions and impact. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with AI, enterprise SaaS, and fast-paced product development environments.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating end-to-end design ownership, strong visual craft, interaction design skills, and ideally, experience with AI-driven features or conversational interfaces. Tailor your case studies to highlight problem-solving and impact relevant to enterprise SaaS.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3-5 years of product design experience, highlighting accomplishments and responsibilities in fast-paced, small-team environments. Incorporate keywords such as "Product Design," "Figma," "Design Systems," "AI," "Enterprise SaaS," and "Interaction Design."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to walk through your portfolio with confidence, focusing on storytelling and quantifiable results. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI and your interest in Valence's mission.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Valence, its AI coaching platform, target market, and company culture. Understand their unique value proposition and how your design skills can contribute to their ambitious goals.

⚠️ 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.