Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer
Company: Vestwell
Location: New York, NY
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / User Experience Design
Date Posted: January 09, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 Years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design innovative and user-centric digital products for Vestwell's financial technology platform, focusing on retirement, education, and healthcare savings.
• Collaborate closely with senior designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to translate complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive and efficient user experiences.
• Contribute to the definition of future product direction and strategy through detailed task execution and strategic input.
• Champion best practices in design thinking, user research, and system design to ensure high-quality, scalable, and consistent product experiences across web and mobile platforms.
• Leverage modern design tools and methodologies, including Figma and AI-assisted design processes, to create high-fidelity prototypes and engaging user interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer, requiring a blend of hands-on design execution and strategic contribution. The emphasis on "balancing the needs of the business with the needs of our users" and "supporting the team in defining future product direction" indicates a need for a candidate who can operate independently on defined tasks while also contributing to broader product strategy discussions. The "3-5 years of professional experience" requirement supports this mid-level positioning.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough user research, including interviews, surveys, and analysis of product analytics, to identify user pain points, needs, and opportunities for improvement within complex digital financial products.
• Develop high-fidelity wireframes, interactive prototypes, and visually polished UI designs for web and mobile applications, ensuring adherence to Vestwell's design system and brand guidelines.
• Simplify complex financial workflows into clear, intuitive, and user-friendly journeys, optimizing for efficiency and ease of use for diverse user segments (e.g., businesses, individual savers, financial advisors).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers and Engineers, throughout the product development lifecycle, providing design specifications, iterative feedback, and ensuring design integrity from concept to launch.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Vestwell's design system, including component libraries, content patterns, and microcopy, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to accessibility standards (ADA/WCAG).
• Participate in usability testing sessions to gather feedback on designs, iterate based on findings, and validate design decisions with data and user insights.
• Apply a systems-thinking approach to design, identifying and articulating potential downstream UX, operational, and technical implications of design decisions to stakeholders.
• Utilize AI tools within the design process to enhance efficiency and explore design solutions, exercising critical judgment on their application and integration.
• Present design work and rationale effectively to project stakeholders, articulating design decisions and their alignment with user needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on process, systems thinking, and cross-functional collaboration, which are critical in a fintech environment. The emphasis on "simplifying complex workflows" and "systems-thinking mindset" indicates that candidates with experience in enterprise-level or complex B2B/B2C platforms will be highly valued. The requirement to "identify and communicate potential downstream UX, operational, and technical implications" suggests a need for a designer who understands the broader impact of their work beyond just the UI.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of professional experience as a Product Designer, UX Designer, or UI Designer, with a demonstrated track record of designing complex digital products and systems for both web and mobile platforms.
• Proven experience in applying the full spectrum of the design thinking process, from discovery and problem framing through to delivery and iterative refinement.

Required Skills:

• Design Tool Proficiency: Deep expertise and an "obsession" with Figma for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and design system management.
• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to conduct root cause investigations, synthesize research findings, and develop creative solutions for complex user problems.
• User Journey Mapping: Proven ability to simplify complex workflows into clear, intuitive, and efficient user journeys.
• Systems Thinking: Capacity to understand and articulate how design decisions impact the broader user experience, operational processes, and technical architecture.
• Design Systems: Familiarity with building, maintaining, publishing, and documenting component libraries and design systems.
• Content Design: Experience designing and maintaining content patterns and microcopy (labels, tooltips, error states) for clarity and consistency within a design system.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working effectively with Product Managers and Engineers in a collaborative, iterative environment.
• Prototyping & Testing: High-fidelity wireframing, interactive prototyping, and hands-on usability testing experience.
• Research Acumen: Familiarity with research best practices such as user interviews, surveys, and interpreting product analytics (event tracking) to inform design.
• AI Tool Integration: Comfort and willingness to use AI tools in the design process, applying critical judgment.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and present work to stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in financial services or the fintech industry.
• Familiarity with HTML and CSS.
• Basic familiarity with project management and documentation tools like Confluence, Jira, and Github.
• Experience with Agile methodologies.
• ADA/WCAG compliance experience.
• Experience working across multiple products and codebases, maintaining design system coherence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The strong emphasis on "obsession with Figma" and "design system" indicates that candidates who can demonstrate deep expertise in these areas, perhaps with examples of contributions to existing design systems or building new ones, will have a significant advantage. The mention of "AI tools" suggests a forward-thinking team open to incorporating new technologies into their workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Problem-Solving Showcase: A portfolio that clearly demonstrates deep problem-solving skills, detailing the design process from initial challenge to final solution, including research, ideation, and iteration.
• Design Principles & Craft: Evidence of strong design principles and excellent visual/UI design execution, showcasing consistent excellence in craft and quality across diverse projects.
• Systemic Design Thinking: Examples illustrating a systems-thinking approach, showing how designs consider broader user experience, operational efficiency, and technical implications.
• Workflow Simplification: Case studies that highlight the ability to simplify complex workflows into clear, intuitive, and user-friendly digital experiences.
• Design System Contribution: Projects that showcase experience with or understanding of building, maintaining, and utilizing component libraries and design systems for consistency and scalability.

Process Documentation:

• End-to-End Design Process: Detailed documentation of the design process applied to a project, from discovery and problem framing through to delivery and iterative feedback loops.
• User Research Integration: Examples of how user research findings (interviews, analytics) were integrated into the design process to inform and validate decisions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Evidence of collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, illustrating how design was integrated and iterated upon with technical and product constraints in mind.
• Impact and Iteration: Documentation that clearly shows the impact of design solutions, including metrics where possible, and demonstrates a commitment to iterative improvement based on post-launch feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. The requirements emphasize not just the final visual output but the process behind it. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their case studies, explaining their decision-making, the challenges they faced, and how they leveraged research and collaboration to arrive at their solutions. Demonstrating an understanding of how design impacts operations and technical aspects is a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The expected base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $125,000 USD per year.
• Note: This range is based on New York City and other similar metro areas and may vary depending on the candidate's ultimate hiring location.

Benefits:

• Health Coverage: Competitive health insurance plans.
• Retirement Savings: A great 401(k) plan.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation offering.
• Bonus Pool: Eligibility to participate in the Company Bonus Pool.
• Equity: Eligibility to receive new hire equity in the Company.
• Wellbeing: Dedicated Employee Wellbeing Committee.

Working Hours:

• The standard work week is approximately 40 hours.
• Note: Vestwell operates a hybrid office policy, implying a balance between in-office and remote work. Specific daily or weekly in-office requirements are not detailed but are part of the "hybrid in-office culture" in NYC.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the New York City area, which is a high-cost-of-living region. When considering this range, candidates should compare it against their own financial needs and expectations, as well as market rates for Product Designers in other locations if applicable. The inclusion of bonus and equity alongside salary indicates a comprehensive total compensation package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech) - powering the new savings economy across retirement, education, and healthcare. Company Size: Vestwell is a high-growth company, serving over 350,000 businesses and nearly 1.5 million active savers with over $30 billion in assets. While specific employee count isn't provided, this scale indicates a dynamic and rapidly evolving environment. Founded: Vestwell was founded with a mission to redefine how people save, indicating a forward-thinking and innovation-driven ethos.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: A collaborative team that works closely with senior designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to balance business goals with user needs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A core aspect of Vestwell's operational model, involving close partnerships between design, product, and engineering teams to ensure cohesive product development.
• Reporting: The Product Designer will work with senior members of the design team and likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design.

Methodology:

• Design Thinking: The team embraces a comprehensive design thinking process, from discovery and problem framing to delivery and iteration.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilization of user research, product analytics, and user feedback to inform and validate design decisions.
• Systems Approach: Emphasis on understanding and designing for the interconnectedness of user experience, operational processes, and technical systems.
• Agile Development: While not explicitly detailed for design, the mention of "Agile methodologies" in "Extras" suggests a development environment that values iterative progress and adaptability.

Company Website: vestwell.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Vestwell's focus on "redefining how people save" suggests a mission-driven culture that values impact. The "low-ego, highly collaborative teammate" characteristic mentioned in "Extras" points towards a culture that prioritizes teamwork and shared success over individual accolades, which is beneficial for operations and design roles requiring extensive collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a mid-level Product Designer, indicating a position where individuals are expected to execute design tasks with autonomy, contribute to strategic discussions, and begin mentoring junior team members or interns. The 3-5 years of experience requirement aligns with this level.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will work closely with senior members of the design team and collaborate extensively with Product Managers and Engineers. They will likely report to a Design Manager or Lead who provides guidance and feedback.

Operations Impact: As a Product Designer in a fintech company, the impact is direct: shaping user interfaces and experiences for critical financial savings products. This role has the potential to significantly influence user adoption, engagement, retention, and ultimately, the company's success in the savings economy. The ability to simplify complex financial products makes them accessible and user-friendly, driving business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like design systems, accessibility, or user research methodologies.
• Product Strategy Contribution: Grow from executing design tasks to actively shaping product strategy and roadmap through design insights and innovation.
• Leadership Potential: As experience grows, potential to move into senior design roles, lead design initiatives, or mentor junior designers.
• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in fintech and financial services design, a valuable and growing niche.
• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhance understanding of engineering and product management processes, preparing for broader product leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Product Designer at a fintech company like Vestwell often involves increasing responsibility for product strategy and user experience vision. The mention of "defining future product direction" hints at opportunities for designers to influence the product roadmap beyond immediate design tasks.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid office culture with a focus on collaboration. Vestwell has offices in Midtown Manhattan, Austin, King of Prussia, and Phoenix. Office Location(s): The primary location for this role is New York, NY, specifically Midtown Manhattan. This implies a need for candidates to be based in or willing to relocate to NYC to participate in the hybrid model.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office is described as "bright, comfortable" with "many workspace options," suggesting an environment that supports both focused work and team collaboration.
• Technology & Tools: Access to modern design tools and technology, including Figma and potentially AI-assisted design platforms, is implicit given the role requirements.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model encourages in-person interaction for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional collaboration, fostering a connected team atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• While specific daily schedules are not detailed, the role is full-time and hybrid. Candidates should expect a structured work week that balances in-office days with remote work, allowing for flexibility while ensuring team connectivity. The 40-hour work week is standard.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid in-office culture" in NYC means candidates should expect to spend a significant portion of their week in the Midtown Manhattan office. This setup is designed to facilitate team cohesion and spontaneous collaboration, which is often beneficial for design teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Conversations: 1-2 introductory calls to discuss Vestwell, the candidate's experience, and interests. This is a chance for both sides to assess initial fit.
• Skill/Experience Screen: For a designer, this will likely be a portfolio review. Candidates should be prepared to present a curated selection of their work, explaining their design process, rationale, and impact.
• Interview Panel: Subsequent virtual or in-person interviews with a panel of team members (likely including senior designers, product managers, and engineers) for deeper dives into skills, experience, and cultural fit.
• References Check: A final stage involving checks with current or former supervisors and peers to validate performance and collaboration style.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your problem-solving skills, process, and impact, aligning with Vestwell's fintech focus if possible.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, iteration), the solutions you designed, and the outcomes/impact (quantify if possible).
• Highlight Process, Not Just Pixels: Emphasize your design thinking, user research integration, and how you navigated constraints (technical, business).
• Showcase Figma Mastery: Be ready to discuss your specific Figma workflows, how you manage design systems, and how you leverage its features for efficiency.
• Address Systems Thinking: Explain how you considered the broader implications of your designs beyond the immediate UI.
• Prepare for AI Discussion: Be ready to discuss your experience with AI tools in design and your approach to integrating them thoughtfully.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly stated as a separate stage, a portfolio review often serves as a practical assessment. Be prepared to discuss hypothetical design challenges or be given a small, time-boxed design exercise during the interview process. Focus on demonstrating your thought process, problem-solving approach, and ability to work under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes transparency and a lack of surprises. Candidates should be prepared for a multi-stage process that thoroughly assesses both technical skills and cultural fit. A strong, well-prepared portfolio presentation is crucial for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the explicitly stated "obsession" and primary design tool. Expertise in Figma for wireframing, high-fidelity UI design, prototyping, collaboration, and design system management is critical.
• Prototyping Tools: Likely built within Figma, but candidates should be comfortable creating interactive prototypes to simulate user flows.
• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for user interviews, surveys, and potentially usability testing platforms.
• Product Analytics Tools: Experience with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or similar for interpreting event tracking data to inform design decisions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Interpretation: Ability to interpret data from product analytics tools to understand user behavior and validate design hypotheses.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Applicable: While Vestwell uses CRM and automation for its operations, the Product Designer role primarily interacts with design and product management tools. However, understanding how designs integrate into backend systems is beneficial.

Additional Tools Mentioned:

• Confluence: For documentation.
• Jira: For project management and tracking.
• Github: Potentially for design system version control or collaboration with engineering.
• AI Tools: General familiarity and comfort with using AI tools in the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of Figma is non-negotiable for this role. Candidates should be able to articulate their proficiency and how they leverage its advanced features, especially in relation to design systems and collaboration. Familiarity with data analytics tools is also important for a data-driven design approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value of balancing business needs with a deep understanding of and focus on user needs and experience.
• Collaboration: Emphasis on being a "low-ego, highly collaborative teammate" who values shared success and works effectively across functions.
• Impact-Driven: Passion for creating products that have a significant positive impact on users' financial well-being and savings goals.
• Efficiency & Simplicity: A drive to simplify complex processes and systems into intuitive and efficient user journeys.
• Data-Informed: Commitment to using research, analytics, and feedback to guide design decisions.
• Continuous Improvement: A culture that values iteration, learning, and refining designs and processes over time.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design is deeply integrated with Product Management and Engineering, requiring regular communication and joint problem-solving.
• Constructive Feedback: An environment where feedback is exchanged constructively, supported by senior designers and collaborators, to refine designs and processes.
• Shared Ownership: A team culture where success is shared, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for product outcomes.
• Open Communication: Encouragement of open dialogue regarding design decisions, potential implications, and user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "low-ego" and "shared success" suggests a team that values humility, teamwork, and collective achievement. Candidates who can demonstrate these qualities in their interactions and project examples will likely be a good cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively navigating and reconciling potentially competing priorities between user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints.
• Simplifying Complexity: Tackling the inherent complexity of financial products and regulations to create intuitive user experiences.
• Design System Evolution: Contributing to and maintaining a robust design system that scales across multiple products and evolving requirements.
• Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to the fast-paced nature of a high-growth fintech company, requiring agility and efficient design processes.
• Integrating AI Thoughtfully: Understanding the best ways to leverage AI tools without compromising design quality, user trust, or core design principles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Fintech Specialization: Deepen expertise in the unique design challenges and opportunities within the financial services and fintech sectors.
• Design System Leadership: Opportunity to take on more responsibility in the development and governance of Vestwell's design system.
• Product Strategy Influence: Grow from executing designs to having a significant impact on product strategy and vision.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Enhance understanding of business operations, engineering, and product management through close collaboration.
• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers or interns as the team grows.
• Industry Best Practices: Stay abreast of evolving design trends, tools, and methodologies, including advanced AI applications in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a mid-level designer in a growing fintech company, offering significant opportunities for professional development and impact. The company's focus on growth and innovation provides a fertile ground for learning and advancing one's career.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process Deep Dive: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio projects, detailing:
  • The problem you were trying to solve and your approach to defining it.
  • Your research methodology and how insights informed your design.
  • Your iterative design process, including wireframing, prototyping, and testing.
  • How you collaborated with Product Managers and Engineers.
  • The final solution and its impact (quantify with metrics if possible).
• Systems Thinking Application: How would you approach designing a new feature for a complex financial product, considering its impact on existing user flows, operational processes, and technical infrastructure?
• Figma & Design Systems: Describe your experience building, maintaining, or contributing to design systems in Figma. How do you ensure consistency and scalability?
• AI in Design: How do you see AI tools enhancing the product design process? Provide an example of how you might use an AI tool in your workflow and what judgment you would apply.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Vestwell's Mission: How does Vestwell's mission to "power the new savings economy" resonate with you? How would your design work contribute to this mission?
• Collaboration Style: Describe a time you had to balance conflicting feedback from different stakeholders (e.g., Product, Engineering, users). How did you navigate it?
• Adaptability: How do you approach design challenges in a fast-paced, high-growth environment?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation around clear, compelling stories for each project. Start with the "why," move to the "how," and end with the "what" (results/impact).
• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals, mockups, and interactive prototypes. Ensure your Figma files are well-organized if you plan to share them.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most critical aspects of each project. Aim for 5-7 minutes per case study.
• Active Engagement: Be prepared to answer questions about your decisions, trade-offs, and learnings. Encourage interaction rather than just presenting.
• Demonstrate Passion: Convey your enthusiasm for design, problem-solving, and Vestwell's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only your design skills but also your ability to think strategically, collaborate effectively, and communicate your ideas clearly. A strong understanding of Vestwell's business and mission will be beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the Vestwell careers page or the provided Greenhouse link and submit your resume and any requested materials.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that highlight problem-solving, design process, Figma proficiency, and impact. Tailor the selection to showcase relevant fintech or complex digital product experience if possible.
• Optimize Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 3-5 years of experience, key skills (Figma, design thinking, UX research, etc.), and quantifiable achievements relevant to product design. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, process explanation, and demonstrating your systems-thinking and collaboration abilities. Be ready to discuss your approach to AI tools in design.
• Research Vestwell: Familiarize yourself with Vestwell's products, mission, and company values. Understand the fintech landscape and Vestwell's position within it. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.