Product Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer II Company: Microsoft Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design Date Posted: 2026-01-27T08:50:56 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied) Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Designing end-to-end user experiences for the Microsoft Power Platform, focusing on intuitive, performant, and delightful interactions for a global user base.
• Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Product Management, and other Design partners across multiple geographies to simplify complex workflows and translate technical systems into user-friendly experiences.
• Producing high-quality visual designs and defining the visual language for a suite of products within the Power Platform ecosystem.
• Driving product UX improvements through the creation of interaction models and acting as a liaison between users and the platform.
• Contributing to the Power Platform's low-code foundation, enabling millions of makers, partners, and teams to build impactful business solutions at scale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly for a "Product Designer II" and targets individuals with experience in end-to-end design processes, specifically within enterprise or technical tooling environments. The emphasis on "low code foundation," "makers," and "solutions at scale" indicates a focus on empowering non-technical users to build complex applications, requiring a strong understanding of user empowerment and platform design principles. The hybrid nature requires a blend of in-office collaboration and independent work.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Engineering teams and perform Quality Assurance (QA) to ensure design integrity and identify potential design limitations, while actively seeking solutions.
• Develop and maintain a consistent visual language across a set of Power Platform products, ensuring a cohesive and branded user experience.
• Create detailed wireframes, user journey maps, and other UX artifacts to support and articulate interaction design concepts.
• Actively participate in product UX improvements by designing interaction models that enhance user efficiency and product usability.
• Serve as a crucial liaison between end-users and the platform, translating user needs and feedback into actionable design recommendations.
• Clearly articulate and present design work, research findings, and learnings to peers and management within the studio team.
• Effectively communicate user needs and design rationale to cross-functional team members, proposing innovative ideas to create compelling and productive user narratives.
• Partner with creative team members, program managers, and developers to define product features and contribute to the ideation and delivery of product design results.
• Participate in user research studies and leverage insights to influence product direction and design outcomes.
• Drive the end-to-end design process from initial research and concepting through to shipped product, ensuring quality and user-centricity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core design tasks (visual design, wireframing, journey mapping) with crucial collaborative and communication elements. The emphasis on "challenging design limitations," "influencing collaborators," and "creating a compelling productive narrative" suggests a need for strong advocacy and strategic thinking in the design process, beyond just execution. The mention of "Quality Assurance" in collaboration with Engineering points to a hands-on approach to ensuring design implementation accuracy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience (UX), Interaction Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Required: 3+ years of experience working in product or service design, or equivalent demonstrated experience using design thinking to solve problems.
• Preferred:
  • Master's Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, HCI, UX, Interaction Design, or a related field AND 3+ years of experience working in product or service design.
  • 5+ years of experience working in product or service design.
  • 2+ years of experience shipping products, services, or games, demonstrating an end-to-end design process delivery to customers.
  • Proven experience with end-to-end design processes, from research and discovery through to shipped product.
  • Strong background in systems design, platform design, or enterprise/technical tooling.
  • Experience partnering with engineering teams on highly technical interfaces.

Required Skills:

• Product Design: Ability to conceptualize, design, and deliver user-centered product experiences.
• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of UX principles, user flows, and information architecture.
• Interaction Design: Proficiency in designing intuitive and effective user interactions.
• Visual Design: Skill in creating aesthetically pleasing and functional visual interfaces.
• Wireframing & Journey Mapping: Ability to create essential UX artifacts to communicate design concepts and user flows.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, PM, and other Designers.
• Design Thinking: Application of design thinking methodologies to solve complex user problems.
• Quality Assurance (QA): Ability to ensure the quality and integrity of implemented designs.

Preferred Skills:

• Systems Design & Platform Design: Expertise in designing scalable and integrated systems or platform experiences.
• Technical Interfaces: Experience designing user interfaces for complex technical products or tools.
• Modern Design Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard design software such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, etc.
• Design Systems: Familiarity with creating and utilizing design systems and style guides for consistency.
• Coding Tools: Demonstrated ability to use emerging design/coding tools (e.g., Figma Make, Github Spark, Cursor).
• Growth Mindset: A proactive, "learn-it-all" attitude with a willingness to question assumptions and drive innovation.
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to approach challenges with innovative and effective solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications clearly distinguish between required and preferred experience, with a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on experience in shipping products. The preferred skills, particularly around "systems design, platform design, or enterprise/technical tooling" and "partnering with engineering on highly technical interfaces," are critical for success in this role within the Power Platform context. The mention of "vibe designing/coding tools" suggests an interest in emerging tools and potentially a willingness to explore new workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of end-to-end design projects that demonstrate your ability to tackle complex user problems from discovery to delivery.
• Include case studies that highlight your process, design thinking, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Feature projects that involve systems design, platform design, or enterprise/technical tooling, if available.
• Present examples of collaboration with engineering and product management teams, detailing your role and contributions.
• Demonstrate the ability to translate technical requirements or limitations into user-friendly designs.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly outline the steps taken in each project: user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, user testing, and iteration.
• Detail how you gathered user insights and translated them into design decisions.
• Explain the rationale behind your design choices, including interaction models and visual design elements.
• Document any challenges encountered and how they were overcome, particularly those involving design limitations or technical constraints.
• Showcase how you collaborated with engineering and PM to ensure successful implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated in the raw job description, a strong portfolio is standard for Product Designer roles. The enhancement focuses on demonstrating the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the qualifications and responsibilities, particularly those related to enterprise/technical tooling, systems design, and cross-functional collaboration. The ability to articulate process and demonstrate problem-solving is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: ₹15,00,000 - ₹30,00,000 per annum (This is an estimated range for a Product Designer II role in Bengaluru, India, based on industry benchmarks for Microsoft and similar tech companies. Actual compensation will depend on experience, skills, and interview performance.)

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision).
• Retirement savings plans (e.g., Provident Fund contributions).
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays).
• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.
• Employee assistance programs for mental health and well-being.
• Potential for stock options or bonuses based on performance.
• Access to Microsoft's extensive internal tools and technologies.
• Employee discounts on Microsoft products and services.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours.
• Hybrid work arrangement requiring 3 days per week in the Bangalore office.
• Flexibility may be available, but core hours will likely align with team collaboration needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges for Product Designer II roles at major tech companies like Microsoft in tech hubs like Bengaluru can vary significantly. The provided estimate is based on general market data for mid-to-senior level design roles in India. Microsoft is known for offering competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages to attract and retain top talent. The hybrid work model is a key aspect of the work arrangement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Development, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Solutions, Artificial Intelligence. Company Size: Microsoft is a large, multinational technology corporation, employing hundreds of thousands globally. This scale offers vast opportunities for impact and career growth. Founded: 1975. Microsoft has a long history of innovation and market leadership, now heavily focused on cloud services (Azure), AI, and empowering productivity.

Team Structure:

• The Power Platform Core team operates within Microsoft's broader product development organization.
• Product Designers work within dedicated design studios or teams, often embedded within product groups.
• This role involves close collaboration with Engineering Managers, Program Managers (PMs), and fellow Designers across different product areas and geographies.
• Reporting is typically to a Design Lead or Design Manager within the Power Platform organization.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by user research, analytics, A/B testing, and feedback from a large user base.
• Agile Development: Teams likely work in sprints, with continuous integration and iterative development cycles.
• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting the needs of global users, from individual "makers" to large enterprises.
• Growth Mindset: Microsoft actively promotes a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and embracing challenges.
• Inclusive Design: Commitment to designing products that are accessible and usable by everyone.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture is characterized by its scale, ambition, and a strong emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement. The Power Platform team specifically aims to democratize technology creation, requiring a design approach that balances power and complexity with simplicity and ease of use. The "Growth Mindset" is a core value that impacts how teams approach challenges and learning.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Product Designer II signifies a mid-to-senior level role. This position is beyond an entry-level designer, expecting a solid foundation and the ability to work independently on significant product areas. It involves contributing to feature definition, driving design execution, and influencing product strategy.

Reporting Structure:

• You will report to a Design Manager or Lead within the Power Platform design organization.
• You will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for specific product features or areas.
• Collaboration extends to a broader design community within Microsoft, fostering knowledge sharing and best practices.

Operations Impact:

• The Power Platform is a critical component of Microsoft's business strategy, enabling digital transformation for businesses of all sizes.
• Your design contributions will directly impact millions of users worldwide, influencing how they build applications, automate processes, and create digital experiences.
• Successful designs can lead to increased user adoption, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth for Microsoft's Power Platform offerings.
• You will play a role in shaping the future of low-code development and empowering a new generation of creators.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in areas like platform design, systems thinking, complex technical interfaces, and AI-driven design.
• Career Progression: Potential to advance to Product Designer III, Senior Product Designer, Design Lead, or Management roles within Microsoft.
• Cross-Product Exposure: Opportunity to work on different components of the Power Platform or other Microsoft products.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and contribute to design strategy.
• Continuous Learning: Access to Microsoft's extensive internal training programs, workshops, and external learning resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Product Designer II" title implies a progression path. Growth opportunities are significant at Microsoft, with clear pathways for both individual contributor (IC) growth and management tracks. The impact of designing for a platform used by millions of "makers" is substantial, positioning this role as central to Microsoft's strategy in the low-code and digital transformation space.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, meaning a mix of remote work and in-office presence. Microsoft's offices are typically modern, offering collaborative spaces, quiet zones, and amenities. Office Location(s): Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. The specific office location will be provided upon offer. Microsoft has a significant presence in Bengaluru, often featuring state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are designed with meeting rooms, huddle spaces, and open areas to encourage team interaction and brainstorming.
• Tools and Technology: You will have access to Microsoft's full suite of productivity tools, design software licenses (e.g., Figma), and robust IT infrastructure.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to connect with your immediate design team, cross-functional partners (PM, Eng), and the broader Microsoft design community through meetings, workshops, and informal interactions.
• Focus Areas: The environment will likely accommodate both collaborative sessions and focused individual work, essential for design tasks.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, ~40 hours per week.
• The hybrid model requires presence in the Bangalore office for 3 days per week, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, or as determined by team needs.
• This structure allows for focused work at home and collaborative sessions in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature is a key characteristic. Microsoft offices are designed to support collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being, providing the necessary tools and environment for designers to thrive. The expectation of 3 days in the office suggests a deliberate effort to balance remote flexibility with the benefits of in-person teamwork.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will review your application and resume, followed by a brief screening call.
• Portfolio Review: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, showcasing 2-3 key projects. This is a critical stage.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be given a design problem to solve within a set timeframe, or asked to present a detailed case study of a past project.
• On-site/Virtual Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews with hiring managers, design peers, program managers, and engineers. These will assess your design skills, problem-solving abilities, technical understanding, and cultural fit.
• Final Round: Potentially interviews with senior leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best align with the role's requirements (enterprise/platform design, technical interfaces, end-to-end process).
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, your design decisions (and rationale), the challenges you faced, and the impact/outcomes. Use visuals effectively.
• Showcase Process: Demonstrate your design thinking, research methods, wireframing, prototyping, and interaction design skills.
• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with PMs, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success or impact of your designs.
• Tailor to Microsoft: Emphasize projects that show an understanding of complex systems, enterprise needs, or platform design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a challenge, ask clarifying questions to fully grasp the problem space and user needs.
• Think Out Loud: Articulate your thought process clearly. Explain your assumptions, design choices, and trade-offs.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your structured approach to problem-solving, even if you don't reach a final "perfect" solution.
• Consider Constraints: Acknowledge potential technical limitations or business requirements.
• User-Centricity: Always anchor your solutions in user needs and research insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Microsoft is rigorous and designed to assess a wide range of competencies. The portfolio presentation is paramount, and candidates should be prepared to deeply discuss their process, decisions, and the impact of their work. The emphasis on enterprise/technical tooling and platform design means portfolio pieces should reflect this.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and collaboration. Proficiency is highly expected.
• Sketch / Adobe XD: Familiarity with these tools may also be beneficial, though Figma is often the standard.
• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping, or potentially tools like Adobe XD, InVision, or Principle for more advanced interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Microsoft Tools: Microsoft likely uses a suite of proprietary analytics and telemetry tools for understanding user behavior and product performance.
• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools that can ingest and visualize data to inform design decisions (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or internal equivalents).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct user-facing CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how automation impacts user experiences within platforms like Power Platform is crucial.
• Familiarity with concepts behind workflow automation and low-code platforms is a strong plus.

Other Potential Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting remote user interviews, usability testing, and surveys.
• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Azure DevOps for project management and communication.
• Emerging Design/Coding Tools: As mentioned, tools like Figma Make, Github Spark, Cursor indicate an interest in innovative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost certainly a requirement. The role also implies a need to understand the broader ecosystem of tools that support product development and user research within a large tech company. A designer on the Power Platform should also have a conceptual understanding of how the platform itself works and integrates with other Microsoft services.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Deeply understanding and serving the needs of millions of "makers" and enterprise customers.
• Innovation: Continuously seeking new ways to simplify complex tasks and empower users with cutting-edge technology, including AI.
• Collaboration: Working seamlessly across disciplines (design, engineering, PM) and geographies to achieve shared goals.
• Growth Mindset: Embracing challenges, learning from failures, and continuously improving skills and products.
• Inclusivity: Designing for a diverse global audience, ensuring accessibility and equitable experiences.
• Accountability: Taking ownership of design outcomes and driving them to successful implementation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Designers are integral members of product teams, working hand-in-hand with PMs and Engineers from concept to launch.
• Iterative Feedback: A culture of sharing work early and often, soliciting constructive feedback, and iterating based on input.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and design patterns across the broader Microsoft design community.
• Data-Informed: Decisions are often supported by data and user research, but design intuition and strategic vision are also highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's core values (Growth Mindset, Respect, Integrity, Accountability) are deeply embedded. For the Power Platform team, these translate into a culture of empowerment, continuous learning, and a strong drive to deliver impactful solutions that simplify complex processes for a wide range of users. The emphasis on "makers" suggests a culture that champions creativity and accessibility.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Simplifying Complexity: Designing intuitive experiences for a powerful, feature-rich platform that serves both novice makers and experienced developers.
• Scalability: Ensuring designs can scale across a vast user base and diverse use cases.
• Cross-Geo Collaboration: Effectively working with teams distributed across different time zones and cultures.
• Balancing Vision and Execution: Advocating for innovative design while ensuring feasibility with engineering constraints and timelines.
• Staying Ahead of AI: Integrating emerging AI capabilities into the platform in a way that is genuinely useful and not just a novelty.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to master complex interaction patterns, systems design, and platform UX.
• AI & Emerging Tech: Exposure to and involvement in designing with AI and other cutting-edge technologies.
• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to internal and external learning events, workshops, and training programs.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior designers and to mentor junior team members.
• Career Pathing: Clear pathways for growth into senior individual contributor roles or management positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in the inherent complexity of a powerful platform designed for broad adoption. Growth is facilitated by Microsoft's commitment to employee development, offering numerous avenues to expand technical and leadership skills within a dynamic tech environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to design for a complex technical system or platform. What were the challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and ability to translate technical concepts.)
• "Describe a project where you collaborated closely with engineering and product management. How did you ensure alignment and a successful outcome?" (Highlight communication, negotiation, and cross-functional teamwork.)
• "How do you handle design constraints or limitations imposed by technical feasibility or business requirements?" (Showcase your adaptability, problem-solving, and ability to find creative workarounds.)
• "Walk me through a project where you significantly improved a user's experience. What was the problem, your solution, and the impact?" (Prepare a strong case study focusing on user needs and measurable outcomes.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Microsoft and the Power Platform specifically?" (Research the Power Platform's mission and recent developments. Connect it to your passion for design and empowerment.)
• "How do you embody a growth mindset in your work?" (Provide specific examples of learning, experimentation, or overcoming challenges.)
• "How do you approach inclusive design and ensuring your products are accessible to all users?" (Demonstrate awareness of accessibility standards and principles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solutions -> Challenges -> Impact.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, user flows, and prototypes. Avoid walls of text.
• Storytelling: Make your presentation engaging. Explain why you made certain decisions.
• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, design rationale, and how you would handle hypothetical scenarios. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs.
• Technical Depth: For this role, be ready to discuss how your designs interface with technical systems and how you collaborated with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for not just design skill, but also problem-solving acumen, communication effectiveness, and cultural fit. Demonstrating an understanding of Microsoft's values and the specific goals of the Power Platform will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer II position:

• Submit your application through the Microsoft Careers portal via the provided URL.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 of your strongest projects that align with enterprise/platform design, technical interfaces, and end-to-end product development. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, design decisions, and quantifiable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with product design, UX/interaction design, working with engineering teams, platform/systems design, and proficiency in modern design tools like Figma. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to articulate your design process and rationale verbally. Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on storytelling and answering potential questions about your decision-making and collaboration.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Microsoft's mission, values, and the specific goals and impact of the Power Platform. Understand its role in empowering businesses and individuals.

⚠️ 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.