Product Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer II Company: Microsoft Location: Hyderabad, Telangana, India Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: 2026-02-11T18:30:00 Experience Level: 2-5 years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the end-to-end user experience design for Microsoft's Viva Engage platform, a key component of Microsoft's employee engagement and communication suite.
• You will be instrumental in conceptualizing, designing, and delivering innovative features that enhance user interaction and streamline communication within enterprise environments.
• The position involves a strong emphasis on user-centric design, translating complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive and elegant product experiences.
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Program Management, Engineering, and Research, is critical to successfully ship high-quality user experiences in an agile development environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job title is "Product Designer II," the description clearly places this role within the "Spectrum Experience Collective" focusing on "Viva Engage," which is a part of Microsoft's broader employee experience platform. This indicates a specialization within Product Design, specifically targeting UX and interaction design for enterprise software.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design original, user-centric ideas that simplify complex design challenges, demonstrating both conceptual thinking and strong craft in visual and interaction design.
• Develop a deep understanding of target users for Viva Engage, their needs, pain points, and workflows, ensuring the experience vision is grounded in user research and business objectives.
• Effectively communicate and advocate for design directions to internal teams, senior management, and stakeholders through compelling presentations and documentation.
• Collaborate closely with Design, Research, Program Management, and Engineering teams to deliver cohesive and engaging end-to-end user experiences across various devices and interaction modalities.
• Partner with user researchers to plan and conduct usability testing, interpret results, and iterate on designs based on user feedback and data-driven insights.
• Leverage and contribute to existing design systems and guidelines, ensuring consistency and scalability of design solutions across the Viva Engage product suite.
• Work closely with developers throughout the implementation phase to ensure the design vision is accurately realized, providing clear specifications and support.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables, guiding production efforts and communicating evolving project goals to ensure alignment with partner design teams across Microsoft.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking (conceptualizing ideas, driving vision) and tactical execution (designing interfaces, collaborating with developers, managing timelines), which is typical for a mid-level Product Designer role. The emphasis on "multiple screens and input modalities" suggests a need for adaptable design thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience (UX), Interaction Design, or a related field.
• A Master's Degree in a related field is preferred, or equivalent experience can be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3+ years of professional experience in product and/or interaction design.
• Candidates with a Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience, or equivalent experience demonstrating product/service design expertise, will also be considered.
• 2+ years of experience shipping products, services, or games is preferred, showcasing a track record of delivering end-to-end design processes.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio demonstrating proficiency in interaction design, visual design, and prototyping skills.
• Ability to translate research insights into intuitive and effective product experiences.
• Comprehensive understanding of UX design principles, from information architecture and systems design to workflows and micro-interactions.
• Proven track record of creatively solving complex design problems and driving them through multidisciplinary teams (Engineering, Product Management, Research, Marketing).
• User-centric design approach with experience applying research insights to product development.
• Excellent storytelling ability for generating user empathy, supported by strong written and verbal communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• High proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience working within and contributing to structured design systems.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers.
• Ability to craft a product vision and gain buy-in from key stakeholders and leadership.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of multitasking across multiple projects.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in data-driven decision-making for design choices.
• Experience shipping products or services as a result of an end-to-end design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a strong foundation in UX/UI principles, practical design tool proficiency, and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures. The "equivalent experience" clause suggests that a strong portfolio and demonstrated skills can sometimes substitute for formal education. The inclusion of "Microsoft Cloud Background Check" is a security requirement specific to roles handling cloud-based services.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a range of your design work.
• Must clearly demonstrate strong interaction design skills, including user flow mapping, wireframing, and information architecture.
• Visual design capabilities should be evident through polished UI mockups, style guides, and attention to visual hierarchy and aesthetics.
• Prototyping skills should be showcased through interactive prototypes that effectively communicate user journeys and interaction patterns.
• The portfolio should highlight your ability to translate user research insights into tangible design solutions.
• Demonstrate a strong command of all aspects of UX design, from high-level systems and workflows to detailed micro-interactions.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of your process for tackling design problems, from initial research and ideation to iteration and final design delivery.
• Include case studies that detail the problem, your approach, the solutions you designed, and the outcomes or impact of your work.
• Demonstrate how you have collaborated with cross-functional teams (Engineering, PM, Research) throughout the design lifecycle.
• Provide evidence of your experience working with or contributing to design systems, including how you ensure consistency and scalability.
• Illustrate how you incorporate user feedback and data into your design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that demonstrates both conceptual thinking and execution, alongside clear process documentation, is standard for product design roles. For this specific role at Microsoft, expect to see a need to demonstrate how your designs integrate into larger product ecosystems and adhere to established design systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• [If not specified, provide region-appropriate operations industry standard range based on role, experience level, and location, with explanation for the estimate and research methodology]
• Estimated Range: INR 20,00,000 - INR 35,00,000 per annum.
• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Product Designer II roles in Hyderabad, India, considering Microsoft's compensation structure for mid-level design positions. It factors in the required experience (3-5 years) and the specialized nature of designing for enterprise SaaS platforms like Viva Engage. Data points are derived from aggregated salary reports for similar roles in major tech hubs in India.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision).
• Retirement savings plan (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 Program (EAP) for mental health and well-being support.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock awards.
• Access to Microsoft employee discounts and perks.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek, typically 40 hours.
• While core hours are expected, some flexibility may be available based on team needs and project deadlines, common in agile environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges for tech roles in India, especially within multinational corporations like Microsoft, can vary significantly. The provided estimate is a general guideline. Benefits are standard for large tech companies and should be confirmed directly. The "40 hours" is a typical baseline, but actual hours can fluctuate in design roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software and Technology, Cloud Computing, AI, Enterprise Solutions. Microsoft is a global leader in developing, licensing, and supporting a wide range of software products, services, and devices. Company Size: Over 220,000 employees worldwide. This large scale allows for diverse teams, extensive resources, and opportunities for specialization. Founded: 1975. With a long history of innovation, Microsoft has a deeply ingrained culture of technological advancement and market leadership.

Team Structure:

• The "Spectrum Experience Collective" is a specialized design group within Microsoft, focusing on creating cohesive and impactful user experiences across various products.
• This role is specifically within the "Viva Engage" team, part of the broader Microsoft Viva suite, dedicated to employee experience.
• You will be part of "studio+91" at the India Development Center (MSIDC), which acts as a hub for design, research, and design engineering talent, contributing to multiple Microsoft products.
• The team likely consists of Product Designers, UX Researchers, Design Engineers, Program Managers, and Software Engineers, fostering a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasizes using user research, analytics, and A/B testing to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Agile Development: Iterative design and development processes, with frequent feedback loops and rapid adaptation to changes.
• Design Systems: Consistent application of established UI patterns, components, and guidelines to ensure a unified and scalable user experience across products.
• Customer Empathy: A core value, driving teams to deeply understand and address customer needs and pain points.
• Growth Mindset: Encourages continuous learning, experimentation, and resilience in the face of challenges.

Company Website: Microsoft Careers

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture is known for its emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and a growth mindset. The "studio+91" initiative highlights a commitment to leveraging global talent for product development. The specific focus on Viva Engage places this role within a strategic area of Microsoft's enterprise solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Designer II" role, which typically signifies a mid-level position. It requires a solid foundation in design principles and practices, with the ability to work independently on significant design challenges and contribute to team goals. It's a step beyond entry-level, demanding more autonomy and ownership.

Reporting Structure:

• You will likely report to a Design Lead or Manager within the Spectrum Experience Collective or the Viva Engage team.
• You will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and UX Researchers, forming project-specific cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact:

• As a Product Designer for Viva Engage, your work directly impacts how millions of employees worldwide communicate, share knowledge, and build community within their organizations.
• Your designs will contribute to improving employee engagement, productivity, and organizational culture by making communication tools more intuitive and effective.
• Successful designs can lead to increased adoption and satisfaction with Microsoft's employee experience suite, directly influencing business outcomes for Microsoft and its customers.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like interaction design for enterprise SaaS, AI-driven features (Copilot), or community platform design.
• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Senior Designer role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy.
• Cross-Product Exposure: Possibility to move into design roles for other Microsoft products or platforms, leveraging your acquired skills and understanding of Microsoft's ecosystem.
• Continuous Learning: Access to Microsoft's extensive learning resources, internal training programs, and opportunities to attend industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Designer II" title implies a level of responsibility and expected competence that allows for independent contribution to project goals, with mentorship available from senior team members. The growth path is clear, moving from independent contributor to potential leadership within the design organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is designated as "On-site," meaning it requires regular presence at the Microsoft India Development Center (MSIDC) in Hyderabad. This facilitates in-person collaboration and access to on-site resources. Office Location(s): Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The MSIDC is a significant hub for Microsoft's global engineering and design efforts.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The MSIDC likely features modern, open-plan office spaces designed to foster collaboration, with dedicated areas for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and focused individual work.
• Tools & Technology: Access to high-performance workstations, industry-standard design software (Figma, Sketch, Adobe CC), and internal Microsoft tools for communication and project management.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers, both within the Viva Engage team and across studio+91. This environment encourages knowledge sharing and cross-pollination of ideas.

Work Schedule:

• While the standard workweek is typically 40 hours, the nature of design work often involves periods of intense focus and may require flexibility to meet project deadlines.
• Agile methodologies encourage regular team check-ins and stand-ups, ensuring alignment and efficient workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is a key differentiator. For designers, this often means a more integrated team experience, easier spontaneous collaboration, and better access to physical design resources or testing labs if applicable.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, potentially followed by a brief recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, discussing your process, design decisions, and impact on past projects. This may be followed by a take-home design challenge or an in-person/virtual whiteboarding session to assess your problem-solving and design thinking skills in real-time.
• Hiring Manager/Team Interviews: Interviews with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess technical skills, collaboration style, cultural fit, and understanding of user-centered design principles.
• Final Round: May involve interviews with senior design leaders or cross-functional partners to ensure alignment with broader team and company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role (interaction design, visual design, problem-solving, user-centricity).
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the challenges you faced, the solutions you developed, and the measurable impact or outcomes. Use visuals effectively.
• Showcase Process: Don't just show final screens; include wireframes, user flows, research insights, iteration examples, and rationale behind your decisions.
• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, describe how you worked with engineers, PMs, and researchers, and how you navigated feedback.
• Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates proficiency with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe CC.
• Tailor to Microsoft: Research Microsoft's design philosophy and Viva Engage's specific goals to subtly tailor your presentation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly read and understand the prompt. Ask clarifying questions.
• Think Aloud: During whiteboarding or discussion, articulate your thought process clearly. Explain your assumptions, constraints, and design choices.
• User-Centricity: Always anchor your solutions in user needs and business goals.
• Iterative Approach: Show that you can consider multiple solutions and iterate based on feedback or new information.
• Focus on Key Skills: Demonstrate your interaction design, visual design, and problem-solving capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's interview process is typically thorough. Expect a strong emphasis on your design process, problem-solving abilities, and how you articulate your work. A well-prepared portfolio presentation is crucial for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly preferred, as it's becoming a standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD). A willingness to adopt new tools is essential.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Microsoft Teams (for communication, collaboration, and potentially project management), Azure DevOps (for agile workflows and tracking).
• Design Systems: Experience working with or contributing to established design systems is required. Microsoft has its own comprehensive design system.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding how to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., internal Microsoft tools, potentially tools like Adobe Analytics or Google Analytics if applicable to web components) to inform design decisions is valuable.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but an awareness of how design impacts CRM and automation workflows within enterprise software is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for design roles, and Microsoft is no exception. Familiarity with Microsoft's internal toolset (Teams, Azure DevOps) is a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Deeply understanding and prioritizing user needs to create impactful experiences.
• Inclusivity: Designing products that are accessible and usable by everyone, reflecting Microsoft's commitment to diversity.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across disciplines and teams to achieve shared goals.
• Growth Mindset: Embracing learning, experimentation, and continuous improvement.
• Accountability: Taking ownership of design work and its outcomes.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical design practices and responsible innovation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work embedded within product teams, closely partnering with Program Managers, Engineers, and Researchers.
• Open Communication: Encourages candid feedback and constructive critique to elevate design quality.
• Shared Ownership: Teams often share ownership of product success, fostering a collaborative spirit to achieve common objectives.
• Design Critiques: Regular design reviews and critique sessions are common to solicit feedback and ensure alignment on design quality and strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's values are well-articulated and form the backbone of its culture. For a designer, this translates to a user-centric, collaborative, and inclusive approach to problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Enterprise Software: Designing for diverse enterprise users with varying technical skills and organizational needs.
• Scale and Integration: Ensuring design consistency and seamless integration across a vast product suite like Microsoft Viva and the broader Microsoft ecosystem.
• Balancing Innovation and Stability: Introducing new features and AI capabilities (like Copilot) while maintaining the stability and usability of existing core functionalities.
• Navigating Large Organizations: Effectively communicating and aligning design vision across multiple teams and stakeholders within a large company.
• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in AI, cloud computing, and user interface technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Training: Access to Microsoft's extensive internal learning platforms and workshops focused on design skills, new technologies, and leadership development.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior designers and to mentor junior designers, fostering career growth.
• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry conferences, workshops, and participate in design communities.
• Project Variety: Exposure to a wide range of design challenges for different aspects of Viva Engage and potentially other Microsoft products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges reflect the inherent complexities of designing for a global enterprise software giant. The growth opportunities are substantial, leveraging Microsoft's resources for continuous professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a complex design problem you solved. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on user-centricity, problem-solving, and impact.)
• "How do you incorporate user research and data into your design decisions?" (Demonstrate your understanding of user-centered design and iterative processes.)
• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision with stakeholders or engineering. How did you handle it?" (Highlight communication, persuasion, and collaboration skills.)
• "How do you approach designing for accessibility and inclusivity?" (Show awareness of diverse user needs and design best practices.)
• "How do you collaborate with product managers and engineers? Describe a challenging collaboration and how you resolved it." (Emphasize teamwork and cross-functional communication.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Microsoft and specifically the Viva Engage product?" (Research Viva Engage, its mission, and Microsoft's broader employee experience strategy.)
• "How do you embody a growth mindset in your design work?" (Provide examples of learning from mistakes or embracing new challenges.)
• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment?" (Discuss your approach to feedback, communication, and shared goals.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your background and design philosophy. For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact/Outcome.
• Depth: Be prepared to dive deep into any aspect of your projects, from initial research methodologies to specific interaction details and technical constraints.
• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals – mockups, prototypes, user flows, research summaries. Ensure they are clear and support your narrative.
• Metrics: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your designs using data (e.g., increased user engagement, reduced task completion time, improved satisfaction scores).
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure it's engaging and within the allotted timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft interviews are designed to assess not just your design skills but also your problem-solving approach, collaboration abilities, and cultural alignment. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer II position:

• Submit your application through the Microsoft Careers portal.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a strong portfolio showcasing 3-5 diverse projects that highlight your interaction design, visual design, and problem-solving skills. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, process, solution, and outcomes.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize experience in product design, UX/UI, interaction design, prototyping, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail and practice answering common design interview questions, focusing on your process, user-centricity, and problem-solving approach. Be ready for potential design challenges.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Microsoft's mission, values, the Viva Engage product, and the Spectrum Experience Collective's work. Understand their design system and user-centric philosophy.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions for a Product Designer II role at a company like Microsoft. Specific details regarding salary, benefits, and interview processes should be confirmed directly with the hiring organization.