Product Designer - Investments

N26
Full_timeBerlin, Germany

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Investments Company: N26 Location: Berlin, Germany Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Date Posted: July 25, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle for investment products, including Crypto, Stocks, and ETFs, from conceptualization to implementation.
  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product, Engineering, and Research, to deliver intuitive and visually engaging user experiences for N26's investment platform.
  • Leverage user research and data analysis to inform design decisions, validate concepts, and directly impact key business metrics such as Assets Under Custody and Funded Accounts.
  • Contribute to the evolution of N26's Design System (NXD System), ensuring consistency and scalability across all digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the Investments Segment, requiring a deep understanding of financial products and user needs in wealth management. The emphasis on "self-contained initiatives" suggests a need for strong project ownership and the ability to manage dependencies. The reporting line to the Product Design Manager indicates a structured team environment with opportunities for mentorship and craft elevation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the design process for investment-related features, encompassing user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design for both mobile and web platforms.
  • Plan and execute comprehensive user research studies, including usability testing, user interviews, and surveys, to gather actionable insights that drive design strategy and product development.
  • Translate complex financial concepts and user needs into clear, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces that align with N26's brand and NXD Design System.
  • Collaborate with Product Managers to define product strategy and roadmaps, ensuring design initiatives are aligned with business goals and customer value propositions.
  • Partner with Engineering teams to ensure seamless implementation of designs, providing detailed specifications and actively participating in design reviews.
  • Champion design best practices and contribute to design critiques, providing constructive feedback to peers and elevating the overall quality of design output within the team.
  • Utilize storytelling and compelling presentations to articulate design rationale, research findings, and strategic recommendations to diverse stakeholder groups, including leadership.
  • Proactively identify and manage cross-team dependencies, fostering strong collaborative relationships to ensure project success and timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can not only execute on design craft but also contribute strategically to product planning and business objectives. The mention of "scaling" and "NXD Design System" implies a focus on design systems thinking and creating reusable components.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

  • 4-5+ years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of designing digital products for mobile and web applications within cross-functional teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage mid-complexity initiatives from concept through to launch, taking ownership of the entire design lifecycle.
  • Experience in the FinTech or financial services industry, with a particular focus on investment products (e.g., Crypto, Stocks, ETFs), is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

  • Product Design: Comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end design process, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.
  • Interaction Design: Strong foundation in core interaction design principles, creating intuitive and efficient user flows.
  • Visual Design: Ability to produce high-quality, polished visual designs that balance aesthetics, usability, and brand consistency.
  • User Research: Proficiency in planning, conducting, and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative research (usability testing, interviews, surveys) to inform design decisions.
  • Collaboration: Excellent collaboration skills, with experience working effectively within cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing, etc.).
  • Communication & Storytelling: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to various audiences.
  • Design Systems: Familiarity with and experience contributing to or utilizing design systems for scalable product development.

Preferred Skills:

  • Financial Product Design: Specific experience designing user interfaces for investment platforms, trading applications, or other complex financial products.
  • Prototyping Tools: Advanced proficiency in industry-standard prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.
  • Data Analysis for Design: Ability to interpret product analytics and user data to identify design opportunities and measure impact.
  • Mentorship: Experience mentoring junior designers or leading design critiques to foster team growth and craft excellence.
  • Strategic Thinking: Capability to align design efforts with business objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs).

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "4-5+ years" combined with the "5-10" AI-derived level suggests this role is for a mid-to-senior level designer. The emphasis on "mid-complexity initiatives" means candidates should be prepared to showcase projects where they managed scope and stakeholders effectively.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design case studies for mobile and web applications.
  • Demonstrated experience in translating user insights and business requirements into effective design solutions.
  • Examples of work that highlight strong interaction design, visual design, and user research methodologies.
  • Evidence of contributions to or utilization of design systems, illustrating an understanding of scalability and consistency.
  • Case studies should clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, iterations, and the final outcome, ideally with measurable impact.

Process Documentation:

  • Demonstrate a structured approach to the design process, from discovery and research to ideation, iteration, and final implementation.
  • Showcase how you use research and data to inform and validate design decisions throughout the product development lifecycle.
  • Illustrate your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, managing dependencies and communicating design rationale clearly.
  • Highlight experience in creating scalable and cohesive user experiences, with examples of how your designs strengthened existing design systems or established new patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio in English, and the emphasis on end-to-end case studies, means candidates must meticulously document their process and outcomes. The focus on business metrics and design systems indicates a need for portfolio pieces that demonstrate strategic thinking and adherence to scalable design principles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Based on industry benchmarks for experienced Product Designers in Berlin, Germany, with 5-10 years of experience in FinTech, the estimated annual salary range is €70,000 - €95,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Berlin and the specialized nature of the role within a rapidly growing FinTech company.

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.
  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including private health insurance options.
  • Generous paid time off (PTO) policy and public holiday allowance.
  • Opportunities for professional development, including access to training, conferences, and workshops.
  • Employee stock options or equity participation (potential).
  • Relocation assistance for international candidates.
  • Modern office space in Berlin with collaborative work areas and amenities.
  • Company-sponsored events and team-building activities.
  • Discounts on N26 financial products and services.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week. N26 offers a hybrid work model, allowing for flexibility in balancing remote work and in-office collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific salary details are not provided, the estimated range reflects the market rate for a designer with the specified experience and specialization in a major European tech hub like Berlin. The benefits listed are typical for tech companies of N26's caliber.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: FinTech / Digital Banking Company Size: 1,000 - 5,000 employees (N26 has over 1,500 employees across multiple offices). Founded: 2013

Team Structure:

  • The UX Team, referred to as "UXers," comprises over 40 talented individuals specializing in Product Design, User Research, UX Writing, and Design Operations.
  • UXers are distributed across various cross-functional product teams, ensuring dedicated design support for different product verticals.
  • This specific role is within the Investments Segment, working closely with a dedicated cross-functional team focused on financial products like Crypto, Stocks, and ETFs.
  • The Product Designer reports to the Product Design Manager, indicating a clear reporting structure and opportunities for guidance and mentorship within the design discipline.

Methodology:

  • N26 emphasizes a data-driven and customer-centric approach to product development.
  • The company fosters a culture of collaboration and agile methodologies, enabling rapid iteration and adaptation to market needs.
  • Designers are expected to leverage user research and analytics to inform strategic decisions and ensure product-market fit.
  • There's a strong focus on utilizing and contributing to a cohesive Design System (NXD System) to ensure consistency and efficiency across the product ecosystem.

Company Website: https://n26.com/en-eu

📝 Enhancement Note: N26 is a well-established FinTech company that has disrupted traditional banking. Its focus on technology and design as core pillars suggests a dynamic and innovative work environment. The distributed nature of the UX team implies a need for strong remote collaboration skills and clear communication protocols.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer Reporting Structure: Reports to the Product Design Manager, with potential collaboration with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and UX Researchers within the Investments Segment. Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on critical business metrics for N26's investment products, including Assets Under Custody (AUC) and Funded Accounts. The designer's work will shape user acquisition, engagement, and retention within the rapidly growing investment sector.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in FinTech product design, particularly in investment products, by working on complex financial features and user journeys.
  • Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design critiques, and potentially take ownership of larger, more strategic design initiatives.
  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders across Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Data teams, broadening understanding of business operations.
  • Design System Contribution: Play a key role in evolving and maintaining the NXD Design System, contributing to its scalability and adoption across the organization.
  • Career Progression: Potential to advance into Lead Product Designer, Senior UX Manager, or other specialized design roles within N26.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within the design function, with opportunities to specialize in a high-demand area (FinTech investments) and develop leadership skills. The emphasis on impact on business metrics suggests that performance will be measured by tangible contributions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with a primary office located in Berlin. Office Location(s): Berlin, Germany (headquarters), with additional offices in Barcelona. Workspace Context:

  • The Berlin office is likely a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork. Expect open-plan areas, meeting rooms equipped with necessary technology, and potentially quiet zones for focused work.
  • As part of a hybrid model, designers will have the flexibility to work remotely and from the office, balancing personal work preferences with team collaboration needs.
  • The role involves close interaction with cross-functional teams, necessitating strong communication and collaboration tools and practices, whether in person or virtual.
  • Access to design software, research tools, and company-wide communication platforms is standard.

Work Schedule:

  • Standard working hours, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines and team needs. The hybrid model allows for some control over work location and potentially daily schedules, provided core collaboration hours are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role requires self-discipline and excellent remote communication skills. The collaborative aspects suggest that designers will need to be proactive in engaging with their teams, regardless of their physical location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Application Submission: Submit resume and a portfolio (in English) through the N26 careers portal.
  • Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and alignment with the role.
  • Hiring Manager/Design Lead Interview: A discussion focusing on your experience, design philosophy, approach to problem-solving, and understanding of the investment domain. This may involve a portfolio walkthrough.
  • Design Challenge / Case Study Presentation: You may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or present a deep dive into one of your portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, decision-making, and impact.
  • Cross-functional Team Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, or Researchers to assess collaboration skills, communication, and how you integrate into a cross-functional team.
  • Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or the Head of Product Design to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Thoughtfully: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (FinTech, investment products, end-to-end process, mobile/web).
  • Focus on Process: Clearly articulate the problem statement, your specific role and contributions, the user research conducted, design decisions made, iterations, and the final outcome.
  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success or impact of your designs (e.g., conversion rate improvements, increased user engagement, reduction in support queries).
  • Showcase Collaboration: Highlight how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed feedback, and navigated trade-offs.
  • Design System Awareness: If applicable, show how you've used or contributed to design systems and the benefits derived.
  • Visual Polish: Ensure your portfolio is well-designed, easy to navigate, and free of errors.

Challenge Preparation:

  • If a design challenge is given, thoroughly understand the brief. Focus on demonstrating your process, not just the final output.
  • Be prepared to articulate your assumptions and rationale, especially if you need to make them due to limited information.
  • For portfolio presentations, practice your storytelling to convey the narrative of your projects concisely and engagingly. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio in English and the detailed interview process suggest N26 is looking for candidates with strong communication skills and a well-defined, impactful design process. Preparing a case study that demonstrates an understanding of financial products and user needs in that context will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable as industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).
  • Research & User Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Hotjar, Google Analytics.
  • Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Miro.
  • Design Systems: Familiarity with creating, maintaining, and utilizing component libraries within design tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, Tableau (for data visualization and reporting).

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how CRM or marketing automation platforms feed into user journeys might be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern design roles. Familiarity with analytics tools will be important for understanding user behavior and measuring the impact of design changes, aligning with the role's focus on business metrics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, particularly in the context of financial well-being.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data and research to inform product strategy and design choices, ensuring an objective approach.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across diverse teams to achieve shared goals, valuing input from all disciplines.
  • Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for initiatives from start to finish, driving projects to successful completion.
  • Innovation & Agility: Embracing new ideas, adapting quickly to change, and continuously seeking ways to improve products and processes.
  • Craftsmanship & Quality: Maintaining high standards for design execution, ensuring polished and user-friendly experiences.

Collaboration Style:

  • N26 fosters a collaborative environment where designers work closely with Product Managers to define strategy and user experience.
  • Strong partnerships with Engineering teams are essential for seamless implementation and problem-solving during development.
  • Regular design critiques and feedback sessions are encouraged to elevate the quality of work and foster a learning culture.
  • Cross-functional alignment is key, with designers expected to communicate effectively and manage dependencies with various departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values suggest a proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented culture. Designers are expected to be team players who can also drive their own initiatives and contribute strategically.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Complexity of Financial Products: Designing intuitive interfaces for complex investment products (Crypto, Stocks, ETFs) that cater to both novice and experienced users.
  • Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Ensuring designs meet user expectations while also driving key business metrics like AUC and funded accounts.
  • Cross-functional Alignment: Managing dependencies and ensuring consistent communication and alignment across multiple product teams and stakeholders.
  • Scaling Design Systems: Contributing to and maintaining a robust design system that supports a growing product portfolio and evolving user needs.
  • Rapidly Evolving FinTech Landscape: Staying abreast of industry trends, regulatory changes, and competitive offerings to ensure N26's investment products remain cutting-edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • FinTech Specialization: Gain deep expertise in designing for financial services and investment products.
  • Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in interaction design, user research methodologies, and leveraging data for design.
  • Leadership Mentorship: Learn from experienced design leaders and gain opportunities to mentor junior team members.
  • Industry Exposure: Participate in FinTech conferences and workshops to stay current with industry best practices and emerging technologies.
  • Career Pathing: Clear pathways for advancement within the design organization at N26.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior designers in the FinTech space, requiring a blend of technical design skills and strategic business acumen. The growth opportunities are substantial for someone looking to build a career in this specific sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Tell me about a time you designed a complex financial product. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" Prepare a case study demonstrating your understanding of financial products, user needs, and your design process for simplifying complexity.
  • "How do you balance user needs with business objectives when designing?" Be ready to discuss your approach to prioritizing features, using data to justify decisions, and collaborating with product managers to align on goals.
  • "Describe your experience with user research and how you've used insights to inform your design decisions." Have specific examples of research methodologies you've employed and how the findings directly influenced your design iterations and outcomes.
  • "How do you ensure your designs are scalable and consistent with a design system?" Discuss your experience with design systems, component libraries, and maintaining brand consistency across different platforms.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you about N26 and the Investments Segment?" Research N26's mission, values, recent product launches, and the competitive landscape for digital investments.
  • "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers?" Be prepared to share examples of successful cross-functional teamwork and how you manage differing opinions or priorities.
  • "How do you measure the success of your designs?" Discuss the KPIs you typically track and how you use analytics to evaluate design impact.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Organize your presentation logically, starting with the problem, your role, the process, key decisions, user feedback/iterations, and the final outcome with impact.
  • Narrative: Tell a compelling story about each project. Explain why you made certain decisions, not just what you did.
  • Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and clear visuals. Show the evolution of your design.
  • Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure it's clear, concise, and covers all essential points.
  • Engagement: Be prepared to answer questions thoughtfully and demonstrate your passion for design and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes a deep dive into your design process, strategic thinking, and ability to articulate your contributions and their impact, especially within a financial context. A strong portfolio presentation is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the N26 careers portal, ensuring you include your resume and a portfolio in English.
  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight experience with digital financial products, investment features, and end-to-end design processes. Showcase case studies that demonstrate your ability to simplify complex financial concepts for users.
  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, specific design skills (interaction, visual, research), proficiency with design tools, and any experience in FinTech or related industries. Quantify achievements where possible.
  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, research methodologies, and how you measure design impact. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and handling complexity.
  • Company Research: Thoroughly research N26, its product offerings (especially in Investments), its mission, and its company culture. Understand their design philosophy and how you can contribute to their 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have 4-5+ years of experience designing digital products for mobile and web in cross-functional teams. A strong foundation in interaction and visual design principles, along with skills in planning and executing end-to-end research, is essential.