Product Designer (Junior/Intermediate)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (Junior/Intermediate)

Company: Merantix (operating as FICUS Health)

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: May 6, 2026

Experience Level: Junior/Intermediate (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end product design for innovative healthcare solutions, from initial discovery to final implementation and quality assurance.

• Develop and maintain a robust, lean design system to ensure consistency, quality, and speed across all product activities and team collaborations.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product, Engineering, and other stakeholders, fostering a culture of rapid iteration and shared ownership.

• Translate complex user needs and clinical insights, gathered through direct user interaction and research, into clear, intuitive, and visually appealing user experiences and interfaces.

• Leverage AI-powered workflows and cutting-edge tools like Figma, Linear, and GitHub to enhance the design and development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is specifically for FICUS Health, a division of Merantix focused on AI-driven solutions for hospitals. This implies a strong emphasis on understanding healthcare workflows and the ethical implications of AI in medical contexts. The "Product Designer" title encompasses UX, UI, and potentially some product strategy responsibilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete product design lifecycle for new features, encompassing user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and user acceptance testing (UAT).

• Contribute to the evolution and expansion of the company's design system, ensuring its scalability, maintainability, and adherence to best practices in UI patterns and component libraries.

• Conduct user research, including site visits to hospitals, to gain deep insights into clinical workflows, user pain points, and unmet needs.

• Translate research findings and product requirements into compelling user journeys, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes using Figma.

• Perform accessibility audits to ensure products meet WCAG standards and are usable by a diverse range of users.

• Collaborate with engineers to ensure accurate implementation of designs, providing detailed specifications and conducting design QA.

• Actively participate in product discovery sessions, brainstorming, and roadmap planning, contributing unique perspectives and driving innovation.

• Champion design best practices and advocate for user-centered design principles throughout the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of implementing features directly into the "real codebase" and using "AI-assisted workflows" suggests a highly integrated and fast-paced design and development environment. The expectation to visit clinics and speak with users underscores the importance of practical, empathetic design grounded in real-world healthcare scenarios.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for this level. Equivalent practical experience will also be highly valued.

Experience: 0-2 years of professional experience in Product Design, UX Design, or UI Design, with a portfolio showcasing end-to-end design projects.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Figma for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and component management.

• Strong understanding of UX principles, user-centered design methodologies, and interaction design patterns.

• Demonstrated ability to create visually appealing and intuitive user interfaces.

• Experience with design systems, including their creation, maintenance, and application.

• Skill in conducting user research and translating insights into actionable design decisions.

• Familiarity with product discovery processes and translating requirements into design solutions.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team.

• Pragmatic decision-making skills, balancing time, scope, and quality.

• German language proficiency at a minimum B2 level.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with prototyping tools beyond Figma and knowledge of component libraries.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards and conducting accessibility audits.

• Experience working with development teams and understanding the software development lifecycle.

• Knowledge of Linear for project management and GitHub for version control.

• Experience in the healthcare technology or medical software domain.

• Ability to bring own ideas and actively contribute to product roadmap development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for German B2 level is a critical qualification. The emphasis on "unperfekte Zustände motivieren dich, Dinge besser zu machen" indicates a need for candidates who are proactive, adaptable, and comfortable with ambiguity inherent in a startup environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 end-to-end product design projects that demonstrate your process from discovery to implementation.

• Projects should highlight your ability to solve complex user problems within a defined scope and quality standard.

• Include detailed explanations of your design decisions, user research methodologies, and the impact of your solutions.

• Demonstrate proficiency with Figma, including the use of components, variants, and prototyping features.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process for each project, detailing steps like user interviews, persona creation, user journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and UI design.

• Explain how you collaborated with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders throughout the design lifecycle.

• Provide evidence of how you translated user insights and business requirements into tangible design outcomes.

• Show how you ensured consistency and quality through design system application or development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Junior/Intermediate" level, the portfolio should emphasize the design process, problem-solving approach, and learning potential, rather than solely focusing on the number of years of experience. Demonstrating an understanding of how design impacts user adoption and business goals is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Junior/Intermediate Product Designer in Berlin with 0-2 years of experience, the estimated annual gross salary typically ranges from €45,000 to €60,000. This estimation is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Berlin, considering the tech sector and startup environment.

Benefits:

• Flexible working hours, allowing for better work-life integration.

• Hybrid work model, combining the benefits of remote work and office collaboration.

• Opportunity to actively shape the digitalization of the healthcare sector and establish a future-oriented solution.

• Mentorship and professional development opportunities from an experienced founder team and a dedicated Design Lead.

• Access to a fully integrated, AI-powered design and development environment, enhancing productivity and innovation.

• The chance to contribute own ideas and actively influence the company's platform and product roadmap.

• A dynamic team environment that values initiative, clear opinions, and proactive contributions.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered to accommodate individual needs and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on research from German job boards (e.g., StepStone, Gehalt.de) and industry salary surveys for Product Designers in Berlin. The compensation is likely competitive for a startup environment, with potential for equity or performance-based bonuses depending on company policy.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology / Artificial Intelligence / Software Development. FICUS Health operates at the intersection of these rapidly evolving fields, aiming to revolutionize hospital operations with AI.

Company Size: FICUS Health is a relatively new entity (founded in 2024), likely operating as a startup within the larger Merantix ecosystem. This suggests a dynamic, agile, and fast-paced work environment with a lean organizational structure.

Founded: FICUS Health was founded in 2024, positioning it as a young, innovative company. Merantix, its parent or partner organization, often focuses on building and scaling AI-driven ventures.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is likely small and integrated, working closely with Product Management and Engineering.

• You will report to a Product Design Lead, who will provide mentorship and guidance.

• Collaboration is highly cross-functional, involving direct interaction with founders, technical experts, and clinical users.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and AI-driven insights.

• Agile Development: Iterative design and development cycles, with rapid prototyping and feedback loops.

• Lean Principles: Focusing on efficiency, speed, and delivering maximum value with minimal waste.

• User-Centric Approach: Deep understanding of user needs and workflows, particularly within clinical settings.

Company Website: [Merantix Website - https://merantix.com/] (FICUS Health specific details may be limited publicly)

📝 Enhancement Note: As a startup, the culture is likely to be entrepreneurial, with a strong emphasis on ownership, innovation, and a shared mission to improve healthcare. The AI integration suggests a technically sophisticated and forward-thinking approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Junior/Intermediate Product Designer. It offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience across the full product lifecycle in a high-impact sector. As a junior, you will be guided and mentored, while as an intermediate, you will be expected to take on more ownership and drive projects independently.

Reporting Structure: You will report to the Product Design Lead, who will oversee your development, provide feedback, and integrate your work into the broader product strategy. You will also collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: As a Product Designer at FICUS Health, your work will directly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare providers. By designing intuitive tools for doctors and medical staff, you will contribute to better patient care, reduced administrative burden, and the successful adoption of AI in critical medical workflows. Your design decisions will have a tangible influence on the company's market position and product success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX research, UI design, design systems, accessibility, or specialized areas like AI-driven product design.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Senior Product Designer role, leading projects, mentoring junior designers, and contributing more significantly to product strategy.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of product management, engineering processes, and the nuances of the healthcare technology market.

• Industry Impact: Become a key player in shaping the future of digital health and AI in medicine.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Junior/Intermediate" designation suggests a focus on skill development and learning. The company's startup nature implies that opportunities for rapid growth and increased responsibility are likely for high performers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid work model, combining on-site collaboration with remote flexibility. The Berlin office is located at the AI Campus, a hub for AI innovation, suggesting a modern, collaborative, and tech-focused workspace.

Office Location(s): Max-Urich-Str. AI Campus 3, Berlin, Germany. This location is likely designed to foster collaboration and innovation, providing a stimulating environment for tech professionals.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The AI Campus environment likely offers modern co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and areas designed for team interaction and brainstorming, facilitating seamless collaboration with colleagues.

• Technology-Rich: Access to state-of-the-art design and development tools, including a fully integrated AI-powered environment, will be readily available.

• Innovation Hub: Being part of the AI Campus provides exposure to a broader tech community, potentially leading to networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Work Schedule: While offering flexible working hours, the hybrid model implies a need for regular on-site presence for team collaboration and meetings. Specific office days might be determined by team needs or individual agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The AI Campus location suggests a vibrant ecosystem of tech companies and researchers, which can be a significant advantage for networking and staying abreast of industry trends. The hybrid model aims to balance focused individual work with essential team synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and company.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing their process, design decisions, and impact. A practical design challenge or case study may be assigned, focusing on problem-solving, UX/UI skills, and how you approach real-world design scenarios.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with the Product Design Lead, Product Managers, and Engineers to evaluate technical skills, collaborative abilities, and cultural alignment.

• Founder/Leadership Interview: A final conversation to assess strategic thinking, passion for the mission, and long-term potential within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio around the narrative of your design process for each project – the problem, your approach, the solution, and the outcome.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (mockups, wireframes, prototypes) to illustrate your design thinking and execution.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or user feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams.

• Tailor to FICUS Health: Emphasize projects that showcase an understanding of complex workflows, user empathy, and potentially AI-related design challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process for solving a given problem, focusing on user needs and business objectives.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely.

• Familiarize yourself with FICUS Health's product and mission to tailor your approach.

• Understand how to balance your design vision with constraints like time and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI workflows and healthcare context means that candidates who can demonstrate an understanding or interest in these areas will have a significant advantage. The design challenge will likely test practical application of skills rather than just theoretical knowledge.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is essential.

• Linear: A modern issue tracking and project management tool, likely used for managing design tasks and sprints.

• GitHub: Essential for version control, code collaboration, and potentially for design handoff and integration with the codebase.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design role, but understanding how design integrates with customer-facing platforms could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "AI-powered workflows" suggests that the company may be using or developing internal tools or plugins for Figma to enhance design efficiency, such as AI-assisted content generation, layout suggestions, or automated accessibility checks.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & AI Focus: A commitment to leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to solve real-world problems in healthcare.

• User-Centricity: A deep dedication to understanding and serving the needs of healthcare professionals and patients, ensuring designs are practical and impactful.

• Proactivity & Ownership: Encouraging team members to take initiative, bring forward ideas, and take responsibility for their contributions.

• Pragmatism: A balanced approach to design and development, recognizing the interplay between quality, speed, and scope.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an open environment where ideas are shared freely, feedback is constructive, and teams work cohesively.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work hand-in-hand with product managers, engineers, and founders, with short communication lines.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback is actively sought and incorporated.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share insights, best practices, and learnings, particularly around design, AI, and healthcare.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values likely translate into a fast-paced, results-oriented environment where individuals are empowered to make a difference. The emphasis on "clear opinions" suggests a culture that values constructive debate and diverse perspectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Clinical Needs: Designing AI-powered tools that are both cutting-edge and genuinely useful and trustworthy for medical professionals.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a startup environment means adapting to evolving priorities and requirements, requiring flexibility and problem-solving skills.

• Designing for a Complex Domain: Understanding the intricacies of healthcare workflows, regulations, and user needs to create effective solutions.

• Ensuring Scalability and Consistency: Maintaining design quality and a cohesive user experience as the product and company grow.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in AI in design, advanced UX research methodologies, or specific healthcare technology challenges.

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced founders and a Design Lead on product strategy, career development, and design excellence.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining firsthand experience in the rapidly growing field of AI in healthcare.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Building a strong portfolio with impactful projects that demonstrate end-to-end design ownership and AI integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in innovative tech startups, particularly in regulated industries like healthcare. The growth opportunities are designed to help individuals overcome these challenges while advancing their careers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities (e.g., speed vs. quality, user needs vs. business goals) in a design project. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your pragmatic decision-making process).

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for doctors that uses AI to assist with patient documentation? What are the key UX considerations?" (Demonstrate your understanding of user needs in healthcare and AI applications).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about FICUS Health and our mission to digitize healthcare with AI?" (Show genuine enthusiasm for the company's vision).

• "How do you stay updated on design trends, AI developments, and the healthcare technology space?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: problem statement, your role, research, ideation, design solutions (showcasing Figma artifacts), and outcomes/learnings.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and process diagrams. Ensure your Figma work is presented clearly.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about each project, focusing on your problem-solving approach and the impact of your design.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most impactful aspects of your projects.

• AI & Healthcare Context: Where possible, highlight how your designs address complexity, efficiency, or user trust, especially if related to AI or healthcare.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI-assisted workflows, even if it's theoretical or based on personal exploration. Demonstrating an understanding of the ethical considerations and user trust aspects of AI in healthcare will be highly valuable.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Merantix careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate end-to-end design processes, strong UX/UI skills, and an understanding of complex workflows. If possible, include examples that touch upon AI or efficiency improvements.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your relevant experience, skills (especially Figma, UX/UI, design systems), and any interest or experience in AI or healthcare technology. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio and preparing for potential design challenges. Be ready to articulate your design process and rationale clearly. Research FICUS Health and Merantix to understand their mission and values.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with FICUS Health's product vision, the AI Campus environment, and Merantix's broader portfolio to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ 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.