Product Designer, Otter - Seattle at Otter

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer, Otter - Seattle Company: Otter Location: Seattle, Washington, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX Design Date Posted: July 28, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Design end-to-end digital experiences for restaurant operators, focusing on enhancing operational workflows and driving revenue growth through Otter's platform.
Drive product strategy and execution by collaborating closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Operations teams to deliver user-centric solutions.
Contribute to the evolution of Otter's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across the product suite, from single-menu edits to multi-brand management.
Champion user-centered design principles, advocating for the needs of restaurant operators and internal teams while balancing business objectives and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior Product Designer with a strong emphasis on systems thinking and ownership of significant product areas within the restaurant technology space. The focus on "digital backbone" and "operational efficiency" indicates a need for a designer who can deeply understand and improve complex business processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Own the design of critical user flows and features within the Otter platform, focusing on areas such as item setup, pricing, availability management, and modifier configurations.
Translate complex operational needs and business requirements into intuitive, scalable, and user-friendly design solutions that empower restaurant operators.
Conduct user research, usability testing, and design critiques to gather insights, validate concepts, and ensure high-quality execution of design deliverables.
Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs and maintain design integrity throughout the development lifecycle.
Proactively identify opportunities for design innovation and process improvement within the product and the design team, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and refinement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer comfortable with complex B2B SaaS products, specifically within the hospitality/restaurant tech sector. The emphasis on "simplifying complex workflows" and "balancing real-world business trade-offs and technical constraints" suggests a B2B product design role with significant operational impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in HCI, Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is typically expected for roles requiring this level of strategic design thinking and execution.

Experience: Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in Product Design or UX Design, with a proven track record of shipping successful digital products. Experience in B2B SaaS environments, particularly within the restaurant technology or hospitality industries, is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

Product Design & UX: Expertise in end-to-end product design, including user research, information architecture, user flows, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design.
Systems Thinking: Ability to understand and design complex, interconnected systems, particularly in a business operations context.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and Operations teams, fostering strong working relationships and driving consensus.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions, present concepts clearly, and advocate for user needs.
Strategic Mindset: Capacity to understand market dynamics, business objectives, and contribute to product strategy and roadmap development.
Visual Design & Craftsmanship: Strong visual design skills and attention to detail, ensuring high-quality, polished UI deliverables.
User-Centered Design: Deep commitment to user advocacy, with experience conducting user research and incorporating feedback into design iterations.

Preferred Skills:

Design Systems: Experience contributing to or managing design systems, creating reusable components and patterns.
Figma/Sketch Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
Prototyping Tools: Experience with prototyping tools like InVision, Figma, or Principle for creating interactive user experiences.
Hospitality/Restaurant Tech: Familiarity with the operational challenges and digital needs of restaurants.
Data Analysis for Design: Ability to leverage user data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "7+ years" experience level and emphasis on strategic thinking and system design suggest that candidates with a portfolio demonstrating complex B2B product solutions and a clear understanding of business impact will be highly valued. Experience with design systems is also a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design process from problem definition to shipped solution.
Highlight projects that exhibit strong systems thinking, particularly in solving complex operational or business workflow challenges.
Include examples of user research, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design, clearly articulating your role and contributions.
Demonstrate experience in cross-functional collaboration and how you partnered with engineering and product teams.
Present quantifiable results or business impact where possible, illustrating how your designs improved user experience, operational efficiency, or business outcomes.

Process Documentation:

Clearly articulate your design process, including methodologies used for problem-solving, user research, ideation, prototyping, and user testing.
Provide examples of how you've contributed to or utilized design systems to ensure consistency and scalability.
Showcase your ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrate how you incorporate user feedback and business context into your design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this seniority, the portfolio should not just showcase finished products but the process behind them. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design philosophy, how they approach ambiguity, and how they measure success in terms of operational impact for the client (restaurants).

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $166,000 – $209,000 per year. This range is competitive for a Senior Product Designer in the Seattle tech market, reflecting the experience level and the strategic nature of the role.

Benefits:

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including Health Savings Account (HSA) options.
Company-paid life and disability insurance (short- and long-term).
Voluntary insurance options such as accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.
Optional supplemental life insurance for self, spouse, and children.
Pet insurance discount.
401(k) retirement savings plan.
Generous Time Off policies, including discretionary vacation days, 8 paid holidays, paid sick time, paid bereavement leave, and paid parental leave.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter expenses.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with a strong emphasis on on-site collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and competitive for the Seattle area and the senior level of this product design role. The extensive benefits package indicates a company that invests in its employees' well-being and financial security.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (SaaS), focused on the Food & Hospitality sector, specifically online food delivery enablement for restaurants. Otter aims to be the "digital backbone" for modern restaurants. Company Size: The provided data does not explicitly state company size, but growth in the online food delivery market suggests a scaling company. The mention of well-known clients like Chick-fil-A, Ben & Jerry's, and KFC indicates a significant market presence and impact. Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company operates in a rapidly growing and evolving market.

Team Structure:

The Product Design team likely operates within a Product department, collaborating closely with Product Management and Engineering.
Designers are expected to work "closely with other teams to ensure our customers success," implying a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
The emphasis on "close collaboration is essential" and working "onsite, five days a week" suggests a team that values in-person interaction and shared problem-solving.

Methodology:

Otter leverages AI and "thoughtful design" to solve real-world problems for restaurateurs.
The design approach emphasizes understanding "market dynamics" and user needs to build "foundational tools."
A "systems thinker" is sought, indicating a focus on building robust, scalable, and interconnected solutions.

Company Website: otter.ai

📝 Enhancement Note: Otter's mission to empower restaurants in the digital delivery space positions it as a key player in a high-growth industry. The culture appears to value innovation, user-centricity, and collaborative problem-solving, particularly within the context of the food industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy. It's not strictly an "operations" role in the traditional sense (like RevOps or SalesOps), but it heavily impacts the operational efficiency of their B2B clients (restaurants). The designer will be instrumental in shaping the operational tools used by businesses. Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or potentially a VP of Product. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads. Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the operational efficiency and revenue generation capabilities of restaurant businesses globally. By designing intuitive tools for managing online orders, inventory, and pricing, this role directly contributes to the success of Otter's customers.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in B2B SaaS design, restaurant technology, or specific areas like AI-driven product features.
Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Manager role, mentoring junior designers and driving design strategy for larger product areas.
Strategic Influence: Contribute to product strategy, influencing the direction of Otter's offerings and its impact on the food industry.
System Design Mastery: Further develop skills in designing complex, scalable systems for enterprise clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a direct operations role, the impact on client operations is significant. Career growth will likely involve increasing ownership, strategic input, and potentially leadership within the design function, enabling a designer to influence the operational tools used by a major industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Otter's Seattle office, indicating an on-site work environment. Office Location(s): Seattle, Washington. Specific office address details are not provided but are implied to be a central hub for collaboration.

Workspace Context:

Emphasis on "close collaboration" and "doing our best work together" suggests an environment that fosters teamwork and open communication.
The "constant reimagining of our industry" points to a dynamic and innovative workspace.
The requirement for on-site work five days a week means designers will be immersed in a collaborative studio-like setting, facilitating frequent interaction with PMs, engineers, and other designers.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site in Seattle, five days a week. The nature of the role suggests a consistent schedule that allows for deep work and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The strong emphasis on a 5-day on-site work week signals a preference for in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for complex design problem-solving and team cohesion, but may not suit candidates seeking remote flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A key stage will involve presenting a portfolio that showcases relevant work. Candidates may be given a design challenge to assess their problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to think strategically within the context of Otter's business.
Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially members of the Operations team to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work within a team.
Hiring Manager/Leadership Interviews: Final interviews to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit with the company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Prioritize Relevance: Showcase projects that demonstrate experience with complex B2B SaaS products, operational workflows, or the hospitality industry.
Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the outcome (quantified if possible).
Highlight Systems Thinking: Demonstrate how you approached designing interconnected features or platform-wide solutions.
Showcase Collaboration: Explain how you worked with other disciplines and incorporated their feedback.
Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss design decisions, trade-offs, and your strategic thinking process in detail.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand Otter's Business: Research Otter's product, target users (restaurants), and the competitive landscape.
Focus on Process: For any design challenge, emphasize your structured approach to problem-solving, not just the final visual design.
Consider Operational Impact: Think about how design choices affect operational efficiency, user adoption, and business goals for restaurants.
Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and any challenge solutions concisely and impactfully.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, focusing heavily on a candidate's ability to demonstrate a robust design process, strategic thinking, and successful collaboration in a B2B context. A strong, relevant portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and its collaborative features), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Principle.
User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or similar platforms for remote usability testing and feedback collection.
Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.
Design System Management: Tools for documenting and managing design system components and guidelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

While not directly a designer's tool, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) and how to interpret user data to inform design decisions is beneficial.
Ability to work with product managers who leverage these tools for performance tracking.

CRM & Automation:

Not directly applicable to the Product Designer role, but understanding how CRM and automation tools integrate with the product suite can provide valuable context for designing seamless user experiences in a business environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern Product Designers. The ability to integrate with various collaboration and project management tools is crucial for effective cross-functional work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

User-Centricity: A core value is deeply understanding and advocating for restaurant operators, ensuring their needs are met through thoughtful design.
Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working together across teams (Product, Engineering, Ops) to achieve shared goals and customer success.
Efficiency & Scalability: Designing solutions that not only solve immediate problems but also scale with the business and improve operational efficiency for clients.
Innovation & Curiosity: A culture that encourages exploring new ideas, leveraging technology (like AI), and reimagining how restaurants operate.
Attention to Detail: A "sweats the small stuff" mentality, recognizing that meticulous design is crucial for complex business software.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to be integral parts of product teams, working shoulder-to-shoulder with PMs and Engineers.
Open Feedback: Encourages design critiques and cross-functional reviews to foster continuous improvement and refinement of ideas.
Data-Informed Decisions: While user intuition is valued, decisions are grounded in user insights and business context, suggesting a data-informed approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values a blend of user empathy, technical understanding, and business acumen, all within a collaborative, on-site environment focused on driving tangible improvements for restaurant businesses.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Complexity of Restaurant Operations: Understanding and designing for the intricate, often fast-paced, and diverse operational needs of restaurants can be challenging.
Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively mediating between user needs, business objectives, technical constraints, and partner requirements.
Driving Adoption of New Features: Ensuring that newly designed features are intuitive and adopted by a user base that may have varying levels of technical proficiency.
Evolving Market: Keeping pace with rapid changes in online delivery technology and consumer behavior within the food industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Deep Industry Expertise: Gaining profound knowledge of the restaurant technology sector and its operational intricacies.
Advanced Design Systems: Contributing to and potentially leading the evolution of a sophisticated design system.
Strategic Product Input: Opportunities to influence product strategy and roadmap beyond core design execution.
Mentorship: Learning from experienced product managers, engineers, and potentially senior design leaders within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers the chance to tackle significant challenges in a critical growth industry, with ample opportunities for professional development and to make a substantial impact on how restaurants operate digitally.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe a time you designed a complex system or workflow. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on showing systems thinking, problem-solving, and process.)
"How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints in your design process?" (Demonstrate your ability to make trade-offs and find optimal solutions.)
"Tell me about a project where you had to collaborate closely with engineers and product managers. How did you ensure alignment and successful implementation?" (Highlight your communication and teamwork skills.)
"How would you approach designing a feature for restaurant operators who are managing multiple menus or brands simultaneously?" (Prepare a hypothetical approach, focusing on user needs and operational efficiency.)

Company & Culture Questions:

"What interests you about Otter and the food delivery industry?" (Show genuine curiosity and research.)
"How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in an on-site setting?" (Emphasize your teamwork and communication style.)
"What does 'user-centered design' mean to you in the context of B2B software for businesses?" (Articulate your user advocacy and understanding of business users.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Structure: Organize your portfolio by case study, with a clear narrative for each: Problem -> Research -> Solution -> Outcome.
Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions within each project, especially if it was a team effort.
Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion, reduced errors, improved efficiency).
Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you handled challenges. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.
Showcase Process: Be ready to walk through your process diagrams, wireframes, and prototypes, explaining your rationale at each step.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of the design process, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to translate complex business needs into effective user experiences. The portfolio is your primary tool, so practice presenting it confidently and insightfully.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience in B2B SaaS, complex systems design, and collaborative product development. Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your design process and impact.
Resume Optimization: Focus on quantifiable achievements and keywords related to product design, UX, systems thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. Clearly state your years of experience.
Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, preparing answers to common product design interview questions, and researching Otter's business and mission to demonstrate your interest and fit.
Company Research: Gain a thorough understanding of Otter's product offerings, target market, and company culture, especially its emphasis on on-site collaboration and innovation in the restaurant tech space.

⚠️ 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.

Product Designer, Otter - Seattle