Product Designer Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: Volkswagen AG (Volkswagen Group Services) Location: Lisbon, Portugal Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / UX Design Date Posted: August 11, 2025 Experience Level: 3-5 Years (Mid-Level) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop innovative IT applications and software components within the autonomous vehicle and Driver-as-a-Service (DaaS) ecosystem.
• Drive product development by defining user requirements, concepts, and solutions in close collaboration with product management, systems engineering, and development teams.
• Conduct user research and facilitate workshops to gather insights, align stakeholders, and translate high-level ideas into actionable product specifications.
• Ensure seamless integration of DaaS solutions with customer logistic flows and existing ecosystems, focusing on user experience and operational efficiency.
• Contribute to the future of intelligent and sustainable transport by shaping the product landscape for autonomous driving technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the detailed responsibilities and required skills heavily lean towards a UX/Product Design role with a strong emphasis on requirements engineering, user research, and stakeholder management within an automotive/autonomous vehicle context. This role requires a blend of creative design thinking and analytical problem-solving, specifically for complex software systems in a specialized industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, develop, and implement IT applications and software components for Driver-as-a-Service (DaaS) solutions in autonomous vehicles.
• Define product requirements, concepts, and solutions by collaborating with stakeholders, product management, systems engineering, and product design teams.
• Break down product scope into epics and user stories in close partnership with the Product Owner.
• Ensure accurate implementation of concept specifications by working closely with developers and resolving concept-related issues.
• Identify, plan, conduct, and evaluate workshops with stakeholders to align on requirements, clarify problems, and resolve dissent.
• Conduct independent user research with customer representatives to formulate requirements and concepts for DaaS products that integrate with customer logistic flows and ecosystems.
• Present concepts and solutions to stakeholders, effectively incorporating feedback into the design process.
• Stay updated on industry trends and advancements in automated driving technologies to inform design decisions and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Support the creation of wireframes and prototypes to communicate design ideas effectively.
• Proactively identify and solve design challenges, seeking innovative and pragmatic solutions with a results-oriented approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive and end-to-end product design process, from initial concept and research to implementation support and stakeholder engagement. The emphasis on workshops and user research indicates a need for strong facilitation and analytical skills beyond typical visual design duties.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for roles involving complex software systems and IT application development.

Experience: 3-5 years of experience in product conception and design, particularly within international contexts and complex software systems. Prior experience in the logistics, transport, or telematics fields is advantageous.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Mastery of UX design methodologies, both in theory and practice, for creating intuitive and effective user interfaces.
• User Research: Proven ability to conduct user research independently to understand customer needs, gather insights, and inform design decisions.
• Requirements Engineering: Strong capability in analyzing product scope, translating high-level feature ideas into validated requirements, epics, and user stories.
• Workshop Facilitation: Experience in preparing, conducting, and evaluating workshops with stakeholders to achieve consensus, clarify issues, and drive problem-solving.
• Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills to identify, analyze, and solve complex design challenges.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment.
• Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills to articulate design rationale, present concepts clearly, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating wireframes and prototypes to visualize and communicate design ideas and user flows.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to engage, manage expectations, and incorporate feedback from various stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful product outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Thinking: Knowledge and practical application of Design Thinking principles to drive innovation and user-centered solutions.
• Automotive/Transportation Industry Knowledge: Prior experience or familiarity with the automotive, transportation, or telematics sectors.
• Agile/SAFE Framework: Experience working within Agile methodologies, particularly the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Understanding of how to ensure product designs comply with relevant industry safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Data Analysis: Ability to leverage data analytics to inform design decisions and measure the impact of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a "full-stack" product design approach, encompassing user research, requirements definition, and stakeholder management, which are critical for complex B2B or specialized B2C software solutions like DaaS for autonomous vehicles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Demonstrations of end-to-end product design processes, showcasing problem identification, user research insights, design rationale, prototyping, and final solution impact.
• Problem-Solving Examples: Specific examples of how you've tackled complex design challenges, including the methodologies used and the innovative solutions developed.
• User Research Application: Evidence of how user research directly influenced design decisions and led to improved user experiences or product outcomes.
• Collaboration Showcase: Examples of projects where you successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams, highlighting your communication and integration skills.
• Workshop Outputs: Samples or descriptions of workshop outputs and how they were used to drive product direction or resolve stakeholder conflicts.
• Process Improvement Metrics: Data-driven examples of how your design contributions led to measurable improvements in user satisfaction, efficiency, or other key performance indicators.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Documentation of designed workflows, user journeys, and system interactions, demonstrating clarity and logical flow.
• Requirements to Design: Clear mapping from user stories and requirements to the designed features and specifications.
• Design Decision Rationale: Well-documented justifications for key design choices, linking them back to user needs, business goals, or technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio for this role should not just display visual design but also demonstrate a robust understanding of the entire product development lifecycle, particularly in a complex, regulated industry. Specific examples of workshop facilitation and user research impact are crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Product Designer with 3-5 years of experience in Lisbon, Portugal, the estimated annual salary range is typically between €35,000 and €55,000. This range can vary based on specific skills, experience depth, and the employer's compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Coverage for medical, dental, and vision care.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to a pension or retirement fund.
• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave, public holidays, and sick leave.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, conferences, and certifications to enhance skills in UX design, automotive technology, and Agile methodologies.
• Employee Discounts: Potential for discounts on Volkswagen Group vehicles and services.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: While this role is on-site, there may be some flexibility in working hours to accommodate personal needs, subject to team coordination.
• Relocation Assistance: If applicable, support for international candidates relocating to Lisbon.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time position in Portugal. While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start and end times, coordinated with team needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on industry benchmarks for mid-level Product Designers in Portugal, considering the tech and automotive sectors. The benefits package is typical for large, established international corporations like Volkswagen Group.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive, Mobility Services, Information Technology, Engineering. Volkswagen Group is a global leader in the automotive industry, with Volkswagen Group Services acting as a central service provider for various group companies. The Innovation & Engineering Hub in Lisbon focuses on cutting-edge areas like Digitalization and Automated Driving. Company Size: Volkswagen AG is one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, employing hundreds of thousands globally. Volkswagen Group Services, as a subsidiary, is also a significant employer, with a substantial presence in Lisbon. This scale offers stability and extensive resources. Founded: Volkswagen AG was founded in 1937. The Innovation & Engineering Hub in Lisbon represents a strategic investment in future mobility technologies.

Team Structure:

• I&E HUB Lisbon: This team is part of a global network focused on innovation and engineering.
• Product Design/UX Team: Within the HUB, there will be a dedicated team of designers, researchers, and product specialists working on mobility solutions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Product Designer will work closely with Product Management, Systems Engineering, Development teams (often Agile/Scrum), and other stakeholders across the Volkswagen Group, including TRATON Group brands. This implies a matrixed reporting structure and project-based teamwork.

Methodology:

• Agile/SAFe: The team likely operates using Agile methodologies, potentially SAFe, for managing complex product development cycles. This involves iterative development, frequent feedback loops, and cross-functional team sprints.
• User-Centered Design: A strong emphasis on user research, data analysis, and iterative design to ensure products meet user needs and business objectives.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data from user research, analytics, and market trends to inform design choices and measure product success.
• Innovation Focus: The I&E Hub is dedicated to developing market-ready solutions, encouraging experimentation and exploration of new technologies.

Company Website: https://www.volkswagenag.com/, https://jobs.volkswagen-group.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes innovation, global collaboration, and a commitment to shaping the future of mobility. The Lisbon Hub is positioned as a strategic innovation center, suggesting a dynamic and forward-thinking environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer (3-5 years of experience). It involves significant responsibility in defining product direction and user experience for critical DaaS solutions within autonomous vehicles. Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design within the I&E Hub. They will work closely with Product Owners and collaborate extensively with engineers, system architects, and program managers. Operations Impact: The Product Designer's work directly impacts the usability, adoption, and success of new mobility services. By ensuring intuitive design and effective user experiences, they contribute to customer satisfaction, operational efficiency for clients, and the overall competitiveness of Volkswagen Group's autonomous driving initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in UX/UI design for autonomous vehicles, Driver-as-a-Service (DaaS), or related mobility technologies.
• Leadership: Progress into Senior Product Designer, Lead UX Designer, or Design Manager roles, overseeing teams and strategic design initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Gain exposure to product management, systems engineering, or business strategy within the automotive tech sector.
• International Exposure: Work on global projects and collaborate with diverse teams across different Volkswagen Group entities.
• Skill Development: Continuously learn and apply new design tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies in the autonomous driving space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers substantial growth potential within a rapidly evolving field. The emphasis on innovation and global reach within Volkswagen Group provides a strong platform for career advancement and skill diversification in the future of mobility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the Innovation & Engineering Hub in Lisbon, suggesting a modern, collaborative office space designed to foster innovation and teamwork. Office Location(s): Lisbon, Portugal (specifically within the 1200-246 postal code area). This location provides access to a vibrant tech ecosystem and talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated project spaces to facilitate interaction and brainstorming among designers, engineers, and product teams.
• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to the latest design software, hardware, and potentially simulation tools relevant to automotive and autonomous vehicle development.
• Cross-Functional Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with diverse teams, including product management, engineering, research and development, and business stakeholders, promoting a holistic understanding of product development.

Work Schedule: The primary work schedule will be on-site in Lisbon. While full-time, the company may offer some flexibility in daily working hours to accommodate personal needs, provided project deadlines and team collaboration are maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, which is typical for complex product development requiring intensive teamwork and knowledge sharing. The Lisbon location is strategic for talent acquisition and innovation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess your qualifications and experience against the role requirements.
• Hiring Manager/Recruiter Call: A discussion to understand your background, motivations, and suitability for the role and company culture.
• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: This is a critical stage where you will present your portfolio, discuss your design process, and tackle design challenges. Expect questions on your approach to user research, requirements engineering, problem-solving, and collaboration.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members, product managers, and engineers to assess your technical skills, collaborative abilities, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss your strategic thinking and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies to narrate a clear problem, your process, your critical decisions, and the measurable impact of your solutions.
• Showcase Your Process: Detail your approach to user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing. Explain why you made certain choices.
• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your portfolio explicitly demonstrates your mastery of UX design, user research, requirements engineering, and workshop facilitation.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., increased user satisfaction, improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time) to demonstrate the value of your design work.
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects relevant to complex software systems, mobility, or automotive contexts. If you have DaaS or autonomous vehicle experience, make it prominent.
• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design decisions, how you handle feedback, resolve design conflicts, and collaborate with engineers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a take-home or live design exercise that will assess your ability to translate requirements into a user-centric solution within a given timeframe. Focus on demonstrating your process and rationale.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would approach specific design problems related to autonomous vehicles or DaaS platforms. Think about user needs, system constraints, and potential solutions.
• Workshop Simulation: You might be asked to describe how you would structure or run a workshop to gather requirements or align stakeholders on a particular design challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should prepare to deeply articulate their design process, decision-making, and the tangible impact of their work, especially in relation to the specific responsibilities of this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP (for wireframing and interactive prototyping).
• User Research Tools: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).
• Collaboration Platforms: Jira, Confluence, Miro, Mural (for managing tasks, documentation, and collaborative ideation/workshops).
• Wireframing Tools: Balsamiq, Wireframe.cc (for low-fidelity concept visualization).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior on digital platforms, though direct use might be more for Product Managers).
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (potentially used to understand user data trends that inform design).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics (may be relevant for understanding customer data and business processes, though direct interaction as a designer is less common).
• Project Management Tools: Asana, Trello, Monday.com (for managing project timelines and tasks).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools like Figma is essential. Familiarity with collaboration and project management tools commonly used in Agile environments is also highly beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the end-user, ensuring products are intuitive and valuable.
• Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies, challenge existing paradigms, and develop forward-thinking mobility solutions.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals.
• Excellence & Quality: A focus on delivering high-quality, robust, and reliable product designs that meet stringent industry standards.
• Results Orientation: A commitment to achieving tangible outcomes and making a measurable impact on product success and business objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: Embracing feedback, learning from experiences, and constantly seeking ways to enhance processes and designs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working seamlessly with product management, engineering, and other departments to ensure a unified product vision and execution.
• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and honest feedback exchanges within the team and with stakeholders.
• Workshop-Driven Alignment: Utilizing workshops as a key tool for collaborative problem-solving, ideation, and consensus-building.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing insights, best practices, and learnings within the design and product development community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on user-centricity, innovation, and collaboration aligns with modern tech company values, particularly in a forward-looking sector like autonomous mobility. The proactive approach to workshops and stakeholder engagement is a key cultural indicator.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Autonomous Systems: Designing for intricate, safety-critical systems where user interaction must be precise and reliable.
• Evolving Technology: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in AI, autonomous driving, and mobility services to ensure designs remain relevant and competitive.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Managing diverse expectations and priorities from various departments (engineering, product management, legal, business) to achieve consensus.
• Integration with Existing Ecosystems: Ensuring new DaaS solutions seamlessly fit within complex customer logistic flows and broader transportation networks.
• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Designing solutions that are both cutting-edge and compliant with evolving safety and regulatory standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to training in advanced UX methodologies, human-factors engineering for autonomous systems, and specific automotive technologies.
• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend leading conferences in UX, automotive technology, and AI to stay abreast of trends and network.
• Mentorship Programs: Potential to receive guidance from experienced designers and product leaders within the Volkswagen Group.
• Exposure to Global Projects: Working on projects with international scope, providing diverse perspectives and learning opportunities.
• Certification Programs: Pursuing certifications in areas like Agile, Design Thinking, or specialized UX fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working at the forefront of automotive innovation. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering pathways for deep specialization and broad experience within a global industry leader.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Process & Methodology: "Describe your process for designing a new feature for a complex software system like Driver-as-a-Service. Walk me through how you would approach user research, requirements gathering, and concept development."
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a scenario where users are struggling to understand the charging status of an autonomous vehicle. How would you diagnose this problem and design a solution?" "How do you handle conflicting feedback from different stakeholders on a key design element?"
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Tell me about a time you successfully facilitated a workshop to align diverse stakeholders on a product vision. What was your approach and what was the outcome?" "How do you ensure your design decisions are understood and supported by development teams?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation: "Why are you interested in Volkswagen Group and our work in autonomous vehicles?" "What excites you about the Driver-as-a-Service concept?"
• Teamwork: "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive team dynamic." "How do you handle constructive criticism from peers?"
• Industry Awareness: "What are your thoughts on the current trends in autonomous driving and mobility services?" "How do you stay updated on industry advancements?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the process you followed, key decisions made (and why), challenges overcome, and the final outcome with measurable results.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible. Use data to support your claims about user satisfaction, efficiency improvements, or business impact.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Highlight instances where your collaboration with engineers, product managers, or other stakeholders was crucial to the project's success.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, research methods, and how you handled specific challenges within your presented projects.
• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of projects that demonstrate your skills in different areas, such as user research, interaction design, and prototyping.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your design process, demonstrating problem-solving skills through concrete examples, and showcasing your ability to collaborate effectively. Be ready to defend your design decisions with user-centric rationale and data.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Volkswagen Group Jobs portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience in UX design, requirements engineering, user research, and complex software systems. Emphasize any relevant automotive or logistics project experience.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your years of experience and showcases achievements using action verbs and quantifiable results related to product design and user experience improvements.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Volkswagen Group's vision for mobility, their innovation efforts, and specifically the goals of the I&E Hub in Lisbon. Understand the concept of Driver-as-a-Service (DaaS).
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, key projects, and how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Be ready to discuss your approach to workshops and stakeholder management.

⚠️ 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.