Product Designer (UX)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (UX)
Company: Apple (Claris)
Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design / User Experience
Date Posted: 2025-11-01
Experience Level: 10+ Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product innovation and user experience improvements for complex, data-heavy enterprise software solutions.
• Apply user-centered design principles to translate business needs and user requirements into elegant, intuitive interfaces for web and native applications.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering and product management, throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation to implementation.
• Contribute to the evolution of low-code tools that empower developers and customers to build custom solutions.
• Maintain a strong focus on detail, quality, and the overall product vision, ensuring a delightful and impactful user experience for enterprise clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Product Designer (UX)", the description heavily emphasizes User Experience (UX) design principles and practices, particularly within the context of enterprise software and low-code tools. The role requires a deep understanding of user-centered design and the ability to translate complex data and functionality into usable interfaces.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Ideate, conceptualize, and design intuitive user interfaces and workflows for enterprise-grade software products, focusing on data-heavy applications and low-code platforms.
• Apply core UX principles, including user research, information architecture, interaction design, and usability testing, to solve complex product challenges.
• Develop and articulate design specifications, user flows, wireframes, prototypes (low and high fidelity), and visual design mockups to effectively communicate design intent.
• Collaborate with product managers to define feature requirements and with engineering teams to ensure accurate and high-quality implementation of designs.
• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights, validate design decisions, and identify opportunities for product enhancements.
• Critically evaluate features for enhancements, maintaining a keen eye for visual interface quality and overall product experience.
• Proactively identify and advocate for design best practices and innovative solutions that delight users and drive business objectives.
• Participate actively in agile development sprints, contributing to sprint planning, design reviews, and backlog grooming.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities outline a comprehensive UX design role within an enterprise software context. The emphasis on "shipping web products" and "enterprise software" suggests a need for designers experienced in B2B environments, where user workflows and data management are critical. The mention of "low code tools" indicates a focus on empowering users to build solutions, requiring careful consideration of user control and flexibility in the design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Design (User Experience Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Science) or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Experience: 7+ years of professional experience in UX design, with a proven track record of shipping web-based products, preferably within the B2B or enterprise software domain.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in User Experience (UX) design, encompassing a full range of design activities from research to visual design.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Engineering, to drive product development.
• Proficiency in creating low and high-fidelity deliverables, such as wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and interactive mockups.
• Strong understanding of common design patterns and the ability to apply them thoughtfully, knowing when to innovate beyond established conventions.
• Experience in conducting user research and usability testing to inform design decisions and validate solutions.
• A robust portfolio showcasing relevant B2B/Enterprise design projects, highlighting problem-solving approaches and collaboration.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and the ability to work effectively within sprints.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate UX concepts clearly and persuasively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for complex, data-heavy enterprise software or platforms.
• Proficiency with Figma for design and prototyping.
• Familiarity with Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines.
• Experience with low-code development platforms and designing for developer tools.
• A background in Information Science or Human-Computer Interaction.
• Ability to iterate quickly and manage design tasks within a fast-paced, agile environment.
• Portfolio projects that clearly articulate the motivation behind design choices, influencing decisions, and the delivered solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The minimum of 7 years of experience, coupled with the desire for B2B/Enterprise experience and a strong portfolio, indicates a mid-to-senior level role. The preferred skills, especially Figma proficiency and Apple's HIG, are strong indicators of the expected technical and aesthetic standards. The mention of "7+ years" and "10+ years" for experience level suggests that candidates with substantial experience will be highly competitive.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of B2B/Enterprise design projects that demonstrate your problem-solving process, from understanding user needs to delivering a final solution.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions, detailing the influences and rationale that guided your work.
• Examples of cross-functional collaboration, showcasing how you partnered with product managers and engineers to bring designs to fruition.
• Deliverables that span the design spectrum, including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.
• Evidence of user research and usability testing, illustrating how you incorporated user feedback to refine designs and improve outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to mapping and optimizing complex user workflows, particularly for data-intensive applications.
• Demonstrate how you apply design principles within an agile development framework, including contributions to sprints and iterative design processes.
• Illustrate your methods for translating user insights and business requirements into actionable design specifications and robust prototypes.
• Provide examples of how you have considered and integrated common design patterns while also demonstrating the ability to innovate where necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that details "who motivated the design, what influenced decisions, and how you delivered the solution" points to a need for designers who can articulate their strategic thinking and process, not just present final visuals. This is crucial for senior roles where understanding the "why" is as important as the "what."

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given Apple's (Claris) reputation, the location in Sunnyvale, California, and the 7+ years of experience requirement for a Product Designer (UX) role, a competitive salary range is expected. For a senior UX Designer in this region, the estimated annual salary could range from $130,000 to $190,000+ USD. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior UX/Product Designers in the San Francisco Bay Area, considering the company's prestige and the specialized nature of enterprise software design.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Retirement savings plans (e.g., 401(k) with company match)
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Employee stock purchase programs or grants
• Access to Apple's employee discounts program
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance
• Potential for performance-based bonuses

Working Hours: Standard full-time business hours, approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional overtime during peak project periods. The role is on-site, implying a structured work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on regional data for experienced UX Designers in high-cost-of-living areas like Silicon Valley and known compensation structures of large tech companies. Actual compensation will depend on specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. Benefits are standard for major tech employers and are assumed to be competitive.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software Development, Enterprise Solutions, Low-Code Platforms)
Company Size: Apple is a massive global corporation, and Claris, as an Apple company, operates within this ecosystem. Claris itself has a significant employee base focused on its specific product lines. This means the design team likely benefits from the resources and stability of a large organization while maintaining a focused, specialized team environment.
Founded: Claris was founded in 1987, evolving from Apple's earlier software efforts. It has a long history in software development, particularly known for FileMaker. Being part of Apple ensures a culture that values innovation, user experience, and high-quality product development.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design Team at Claris is likely structured to support its enterprise software offerings, including web and native applications.
• Designers will work within cross-functional product teams, reporting to a Design Lead or Manager, and collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.
• The team likely comprises designers with diverse specializations, potentially including UX researchers, interaction designers, and visual designers, all contributing to a cohesive product experience.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasizing the use of user research, analytics, and A/B testing to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• User-Centered Approach: Prioritizing user needs and workflows throughout the design process, with a focus on delivering elegant and effective solutions for enterprise users.
• Agile Development: Working in iterative sprints to deliver value quickly and adapt to changing requirements and feedback.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful product launches.

Company Website: https://www.apple.com, https://www.claris.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Claris as an Apple company provides context for the operational standards, product quality expectations, and design philosophy the team adheres to. The emphasis on enterprise solutions and low-code tools suggests a focus on productivity, scalability, and empowering business users.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior-level Product Designer (UX), requiring 7+ years of experience and a strong portfolio. It signifies a level of expertise where individuals are expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and significantly influence product strategy and user experience. The role demands autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to handle complex design challenges independently.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Lead within the Claris Product Design Team. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within their assigned product squads or feature teams, indicating a matrixed reporting structure common in agile environments.

Operations Impact: The operations impact of this role is significant, as the designer is responsible for shaping the user experience of software that drives business operations for Claris customers. By designing intuitive and efficient tools, the designer directly contributes to increasing customer productivity, adoption rates, and overall satisfaction, which in turn impacts Claris's revenue and market position. Designing for low-code tools has an amplified impact, as it empowers a wider range of users to build solutions, potentially increasing the platform's reach and value proposition.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in enterprise UX, data visualization, or low-code platform design.
• Leadership: Transition into a Design Lead or Managerial role, overseeing design projects and teams.
• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior designers, contributing to the growth of the design team.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potentially move into Product Management or other strategic roles within Apple or Claris.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning through workshops, conferences, and internal training programs focused on emerging design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "10+ Years" AI-derived experience level suggests that candidates with extensive experience beyond the minimum 7 years will be highly valued and potentially considered for more senior or lead capacities. The growth opportunities highlight a path for career advancement within a large, established tech organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site in Sunnyvale, California, indicating a traditional office-based work environment within Apple's facilities. This setting is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and a shared company culture.

Office Location(s): Sunnyvale, California, is part of Apple's extensive presence in Silicon Valley, offering access to a vibrant tech ecosystem and a hub for innovation. This location provides a conducive environment for tech professionals, with numerous amenities and networking opportunities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes dedicated collaboration areas, meeting rooms, and open-plan workspaces designed to encourage spontaneous interaction and team brainstorming.
• Tools and Technology: Access to state-of-the-art design tools, software, and hardware, including Figma, and potentially other Apple-specific development and testing environments.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design colleagues, product managers, engineers, and other cross-functional team members, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, predominantly within business hours. However, the nature of product development, especially within agile sprints, may require flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet project deadlines. The on-site requirement means a consistent presence in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" work arrangement is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared for a traditional office setting, emphasizing in-person collaboration, which is often a hallmark of Apple's operational philosophy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your resume and portfolio for alignment with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, walking through key B2B/Enterprise projects. Be prepared to discuss your design process, decision-making rationale, collaboration methods, and the impact of your work.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: Expect a practical design exercise or a case study that assesses your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to apply UX principles to a given problem, potentially related to complex data or low-code interfaces.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineering leads to evaluate your collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to work effectively within a team.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager to assess cultural fit, leadership potential, and overall suitability for the role and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight B2B/Enterprise Focus: Select projects that specifically demonstrate your experience with complex data, enterprise workflows, and B2B user needs.
• Tell a Story: For each project, articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, iteration), your design decisions (and why), and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Showcase Collaboration: Include examples or descriptions of how you worked with stakeholders (PMs, Engineers) and how their input influenced your design.
• Demonstrate Versatility: Include a range of deliverables (user flows, wireframes, prototypes, visual designs) to showcase your breadth of skills.
• Keep it Concise: Focus on your most relevant and impactful work. Be prepared to dive deep into specific projects during the interview.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement, target users, and business goals.
• Process Over Perfection: Focus on demonstrating your thought process, problem-solving approach, and ability to iterate, rather than delivering a perfectly polished final artifact within a limited time.
• Communicate Your Thinking: Clearly articulate your assumptions, design choices, and rationale throughout the challenge.
• Consider Enterprise Nuances: Think about scalability, data management, user permissions, and workflow efficiency, which are critical in enterprise software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio showcasing B2B/Enterprise projects and the need to articulate "who motivated the design, what influenced decisions, and how you delivered the solution" strongly suggests that the interview process will be rigorous and focused on strategic design thinking and demonstrable impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Strongly preferred for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a key requirement.
• Prototyping Tools: Experience with various prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Adobe XD) may be beneficial, though Figma is highlighted.
• Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard design software for creating visual assets and mockups.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a requirement for the designer, an understanding of how to interpret user analytics and A/B testing results to inform design is valuable. Familiarity with tools used for these purposes (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, internal analytics platforms) would be a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• The role involves designing for enterprise software and low-code platforms, which often integrate with or function as CRM or automation tools. Understanding the principles behind these systems and how users interact with them is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as "strongly preferred," making it a critical tool for candidates to be proficient in. An understanding of the broader enterprise software ecosystem, including CRM and automation principles, will be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of users, particularly in the enterprise context.
• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished, and innovative products that meet Apple's renowned standards.
• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnership to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation: A drive to explore new ideas, challenge conventions, and create elegant solutions to complex problems.
• Detail Orientation: A meticulous approach to design, recognizing that even small details contribute significantly to the overall user experience and product quality.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work as integral members of product teams, closely partnering with Product Management and Engineering to ensure a unified product vision and execution.
• Iterative Feedback: An environment that encourages constructive feedback exchange among designers and with other stakeholders to refine designs and improve product outcomes.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across the design team and wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Apple's culture is well-known for its focus on product excellence, innovation, and a high degree of internal collaboration. For Claris, this likely translates to a design team that is both deeply integrated into the product development process and committed to delivering best-in-class enterprise software experiences.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Enterprise Data: Designing intuitive interfaces for complex, data-heavy enterprise applications requires skill in information architecture, data visualization, and user workflow optimization.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Creating novel solutions while adhering to established design patterns and ensuring ease of use for a broad enterprise user base.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating diverse stakeholder priorities and technical constraints to achieve design consensus and timely implementation.
• Evolving Low-Code Landscape: Staying abreast of advancements in low-code technology and designing flexible, powerful tools that empower users effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Advanced Design Problems: Working on challenging projects within a leading technology company provides invaluable experience.
• Mentorship from Industry Experts: Access to experienced designers and product leaders within Apple and Claris.
• Continuous Skill Enhancement: Opportunities for training, workshops, and attending industry conferences to stay current with design trends and tools.
• Career Path Advancement: Potential to grow into design leadership, specialized roles, or management positions within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the specialized nature of enterprise UX design, particularly with data-intensive applications and low-code tools. Growth opportunities indicate a structured path for career development within a major tech firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a complex B2B/Enterprise design project you led. What was the problem, what was your process, and what was the outcome?" Prepare a detailed case study focusing on your strategic thinking, problem-solving methodology, and quantifiable impact.
• "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints in an enterprise environment?" Be ready to discuss your approach to stakeholder management, negotiation, and finding pragmatic design solutions.
• "Describe a time you had to break from common design patterns to solve a specific user problem. What was your rationale, and what was the result?" Showcase your ability to innovate thoughtfully and justify design decisions beyond standard conventions.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in designing for Claris and Apple?" Research Claris's product suite (e.g., FileMaker, Connect) and its role within Apple's ecosystem. Understand their mission to empower users with low-code tools.
• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and engineers?" Prepare examples of successful cross-functional partnerships and how you contribute to team synergy.
• "What are your thoughts on Apple's Human Interface Guidelines, and how might they apply to enterprise software?" Demonstrate an understanding of Apple's design philosophy and how it can be adapted for business applications.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Narrative: Structure your portfolio presentation as a compelling story for each project, clearly outlining the problem, your role, your process, your decisions, and the impact.
• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you worked with cross-functional teams, incorporating their feedback and aligning on goals.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).
• Showcase Process: Include examples of your deliverables at various stages, from initial sketches and wireframes to high-fidelity mockups and prototypes, to illustrate your design journey.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about specific design choices, technical feasibility, and user research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to reflect the specific requirements of a senior UX role in enterprise software, emphasizing strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to articulate impact.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer (UX) position:

• Submit Your Application: Carefully complete the online application form via the provided Apple Jobs link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most relevant B2B/Enterprise design projects. For each, prepare a concise case study that highlights the problem, your design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes. Ensure your portfolio is accessible (e.g., via a personal website or a shared link) and clearly showcases your UX expertise.
• Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to emphasize your 7+ years of professional UX design experience, specifically mentioning achievements in shipping web products and working on B2B/Enterprise solutions. Integrate keywords from the job description, such as "UX Design," "Product Design," "Enterprise Software," "Figma," "Cross-functional Collaboration," and "Prototyping."
• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio projects. Be ready to discuss your design rationale, user research findings, collaboration with stakeholders, and the impact of your work in detail.
• Research Claris and Apple: Familiarize yourself with Claris's product offerings (e.g., FileMaker, Connect) and Apple's overall design philosophy and Human Interface Guidelines. Understand the company's mission and how your role contributes to it.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding compensation and specific interview processes, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.