Senior Product Designer, Air & Ground Deterrence

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer, Air & Ground Deterrence Company: Anduril Industries Location: Seattle, Washington, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Design Operations / Product Design Date Posted: November 10, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver intuitive, high-craft digital interfaces and user experiences for complex defense technology systems, specifically focusing on Air & Ground Deterrence.
• Lead the end-to-end product design process, from user research and problem definition to high-fidelity prototyping and implementation guidance, ensuring seamless integration with hardware and software components.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including engineers, researchers, and product leads to understand operator needs and translate them into effective, mission-critical solutions.
• Drive the evolution of design systems and best practices within a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, contributing to the company's goal of modernizing military capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is situated within the defense technology sector, specifically focusing on "Air & Ground Deterrence" systems. This implies a need for designers who can handle high-stakes, complex technical challenges and understand the critical nature of user workflows in defense operations. The emphasis on "preserving operators' focus in high stress environments" highlights the importance of intuitive, reliable, and user-centric design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and execute user research initiatives to deeply understand end-operator needs, daily workflows, operational contexts, and pain points, synthesizing findings to inform design strategy.
• Design user-centered experiences for operators across diverse environments, including mobile platforms, fixed sites, and off-grid scenarios, ensuring usability and effectiveness.
• Lead the definition of high-impact product experiences by decomposing complex problems, conducting discovery, defining experience requirements, and crafting detailed user workflows.
• Develop and present high-fidelity mockups, journey maps, and comprehensive documentation to clearly communicate design intent, rationale, and implementation details to stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and product management teams, providing iterative prototyping and hands-on implementation guidance to ensure designs are technically feasible and effectively realized.
• Champion design best practices, contribute to design critiques, foster knowledge sharing, and mentor fellow designers to elevate the overall design capability within the organization.
• Partner with the design systems team to contribute to and evolve the underlying platform, ensuring consistency and scalability across product offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a full-cycle product design role, requiring not just visual and interaction design but also strong capabilities in user research, strategy, and cross-functional collaboration. The mention of "documentation rigor" and "journey maps" suggests a need for a structured approach to design, suitable for complex systems and regulated environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Product Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), UX Design, Graphic Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Product Designer role.

Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in product design, UX, or HCI, with a demonstrated track record of delivering technically informed, high-quality design solutions.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in visual design and interaction design principles, with the ability to translate complex requirements into elegant and intuitive interfaces.
• Proven ability to execute high-craft, technically informed solutions, demonstrating attention to detail in both aesthetics and functionality.
• Strong systems thinking mindset, capable of mapping workflows and understanding dependencies across multiple user types, operational contexts, and technical systems.
• Proficient in prototyping tools to create interactive models that clarify design decisions and facilitate stakeholder understanding.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions and navigate complex stakeholder requirements across engineering, product, and business teams.
• A robust portfolio showcasing a high level of craft, meticulous attention to interaction details, and successful execution of complex design challenges.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS security clearance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience leading user research sessions, including customer discovery, usability testing, and synthesizing complex feedback loops into actionable design insights.
• Strong facilitation skills to lead workshops, drive cross-functional alignment, and guide strategic decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated comfort operating in ambiguous environments with a proactive approach to problem-solving in mission-critical, time-sensitive situations.
• Familiarity with designing for constrained, high-stakes, or safety-critical environments (e.g., industrial, aerospace, or defense systems).
• Proven leadership experience in scaling design operations, mentoring junior designers, and improving team efficiency and design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" requirement typically aligns with a Senior level, indicating expectations for independent work, strategic contribution, and potentially mentorship. The emphasis on "technical solutions" and "systems thinking" is crucial for this role, suggesting a need for designers who can grasp complex technical concepts and their implications for user interfaces. The TS clearance requirement is a significant factor.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of the product design lifecycle, from initial research to final delivery.
• Case studies showcasing complex problem-solving skills, with a focus on how design decisions addressed specific user needs and business objectives within challenging technical contexts.
• Examples of high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and detailed user workflows that illustrate a high level of craft and interaction detail.
• Evidence of systems thinking, demonstrating an ability to design for interconnected systems and diverse operational environments.
• Documentation of your role in cross-functional collaboration, highlighting how you worked with engineers and product managers to bring designs to life.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of user research methodologies and how findings were translated into design requirements and solutions.
• Documentation of your approach to iterative design, including how feedback was incorporated and design iterations were managed.
• Clear articulation of how you ensure design consistency and quality through process, potentially including contributions to design systems or style guides.
• Case studies that highlight your ability to communicate design rationale effectively and manage stakeholder expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior" title and the nature of defense technology, a portfolio demonstrating not just execution but also strategic thinking, research integration, and complex system design is essential. The "high attention to craft and interaction details" requirement suggests a need for meticulously prepared and presented portfolio pieces.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $166,000 - $220,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to employees (for US roles).
• Income Protection: Life and disability insurance coverage for all employees.
• Generous Time Off: Competitive PTO plans, including a December holiday hiatus, and dedicated Caregiver & Wellness Leave.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, with resources for new parents.
• Mental Health Resources: 24/7 access to free mental health resources, including therapy and life coaching, plus work-life services like legal and financial support.
• Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development activities.
• Commuter Benefits: Company-funded benefits based on region.
• Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax options (US roles); Pension plan with employer match (UK & IE roles); Superannuation plan (AUS roles).

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard full-time role typically implies around 40 hours per week. The emphasis on "mission-critical, time-sensitive environments" and "ambiguity" may suggest a need for flexibility and dedication beyond standard hours when project demands require it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to the Seattle, Washington, United States location. For operations roles, understanding the total compensation package, including equity, is crucial. The benefits listed are comprehensive and align with a competitive tech/defense company offering. The salary range is considered to be at the higher end, reflecting the senior level, location, and specialized industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Technology. Anduril Industries is a prominent player in modernizing military capabilities with advanced technology, focusing on AI, autonomy, computer vision, and sensor fusion. Company Size: While the exact current number isn't provided in the input, Anduril is known to be a rapidly growing company, likely falling into the mid-to-large size category for tech startups (hundreds to thousands of employees). This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment with opportunities for significant impact. Founded: 2017. This indicates a relatively young company, suggesting a culture that is still evolving but likely driven by innovation and a sense of mission.

Team Structure:

• The Air Defense and Counter Intrusion teams are responsible for developing systems that detect and neutralize threats.
• The Product Design team within this area is small (three designers), implying a close-knit, collaborative unit where each member has significant influence.
• Design professionals work directly alongside engineers, researchers, and product leads, fostering a highly integrated, cross-functional approach.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes bringing "21st-century innovative company" expertise to defense, suggesting a blend of agile development, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on rapid iteration.
• Lattice OS, their AI-powered operating system, underpins their approach, indicating a strong foundation in software, AI, and real-time data processing.
• Product design is integrated into the engineering and product management process through close collaboration and hands-on implementation guidance.

Company Website: https://www.anduril.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Anduril's mission to transform defense capabilities is a core cultural driver. The "Air & Ground Deterrence" focus within this mission suggests a high-impact, potentially high-pressure environment where design directly contributes to national security. The small size of the design team within these specific product areas suggests an opportunity for individual impact and direct influence on product direction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a level of expertise, autonomy, and strategic contribution expected. It signifies a position where individuals are not just executing but also shaping design direction, mentoring others, and influencing product strategy. The scope involves tackling complex problems with significant technical and operational implications.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, Senior Designers typically report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or potentially a Product Director within their specific domain (Air & Ground Deterrence). They will likely work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on a day-to-day basis.

Operations Impact: The design work directly impacts the effectiveness and usability of mission-critical defense systems. This involves ensuring operators can effectively utilize advanced technology in high-stress situations, thereby contributing directly to mission success, force protection, and strategic advantage. The design decisions have significant implications for operational efficiency, safety, and the successful deployment of Anduril's technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead role for a specific product area or team, managing other designers and setting design strategy.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of defense technology design, such as human-robot interaction, autonomous systems interfaces, or complex data visualization for tactical environments.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to formally or informally mentor junior designers, contributing to the growth of the design function within Anduril.
• Cross-Functional Advancement: Potential to move into product management or research leadership roles by leveraging deep product understanding and user advocacy.
• Design Systems Evolution: Contribute significantly to the platform's design system, influencing design standards and tooling across the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation, combined with the mission-critical nature of the defense industry, suggests a role with significant responsibility and potential for impactful career growth. The emphasis on "mentoring and elevating design peers" points towards an expectation of leadership development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Seattle, Washington, and is described as "On-site" with no explicit mention of hybrid flexibility. This suggests a traditional office-based work environment.

Office Location(s): Seattle, Washington, United States. This is a major technology hub, offering access to talent and a vibrant ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is likely collaborative, with close proximity and regular interaction with engineering, research, and product teams.
• Access to state-of-the-art tools and technologies is expected, given Anduril's focus on advanced defense technology.
• The atmosphere is likely fast-paced and mission-oriented, with a strong emphasis on impact and rapid development cycles.
• The nature of designing for defense means a focus on rigorous testing, validation, and attention to detail in the workspace and in design outputs.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (likely ~40 hours/week) are expected. However, the "mission-critical" and "time-sensitive" nature of the work may necessitate flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet project deadlines or respond to urgent operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement in Seattle is a key detail for candidates. The context implies a hands-on, collaborative environment where designers are embedded within product teams, facilitating direct communication and rapid iteration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or design lead. Expect to provide a link to your online portfolio.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: This is a critical stage. You will likely be asked to present several case studies from your portfolio, detailing your process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your designs. A design challenge, either take-home or live, may be given to assess your skills in a specific scenario relevant to Anduril's products.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with engineers, product managers, and potentially other designers. These will assess your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to articulate design decisions within a team context.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, leadership potential, and alignment with team and company culture.
• Security Clearance: The requirement to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS clearance will be a significant part of the process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your approach, your role, the challenges faced, the solutions you designed, and the measurable impact (if possible).
• Process Emphasis: Showcase your end-to-end design process, including user research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration. Highlight how you gathered insights and translated them into tangible design outcomes.
• Technical Depth: For this role, demonstrate an understanding of technical constraints and how you've designed within them. Show examples of complex workflows and how you simplified them.
• Craft & Detail: Ensure your portfolio reflects high attention to visual and interaction detail. Polish your mockups and prototypes meticulously.
• Tailoring: While not explicitly stated for this role, generally, tailoring your portfolio presentation to highlight relevant experience (e.g., complex systems, high-stakes environments) can be beneficial.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve a complex problem statement related to user interfaces for defense systems, command and control, or operational workflows.
• Focus on demonstrating your process: how you'd approach understanding the problem, what questions you'd ask, how you'd brainstorm solutions, and how you'd prototype and test them.
• Practice articulating your thought process verbally and visually, simulating how you would present your work to a cross-functional team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating "high attention to craft and interaction details" and the need to "communicate the 'why' behind design decisions" are key indicators for portfolio preparation and interview responses. The security clearance requirement means the hiring process may involve additional steps and longer timelines.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), InVision, Axure RP, or similar industry-standard tools for UI design, wireframing, and interactive prototyping.
• User Research: Tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and survey analysis (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).
• Collaboration & Documentation: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello for project management and documentation; Slack or Microsoft Teams for communication.
• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or utilizing established design systems.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for a designer, understanding how to interpret user analytics and performance metrics to inform design decisions is valuable. This might involve tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or Pendo, depending on the product's deployment.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant for a Product Designer, but understanding how user data is managed and flows through systems (like CRMs) can provide context for user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools like Figma or Sketch is essential. The ability to leverage user research tools and collaborate effectively using project management and communication platforms is also critical. Understanding how designs integrate with underlying systems and data flows is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to the company's mission of transforming military capabilities, which translates to a high sense of purpose and dedication.
• Innovation & Agility: A culture that encourages pushing technological boundaries and rapid iteration to bring solutions to market quickly.
• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A high standard for the quality and technical sophistication of products, reflected in the design work.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of cross-functional teams working together to solve complex problems, with an emphasis on open communication and mutual respect.
• Impact-Oriented: A focus on delivering tangible results and making a difference in real-world operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with designers working in lockstep with engineers, researchers, and product managers.
• Open communication and constructive feedback are encouraged through design critiques and regular team syncs.
• A blend of structured processes (e.g., design systems, documentation) and agile adaptability to respond to evolving requirements.
• Emphasis on sharing knowledge and best practices to elevate the collective design capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture at Anduril is shaped by its defense technology mission. Designers are expected to be not only skilled practitioners but also adaptable, collaborative team members who are passionate about contributing to significant national security objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Systems: Designing for highly complex, mission-critical defense systems requires a deep understanding of technical constraints and operational workflows.
• High-Stakes Environment: Errors in design can have severe consequences, demanding extreme rigor, attention to detail, and thorough validation.
• Ambiguity and Rapid Change: The defense technology landscape and project requirements can evolve rapidly, requiring designers to be adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity.
• Balancing User Needs with Technical/Security Constraints: Finding elegant design solutions that meet operator needs while adhering to stringent technical and security requirements.
• Working with Diverse Operators: Understanding the varied needs and contexts of different end-users, from strategic commanders to forward-deployed operators.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in complex interaction design, data visualization, and designing for autonomous systems.
• Industry Exposure: Gain deep insights into the defense technology sector, military operations, and cutting-edge AI/ML applications.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Develop leadership capabilities by mentoring junior designers and contributing to design operations.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Work closely with world-class engineers and researchers, fostering a rich learning environment.
• Professional Development: Access to annual reimbursement for professional development, supporting continued skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in the defense tech sector and designing for critical systems. Growth opportunities are substantial, offering deep specialization and leadership potential within a cutting-edge field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex system with significant technical constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on systems thinking, problem decomposition, and technical collaboration.)
• "Walk us through a portfolio case study where you had to gather user insights in a challenging environment or for a user group with unique needs." (Highlight user research methodology, synthesis, and translation into design.)
• "How do you ensure your designs are usable and effective in high-stress or time-sensitive operational scenarios?" (Discuss iterative design, usability testing, and focus on clarity and efficiency.)
• "Describe your experience collaborating with engineering and product management. How do you handle disagreements or conflicting priorities?" (Emphasize communication, negotiation, and partnership.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Anduril's mission and the defense technology industry?" (Show genuine interest in the company's purpose.)
• "How do you approach working in a fast-paced, potentially ambiguous environment?" (Demonstrate adaptability and proactive problem-solving.)
• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team culture?" (Highlight teamwork, mentorship, and knowledge sharing.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of your portfolio, then dive into 2-3 detailed case studies. For each case study: state the problem, your role, the users, your process, key design decisions, challenges, solutions, and outcomes/impact.
• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals (mockups, prototypes, flow diagrams). Annotate them to explain specific design choices.
• Narrative: Tell a story. Explain the context, your journey through the design process, and the rationale behind your decisions.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%," "improved user satisfaction scores"). If quantitative data isn't available, focus on qualitative impact and user feedback.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about any aspect of your work, from initial research methods to specific UI elements and technical implementation considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also the ability to operate effectively in a defense tech environment – understanding complexity, rigor, and collaboration. The portfolio is central, so practicing its presentation is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Anduril Industries careers page.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and clearly showcases 2-3 relevant case studies that highlight your experience with complex systems, user research, interaction design, and technical collaboration. Tailor your presentation to emphasize skills relevant to defense technology and high-stakes environments.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of experience, focusing on achievements and responsibilities that align with the job description. Use keywords such as "Product Design," "UX," "HCI," "Systems Thinking," "Prototyping," "User Research," and "Stakeholder Management."
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear storytelling, process articulation, and demonstrating your problem-solving approach. Prepare responses for common interview questions related to design strategy, collaboration, and working in complex environments.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Anduril Industries' mission, products (especially in Air & Ground Deterrence if possible), and company culture. Understand the unique challenges and opportunities of working in the defense technology sector. Research the importance of security clearances and be prepared to discuss your eligibility.

⚠️ 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. The requirement for a U.S. TS clearance is a critical factor for eligibility.