Senior Product Designer - Amsterdam, Netherlands

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: Speechify
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX)
Date Posted: December 30, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from initial pitch and research to prototyping, testing, shipping, and iterative refinement of new features.
• Elevate the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) patterns across Speechify's native mobile applications (iOS and Android) and other platforms.
• Lead the strategic rethinking and optimization of critical user journeys, including onboarding and core user flows, to enhance engagement and retention.
• Play a pivotal role in shaping the product roadmap by contributing design insights, user research findings, and strategic product thinking.
• Contribute to the evolution of the design organization by refining internal processes, establishing best practices, and fostering a collaborative design culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified under Product Design and UX, focusing on consumer-facing applications in the rapidly evolving text-to-speech and AI audio technology sector. The emphasis on "pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and refine" signifies a hands-on, execution-oriented design role with significant product ownership. The requirement to "refine our process and help shape the design org" indicates an opportunity for leadership and process improvement within a growing design team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceive, design, and deliver innovative features by translating user needs and business objectives into intuitive and engaging product experiences.
• Develop and iterate on wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs across various platforms (iOS, Android, Web, Chrome Extension).
• Conduct user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather actionable insights that inform design decisions and product strategy.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, AI Researchers, and other stakeholders to ensure successful product development and launch.
• Define and maintain design systems, style guides, and component libraries to ensure consistency and scalability across all Speechify products.
• Analyze product performance metrics and user feedback to identify areas for improvement and drive data-informed design iterations.
• Champion user-centric design principles and advocate for the user throughout the product development process.
• Contribute to a high-growth, remote-first startup environment, actively participating in team discussions and contributing to a positive and productive work culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product thinking and hands-on design execution, common in senior roles within high-growth startups. The emphasis on "influencing the product roadmap" and "shaping the design org" suggests a need for proactive leadership and strategic contribution beyond typical design tasks. Collaboration with AI researchers is also a key differentiator for this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mentioned, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior product design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of designing and shipping successful consumer-facing products across multiple platforms (mobile and web).

Required Skills:

• Product Thinking: Ability to understand product strategy, articulate design rationale ("what and why"), and collaborate with Product Managers to identify key opportunities through analytics.
• User Research & Discovery: Demonstrated experience in conducting user research, analyzing feedback, and translating insights into design solutions.
• UX/UI Design: Proficiency in creating wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs for mobile (iOS/Android) and web applications.
• Prototyping & Iteration: Skill in rapidly prototyping and iterating on designs based on user feedback and testing.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design ideas clearly and negotiate effectively with cross-functional teams (PMs, Engineers, Execs).
• Design Craft: Strong aesthetic sensibility and expertise in typography, information design, and micro-interactions.
• Platform Understanding: Familiarity with the technical constraints and possibilities of iOS, Android, and browser-based environments.
• Customer-Centricity: Comfort in engaging directly with customers and integrating their feedback into the design process.
• Remote Work Proficiency: Experience working effectively in a remote, asynchronous, and high-growth startup environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Audio Technology Familiarity: A curiosity and understanding of audio-related technologies and user experiences.
• AI/ML Integration: Experience designing products that incorporate AI or machine learning features.
• Design Systems: Experience in building and maintaining design systems for scalability.
• Visual Design & Branding: Advanced skills in visual design, potentially including branding and motion design.
• Analytics Tools: Familiarity with product analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) for data-driven design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from the "Senior" title and the breadth of responsibilities, aligning with typical industry standards for 5-10 years of dedicated product design experience. The emphasis on "articulate what and why as equally as how" and "embrace analytics" points towards a strategic design thinker, not just an executor.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end product design process for consumer-facing applications. Each case study should highlight a specific problem, your approach, the design solutions, and the impact.
• Platform Diversity: Include examples of work across different platforms, particularly iOS, Android, and web/browser extensions, to demonstrate versatility.
• Problem-Solving Focus: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed in each project and how your design solutions effectively tackled it.
• Iterative Design: Demonstrate how you iterated on designs based on user research, testing, and analytics data.
• Visual & Interaction Design: Present high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and examples of refined UI patterns and micro-interactions.

Process Documentation:

• User Research & Discovery: Show evidence of user research methodologies used, such as user interviews, surveys, persona development, and usability testing reports.
• Workflow & Flowcharts: Include visual representations of user flows and information architecture to illustrate the structure and logic of the products designed.
• Prototyping & Testing: Provide links to interactive prototypes or detailed descriptions of how prototypes were used for testing and validation.
• Metrics & Impact: Quantify the impact of your design work using relevant metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, user satisfaction scores) and explain how these metrics were tracked and improved.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior product designer role, especially in a high-growth startup, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and a data-informed approach. Case studies should be robust, detailing the "why" and "how" behind design decisions and showcasing measurable outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior Product Designer title, 5-10 years of experience, and location in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the estimated salary range would be between €65,000 and €90,000 per year. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major European tech hubs, considering the cost of living in Amsterdam and Speechify's status as a well-funded, high-growth tech company.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience and market rates.
• Stock Options: Potential for equity in a rapidly growing tech company.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance package, potentially including mental health support.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, attending conferences, and skill enhancement.
• Flexible Work Environment: Fully remote setup with autonomy and flexibility.
• Impactful Product: The opportunity to work on a product that significantly helps users with reading challenges and learning differences.
• Dynamic Startup Culture: A fast-paced, innovative environment with a collaborative and driven team.
• Asynchronous Work Culture: Emphasis on effective communication and collaboration in a distributed setting.

Working Hours: Speechify operates with an asynchronous, remote-first model. While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the emphasis is on results and effective collaboration rather than strict adherence to office hours. This allows for flexibility in scheduling, accommodating different time zones and personal needs, provided core collaboration and project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for Amsterdam requires careful consideration of local market rates and cost of living. The range provided is a benchmark for a Senior Product Designer. Benefits are inferred from typical offerings at well-funded tech startups, with a strong emphasis on remote work and professional growth, aligning with Speechify's described culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focusing on AI-powered Text-to-Speech (TTS) and assistive reading solutions. Speechify operates at the intersection of EdTech, AI, and SaaS. Company Size: Nearly 200 employees, indicating a growing, mid-stage startup environment with established processes but still retaining agility and a startup feel. Founded: Speechify was founded with a mission to eliminate reading as a barrier to learning, leveraging technology to make information more accessible. This mission drives a culture focused on impact and inclusivity.

Team Structure:

• Distributed Workforce: Speechify is a 100% distributed company with no physical offices, fostering an asynchronous and globally diverse team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Designers work closely with engineers (frontend, backend), AI research scientists, product managers, and executive leadership.
• Talent Pool: The team comprises individuals from leading tech companies (Amazon, Microsoft, Google), top academic institutions (Stanford PhDs), and successful startup founders, suggesting a high-caliber, experienced workforce.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on analytics and working alongside PMs to pinpoint key opportunities and measure design impact.
• User-Centric Approach: Strong focus on understanding and incorporating customer feedback into the design and development process.
• Agile & Iterative Development: A "pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and refine" cycle indicates an agile methodology focused on continuous improvement.
• Asynchronous Communication: A core tenet of the remote-first culture, requiring clear, concise, and well-documented communication.

Company Website: https://speechify.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Speechify's commitment to a mission-driven culture, combined with its distributed nature and high-caliber talent, creates a unique work environment. The emphasis on AI and inclusivity in reading technology positions it as an innovative player in the tech landscape.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level implies significant autonomy, ownership, and the ability to mentor junior designers. The role is expected to contribute strategically to product direction and the design team's evolution.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer likely reports to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or potentially a VP of Product, depending on the current structure of the design organization. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads on specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: The design team's work directly impacts user acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall product success. By improving the user experience and accessibility of Speechify, this role contributes significantly to the company's mission and its growth trajectory. Design decisions influence key business metrics and the company's reputation for innovation and inclusivity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to move into Lead Product Designer or Design Manager roles as the design organization scales.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven product design, accessibility, or mobile UX for assistive technologies.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain deeper insights into product management, engineering, and AI research through close collaboration.
• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to enhance design processes, tools, and team collaboration within a remote setting.
• Industry Recognition: Contribute to award-winning products (like Apple's Design Award winner) and gain visibility in the UX and AI fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title suggests a path towards leadership or deep specialization. The company's growth and focus on innovative technology provide fertile ground for career advancement, particularly in areas like AI and accessibility design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Speechify is a 100% remote company with no physical offices. This means the work environment is entirely digital and home-based for all employees.

Office Location(s): As a distributed company, there are no specific office locations. Employees can work from anywhere, though the job posting specifies a focus on Amsterdam, Netherlands, which might imply a preference for candidates within that time zone or region for potential collaboration or legal/HR purposes.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration Hub: The workspace is entirely virtual, relying on digital tools for communication, project management, and design collaboration.
• Asynchronous Focus: The environment is optimized for asynchronous work, requiring clear documentation, written communication, and self-management.
• Tool-Rich Environment: Access to a suite of digital tools for design, communication, and project tracking is essential.
• Global Team Interaction: Opportunities to collaborate with a diverse, international team across various functions.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is flexible and asynchronous. While a full-time commitment (approximately 40 hours/week) is expected, employees have autonomy in structuring their day to balance productivity, collaboration, and personal life. The key is to be available for necessary synchronous touchpoints and meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote, asynchronous nature of Speechify's work environment is a defining characteristic. Candidates should be comfortable with self-management, strong written communication, and utilizing digital collaboration tools effectively. The Amsterdam location might be a nexus for HR or team coordination, but the core work is distributed.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Review: Your resume and portfolio will be the first touchpoint. Focus on showcasing relevant case studies that highlight your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact.
• Screening Call: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to discuss your background, motivations, and alignment with the role and company culture.
• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: You may be asked to complete a take-home design exercise or present one of your portfolio case studies in detail, focusing on your process, decision-making, and outcomes. Be prepared to articulate your rationale for design choices.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: A conversation with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant case studies. Ensure they demonstrate a range of skills and problem-solving scenarios applicable to Speechify's product.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the measurable impact. Use visuals effectively.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design thinking, research methodologies, iteration cycles, and how you incorporated feedback.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your design solutions.
• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to walk through your portfolio, answer in-depth questions about your decisions, and discuss trade-offs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Thoroughly research Speechify's mission, products (iOS app, Android app, Chrome extension, web app), target audience, and competitive landscape.
• Focus on User Needs: Anticipate challenges that involve improving user onboarding, enhancing core reading/listening features, or innovating in the accessibility space.
• Structure Your Approach: If given a take-home challenge, structure your response logically, clearly outlining your understanding of the problem, your proposed solution, and the reasoning behind it.
• Consider Constraints: Be mindful of the technical constraints of mobile and web platforms, as well as the company's focus on AI and audio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process for a senior role at a startup like Speechify will likely be rigorous. A strong, well-documented portfolio is non-negotiable. Be prepared to demonstrate not just design skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and an understanding of product-driven growth.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma: Highly probable as the primary tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration.
• Sketch: May be used, especially if prior work was done in Sketch.
• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop): Potentially used for asset creation, image editing, or specific visual design tasks.

Prototyping & User Testing Tools:

• InVision/Framer/ProtoPie: For creating interactive prototypes and conducting usability testing.
• UserTesting.com / Maze: Platforms for remote usability testing and gathering user feedback.

Collaboration & Project Management Tools:

• Slack: Essential for real-time communication in a remote environment.
• Notion/Confluence: Likely used for documentation, knowledge sharing, design system information, and project briefs.
• Jira/Asana/Trello: For tracking tasks, project progress, and managing design sprints with engineering teams.

Analytics & Data Tools:

• Amplitude/Mixpanel/Google Analytics: For understanding user behavior, tracking feature adoption, and identifying design optimization opportunities.
• Hotjar/FullStory: For heatmaps, session recordings, and user behavior analysis.

CRM & Automation: (Less direct for a Product Designer, but understanding is beneficial)

• Salesforce/HubSpot: Understanding how user data flows from product usage to CRM systems can be valuable for designing integrated experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, the requirements for prototyping, collaboration, and data-informed design strongly suggest proficiency in industry-standard tools like Figma, and familiarity with analytics platforms. A candidate should be prepared to discuss their experience with these types of tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible and supporting learning differences. This value translates into a passion for building impactful products.
• Customer-Centricity: Prioritizing user needs and feedback in all design and product decisions.
• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration of new technologies (like AI) and creative solutions to complex problems.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where ideas are shared openly, feedback is constructive, and teams work together effectively across distances.
• Drive & Focus: Operating in a high-growth startup requires a proactive, results-oriented mindset and the ability to maintain focus on key priorities.
• Inclusivity: A core value reflected in the product's purpose and the company's commitment to diversity.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous First: Communication and collaboration are designed to work effectively across time zones, emphasizing clear written communication, documentation, and structured feedback loops.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Designers are expected to be integrated partners with Product Managers and Engineers, contributing to strategic discussions and problem-solving from the outset.
• Opinionated but Open: While team members are encouraged to have strong opinions and ideas (e.g., "opinionated PMs, engineers, and execs"), there's a culture of constructive debate and willingness to compromise for the best outcome.
• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to drive continuous improvement in both product and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Speechify's values are deeply intertwined with its mission and its remote-first operational model. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values and work style align with these principles, particularly the emphasis on impact, accessibility, and asynchronous collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design Processes: As a rapidly growing startup, evolving and scaling design processes to accommodate increased product complexity and team size will be an ongoing challenge.
• Balancing Innovation with Execution: Striking the right balance between exploring cutting-edge AI features and delivering reliable, user-friendly core functionalities.
• Remote Collaboration Complexity: Ensuring seamless collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing across a fully distributed and asynchronous team.
• Impact Measurement in a Fast-Paced Environment: Clearly defining and tracking the impact of design initiatives amidst rapid product development cycles.
• Designing for Diverse Needs: Continuing to innovate in accessibility and cater to users with a wide range of learning differences and technical proficiencies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI & Audio Tech: Gain hands-on experience designing at the forefront of AI and audio technology, a rapidly evolving domain.
• Mastering Asynchronous Design Workflows: Develop expertise in effective remote collaboration, documentation, and time management strategies.
• Product Strategy & Roadmap Influence: Hone skills in strategic product thinking and influencing long-term product direction.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and potentially take on leadership responsibilities as the team grows.
• Industry Exposure: Work on a product recognized for its innovation (e.g., Apple Design Award) and contribute to a category-defining application.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in high-growth tech startups. The growth opportunities are significant, especially for individuals keen on specializing in AI, accessibility, and remote-first product development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product roadmap. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on how you used user insights, data, or strategic thinking to advocate for design-led initiatives.)
• "How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints? Walk us through an example." (Demonstrate your product thinking and ability to find optimal solutions.)
• "Speechify's mission is to make reading a barrier-free experience. How would you approach designing for users with learning differences like dyslexia or ADHD?" (Showcase your understanding of inclusivity and user-centric design for specific needs.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Speechify specifically, beyond just a product design role?" (Research the company's mission, impact, and growth. Connect your personal values or career goals to Speechify.)
• "How do you thrive in a remote, asynchronous work environment? What are your strategies for effective collaboration?" (Highlight your self-management, communication skills, and experience with remote tools.)
• "Describe a time you disagreed with a stakeholder (PM, engineer, exec). How did you handle it, and what was the resolution?" (Showcase your negotiation, communication, and collaboration skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, the key decisions made, the process, and the measurable results. Use a narrative flow.
• Focus on the 'Why': Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind every significant design choice. Why this solution? Why this interaction?
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Utilize visuals, interactive prototypes, and user flows to illustrate your work and process effectively.
• Quantify Success: Present metrics and data that demonstrate the positive impact of your designs on users and the business.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your process, challenges, and learnings from each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, user empathy, strong collaboration skills, and a clear understanding of Speechify's mission and product. The portfolio is your primary tool to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies that align with Speechify's product – consumer-facing apps, focus on user experience, and ideally, any work related to accessibility or learning tools. Prioritize showcasing your end-to-end design process and measurable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in product design, UX/UI, prototyping, user research, and working in high-growth tech environments. Use keywords from the job description such as "consumer-facing products," "user flows," "product roadmap," and "analytics."
• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your passion for Speechify's mission, your experience with remote work, and your approach to collaborative design in an asynchronous setting. Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and impactfully.
• Research Speechify: Thoroughly understand Speechify's mission, products, target audience, and recent achievements (e.g., Apple Design Award). Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience can contribute to their specific goals.

⚠️ 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.

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