Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Abbott Laboratories

Location: Abbott Park, Illinois, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-04-17

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (with regular travel to Alameda, CA)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the complete product design lifecycle for new mobile applications, from initial concept ideation and user research to final delivery and iteration, ensuring a human-centered approach.

• Develop cohesive and seamless user experiences across a connected ecosystem of physical devices and digital platforms, focusing on the user's journey.

• Translate complex health data into intuitive, actionable, and engaging experiences for individuals managing chronic conditions.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, UX research, and data science, to drive product strategy and deliver measurable user and business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Abbott Diabetes Care (ADC), a division focused on digital health solutions for diabetes management. The Senior Product Designer will be instrumental in shaping innovative products that empower users, requiring a strong blend of strategic thinking, user advocacy, and execution capability across the full design spectrum. The hybrid nature with travel to Alameda, CA indicates a need for strong in-person collaboration skills alongside remote work efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the end-to-end design process for new mobile product initiatives, from concept generation and user journey mapping to high-fidelity prototyping and final interface design, incorporating feedback throughout.

• Architect and refine user experiences that span physical connected devices and digital interfaces, ensuring a consistent and intuitive interaction model across the entire product ecosystem.

• Create detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and polished high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design concepts, validate user flows, and balance user needs with strategic business objectives.

• Champion a user-centric design methodology by engaging directly with customers to understand their needs, pain points, and behaviors, ensuring designs are grounded in real-world context.

• Utilize compelling storytelling techniques to articulate the connection between user needs, product features, business goals, and overall product strategy to influence decision-makers.

• Define, develop, and maintain scalable design systems and component libraries to ensure visual consistency, brand alignment, and efficient design iteration across all product touchpoints.

• Partner closely with UX researchers to integrate user insights, product managers to align with roadmap priorities, engineers to ensure technical feasibility, and data scientists to leverage data for informed design decisions.

• Foster a culture of design excellence within the team by actively participating in design critiques, leading collaborative workshops, and mentoring junior designers to elevate overall craft and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a leadership role in product design, requiring the ability to drive initiatives from inception to completion. The focus on a "connected product ecosystem" and "physical and digital platforms" suggests a need for strong systems thinking and an understanding of how different product components interact. The emphasis on "0 to 1" development and "measurable user and business outcomes" highlights the strategic impact expected from this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human Factors, Psychology, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.

Experience: 6+ years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) design, Product Design, Interaction Design, or a comparable role, with a proven track record of shipping successful digital products.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in leading the entire UX/Product Design lifecycle, from discovery and ideation through to detailed design and implementation support.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma for collaborative design, wireframing, and high-fidelity mockups.

• A robust portfolio showcasing a range of end-to-end, user-centered design solutions across desktop and mobile platforms, highlighting problem-solving methodologies and design impact.

• Solid understanding of user-centered design principles, human-computer interaction (HCI), and usability best practices.

• Ability to apply systems thinking to design cohesive experiences across multiple products and platforms within a complex ecosystem.

• Experience in crafting clear and compelling visual narratives to articulate design rationale and influence stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing holistic, end-to-end consumer product experiences that have demonstrably delivered significant user and business impact.

• Exceptional visual design sensibility and the ability to create polished, intuitive interfaces that align with brand guidelines and established usability standards.

• Proven experience in bringing products from "0 to 1," guiding novel concepts through early exploration and iteration to achieve product-market fit.

• A proactive and curious mindset towards emerging design technologies, tools, and methodologies, including AI-enabled workflows and their application in design.

• A deep-seated focus on understanding and addressing user needs, with a talent for simplifying complex information into elegant and efficient user flows.

• Expertise in designing for inclusivity and ensuring functional accessibility for all users across diverse capabilities.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate complex design decisions and influence product direction.

• Experience in building, expanding, and maintaining robust design systems and scalable component libraries to ensure visual consistency and design efficiency.

• Prior experience designing for regulated industries, particularly healthcare, with an understanding of compliance and data privacy considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is critical, especially for a senior role. Candidates should prepare to showcase their process, problem-solving skills, and the quantifiable impact of their designs, particularly in mobile and connected ecosystems. The preference for healthcare and regulated industry experience indicates a need for candidates who can navigate complex requirements and a strong understanding of user safety and data integrity.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the full product design lifecycle, from initial problem definition and user research synthesis to solution ideation, prototyping, user testing, and final design delivery.

• Showcase at least two distinct projects that highlight your ability to design for complex, interconnected systems or ecosystems, illustrating how you ensured coherence and seamless user journeys across multiple touchpoints (e.g., a mobile app interacting with a physical device).

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the user problem, your design process, key decisions made, and how you iterated based on user feedback and data.

• Present projects that have achieved measurable outcomes, such as increased user engagement, improved task completion rates, enhanced patient adherence, or positive business impact, supported by quantifiable data where possible.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've documented user flows, information architecture, and interaction models to ensure clarity and alignment across cross-functional teams.

• Evidence of your contributions to or development of design systems, including style guides, component libraries, and pattern documentation, emphasizing scalability and consistency.

• Illustrations of your approach to user research and testing methodologies, including how insights were synthesized and translated into actionable design improvements.

• Demonstrations of how you collaborate with engineers and product managers to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation, including your role in design handoff.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display visual polish but also a strategic approach to problem-solving, a deep understanding of user needs, and the ability to articulate the impact of design decisions. Projects involving connected devices or complex data visualization will be particularly relevant given the role's context within Abbott Diabetes Care.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $113,300 - $226,700 USD per year.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is based on the provided AI data and aligns with senior-level product design roles in the United States, particularly in a major metropolitan area like the Chicago region (given Abbott Park's proximity). Factors influencing placement within this range will include the candidate's specific experience, demonstrated skills, portfolio quality, and interview performance. The range reflects significant expertise and impact expected from a Senior Product Designer at a large, established corporation like Abbott.

Benefits:

• Medical Coverage: Employees may qualify for free medical coverage through the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the following calendar year, offering significant value.

• Retirement Savings Plan: A competitive plan with a substantial employer contribution, supporting long-term financial security.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Financial assistance for continued education and professional development.

• Student Debt Program ("Freedom 2 Save"): A program specifically designed to help employees manage and reduce student loan debt.

• Education Benefit ("FreeU"): An affordable and convenient pathway for employees to earn a bachelor's degree.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and work-life support.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: While a standard 40-hour work week is noted, Abbott acknowledges the importance of work-life balance and offers various benefits to support employees' personal lives and career development, suggesting a flexible approach within the standard work structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare / Medical Devices / Diabetes Care. Abbott Laboratories is a global leader in healthcare, with a significant focus on developing innovative medical products and technologies. The Diabetes Care division is at the forefront of digital health solutions for managing diabetes.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (10,000+ employees). As a major multinational corporation, Abbott offers stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for career advancement within a global framework.

Founded: 1888. With a long history of innovation and growth, Abbott has established a strong reputation for scientific advancement and a commitment to improving health outcomes worldwide.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will likely be part of a dedicated UX/Product Design team within Abbott Diabetes Care, with specialists in UX research, interaction design, visual design, and design systems.

• The team operates within a matrixed product development structure, reporting to a Design Lead or Director of UX/Product Design, and collaborating closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and Data Scientists.

Methodology:

• Abbott likely employs a blend of Agile and Waterfall methodologies, with a strong emphasis on user-centered design principles and data-driven decision-making.

• Process optimization and workflow planning are crucial for bringing complex medical devices and accompanying digital platforms to market efficiently and compliantly.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated into design and development workflows to streamline processes and accelerate product delivery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Abbott's status as a large, established healthcare company implies a structured, process-oriented environment. However, the focus on innovation in digital health and diabetes care suggests a dynamic and forward-thinking approach within specific divisions like ADC. The emphasis on user impact and scientific rigor will shape the operational culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role represents a significant step in a product design career, requiring leadership in design execution, strategic input, and mentorship. It's a position where one is expected to drive complex projects independently and contribute to the overall design vision.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director of UX/Product Design, who oversees a team of designers. They will also work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work will directly influence the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of critical digital health products for people with diabetes. Their designs will impact patient outcomes, user engagement with the Abbott ecosystem, and ultimately, the commercial success of ADC's digital offerings. This role is pivotal in translating complex health management into accessible and empowering user experiences.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design Strategy: Transition into a Design Lead or Principal Designer role, taking ownership of larger product areas or strategic design initiatives.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas such as connected health systems, data visualization for health, accessibility, or advanced prototyping techniques.

• Management Track: With demonstrated leadership and mentorship capabilities, pursue opportunities in design management, leading teams and defining departmental strategy.

• Cross-Divisional Mobility: Leverage experience within ADC to explore design opportunities in other innovative areas within Abbott, such as diagnostics, medical devices, or pharmaceuticals.

• Continuous Learning: Access to Abbott's extensive learning and development programs, including tuition reimbursement and specialized training, to stay at the forefront of design and technology trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within a large, reputable organization. The emphasis on "0 to 1" product development and system-level thinking provides opportunities to build a strong portfolio of impactful work, which is crucial for advancing to principal-level or management positions within the design field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model with a primary office location in Abbott Park, Illinois, and regular travel required to Alameda, California. The Abbott Park headquarters is a large, corporate campus environment.

Office Location(s):

• Primary: Abbott Park, Illinois (Corporate Headquarters). This location offers comprehensive facilities and a structured corporate setting.

• Collaborative Hub: Alameda, California. Regular travel here suggests a need for in-person collaboration with specific teams or stakeholders based in that region.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is designed for collaboration, with access to modern office spaces, meeting rooms, and potentially co-working areas for team sessions.

• Expect access to a robust technology infrastructure, including high-performance workstations, design software licenses, and collaboration tools essential for remote and hybrid work.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with design peers, product teams, and leadership will be available, fostering a dynamic and communicative work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility expected for project deadlines and collaborative needs across different time zones and locations.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature requires strong self-management and communication skills. The travel component to Alameda indicates a need for adaptability and comfort working in different office environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and experience. Be prepared to articulate your key achievements and relevance to the role.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session where you will walk through selected projects from your portfolio. Focus on your design process, problem-solving approach, user-centricity, and the impact of your work. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design decisions and rationale.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, UX Researchers, and potentially other designers. These interviews will assess your collaboration skills, technical understanding, ability to work with diverse teams, and how you translate insights into actionable designs.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or present a more in-depth case study on a given problem, simulating real-world challenges. This is an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and design execution under a defined scope.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership or the hiring manager to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential within Abbott Diabetes Care.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills for this specific role, emphasizing mobile, connected ecosystems, and user-centered design in healthcare or complex data environments.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, key challenges, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes. Use visuals effectively to guide the narrative.

• Highlight Process: Detail your research methods, ideation techniques, prototyping approach, and how you incorporated feedback and data to iterate on your designs.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present data or metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., user satisfaction scores, task completion rates, engagement metrics).

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, trade-offs considered, and how you would approach similar challenges in the future.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly research Abbott Diabetes Care, their products, and the diabetes management landscape.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline a clear problem-solving framework (e.g., Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test).

• Focus on User Needs: Emphasize how your proposed solution addresses specific user pain points and goals.

• Consider Business Goals: Demonstrate an understanding of how your design contributes to business objectives.

• Present Clearly: Prepare a concise and well-organized presentation, highlighting your thought process and key design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at a company like Abbott is likely to be thorough. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not just design proficiency but also strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration skills, and a deep understanding of user needs within the healthcare context. The portfolio is a critical component, serving as the foundation for most discussions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and collaborative design workflows. Proficiency is a must.

• Prototyping Tools (e.g., ProtoPie, Adobe XD): May be used for more advanced interactive prototypes, especially for demonstrating complex device interactions.

• Design System Management Tools: Familiarity with tools or processes used to manage and scale design systems and component libraries.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude): Understanding how to interpret user behavior data to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Data Visualization Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI): Ability to understand and potentially contribute to dashboards that track product performance and user engagement.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a design tool, awareness of how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms are used within the broader Go-To-Market strategy can provide context for product integration and user journey mapping.

• Collaboration & Project Management Tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Asana): Crucial for working within Agile development environments, tracking tasks, and documenting design specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is explicitly required. The role also implies a need to understand and leverage data for design decisions, suggesting familiarity with common analytics platforms. Experience with design systems is highly valued for ensuring consistency across a growing product suite.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient-Centricity: A deep commitment to improving the lives of patients, especially those managing diabetes, driving all design decisions and innovations.

• Innovation & Excellence: Pursuing cutting-edge solutions and maintaining high standards in design craft and product development.

• Collaboration & Inclusion: Fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and contribute to better outcomes.

• Integrity & Quality: Upholding the highest ethical standards and ensuring the quality and reliability of products that impact health.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing insights from research and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and business stakeholders across different functions and geographies.

• Emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of product success.

• A culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing, where designers are encouraged to mentor each other and explore new methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Abbott's values are deeply rooted in healthcare and scientific advancement. For a Senior Product Designer, embodying patient-centricity and a commitment to quality and integrity will be paramount, alongside strong collaborative skills essential for navigating a large corporate structure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complex Health Data: Translating intricate and critical health information into easily understandable and actionable user interfaces requires a delicate balance of clarity, accuracy, and user empathy.

• Ecosystem Integration: Ensuring a seamless and cohesive user experience across multiple physical devices and digital platforms presents significant system design challenges.

• Navigating Regulated Environments: Working within the healthcare industry requires adherence to strict regulations, compliance standards, and data privacy laws, which can impact design flexibility.

• Balancing User Needs with Business & Technical Constraints: Effectively advocating for user needs while managing product roadmaps, technical feasibility, and business objectives.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong team cohesion and design quality while working in a hybrid model with significant travel requirements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement emerging design techniques, including AI-assisted design tools, advanced interaction patterns, and sophisticated prototyping.

• Healthcare Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of diabetes management, digital health trends, and the specific needs of patients and healthcare providers.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Develop a stronger understanding of product management, engineering processes, clinical research, and regulatory affairs within the medical device sector.

• Leadership Development: Grow leadership skills through mentorship, project leadership, and potential management opportunities.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to external training, workshops, and conferences to stay current with design trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are significant but also offer substantial opportunities for professional growth and impact. The ability to navigate complexity and contribute to meaningful solutions in healthcare is a key differentiator for candidates.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design of a complex product from concept to launch. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and impact.)

• "How do you approach designing for a connected ecosystem where physical and digital components must work seamlessly together?" (Prepare examples of systems thinking and cross-platform design.)

• "Walk me through your process for translating complex data into an intuitive user experience for a non-technical audience." (Highlight your ability to simplify and visualize information effectively.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in designing for Abbott Diabetes Care and the healthcare industry specifically?" (Research ADC's mission and connect it to your passion.)

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid work setting?" (Provide examples of your teamwork and communication style.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are inclusive and accessible to all users?" (Showcase your understanding of accessibility standards and practices.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, challenges, solutions, and outcomes.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your points effectively.

• Focus on "Why": Be prepared to explain the rationale behind your design decisions at every step.

• Quantify Impact: Present metrics and user feedback to demonstrate the success of your work.

• Be Ready for Critiques: Show that you can receive and incorporate constructive feedback.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects most relevant to mobile design, connected ecosystems, healthcare, and complex data.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of strategic thinking, user advocacy, technical proficiency, and collaborative spirit. Demonstrating an understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare technology space will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the official Abbott careers portal, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your most impactful projects, focusing on mobile-first design, connected systems, and user-centered solutions, ideally within healthcare or complex data domains. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your role, and measurable outcomes.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 6+ years of experience in UX/Product Design, specific skills in Figma and prototyping, experience with design systems, and any relevant healthcare or regulated industry background. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, articulating your design decisions, and explaining your problem-solving methodologies. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and leadership.

• Research Abbott Diabetes Care: Understand their mission, current products, and the broader landscape of diabetes management technology. Prepare thoughtful questions about their design challenges and team culture.

⚠️ 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.