Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Archer

Location: San Jose, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-01-27T06:41:34

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end digital product design process for innovative SaaS solutions and internal tools within the Aerospace industry.

• Translate complex user needs and technical requirements into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for mobile and desktop platforms.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and stakeholders to ensure seamless design implementation and a consistent, on-brand user experience.

• Contribute to and expand a comprehensive design system to maintain product consistency and accelerate development cycles.

• Utilize user research, data analysis, and usability testing to inform design decisions and validate product strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is highly focused on the practical application of design principles within an engineering-driven environment, emphasizing the need for designers to be proactive in supporting development teams and understanding technical constraints. The "Senior" title suggests a leadership component, likely involving mentoring and influencing design direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design of intuitive user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for both customer-facing SaaS products and internal applications.

• Partner with Product Managers to refine Product Requirement Documents (PRDs), shape product strategy, and define user research objectives.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights, validate design concepts, and iterate on product features.

• Collaborate with Front-End Developers to clearly communicate design intentions, address technical limitations, and ensure accurate implementation of designs.

• Work closely with the QA Manager to uphold visual UI quality and UX accuracy across all relevant browsers and devices.

• Contribute to and maintain the company's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all digital products.

• Proactively present in-progress and finished work to cross-functional teams (engineers, designers, product managers) for regular feedback and design reviews.

• Stay abreast of industry trends in aerospace, UAM (Urban Air Mobility), and enterprise SaaS, applying learnings to inform design decisions.

• Support the development process by ensuring designs are ready for implementation at least a sprint ahead of engineering teams, and provide ongoing support during development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on keeping designs "at least a sprint ahead" and supporting "phases of implementation" highlights a critical operational aspect of this design role, demanding strong project management and proactive communication skills beyond traditional design tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, HCI, Graphic Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5+ years of experience in a senior or staff-level Product Designer role, with a demonstrable track record in digital product design.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience designing and shipping SaaS products, ideally for enterprise customers.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar.

• Strong understanding of user research methodologies, interaction design principles, and information architecture.

• Experience collaborating effectively with engineering teams, particularly in complex or data-driven environments.

• Ability to translate complex requirements and concepts into simple, intuitive user flows and polished interfaces.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Zero-ego attitude towards feedback and a commitment to iterative design processes.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with AI products and technologies.

• Experience within the airline industry or enterprise SaaS specific to aviation/aerospace.

• Experience contributing to or building design systems.

• Understanding of front-end development principles and limitations.

• Experience in mentoring junior designers and fostering a collaborative team culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for experience with AI and the airline industry, coupled with a "zero-ego" attitude and mentoring capability, points towards a role that values both technical depth and strong interpersonal and leadership qualities within a fast-paced, collaborative design studio environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing at least 5 years of digital product design experience, with a strong emphasis on result-driven case studies.

• Case studies demonstrating experience with SaaS products and complex technical interfaces, detailing the problem, your process, and the measurable impact of your design solutions.

• Examples of end-to-end design process, from initial concept and user research to final high-fidelity designs and collaboration with engineering.

• Demonstrations of your ability to create intuitive user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

Process Documentation:

• Within case studies, clearly articulate your design process, including user research methodologies, problem definition, ideation techniques, prototyping tools used, and validation methods (e.g., usability testing).

• Highlight how you collaborated with product managers, engineers, and QA to refine requirements, iterate on designs, and ensure successful implementation.

• Showcase your approach to simplifying complex functionalities and technical concepts into user-friendly interfaces.

• Demonstrate your understanding of how design decisions align with business goals and user needs, supported by data where possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "result-driven case studies" and demonstrating "measurable impact" is critical. Candidates should focus on quantifiable outcomes and how their design contributions directly led to improvements in user experience, efficiency, or business metrics for SaaS products.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $144,000 - $198,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Stock options/equity package.

• Paid time off and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.

• Contribution to a mission-driven company at the forefront of the UAM industry.

• Collaborative and dynamic team environment.

• Work on cutting-edge products shaping the future of air mobility.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and sprint cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a strong indicator of a senior-level position requiring significant expertise. The benefits package, while not fully detailed, is typical for a tech company in the aerospace sector, emphasizing growth and impact. The note about "pay-for-performance" suggests that compensation may also be tied to individual and company performance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace / Aviation Technology / Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Archer is at the forefront of developing and manufacturing all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, aiming to revolutionize air transportation.

Company Size: Archer is a growing company, likely in the scale-up phase, indicated by the need for a Senior Product Designer and the ambitious mission. This implies a dynamic environment with evolving processes and a strong emphasis on innovation and rapid development.

Founded: Archer Aviation was founded in 2018. This relatively young company history suggests a culture that is agile, forward-thinking, and potentially less hierarchical than established corporations, fostering rapid innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Design Studio operates within the broader Product Development team.

• The Senior Product Designer will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Front-End Engineers, QA Managers, and potentially other designers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with regular design reviews and direct partnerships with engineering for implementation.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing qualitative and quantitative data from user research and usability testing.

• Agile and iterative development cycles, with a focus on keeping designs ahead of engineering sprints.

• Design system-driven approach to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Emphasis on rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept development for validation.

Company Website: https://archer.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to advance sustainable air mobility is a key cultural driver. Expect a fast-paced, mission-oriented environment where innovation, collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose are highly valued. The "zero-ego" and "mentoring" aspects suggest a culture that supports learning and shared growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is firmly positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a high level of individual contribution and potential for design leadership. It requires extensive experience in digital product design, particularly within SaaS and complex technical domains.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Product Development Manager. They will work closely with Product Managers and collaborate extensively with Engineering leads.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and adoption of Archer's digital products. This includes customer-facing SaaS platforms for airline partners and internal tools that streamline operations, contributing to the company's overall mission of advancing sustainable air mobility. The design of these interfaces is crucial for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction in a complex industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing a team and setting design strategy.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like UX research, interaction design for complex systems, or design system architecture.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Transition into Product Management or UX Strategy roles leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product development.

• Industry Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in designing for the unique challenges of the aerospace and UAM industries.

• Mentorship: Formalize mentoring responsibilities, guiding junior designers and contributing to team skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a Senior role in a rapidly growing, mission-driven company, the opportunities for impact and growth are significant. Success in this role could lead to leadership positions, deep specialization, or even broader product development roles, making it attractive for ambitious designers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in San Jose, California, implying an on-site work environment within Archer's facilities. This setting is likely to foster a collaborative and innovative atmosphere, with opportunities for direct interaction with teams.

Office Location(s): San Jose, California, United States. This location places the designer in a hub for technology and aerospace innovation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration suggests an open-plan office or a workspace designed for frequent team interaction, design reviews, and brainstorming sessions.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Suite, etc.) and potentially advanced prototyping tools. The company likely invests in technology that supports rapid iteration and development.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities to engage with engineers, product managers, and other designers, facilitating knowledge sharing and collective problem-solving. The environment is expected to be fast-paced and iterative.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, but the role's requirement to keep designs "at least a sprint ahead" suggests that proactive time management and occasional longer hours during critical project phases may be necessary. Flexibility might be available, but the core expectation is consistent availability for collaborative work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in San Jose suggests a traditional tech company work model, prioritizing in-person collaboration and rapid iteration. This environment is ideal for designers who thrive on direct team engagement and being physically present to support development teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will likely review your resume and portfolio for initial fit and experience alignment.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session with design and/or product leadership to walk through your portfolio. This will involve discussing your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work through case studies. A practical design challenge may be assigned, either take-home or live, to assess problem-solving and design skills.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineering leads to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to translate requirements into functional designs.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess cultural fit, leadership potential, and alignment with the team's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you solved, your specific contribution, the design process, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased efficiency, better user satisfaction scores).

• Showcase Process: Detail your thinking, research methods, iteration cycles, and how you overcame design challenges. Visual aids like user journey maps, wireframes, and prototypes are crucial.

• SaaS & Technical Expertise: Highlight projects involving complex data, enterprise workflows, or technical interfaces. If you have aerospace or AI experience, make sure it's prominent.

• Design System Contribution: If applicable, showcase your experience with design systems, including how you’ve contributed to or utilized them.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Present your work clearly and be prepared to discuss each project in detail. Aim for 3-5 strong case studies that represent your best work and relevant experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the user needs, business goals, and constraints before jumping into solutions.

• Structure Your Approach: Outline your process, from research and ideation to sketching and refining. Be prepared to explain your rationale at each step.

• Focus on Usability & Feasibility: Consider how your design would be implemented and how it would serve the user and business effectively.

• Present with Confidence: Practice articulating your design decisions and trade-offs clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "result-driven case studies" and "measurable impact" is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to quantify the success of their designs and demonstrate a deep understanding of how their work contributes to business objectives and user value, especially in a SaaS context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable due to industry trend), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD).

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence.

• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or internal research platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation platforms might be advantageous for understanding enterprise customer workflows, though not a primary requirement for the designer role itself.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern product design roles. The ability to quickly create high-fidelity prototypes and work within a collaborative design system environment using these tools will be critical for success.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Mission-Driven: A strong focus on advancing sustainable air mobility and pushing technological boundaries.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across disciplines to solve complex problems.

• Excellence & Quality: Commitment to high standards in design, engineering, and product delivery.

• Adaptability & Agility: Comfort in a fast-paced, iterative environment where priorities can shift.

• User-Centricity: Deep commitment to understanding and meeting user needs through thoughtful design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be integral parts of product teams, working hand-in-hand with engineers and product managers.

• Open Communication: Regular design reviews, feedback sessions, and direct dialogue are encouraged.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture that embraces constructive criticism and rapid iteration based on team input.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactive sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings within the design team and across other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Archer's culture appears to value both a strong sense of purpose and a pragmatic, collaborative approach to execution. Designers should be prepared for an environment that requires both creative problem-solving and the ability to integrate seamlessly with technical teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Domain: Designing for the aerospace industry and UAM involves unique technical complexities, safety considerations, and regulatory landscapes that can be challenging to grasp.

• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Creating cutting-edge solutions while ensuring they are intuitive and accessible to a diverse user base, including enterprise clients in the airline industry.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: The fast-paced environment requires designers to be highly adaptable and efficient, delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and execution of design vision across multiple teams (engineering, product, QA).

• Scalability of Design Systems: Developing and maintaining a design system that can effectively support a growing suite of products and features.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Industry Knowledge: Gaining specialized knowledge in aerospace, aviation technology, and the burgeoning UAM sector.

• Advanced Design Techniques: Developing expertise in designing for complex systems, AI-driven interfaces, and high-stakes environments.

• Leadership Skills: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and influence product strategy.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology: Working with innovative technologies and contributing to the development of future transportation solutions.

• Professional Development: Potential for attending industry conferences, workshops, and pursuing certifications relevant to UX/UI design and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a pioneering tech company. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to shape a new industry and develop highly sought-after skills in a dynamic setting.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex technical interface for an enterprise SaaS product. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with engineering teams to ensure design fidelity and feasibility? Provide an example." (Highlight communication, technical understanding, and partnership.)

• "Walk me through a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates significant user impact or business value. What was your role, and what were the key design decisions and outcomes?" (Prepare to deep-dive into one or two strong case studies.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Archer's mission and the UAM industry?" (Research Archer's vision, technology, and market position.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or conflicting feedback from stakeholders?" (Emphasize your "zero-ego" approach and collaborative problem-solving.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the user needs, your design process (research, ideation, iteration), the final solution, and the measurable results.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals – sketches, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI mockups – to illustrate your process and solutions.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "increased user engagement by X%", "reduced task completion time by Y%", "improved conversion rate by Z%").

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, the trade-offs you made, and your rationale behind specific UI elements or user flows.

• Showcase Adaptability: Be ready to discuss how you adapted designs based on technical constraints, user feedback, or evolving project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect a rigorous interview process that heavily scrutinizes your portfolio and your ability to articulate your design process and its impact. Demonstrating a blend of strong design skills, technical understanding, and excellent collaboration is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, clearly showcases your experience with SaaS products and complex technical interfaces, and highlights at least 2-3 strong, result-driven case studies relevant to this role.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of experience in digital product design, proficiency in relevant tools (Figma, Adobe Suite), and experience with user research, interaction design, and design systems. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on articulating your process, decisions, and the measurable impact of your work. Prepare answers for common behavioral and situational questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and design strategy.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Archer Aviation, its mission, its technology (eVTOL), and its position in the UAM market. Understand their target customers and the challenges of designing for the aerospace industry.

⚠️ 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.