Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - User Interface

Company: ASSA ABLOY (HID Global - Physical Access Control Solutions)

Location: Cardiff, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Interface Design

Date Posted: September 29, 2025

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user interface (UI) design for new and evolving products within the Physical Access Control Solutions (PACS) portfolio, focusing on enterprise software applications.

• Apply and extend a robust Figma-based design system to ensure consistency, accessibility, and scalability across multiple platforms.

• Translate complex requirements and user workflows into polished UI designs and interaction patterns, balancing elegant UI with deep user insight.

• Collaborate closely with product, engineering, and research teams to define meaningful user experiences that simplify complexity and build user trust.

• Drive design excellence by participating in design critiques, contributing to a culture of shared standards, and ensuring visual clarity and usability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is for a Senior Product Designer with a specific focus on User Interface (UI) design within the Physical Access Control Solutions (PACS) division of HID Global, a part of the larger ASSA ABLOY group. The emphasis is on enterprise software, indicating a need for experience with complex, data-rich interfaces rather than typical consumer-facing applications. The implied experience level of 5-10 years suggests a need for candidates who can lead design initiatives and mentor others.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design clear, intuitive, and visually refined interfaces for enterprise software across multiple platforms, ensuring a seamless user experience.

• Apply and extend the existing Figma-based design system to create scalable, consistent, and accessible user interfaces.

• Translate complex user and business requirements, as well as intricate user workflows, into polished UI designs and innovative interaction patterns.

• Develop detailed, developer-ready specifications and interactive prototypes to facilitate accurate and efficient implementation by engineering teams.

• Collaborate closely with engineering throughout the entire development lifecycle, ensuring design fidelity and technical feasibility.

• Proactively resolve design ambiguities and negotiate trade-offs to drive alignment between design vision and technical execution.

• Participate actively in design critiques and work sessions to uphold visual clarity, enhance usability, and achieve overall design excellence.

• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and shared standards in UI craft across the PACS team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant collaborative aspects. The company emphasizes driving alignment and resolving ambiguities, indicating a need for strong problem-solving and communication skills beyond pure design execution. The focus on a design system and developer-ready specs points to the importance of efficient and scalable design processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly specified, but a Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Product Designer role.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in UI design, with a demonstrated track record in complex digital product design. Experience in enterprise software environments is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• A robust portfolio showcasing high-quality UI design work for complex digital products, with clear rationale behind design decisions.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma and extensive experience working within and extending robust design systems to create scalable, consistent user interfaces.

• Strong command of fundamental design principles, including layout, typography, visual hierarchy, interaction patterns, and accessibility best practices (WCAG compliance).

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and product development lifecycles, with the ability to deliver designs iteratively.

• Proven ability to translate user and business needs into pixel-perfect, developer-ready designs.

• Demonstrated experience collaborating directly with developers to ensure design fidelity and seamless implementation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for B2B or enterprise-level software applications, particularly in security, IoT, or hardware-integrated systems.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and the ability to incorporate user insights into design decisions.

• Experience with prototyping tools beyond Figma for complex interaction flows.

• Understanding of front-end development principles to better inform design feasibility.

• Experience contributing to or leading design critiques and mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio with "clear rationale" and "complex digital products" suggests that candidates need to demonstrate strategic thinking and problem-solving in their design work, not just aesthetic execution. Proficiency in Figma and design systems is paramount, indicating a standardized approach to design within the organization. The "5-10 years" implied experience level suggests a need for candidates who can operate independently and contribute to strategic design discussions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio demonstrating a strong history of UI design for complex digital products, ideally within enterprise software or B2B contexts.

• Clear case studies that articulate the problem, your design process, the rationale behind key decisions, and the impact of your solutions (quantifiable results are a plus).

• Examples showcasing the application and extension of design systems, highlighting consistency and scalability.

• Visuals and explanations of interactive prototypes created to communicate complex user flows and interactions.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase experience in translating complex requirements and user workflows into structured design documentation.

• Include examples of creating developer-ready specifications and detailed design handoffs.

• Evidence of working within agile development lifecycles, demonstrating iterative design processes and collaboration.

• Demonstrate how design critiques and feedback loops were incorporated into the design process for refinement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, with a specific need to demonstrate not just design output but also the underlying strategic thinking, process, and rationale. The emphasis on "complex digital products" and "enterprise software" means case studies should reflect these complexities. The ability to articulate design decisions and their impact is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in the UK (specifically Cardiff), with 5-10 years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between £50,000 - £75,000 per annum. This would be adjusted based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the outcome of the interview process.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and rewards package.

• Competitive benefits package.

• Generous annual leave offering, promoting work-life balance.

• Extensive career development opportunities and resources for professional growth.

• Opportunities for international exposure and collaboration within a global organization (ASSA ABLOY Group).

• Participation in pioneering hardware, software, and services that impact global security solutions.

Working Hours: Full-time position, with an implied standard working week of approximately 40 hours. The company culture suggests flexibility and an openness to discussing flexible work arrangements where feasible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided job description does not specify a salary range. The estimate is based on typical Senior Product Designer compensation in the UK, considering location and experience level. The benefits listed are standard for a large, established organization like ASSA ABLOY, with an emphasis on career growth and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (specifically Security, Hardware, Software, and IoT) within the broader Access Solutions sector. HID Global is a high-tech software company, and ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in access solutions.

Company Size: HID Global has over 4,500 worldwide employees, and ASSA ABLOY Group has over 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 countries. This indicates a large, established, and global corporate environment.

Founded: ASSA ABLOY was founded in 1994, and HID Global has a history of innovation in identity solutions, positioning them as long-standing leaders in their respective fields.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will join the Physical Access Control Solutions (PACS) team, which is part of HID Global.

• Design is central to product innovation within this team.

• Collaboration is expected across design, product management, engineering, and research functions.

Methodology:

• The team operates within agile environments and product development lifecycles, requiring iterative design processes.

• Design decisions are expected to be informed by user and business needs, balancing strategic thinking with precise execution.

• A strong emphasis is placed on leveraging and extending a robust Figma-based design system for consistency and scalability.

• Collaboration with engineering is a key methodological component, ensuring design fidelity and feasibility through close partnership.

Company Website: www.hidglobal.com, www.assaabloy.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of corporate structure (ASSA ABLOY) with a focus on innovation and user-centric design (HID Global). The emphasis on "design is central to product innovation" and "every detail matters" suggests a strong design appreciation within the organization. The global presence provides opportunities for diverse perspectives and large-scale impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a mid-to-senior level within the design function. It requires a strong command of UI design principles, the ability to work independently, and contribute to design strategy and mentorship. It's a role for an individual contributor who can lead design initiatives within specific product areas.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, Senior Designers typically report to a Design Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Product Design within the PACS division. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer will have a direct impact on the usability, user satisfaction, and adoption of HID's Physical Access Control Solutions. By creating intuitive and refined interfaces for complex enterprise software, the role contributes to the overall effectiveness and trustworthiness of security systems, which is critical for global security and operational efficiency for clients. The design also influences brand perception and the ability of users to manage complex systems with confidence.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in enterprise UI design, design systems, accessibility, and potentially specialized areas within security technology.

• Leadership Potential: Grow into a Design Lead role, mentoring junior designers, leading design strategy for larger product areas, or taking on more complex architectural design challenges.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of product management, software engineering processes, and user research within a global technology company.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to products used globally, potentially leading to industry acclaim and personal professional development through project successes.

• Internal Mobility: Opportunities within HID Global or the broader ASSA ABLOY group for roles with increasing scope or specialization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a level of autonomy and influence. Growth opportunities focus on both deepening design expertise and potentially moving into leadership or more strategic roles, leveraging the extensive resources of HID Global and ASSA ABLOY. The impact is tied directly to product success and client operational efficiency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role based in Cardiff, UK. The description suggests a collaborative office environment where design, product, and engineering teams work closely together.

Office Location(s): Cardiff, UK (CF15 7AB). This location is within a specific business park or industrial area, typical for technology companies.

Workspace Context:

• The environment fosters close collaboration between designers, engineers, and product managers, essential for agile development.

• Access to industry-standard design tools like Figma and a robust design system will be provided.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with team members for design critiques, problem-solving sessions, and knowledge sharing.

• The role requires being physically present to facilitate seamless communication and teamwork.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, implying a standard 40-hour work week. While the company mentions flexibility and openness to discussing various arrangements, the "on-site" designation suggests a primary expectation of regular office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Cardiff is a key factor. The work environment is described as collaborative and integrated, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interaction for design and development processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience alignment.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key projects. This is an opportunity to showcase design thinking, process, rationale, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges, and solutions in detail.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical design exercise (e.g., a UI critique, a small design problem, or a feature redesign) may be given, either as a take-home assignment or an in-session task. Focus on demonstrating your process, problem-solving skills, and how you apply design principles and the company's likely design system.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers, design peers, product managers, and engineers to assess technical skills, collaboration style, communication, and cultural fit. Expect behavioral questions related to teamwork, problem-solving, and handling feedback.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent your capabilities in enterprise UI design, complex problem-solving, and your use of design systems. Highlight your specific contributions.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the rationale behind your design decisions, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Showcase Process: Detail your design process, including user research (if applicable), wireframing, prototyping, iteration based on feedback, and developer handoff.

• Highlight Design System Use: Demonstrate how you've applied, extended, or contributed to design systems, emphasizing consistency, scalability, and efficiency.

• Accessibility Focus: If possible, showcase how accessibility considerations were integrated into your designs.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, your collaboration with engineers, and your understanding of user needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly research HID Global's products and the PACS domain to understand the user and business context.

• Focus on Process: Even if the final output is polished, emphasize your thought process and how you arrived at the solution.

• Time Management: For in-session challenges, allocate time effectively for understanding the problem, ideation, design, and presentation.

• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to explain why you made specific design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business goals, or design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on portfolio review and practical design skills. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their design execution but also their strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative approach within a structured product development environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as the primary tool for UI design and design system management. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Prototyping Tools: Likely integrated within Figma or potentially other tools for advanced interactive prototyping.

• Design System Management: Experience with building, maintaining, or extending robust design systems is essential.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not specified, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or product-specific analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design responsibilities, but understanding how enterprise software integrates with CRM or other business systems could be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone of the design tool stack. The emphasis on a "robust Figma-based design system" suggests that candidates must be highly adept with Figma and understand the principles of scalable design systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: Driving new ideas and solutions in access control technology.

• User Trust: Creating reliable and intuitive systems that users can depend on.

• Excellence: Striving for high quality in design craft, implementation, and product performance.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams to achieve shared goals.

• Integrity: Operating with honesty and transparency in all interactions.

• Efficiency: Designing solutions that simplify complexity and improve operational effectiveness for clients.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, with designers working closely with product managers, engineers, and researchers.

• Design critiques are a regular part of the process, fostering shared learning and improvement.

• Proactive communication is valued to drive alignment and negotiate trade-offs between design and technical constraints.

• A culture of continuous improvement in UI craft and design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes innovation, user trust, and excellence, aligning with the nature of security products. The collaborative style is crucial for success in an agile, cross-functional environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate enterprise requirements and user workflows into intuitive and elegant user interfaces for access control systems.

• Balancing Innovation with Consistency: Extending and maintaining a robust design system while introducing new features and innovative UI patterns.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring design fidelity and feasibility through effective collaboration and negotiation with engineering and product teams.

• Scalability: Designing solutions that can scale across multiple platforms and product lines within the PACS portfolio.

• User Adoption: Creating interfaces that are not only functional but also easy to learn and use for a diverse range of enterprise users.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepening expertise in enterprise UX/UI, design systems, accessibility, and potentially specific areas of security technology.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of advancements in UI design, interaction patterns, and technology relevant to access control and IoT.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers or be mentored by senior design leaders within HID Global.

• Global Exposure: Working on products used worldwide and collaborating with diverse, international teams within ASSA ABLOY.

• Career Pathing: Potential to move into more senior individual contributor roles, leading design strategy, or exploring management paths.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to senior-level design roles in complex B2B technology. The growth opportunities are significant, leveraging the resources of a large global corporation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex enterprise software UI you designed. What were the key challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on problem-solving, process, and impact)

• "How do you ensure consistency and scalability across multiple products using a design system? Can you give an example of how you've extended or contributed to one?" (Demonstrate design system expertise)

• "Walk me through a project where you had to collaborate closely with engineers. How did you ensure design fidelity and handle technical constraints or trade-offs?" (Highlight collaboration and communication skills)

• "How do you incorporate user needs and business requirements into your design process?" (Showcase user-centricity and strategic thinking)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about HID Global and the Physical Access Control Solutions space?" (Research the company, its mission, and its impact)

• "How do you approach design critiques, and how do you give and receive feedback?" (Demonstrate openness to feedback and collaborative spirit)

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt your design vision." (Assess influencing and communication skills)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solutions -> Outcomes/Impact.

• Focus on Rationale: For each design decision, be prepared to explain why you made it, linking it to user needs, business goals, or design principles.

• Highlight Collaboration: Mention your interactions with product managers, engineers, and researchers.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present metrics or results that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about specific UI elements, interaction patterns, and technical feasibility.

• Showcase Figma Proficiency: If possible, briefly demonstrate features or workflows within Figma that highlight your expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and a deep understanding of enterprise UI design principles and design systems.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the ASSA ABLOY careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience in UI design for complex digital products, enterprise software, and design systems. Select case studies that best showcase your skills relevant to HID's PACS domain.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your responsibilities and achievements using keywords from the job description (e.g., UI Design, Figma, Design Systems, Enterprise Software, Agile, Prototyping, Collaboration). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and project outcomes. Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and discuss your experience with design challenges and team collaboration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with HID Global and ASSA ABLOY, their mission, products (especially PACS), and company values. Understand their commitment to innovation and user trust.

⚠️ 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.