Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: Inlight
Location: Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design (UX/UI)
Date Posted: 2026-01-19
Experience Level: Senior (4+ years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for complex and impactful digital product initiatives, from initial strategy and research through to final delivery.
• Drive the early stages of projects by conducting thorough user research, facilitating stakeholder workshops, and meticulously gathering requirements to inform design direction.
• Define and architect robust user experiences using information architecture, user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes to solve intricate business challenges.
• Develop sophisticated visual designs and utilize design systems to create polished, high-fidelity user interfaces that align with brand identity and user needs.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers, to ensure seamless implementation and a high-quality final product.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, emphasizing ownership of the entire design lifecycle. The description highlights the need for strategic thinking, client collaboration, and the ability to navigate complex domains, suggesting a key role in shaping product direction and client solutions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle for challenging projects, from concept development and strategy definition to final implementation and review.
• Conduct in-depth user research, including qualitative and quantitative methods, to uncover user needs, pain points, and opportunities.
• Facilitate and lead stakeholder workshops to align on project goals, gather critical requirements, and build consensus.
• Develop comprehensive information architecture, user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes to define the structure and behavior of digital experiences.
• Create compelling visual designs and high-fidelity mockups, ensuring a strong aesthetic appeal and adherence to design best practices.
• Leverage and contribute to design systems to maintain consistency, scalability, and efficiency across projects.
• Collaborate effectively with engineering teams during the development phase, providing clear design specifications and conducting design reviews.
• Actively participate in client strategy sessions, offering design expertise and guiding clients toward effective digital solutions.
• Embrace ambiguity and apply strong problem-solving skills to navigate complex design challenges and find innovative solutions.
• Explore and integrate emerging design tooling and AI technologies to enhance the design process and improve team efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a hands-on role with significant strategic input. The emphasis on "challenging projects," "complex domains," and "end-to-end design" suggests a need for a designer who can operate autonomously and drive outcomes in ambiguous situations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific educational degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating a deep understanding of design principles and processes is paramount. Experience: A minimum of 4+ years of professional experience in Product Design, with a preference for candidates with a background in agency environments, is required. The ability to operate at a "strong mid-level" is also considered, indicating flexibility in seniority.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in end-to-end Product Design, encompassing both UX and UI disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and driving the early stages of design projects, including research, stakeholder workshops, and requirements gathering.
• Proficiency in defining the structure of complex digital experiences through Information Architecture (IA), User Flows, Wireframing, and Prototyping.
• Strong Visual Design sensibilities with the ability to create polished and effective user interface concepts.
• Experience working with and contributing to Design Systems for scalable and consistent design solutions.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to thrive in ambiguous environments.
• Comfort operating at various speeds, adapting to project demands and timelines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions persuasively to clients and internal teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in an agency environment, accustomed to working with diverse clients and industries.
• Familiarity with the evolving role of design tooling and AI in enhancing the design process.
• Experience designing for a wide variety of industries and complex domains.
• Ability to challenge strategy and requirements respectfully and constructively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, and client-facing skills. The preference for agency experience highlights the need for adaptability and diverse project exposure. The mention of design tooling and AI suggests a forward-thinking approach to design practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership of the design process, from discovery to delivery.
• Include case studies that detail the problem, your approach, the challenges faced, and the impact of your design solutions.
• Highlight your ability to define complex user experiences through artifacts like IA diagrams, user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
• Present strong visual design work with a clear rationale behind aesthetic choices and their contribution to user experience.
• Demonstrate experience with Design Systems, showcasing how you've utilized or contributed to them for consistency and efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your design process for each project, emphasizing research methodologies, ideation techniques, and user testing approaches.
• Illustrate how you gather and translate requirements into actionable design solutions.
• Show how you collaborate with stakeholders and development teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide examples of how you measure the success of your designs and iterate based on feedback and data.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It needs to showcase not just the final output but the strategic thinking, problem-solving methodology, and collaborative process behind it. Emphasis should be placed on complex problem-solving and tangible outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Product Designer in Melbourne, Australia, with 4+ years of experience, a competitive salary range would typically fall between AUD $100,000 - $140,000 per annum. This can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and the exact scope of responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, including a hybrid model combining remote work with in-office collaboration.
• Individual learning fund to support professional development and skill enhancement.
• Regular knowledge-sharing sessions and opportunities for continuous learning.
• Defined progression frameworks to support career growth and advancement.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment that values design expertise.
• Opportunity to work on a diverse range of challenging projects across various industries.
• Access to modern design tooling and exploration of AI in design.
• Convenient office location in Clifton Hill with free parking and proximity to public transport.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid work model to accommodate work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges are estimated based on typical market rates for senior design roles in major Australian cities. Benefits are extrapolated from the company's description of employee support and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Product Design and Development Agency. Inlight operates within the technology and design services sector, specializing in creating thoughtful digital products that solve complex business problems for a diverse clientele. Company Size: 40+ professionals. This size suggests a dynamic, agile environment where team members can have a significant impact and collaborate closely across disciplines. Founded: Not explicitly stated, but the company has established a client base including TAC, Vicinity, Cancer Council Vic, BMW, RACQ, and more, indicating a mature and reputable agency.

Team Structure:

• The design team is integrated within a cross-functional structure, working alongside strategists, developers, and other specialists.
• Collaboration is a key tenet, with regular ceremonies and tooling designed to foster support and knowledge sharing.
• Reporting lines are likely to be within a design lead or head of design structure, with direct project collaboration across departments.

Methodology:

• Focus on creating digital experiences that solve genuine human needs and deliver tangible business impact.
• A lean and flexible approach to frameworks and activities, prioritizing efficiency and avoiding unnecessary process overhead.
• Emphasis on strategic thinking, intentional design craft, and persuasive communication with clients and teams.
• Valuing user-centricity, client partnership, and team ownership.

Company Website: https://inlight-1733094855.teamtailor.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Inlight presents itself as a client-focused, human-centered design agency that values its people and fosters a collaborative, flexible, and growth-oriented environment. The company size allows for close-knit teams and significant individual contribution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior Product Designer, implying a high level of autonomy, strategic contribution, and ownership. Senior designers are expected to lead projects, mentor junior team members (implicitly), and influence design direction and client strategy. The role also offers the possibility for strong mid-level candidates, indicating a potential growth path within the company.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Creative Director. They will also work very closely with Project Managers and Development Leads on a project-by-project basis.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer is expected to have a significant impact on client business outcomes by delivering thoughtful digital products that solve complex challenges. This involves not only creating user-friendly interfaces but also contributing to the strategic direction of projects and ensuring designs align with business objectives and deliver measurable results.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, research methodologies, or emerging technologies like AI in design.
• Leadership Development: Potential to move into Lead Designer or Management roles, guiding teams and influencing company-wide design practices.
• Client Strategy Influence: Grow in the ability to shape client strategy and act as a key design advisor.
• Cross-Industry Expertise: Gain broad experience across various industries, becoming a versatile and valuable design consultant.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and guide more junior designers, fostering team growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers substantial growth potential, moving beyond execution to strategic influence and leadership within a respected design agency. The emphasis on learning and development frameworks suggests a structured approach to career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company promotes a hybrid work environment, balancing remote flexibility with purposeful in-person collaboration at their office. This suggests a modern approach to workplace design that supports both focused individual work and dynamic team interaction. Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 24 Groom St, Clifton Hill, VIC 3068, Australia. This location is described as easily accessible, with plenty of free parking and a 10-minute walk from Clifton Hill Station.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a space for purposeful, in-person collaboration, team ceremonies, and knowledge sharing.
• Tooling & Technology: Access to relevant design tooling and potentially AI-driven tools to support the design process. The company emphasizes enabling their team with the right environments and ways of working.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities to connect with a friendly group of 40+ professionals, fostering a supportive and engaging work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. The hybrid model offers flexibility in how and where these hours are worked, allowing for a balance between focused design tasks and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, offering the best of both worlds: the focus and flexibility of remote work, combined with the collaborative benefits of an office environment. The location's accessibility is a practical advantage for those in the Melbourne area.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your application, resume, and most importantly, your portfolio.
• Portfolio Presentation/Discussion: A key stage will involve presenting your portfolio, discussing your process, rationale, and impact on specific projects. Expect to delve into your problem-solving approach for complex challenges.
• Skills Assessment: This could involve a design challenge (e.g., a take-home exercise or a live design problem) to assess your practical skills, strategic thinking, and ability to work under pressure.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (designers, developers, project managers) and potentially senior leadership to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and strategic alignment.
• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that showcase end-to-end ownership, complex problem-solving, and diverse industry experience.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process you followed (research, ideation, testing, iteration), the challenges you overcame, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Showcase Process: Don't just show final screens; include wireframes, user flows, research insights, and prototypes to illustrate your thinking.
• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, mention how you collaborated with stakeholders and developers.
• Design Systems: If you have experience with Design Systems, showcase how you utilized them or contributed to them.
• Be Ready to Defend Decisions: Be prepared to explain the rationale behind your design choices and how they addressed user needs and business goals.
• Tailor to Inlight: Research Inlight's work and values. If possible, subtly align your portfolio presentation to their focus on thoughtful, impactful digital products.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly understand the problem statement, constraints, and objectives.
• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, design, and preparation for presentation.
• Focus on Process: Even in a timed exercise, demonstrate your thought process and problem-solving approach. It's not always about the perfect final pixel, but the journey to get there.
• Justify Decisions: Be ready to explain your choices and trade-offs.
• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely, anticipating questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior role will be rigorous, focusing heavily on strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to articulate and defend design decisions with data and user insights. The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating this.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma is a de facto industry standard and highly likely. Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) may also be used for specific tasks.
• User Research: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or even simple survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms) for gathering qualitative and quantitative data.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Tools such as Slack, Jira, Confluence, or Asana are commonly used for team communication and project tracking.
• Design Systems: Figma's component features, Storybook, or custom-built systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct responsibility, understanding how to interpret data from tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Hotjar will be beneficial for informing design decisions and measuring impact.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design function but understanding how products integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) might be advantageous for B2B products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools will be design and prototyping software, with a strong emphasis on Figma. Familiarity with research, collaboration, and potentially analytics tools will enhance a candidate's profile. The mention of "design tooling & AI" suggests an openness to exploring new technologies within the design stack.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impactful Experiences: A core value is creating digital products that solve genuine human needs and have a positive impact on users.
• Client Partnership: Valuing collaboration with clients to achieve tangible business results and build strong working relationships.
• Ownership & Accountability: Fostering a culture where team members feel a strong sense of ownership over their work and are accountable for outcomes.
• Growth & Learning: Actively supporting employee development through frameworks, funding, and knowledge sharing.
• Intentional Ways of Working: Creating environments, tooling, and processes that enable the team to produce results effectively and enjoyably.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with strategy, development, and other teams, fostering a holistic approach to product creation.
• Respectful Communication: Emphasis on being visible, credible, and persuasive while maintaining respect in all interactions, including challenging well when necessary.
• Knowledge Sharing: Regular opportunities for team members to share insights, best practices, and learnings.
• Agile & Flexible: Frameworks are lean and flexible, allowing for adaptability and efficient collaboration without unnecessary bureaucracy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Inlight promotes a culture that is both results-oriented and people-focused. The values emphasize client success, user well-being, and continuous improvement, all within a collaborative and supportive team structure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Thriving in situations where project requirements or objectives are initially unclear, requiring proactive problem-solving and strategic direction.
• Diverse Domain Complexity: Designing for a wide range of industries, each with its unique user needs, technical constraints, and business goals.
• Balancing Speed and Quality: Delivering high-quality design solutions efficiently, adapting to different project paces without compromising on user experience or strategic intent.
• Integrating New Technologies: Effectively exploring and incorporating evolving design tooling and AI into existing workflows to enhance, rather than hinder, the design process.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship and Coaching: Formal and informal opportunities to learn from senior team members and contribute to the growth of junior designers.
• Individual Learning Fund: A dedicated budget for personal development, allowing for courses, conferences, books, or workshops relevant to design and technology.
• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working closely with strategists and developers provides broad exposure to different aspects of digital product creation.
• Design System Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in building, maintaining, and scaling design systems.
• AI in Design Exploration: Learning and experimenting with AI tools to improve efficiency, ideation, and other aspects of the design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a dynamic agency, requiring adaptability and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities are clearly defined, aligning with Inlight's commitment to employee development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define the strategy for a complex digital product from scratch. What was your process and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on research, IA, user flows, and strategic alignment).
• "Walk us through a project where you had to work with challenging stakeholders or navigate significant ambiguity. How did you ensure alignment and drive the project forward?" (Highlight communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills).
• "How do you approach balancing the need for polished visual design with the constraints of a design system or development timelines?" (Demonstrate an understanding of practical design trade-offs).
• "Describe your experience with user research and how you translate those insights into actionable design decisions." (Showcase a user-centered approach and data-informed design).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Inlight specifically, given your experience and career goals?" (Research Inlight’s clients, work, and values; connect them to your own motivations).
• "How do you ensure your design work has a genuine human need and positive impact, as Inlight values?" (Provide examples of user-centric design and ethical considerations).
• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment? How do you handle constructive feedback or disagreements?" (Discuss your communication style and team player attributes).
• "Where do you see the role of AI in product design evolving, and how might you integrate it into your workflow?" (Show enthusiasm for new technologies and practical application).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction of Inlight and the role, then present 3-5 well-defined case studies.
• Focus on the 'Why': For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the strategic approach, your design process, challenges, and the measurable impact. Spend ample time here.
• Visual Storytelling: Use visuals (wireframes, flows, prototypes, final UIs) to illustrate your points, but don't let them overshadow the narrative of your process and decision-making.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, design decisions, trade-offs you made, and how you measured success.
• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation, not a monologue. Ask clarifying questions and be open to feedback during the presentation.
• Demonstrate Adaptability: Show that you can work at different speeds and handle ambiguity, drawing on examples from your portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for more than just design skills; they'll assess your strategic thinking, client-facing abilities, and cultural fit. Preparing specific examples that align with Inlight's stated values and project types will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Inlight Teamtailor portal.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that demonstrate end-to-end design ownership, complex problem-solving, and diverse industry experience. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, process, challenges, and outcomes.
• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the key skills and experience mentioned in the job description, such as "4+ years experience," "Product Design (UX+UI)," "agency environment," "stakeholder workshops," "design systems," and "problem-solving." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on telling a compelling story about your design process, strategic thinking, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to ambiguity and collaboration.
• Research Inlight: Understand their client portfolio, company values, and the type of work they produce. This will help you tailor your application and prepare for interview questions about your interest in the company.

⚠️ 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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