Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Loop Earplugs Location: Antwerp, BE Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design & User Experience Date Posted: 2025-09-29T08:46:30 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the user experience strategy for physical products, focusing on how users interact with Loop Earplugs in their daily lives.
• Design holistic product experiences that seamlessly integrate form, function, and interaction for wearers.
• Collaborate closely with industrial design, acoustics, and hardware engineering teams to bring innovative product concepts to life.
• Lead user research initiatives to uncover real-world needs and translate them into tangible design improvements for comfort, usability, and delight.
• Own the end-to-end user experience of physical products, from unboxing to long-term daily use.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer with a strong emphasis on physical product and hardware UX, indicating a need for expertise beyond digital interfaces. The focus on "living at their own volume" and "reinventing how people experience the world" suggests a highly user-centric and innovative product development approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and champion the target user profile and their context for new and existing physical products.
• Conduct user research, including ergonomic testing and physical interaction studies, to gather actionable insights.
• Translate product requirements and user insights into intuitive and effective physical product designs.
• Collaborate with industrial designers to optimize product form factors, comfort, and tactile feedback.
• Partner with hardware engineering and acoustics teams to ensure design integrity and performance.
• Design and prototype physical touchpoints, including fit, grip, visual cues, and sensory feedback mechanisms.
• Apply accessibility and usability principles to hardware interactions, ensuring inclusivity.
• Develop and refine designs considering manufacturing constraints and production feasibility.
• Inspire and guide project teams by fostering empathy for the end-user.
• Contribute to the overall product vision and strategy with a focus on user-centric design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep dive into the physical and tactile aspects of product design, moving beyond traditional digital UX. This suggests a need for a designer who can think holistically about the user's interaction with a tangible product in various real-world scenarios.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While specific degree requirements are not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Product Designer role.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product design, with a significant focus on physical product and hardware UX.
• Experience with wearables is highly advantageous.
• Proven experience in designing for manufacturing constraints and production environments.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Product Design: Deep understanding and application of user-centered design principles in physical product development.
• Ergonomics & Tactile Design: Strong knowledge of human factors, ergonomics, and the creation of pleasing tactile experiences.
• User Research Methods: Proficiency in conducting qualitative and quantitative user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing.
• Physical Prototyping: Skilled in creating physical prototypes using various materials and techniques (e.g., foam, 3D printing, CAD, potentially basic sewing or assembly).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to effectively partner with industrial designers, hardware engineers, acoustic engineers, and product managers.
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Understanding of manufacturing processes and constraints to create designs that are feasible and cost-effective to produce.
• Usability Principles: Application of established usability heuristics and best practices to hardware interactions.
• Curiosity & Precision: A keen sense of observation, a drive to explore new solutions, and meticulous attention to detail.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with CAD software for product design and modeling.
• Familiarity with acoustic principles as they relate to earplug functionality.
• Experience in designing for consumer electronics or personal audio devices.
• Proficiency in advanced prototyping techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "physical interaction studies" and "designing for manufacturing constraints" suggests that candidates with a tangible portfolio showcasing physical product development and an understanding of production realities will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Physical Product Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies of physical products designed, ideally in the consumer electronics or wearables space.
• User-Centric Design Process: Clearly articulate your design process, emphasizing how user research, empathy, and iterative testing informed your decisions.
• Ergonomics & Comfort Optimization: Provide examples where you specifically addressed comfort, fit, and tactile user experience in your designs.
• System Integration: Demonstrate how your physical product designs integrate with potential digital interfaces or other system components, even if the focus is on hardware.
• Manufacturing Considerations: Include insights into how you considered manufacturing constraints, material selection, and production feasibility in your design process.
• Problem/Solution Framing: Clearly define the user problem or business need your design addressed and the impact of your solution.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of how you map out user journeys and interaction flows for physical products.
• Iterative Design & Testing: Documentation of how you used prototyping and user feedback to refine designs through multiple iterations.
• Cross-Functional Handoffs: Examples of how you collaborated with engineering and manufacturing teams, including documentation for handoffs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role focused on physical products, the portfolio is critical. It should not just display final designs but also the thought process, research, iterative development, and collaboration that led to those outcomes, with a clear emphasis on tangible user benefits and manufacturability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in a major European city like Antwerp, the estimated annual salary range is between €60,000 and €85,000. This range accounts for the specific expertise in physical product and hardware UX, as well as the company's stated commitment to benchmarking salaries against local market data.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for medical needs.
• Retirement Savings: Support for long-term financial planning.
• Latest Tools: Access to state-of-the-art design software, hardware, and prototyping equipment.
• Flexible Working: Trust-based hybrid and flexible work arrangements.
• Autonomy & Impact: Opportunities for full project ownership and significant influence on company direction.
• Professional Development: Ample opportunities for growth and learning within a fast-paced environment.

Working Hours:

• Approximately 40 hours per week, with a flexible and hybrid approach that emphasizes trust rather than micromanagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly states they benchmark salaries against local market data, suggesting a competitive compensation package aligned with Antwerp's cost of living and the specialized skills required for this role. The benefits package is geared towards well-being and providing the necessary resources for high performance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Electronics / Personal Audio Devices / Hearing Protection Company Size: 250+ employees (as of 2024's pivotal year) Founded: Loop Earplugs has achieved significant growth, indicated by selling 14,000,000 earplugs and winning Deloitte's Fast 50 Belgium twice. The exact founding date is not provided but implies rapid scaling and market disruption.

Team Structure:

• The company operates with a fast-growing, global team.
• The Product Design team likely collaborates closely with Product Management, Industrial Design, Hardware Engineering, Acoustics, and Marketing.
• A flat hierarchy is suggested by the emphasis on "full autonomy" and "no micromanaging."

Methodology:

• User-Centric Innovation: A core philosophy is enabling people to "live life at their own volume" through disruptive products and excellent user experiences.
• Data-Driven Growth: Achieved significant market penetration and recognition (Deloitte's Fast 50), indicating a focus on measurable results.
• Agile Development: Implicit in a fast-growing tech company, likely involving iterative design and development cycles.
• Empowerment & Autonomy: Team members are given "full autonomy to manage their own projects, be a thought leader, and truly make an impact."

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Loop Earplugs positions itself as an innovative disruptor in the personal audio and hearing protection market. The culture is described as passionate, down-to-earth, and focused on impact and growth, with a strong emphasis on employee autonomy and well-being.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level typically implies a significant level of expertise, the ability to work independently, mentor junior designers, and take ownership of complex design challenges. The role is expected to influence product strategy and user experience direction.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, a Senior Product Designer would typically report to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or potentially a VP of Product. They would work closely with Product Managers and lead designers on specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on Loop Earplugs' core value proposition by ensuring their physical products are not only functional but also exceptionally comfortable, intuitive, and delightful to use. This directly influences customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and market competitiveness, contributing significantly to revenue and growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Physical UX: Opportunity to become a recognized expert and thought leader in hardware UX and physical product design within the company.
• Mentorship: Potential to mentor and guide junior designers, fostering a strong design culture.
• Product Strategy Influence: Shape the future direction of Loop Earplugs' product line through impactful design contributions.
• Broader Design Roles: Potential to move into Lead Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Product Design roles as the company scales.
• Skill Expansion: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like advanced materials science, acoustics, or user research methodologies specific to wearables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and the emphasis on ownership and impact suggest this role offers substantial career development opportunities, particularly for individuals looking to specialize in physical product design and influence product strategy in a high-growth environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. Employees are expected to work from the Antwerp office, but with flexibility. Office Location(s): Antwerp, Belgium.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a central point for collaboration, team meetings, and fostering company culture.
• Tools & Technology: Access to the latest design tools, prototyping equipment, and potentially testing labs necessary for physical product development.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for in-person interaction with cross-functional teams, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible working hours are a key component of the hybrid model, emphasizing trust and autonomy. The stated ~40 hours per week provides a framework, but the execution is flexible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Antwerp suggests a balance between the benefits of in-person collaboration, access to resources, and the flexibility desired by modern professionals. The company's trust-based approach is a significant factor in the work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and experience.
• Portfolio Presentation & Deep Dive: A session where the candidate presents their portfolio, walking through 1-2 key case studies. This is where they'll discuss their process, user research, design decisions, and impact. Expect in-depth questions about their approach to physical product design, ergonomics, and collaboration.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential peers and collaborators (e.g., Industrial Designers, Hardware Engineers, Product Managers) to assess technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit.
• Problem-Solving/Design Challenge: A potential exercise, either take-home or during an interview, focused on a physical product design problem relevant to Loop Earplugs.
• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Design, CPO) to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling is Key: Frame your case studies as narratives – problem, your process, challenges, solutions, and quantifiable impact (e.g., improved usability metrics, user satisfaction scores, successful product launch).
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals, mockups, prototypes, and even videos of physical interactions or user testing.
• Highlight Physicality: Explicitly discuss your approach to ergonomics, tactile feedback, material selection, and how the physical form enhances the user experience.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Explain how you worked with engineering and other teams, and how you navigated trade-offs.
• Be Prepared for "Why": For every decision, be ready to explain the "why" based on user insights, technical constraints, or strategic goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself deeply with Loop Earplugs' current product line, target audience, and brand positioning.
• Think Physical: If given a challenge, focus on the physical aspects of the product and user interaction. Consider form, fit, function, materials, and sensory feedback.
• User-Centricity: Always anchor your solutions in user needs and pain points.
• Prototyping Mindset: Even if it's a conceptual challenge, think about how you would prototype and test your ideas physically.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio, focusing on their ability to translate complex user needs into tangible, well-designed physical products. Demonstrating a robust, user-centric design process with a strong understanding of hardware development is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping Software: Tools like SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Rhino, or similar for 3D modeling and CAD.
• 2D Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Figma, Sketch for concept ideation, UI elements, and asset creation.
• Physical Prototyping: Access to 3D printers, CNC machines, materials for foam modeling, and potentially basic fabrication tools.
• User Research Tools: Platforms for surveys, usability testing (remote or in-person), and data analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While less direct for physical design, understanding how product usage data (if collected) or customer feedback informs design iterations is valuable.

CRM & Automation:

• Less direct relevance for this specific role, but awareness of how product feedback might be logged or tracked through CRM systems could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in 3D modeling and CAD software is essential for physical product design. The company's commitment to providing the "latest tools" suggests they invest in their design and engineering capabilities.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Loop Earplugs Values:

• Innovation & Disruption: A drive to "reinvent how people experience the world" and develop "disruptive products."
• User-Centricity: "Live life at their own volume" and focus on enabling excellent user experiences.
• Impact & Ownership: Employees are encouraged to "make a real impact" and have "full autonomy."
• Passion & Down-to-Earth: A blend of high ambition with a grounded, collaborative team spirit.
• Growth Mindset: Continuous improvement, learning, and tackling challenges together.
• Trust & Flexibility: Core to their hybrid and flexible working model.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working collaboratively across disciplines (Industrial Design, Engineering, Product Management).
• Empathy-Driven: Inspiring teams to empathize with the end-user is a key responsibility.
• Open Communication: The hybrid, trust-based model suggests an environment where open dialogue and feedback are encouraged.
• Shared Vision: Working towards a common goal of enhancing user experience and company growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a significant draw, emphasizing autonomy, impact, and a collaborative spirit within a fast-paced, innovative environment. This aligns well with a Senior role that requires leadership and influence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Form, Function, and Manufacturability: The core challenge of physical product design – creating aesthetically pleasing, highly functional, and comfortable products that can be produced efficiently and at scale.
• Translating Abstract Needs to Tangible Solutions: Bridging the gap between user research insights and concrete physical design features.
• Navigating Cross-Functional Trade-offs: Effectively managing differing priorities and technical constraints between design, engineering, and manufacturing.
• Rapid Iteration in Physical Space: The iterative process for physical products can be more time-consuming and costly than digital, requiring efficient prototyping and testing strategies.
• Staying Ahead of Innovation: Continuously pushing the boundaries of what's possible in personal audio and hearing protection.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Specialization: Opportunity to become a leading expert in hardware UX and physical product design for a rapidly growing company.
• Industry Exposure: Working on products that are globally recognized and award-winning.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining in-depth knowledge of acoustics, materials science, and hardware engineering through close collaboration.
• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by and to mentor other designers as the team grows.
• Strategic Input: Contributing to product roadmaps and influencing the future of Loop Earplugs' offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to high-impact product design, offering significant opportunities for professional growth. The company's rapid expansion suggests a dynamic environment where learning and development are continuous.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with significant manufacturing constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?"
• "Walk us through your process for designing a physical product that requires a high degree of comfort or ergonomic precision. What user research methods did you employ?"
• "How do you ensure your physical product designs are accessible and inclusive?"
• "How do you collaborate with hardware engineers and industrial designers? Can you give an example of a challenging collaboration and how you resolved it?"
• "What is your approach to prototyping and testing physical interactions? What tools and methods do you prefer?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Loop Earplugs' mission and products?"
• "How do you see your role contributing to Loop's culture of innovation and user-centricity?"
• "Describe your ideal work environment. How does a hybrid model with autonomy fit into that?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your role, your process, the key design decisions, and the measurable impact or outcome.
• Showcase Your Process: Detail your user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing phases. Use visuals to illustrate each step.
• Highlight Physicality: Specifically discuss your considerations for ergonomics, tactile feedback, materials, and user interaction with the physical object.
• Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Expect questions about your choice of materials, manufacturing considerations, and how your design integrates with internal hardware.
• Conciseness: Aim for clarity and conciseness. Be prepared to go deeper on any aspect, but start with a strong, high-level overview.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can articulate a clear, user-focused design process, demonstrate strong problem-solving skills in the context of physical products, and show an ability to collaborate effectively with technical teams. Your portfolio should serve as tangible proof of these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Loop Earplugs careers page.
• Curate a Targeted Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest physical product design case studies that best align with the requirements of this role, emphasizing user research, ergonomics, and manufacturability.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your 5+ years of experience in physical product and hardware UX, using keywords from the job description (e.g., ergonomics, tactile design, prototyping, user research, DFM). Quantify achievements where possible.
• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected case studies, focusing on your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design choices and collaborative experiences.
• Research Loop Earplugs: Understand their product line, brand mission, target audience, and recent achievements. This will help you tailor your application and speak knowledgeably during interviews.

⚠️ 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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