Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Mondoo Location: United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Support Date Posted: 2025-09-18T00:00:00 Experience Level: 6+ Years (Mid-Senior Level) Remote Status: Fully Remote (US-Based)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for core product initiatives, from conceptualization to final craft, within a fast-paced startup environment.
• Translate highly complex technical workflows and cybersecurity concepts into intuitive, explainable, and user-friendly experiences for technical audiences.
• Champion and evolve Mondoo's design principles and burgeoning design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to best practices across the platform.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Leadership to define product strategy, incept new features, and iteratively refine existing user interfaces and experiences.
• Elevate the overall design culture and standards within a small, high-trust, and high-performance design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is primarily a Product Design position, its focus on translating complex technical workflows into user-friendly interfaces for technical audiences (like developers and security engineers) means a strong understanding of Go-to-Market (GTM) principles and how design impacts user adoption and retention is highly beneficial. The operations aspect comes into play in how design enables efficient product adoption and supports the GTM strategy by making a complex security product accessible.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the design strategy and execution for key product areas, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and competitive analysis to inform design decisions and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Create high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and detailed design specifications for new features and enhancements.
• Actively contribute to and help expand Mondoo's design system, ensuring its components are well-documented, accessible, and consistently applied.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs, providing detailed guidance and feedback throughout the development lifecycle.
• Articulate design rationale and present work effectively to cross-functional stakeholders, including product, engineering, marketing, and executive leadership.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to a culture of design excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning within the team.
• Advocate for the user, ensuring that design decisions prioritize user experience, clarity, and efficiency, especially within high-stakes security contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "translate complex technical workflows into explainable, human experiences" and "help build and extend an invent new pieces of our burgeoning design system" directly supports the operational efficiency of the product and its adoption by technical users. This implies a need for structured design processes and contribution to scalable design assets, which are core to operational excellence in product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Approximately 6 years of professional experience in product design, with a significant portion ideally gained in early-stage or fast-moving startup environments.
• Demonstrated experience in leading design projects from concept through to launch, managing multiple initiatives concurrently.
• Proven track record of designing for complex technical products or platforms, preferably within the cybersecurity, SaaS, or developer tools space.

Required Skills:

• Craft Obsession: Deep understanding and application of design fundamentals including typography, layout, color theory, visual hierarchy, and interaction design.
• Figma Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration, including advanced features like component libraries and auto-layout.
• UX Clarity & Micro-Interaction: A strong ability to create intuitive user flows, clear information architecture, and delightful micro-interactions that enhance usability.
• Storytelling & Strategy: Excellent ability to articulate design decisions, communicate design vision, and present strategic thinking behind design solutions.
• Collaboration & Communication: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering) and communicate design concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Remote Work Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, manage time effectively, and communicate proactively in a fully remote setting.
• Web Technologies Understanding: Familiarity with web development languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to understand technical constraints and effectively communicate with developers; ability to read and potentially inspect/edit web pages is a significant plus.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for highly technical audiences such as developers, security engineers, DevOps professionals, or IT administrators.
• Familiarity with AI-driven product experiences and design considerations for AI interfaces.
• Experience in building, maintaining, or extending design systems.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles and the challenges faced by security professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "technical audiences" and "speaking the web" suggests a need for designers who can bridge the gap between technical implementation and user experience, a critical factor in the operational success of a B2B SaaS product targeting specialized markets.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design process, from problem definition and user research to solution design, iteration, and impact.
• Strategic Depth: Clearly articulate the problem statement, user needs, design challenges, and strategic rationale behind your design decisions.
• Craftsmanship Detail: Highlight meticulous attention to detail in UI execution, typography, spacing, color, and interaction design.
• Process Documentation: Illustrate your design process, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and how you incorporated feedback and iterated on designs.
• Impact & Outcomes: Quantify the impact of your design work whenever possible, using metrics related to user engagement, task completion, conversion rates, or adoption.
• Technical Context: Include examples of designing for complex systems or technical users, showcasing your ability to simplify intricate workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate proficiency in documenting design specifications, user flows, and interaction patterns to facilitate clear handoffs to engineering.
• Showcase experience in contributing to or utilizing design systems and style guides for consistent product development.
• Provide examples of how you have iterated on designs based on user feedback, A/B testing, or performance data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio with "zoomed-in detail and zoomed-out strategy" directly implies a need for designers who can not only execute visually but also understand and articulate the strategic and operational impact of their design choices on the product and user base.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Annual Salary: $130,000 - $170,000 USD
• Methodology: This range is estimated based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 6+ years of experience in the US tech market, particularly for remote roles at well-funded, early-stage startups in the cybersecurity SaaS sector. Factors considered include the high demand for specialized design skills, the complexity of the product domain, and the company's stated focus on high impact roles. Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and equity package.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays.
• Remote work stipend or home office setup support.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment with a focus on high trust and high performance.
• Opportunity to shape the future of a cutting-edge cybersecurity platform.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically around 40 hours.
• Flexibility to manage work schedule within reasonable parameters, accommodating remote work and cross-time zone collaboration. Mondoo emphasizes results over strict adherence to hours, allowing for adaptability as long as core responsibilities and collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range reflects the seniority and specialized skills required for this role, particularly the blend of design craft, strategic thinking, and technical understanding. The benefits are typical for a US-based tech startup aiming to attract top talent in a competitive remote market.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cybersecurity Technology / SaaS Company Size: Small to Medium-sized (Likely Seed to Series A/B funded startup, based on the focus on shaping strategy and culture) Founded: Mondoo was founded with a mission to simplify and automate security for cloud-native environments. The company is focused on building a platform that provides comprehensive security posture management.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: A small, focused team reporting to the Director of Product Design. This role is an individual contributor (IC) and will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads.
• Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer reports directly to the Director of Product Design, indicating a clear line of mentorship and strategic alignment.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with Product Management (defining product strategy and requirements) and Engineering (implementing designs), as well as with leadership (CPO).

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: A strong emphasis on understanding user needs and translating complex technical challenges into intuitive solutions.
• Iterative Development: Design processes are likely iterative, involving feedback loops with stakeholders and users.
• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated, it's common in tech startups to use data and user feedback to inform design choices and measure impact.
• Design System Driven: The development and extension of a design system are key to ensuring consistency and scalability, supporting efficient product development.

Company Website: https://mondoo.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: As a cybersecurity company, Mondoo likely values precision, reliability, and a deep understanding of user needs within a high-stakes environment. The "high standards and high trust" culture suggests a collaborative environment where team members are empowered and expected to contribute significantly.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor (IC) This role represents a significant step up from a mid-level designer, demanding leadership in design execution, strategic input, and the ability to mentor others. The "Senior" title implies ownership over major product areas and a significant influence on product direction and design strategy.

Reporting Structure:

• Reports to the Director of Product Design.
• Works closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads on day-to-day initiatives.
• Interacts with the CPO for final stages of the interview process, indicating visibility to executive leadership.

Operations Impact:

• Directly influences product adoption and user satisfaction by making complex security features accessible and easy to use.
• Contributes to the operational efficiency of the product development lifecycle through contributions to the design system and clear design specifications.
• Shapes the user experience of a critical security platform, impacting how businesses protect their systems, which has direct business and operational implications for Mondoo's customers.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Manager role as the design team expands.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for cybersecurity, AI-driven experiences, or complex technical platforms.
• Strategic Influence: Increase influence on product strategy and roadmap through demonstrated design impact and advocacy.
• Mentorship: Develop mentorship skills by guiding junior designers and contributing to the growth of the design function.
• Impactful Projects: Lead design for high-visibility, mission-critical features that can significantly impact the company's success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The opportunity to "shape not just screens, but strategy" and "define how design shows up" highlights the potential for this role to grow beyond traditional design responsibilities, offering a path toward product strategy and leadership within the operations of product development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote (United States) Office Location(s): Not applicable, as the role is fully remote within the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The company emphasizes "high trust and high standards," suggesting a collaborative, supportive, and results-oriented remote work environment.
• Tools & Technology: Expect to utilize industry-standard design and collaboration tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma. Access to necessary software and potentially a hardware stipend for remote work setup.
• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings, pair design sessions, and asynchronous communication via collaboration platforms are expected to maintain team cohesion and project momentum.

Work Schedule:

• While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, Mondoo likely offers flexibility to accommodate remote employees across different US time zones. The focus is on achieving objectives and collaborating effectively, rather than rigid adherence to hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature requires strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and comfort with asynchronous workflows, all of which are critical operational skills for remote team members.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Recruiter Screen (30 min phone call): Initial conversation to assess general fit, understanding of the role, and basic qualifications.
2. Hiring Manager Screen (45 min Google Meet): Discussion with Ryan Quintal (Director of Product Design) to delve deeper into experience, design philosophy, and alignment with the team.
3. Collaboration Assessment (45 min Google Meet): A practical session, potentially involving a design prompt or case study discussion, with Ryan Quintal or Maggie Walker to evaluate design process, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. A prompt will be shared beforehand.
4. Mini-Panel (30 min Google Meet): Interview with a Product Manager and an Engineer to assess cross-functional collaboration capabilities and technical understanding.
5. Final Interview (30 min Google Meet): Conversation with Dominik Richter (CPO) to discuss strategic alignment, vision, and cultural fit at the executive level.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business and user impact of your design work. Quantify results whenever possible.
• Showcase Process: Don't just show final screens; explain your thought process, research, iterations, and problem-solving approaches.
• Tailor to Mondoo: Highlight projects that demonstrate experience with complex technical products, cybersecurity, or designing for developer audiences.
• Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your Figma workflow, how you leverage its features, and potentially showcase your prototyping skills.
• Storytelling: Weave a compelling narrative around each project, explaining the "why" behind your design decisions.
• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly communicates your skills and experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Prompt: Carefully read and analyze any design challenges provided. Identify the core problem and constraints.
• Structure Your Approach: Outline your process before diving into execution. Consider user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.
• Communicate Thought Process: Clearly articulate your reasoning, assumptions, and design choices throughout the assessment.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: If applicable, show how you would collaborate with product and engineering stakeholders.
• Technical Acumen: Be ready to discuss how your designs would be implemented and any technical considerations involved.

📝 Enhancement Note: The structured, multi-stage interview process is designed to assess a broad range of skills, from foundational design craft to strategic thinking and cross-functional collaboration. The "Collaboration Assessment" is a key stage where practical design skills and process will be evaluated, likely involving a prompt that requires translating technical complexity into a user-friendly solution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design and prototyping tool. Mastery is essential for this role. Expect to use it for everything from wireframing to high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Google Meet, and potentially project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana) for communication and workflow management.
• Design System Tools: Figma's component libraries and potentially other documentation tools for maintaining the design system.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a design tool, an understanding of how product analytics (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) are used to measure user behavior and product performance will be beneficial for iterating on designs and demonstrating impact.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Senior Product Designer role's core responsibilities, but awareness of how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation tools support the Go-to-Market strategy can provide context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma mastery highlights its central role. Proficiency in this tool is not just a preference but a necessity, indicating the company's reliance on it for design operations and collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and solving user problems, particularly for technical audiences in high-stakes security environments.
• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design execution, attention to detail, and a passion for creating polished, intuitive experiences.
• Collaboration & Trust: A culture of open communication, mutual respect, and effective teamwork, especially within a remote setting.
• Innovation & Strategy: A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for product improvement and contributing to the strategic direction of the platform.
• Efficiency & Scalability: A focus on creating design solutions that are not only effective but also scalable and maintainable, often through contributions to the design system.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Product Managers and Engineers, acting as key partners in the product development lifecycle.
• Proactive Communication: In a remote environment, proactive and clear communication is vital for aligning on goals, sharing progress, and providing feedback.
• Feedback Culture: An environment that encourages constructive feedback exchange to continuously improve designs and processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share learnings, best practices, and insights to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "high standards and high trust" suggests a culture where designers are empowered to take ownership and are valued for their expertise, contributing to the operational effectiveness of the product team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be simplifying highly technical cybersecurity concepts and workflows into accessible and intuitive user experiences.
• Balancing Craft and Speed: In a startup environment, there's a constant need to balance meticulous design craft with the pace of rapid development and iteration.
• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and building strong relationships with a distributed team requires strong communication and self-management skills.
• Evolving Design System: Contributing to and scaling a burgeoning design system requires foresight, consistency, and the ability to adapt to new patterns and components.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Cybersecurity Domain Expertise: Gain significant knowledge in the cybersecurity space, understanding the specific needs and workflows of security professionals.
• AI in Design: Explore and contribute to the design of AI-forward experiences, staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
• Design System Leadership: Take on a more prominent role in shaping and growing the company's design system.
• Strategic Product Impact: Influence the product roadmap and company strategy through impactful design contributions.
• Mentorship: Develop leadership and mentorship skills by guiding other designers and contributing to the team's growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented offer significant opportunities for growth, particularly in developing expertise in a critical and rapidly evolving industry like cybersecurity, and in mastering the operational aspects of building scalable design systems within a startup.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: Be prepared to walk through a past project, detailing your problem-solving approach, how you identified user needs, and the rationale behind your design decisions. Focus on a project that involved simplifying complex technical information.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Discuss how you collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers. How do you handle disagreements or differing priorities? Provide examples of successful cross-functional partnerships.
• Technical Understanding: Be ready to discuss your familiarity with web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and how you communicate technical requirements to developers. Expect questions on how you approach designing for technical audiences.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Design Philosophy: Articulate your personal design philosophy and how it aligns with Mondoo's stated design principles and culture of "high trust and high standards."
• Startup Experience: Discuss your experience in fast-paced, early-stage environments and how you adapt to changing priorities.
• Remote Work: Explain how you maintain productivity, collaboration, and connection in a fully remote setting.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation like a story, guiding the interviewers through the problem, your process, your solutions, and the outcomes.
• Highlight Key Decisions: Focus on the critical decision points in your projects and explain the "why" behind them.
• Showcase Figma Skills: Be prepared to demonstrate your Figma proficiency, perhaps by sharing specific file structures, prototyping techniques, or how you leverage components.
• Quantify Impact: Present metrics and user feedback that demonstrate the success and impact of your design work.
• Conciseness: respect the time limits for each interview stage; be prepared to present the most critical aspects of your work efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not just design talent but also strategic thinking, collaborative ability, and cultural fit. Preparing specific examples that highlight your ability to handle technical complexity and work effectively in a remote, fast-paced environment will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Ashby link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases 2-3 detailed case studies that highlight your process, strategic thinking, and impact, with a focus on complex technical products or simplifying intricate workflows.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 6+ years of experience, proficiency in Figma, experience with technical audiences, and contributions to design systems or strategy. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Familiarize yourself with Mondoo's product and mission. Prepare specific examples to answer behavioral and situational questions related to design process, collaboration, and problem-solving for technical users. Practice articulating your portfolio projects concisely.
• Company Research: Understand Mondoo's position in the cybersecurity market and its focus on AI-forward experiences. Research the company's design principles and culture to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

⚠️ 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.