Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Planet

Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: April 24, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for sophisticated, data-heavy geospatial web applications, transforming satellite data into mission-critical intelligence for diverse sectors including Defense & Intelligence and Global Monitoring.

• Architect and define interaction patterns and user interface (UI) architecture for Planet's next-generation monitoring platform, ensuring a scalable, performant, and intuitive user experience.

• Drive user research initiatives, conducting interviews and usability testing in close collaboration with product management to gather feedback and iterate on design solutions.

• Champion and elevate Planet's design culture by contributing to the development and maintenance of enterprise design systems and interaction patterns.

• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships with product management and engineering teams to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality, user-centered design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer with a strong emphasis on geospatial data, AI-powered tools, and complex enterprise data visualization. The hybrid work model requires 3 days per week in the Ljubljana office.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Product Design Ownership: Spearhead the complete product design lifecycle, from initial discovery and user research through rapid prototyping to the delivery of high-fidelity designs for innovative geospatial web applications.

• Geospatial Interface Design: Conceptualize and craft intuitive, powerful geospatial interfaces that effectively translate complex satellite data and AI-driven insights into actionable intelligence for tactical decision-making and large-scale analytics.

• User Research & Synthesis: Proactively conduct lightweight user research, usability testing, and user interviews, synthesizing findings into actionable design improvements and product strategies.

• UI Architecture & Design Systems: Define, document, and architect robust interaction patterns, user flows, and the overall design system for Planet's monitoring platform, ensuring consistency and scalability.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Act as a key design partner to product managers and engineering teams, advocating for user needs and ensuring design quality throughout the agile development process.

• Design Culture Contribution: Actively participate in and contribute to building and elevating Planet's design culture through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and championing design best practices.

• Performance & Scalability Focus: Design interfaces and user experiences that remain performant and intuitive across a wide range of use cases, from regional security assessments to global resource management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer capable of handling complex data, working within a rapidly evolving technical environment, and influencing product direction through user-centered design principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of bringing complex technical, SaaS, or B2B digital products to market.

Required Skills:

• End-to-End Product Design: Demonstrated ability to manage projects from early ideation and user research through to live software deployment and post-launch iteration based on feedback.

• Geospatial Interface Design: Expertise in designing sophisticated, data-heavy interfaces, ideally with experience in GIS, geospatial data, or remote sensing applications.

• UI/UX & Interaction Design: Strong foundation in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles, including wireframing, user flows, and interaction design.

• Rapid Prototyping: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes to test and validate design concepts quickly.

• Design Systems & Figma Proficiency: Extensive experience with enterprise-level design systems and expert-level command of design tools, specifically Figma.

• User Research & Usability Testing: Experience conducting lightweight user research, usability testing, and synthesizing findings into actionable design improvements.

• Visual Design & Accessibility: Solid understanding of visual design principles and a commitment to designing accessible products for all users.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced GIS/Geospatial Data Experience: Deep experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), complex geospatial datasets, or remote sensing technologies.

• AI-Native Mindset: Experience or strong interest in leveraging AI tools for creative ideation, design generation, or enhancing user experiences.

• Complex Problem Solving: Proven ability to take ownership, communicate, and solve complex, systemic problems within a product development context.

• Stakeholder Empathy: Deep empathy for both end-users and internal stakeholders, with the ability to expertly balance usability requirements with business objectives.

• Growth-Focused Collaboration: Experience working effectively in growth-focused, highly collaborative team environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "stand out" qualifications strongly suggest a preference for candidates with direct experience in the geospatial domain or a clear aptitude for understanding and designing for complex data environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: A portfolio showcasing 3-5 complex professional projects, detailing the entire design process from problem definition and user research to solution design, prototyping, and final implementation.

• Process Documentation: Clear articulation of your design process, including methodologies used for discovery, ideation, UX/UI design, prototyping, and iteration.

• Impact Demonstration: Quantifiable evidence of the impact your designs have had on user engagement, business metrics, or key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to SaaS or B2B products.

• Systemic Thinking: Examples demonstrating your ability to design for scalability, consistency, and integration within larger platforms or ecosystems, particularly related to UI architecture and design systems.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Documented examples of how you have mapped out user journeys, defined workflows, and optimized processes to improve user efficiency and task completion rates.

• System Implementation Standards: Showcase how you have applied design principles and system standards to ensure consistency and maintainability across product features.

• Measurement & Analysis: Evidence of how you have used data, user feedback, and analytics to inform design decisions and measure the success of implemented features.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, requiring detailed case studies that not only display design skills but also demonstrate a deep understanding of the product development lifecycle, user research, and measurable impact, especially within complex data environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with 6+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is approximately €55,000 - €75,000 gross. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for experienced design professionals in Western/Central European tech hubs, considering the cost of living in Ljubljana and the hybrid work model. The final salary will depend on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and the company's compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Paid time off: Comprehensive leave including vacation days, public holidays, and company-wide designated days off.

• Employee Wellness Program: Initiatives and resources focused on supporting employee well-being.

• Home Office Reimbursement: Financial support for setting up or maintaining an effective home workspace.

• Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement: Contribution towards essential communication and connectivity costs.

• Tuition Reimbursement & LinkedIn Learning: Financial assistance for continuing education and access to professional development resources.

• Equity: Opportunity to participate in the company's growth through stock options or other equity programs.

• Volunteering Paid Time Off: Paid time off specifically allocated for employees to engage in volunteer activities.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, with an expected standard workweek of approximately 40 hours. While the role is hybrid, specific in-office days will be coordinated with the team, typically requiring 3 days per week in the Ljubljana office. Flexibility may be available based on team needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on regional data for senior design roles in comparable European tech hubs. The provided benefits are standard for a full-time position in a growth-stage tech company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Space Technology & Data Analytics. Planet operates at the intersection of satellite technology, data processing, and cloud-based software, providing critical geospatial intelligence derived from its vast satellite constellation. This unique position makes it a leader in environmental monitoring, defense, agriculture, and other sectors reliant on real-time Earth observation data.

Company Size: Planet is a global company with offices in multiple countries and employees working remotely worldwide. While specific office numbers aren't stated, the description implies a significant, growing organization with a mix of hardware, software, and data science expertise. This size offers opportunities for impact while maintaining a dynamic, potentially less bureaucratic environment than massive corporations.

Founded: Planet was founded with a mission to use space to help life on Earth, building the largest constellation of imaging satellites. This foundational mission drives innovation and a sense of purpose across the company, attracting professionals passionate about leveraging technology for global impact.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Structure: While the specific structure for the design team isn't detailed, it's implied to be integrated within product development. Senior designers likely function as individual contributors who lead projects, working closely with dedicated Product Managers and Engineering teams.

• Reporting: Senior Product Designers typically report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or VP of Product.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The company's core business relies on data, so design decisions are expected to be informed by user data, analytics, and feedback.

• Agile Development: The mention of working with engineering teams suggests an agile or iterative development process, requiring designers to adapt and contribute within sprints.

• User-Centric Approach: A strong emphasis is placed on understanding user needs through research and translating them into intuitive and effective product experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Planet's culture is described as people-centric, aiming for growth and fostering a sense of belonging. The company's mission-driven nature is a significant cultural element, appealing to individuals motivated by societal impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a high level of individual contributor expertise. Professionals at this level are expected to operate with significant autonomy, lead complex projects, mentor junior designers, and influence product strategy. They are key players in translating business goals and user needs into tangible product solutions.

Reporting Structure: Senior Product Designers typically report into a Design leadership function (e.g., Head of Design, Design Manager) and work in close, embedded teams with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for specific product areas or features. This structure emphasizes direct collaboration and shared ownership.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to the success of Planet's geospatial web applications. By designing intuitive interfaces for complex satellite data, the Senior Product Designer directly influences the ability of users (in sectors like Defense & Intelligence, environmental monitoring, and agriculture) to make critical, data-driven decisions. This has tangible real-world implications, aligning with Planet's mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Progression to Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Design roles, managing teams and setting design strategy.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like geospatial data visualization, AI-driven design, or complex enterprise SaaS UX.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management or Strategy roles given the deep involvement in product development.

• Technical Acumen: Developing a stronger understanding of the technical constraints and opportunities within satellite data processing and web application development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior level implies significant autonomy and potential for mentorship. Growth paths are likely to involve increasing scope of leadership, deeper technical specialization, or movement into adjacent product roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This role requires 3 days per week in the Ljubljana office, with the remaining days potentially remote or flexible. This blend aims to provide the benefits of in-person collaboration while maintaining flexibility.

Office Location(s): The role is specifically listed for Ljubljana, Slovenia. Planet also has offices in Berlin, Haarlem, and Graz, suggesting a European presence for this role and potential for cross-office collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model is designed to foster collaboration, with dedicated office days for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and design critiques.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma) and potentially advanced software for data visualization and geospatial analysis will be available. The company likely provides necessary hardware and software licenses.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact with diverse teams including product managers, engineers, data scientists, and other designers, fostering a rich learning and development environment.

Work Schedule: Full-time with a standard 40-hour workweek. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in how the remaining workdays are structured, supporting work-life balance while ensuring team alignment and project needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature is a key aspect, requiring candidates to be comfortable commuting to the Ljubljana office three days a week while leveraging remote work for the remainder.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on portfolio relevance and experience.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific case studies in detail. This may include a take-home design challenge or an in-person/virtual design exercise focused on solving a relevant problem.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study. Explain why you made specific decisions, what research informed them, and how you iterated.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. This could include improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores, or adoption rates.

• Highlight Geospatial/Data Complexity: If you have relevant experience, emphasize your ability to design for complex data sets, GIS interfaces, or data visualization challenges.

• Showcase Figma & Design Systems: Visually demonstrate your proficiency with Figma and your understanding of how to build and maintain enterprise-level design systems.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Planet's Mission: Familiarize yourself with Planet's products, target markets (D&I, Global Monitoring), and the types of data they handle.

• Practice Problem-Solving: Prepare to tackle design problems related to data visualization, complex workflows, or translating technical information into user-friendly interfaces.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Be ready to discuss the trade-offs you considered during your design process (e.g., usability vs. performance, feature scope vs. timeline).

• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewers about the team, product roadmap, design challenges, and company culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and measurable impact, particularly in the context of complex data and geospatial applications.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management. Expert proficiency is a must.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has strong prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools like InVision, Principle, or similar might be beneficial for specific use cases.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Experience with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and measure the impact of designs.

• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools or libraries used for data visualization, especially in a geospatial context (e.g., D3.js, Mapbox GL JS, or specific GIS visualization software).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a direct tool for designers, understanding how user data is managed within CRM systems (like Salesforce) can provide context for user segmentation and personalization efforts.

• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks, sprints, and collaborating with engineering.

• Collaboration Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams for day-to-day communication and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and experience with design systems are non-negotiable. Familiarity with data visualization, particularly in a geospatial context, and user analytics tools will be highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven Impact: A strong commitment to leveraging technology for positive global impact, aligning with Planet's mission to help life on Earth.

• Innovation & Agility: A culture that encourages experimentation, rapid iteration, and embracing new technologies, including AI.

• Collaboration & Belonging: Emphasis on teamwork, mutual respect, and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and can contribute their best work.

• Data-Informed Decisions: A belief in using data and evidence to guide product strategy and design choices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be deeply embedded within product teams, working closely with product managers and engineers as equal partners.

• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where feedback is openly shared, and design challenges are discussed constructively.

• Iterative Design: A willingness to collaborate on early concepts, iterate based on feedback, and refine solutions continuously.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging designers to share insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and broader organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate alignment with Planet's mission-driven ethos, a collaborative spirit, and an ability to work effectively in an agile, data-informed environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Ambiguity: Navigating undefined problem spaces and rapidly evolving requirements, common in cutting-edge technology domains like geospatial AI.

• Complex Data Visualization: Translating vast amounts of complex, multidimensional satellite data into intuitive and actionable insights for diverse user groups.

• Balancing Technical Constraints with User Needs: Ensuring designs are not only user-friendly but also technically feasible and performant within the constraints of satellite data processing and web application architecture.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Geospatial & AI Specialization: Deepen expertise in the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for geospatial data and AI-driven applications.

• Advanced Design Systems: Contribute to and evolve sophisticated enterprise design systems, potentially influencing cross-product consistency.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of satellite technology, data science, and software engineering through close collaboration.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and take on leadership roles on key product initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges related to data complexity and evolving technology, offering substantial growth opportunities for designers eager to specialize in these high-demand areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a complex, data-heavy application. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your process, data handling, and problem-solving).

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for a geospatial monitoring platform that uses AI to detect changes in satellite imagery?" (Showcase your understanding of geospatial data, AI applications, and user needs).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Planet's mission and its role in using space for Earth's benefit?" (Demonstrate your alignment with the company's purpose).

• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and engineers, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Assess your teamwork and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of Planet and the role, then dive into your selected case studies. For each, clearly state the problem, your role, your process, key design decisions, challenges, and the quantifiable impact.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, user flows, and research artifacts. Ensure your Figma proficiency is evident.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives. Explain the "why" behind your design choices and how they addressed user pain points or business goals.

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your process, decisions, and the outcomes of your projects. Anticipate questions about your experience with geospatial data, AI, and complex enterprises.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process in detail, demonstrate quantifiable impact, and connect their experience directly to the challenges and opportunities presented by Planet's unique domain.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided job portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 of your most relevant projects, emphasizing those involving complex data visualization, SaaS/B2B applications, or geospatial/environmental themes if applicable. Focus on showcasing your end-to-end process and measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 6+ years of experience, highlighting achievements in product design, UI/UX, interaction design, user research, and proficiency with Figma and design systems. Use keywords such as "geospatial," "data visualization," "SaaS," "B2B," and "enterprise design systems."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and project outcomes using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare to discuss your experience with user research, usability testing, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Planet's mission, products (especially their monitoring platform), target industries (D&I, Global Monitoring), and company culture. Understand their competitive landscape and recent news.

⚠️ 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.

---