Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Precision Neuroscience

Location: Santa Clara, California, United States; Chicago, Illinois, United States; New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / Medical Devices / Healthcare Technology

Date Posted: 2026-03-25T15:23:56.207

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design lifecycle for a critical clinical decision support tool, focusing on enhancing neurosurgeon interaction with real-time brain mapping during procedures.

• Drive user research initiatives with neurosurgeons and clinical teams to deeply understand intraoperative workflows, environmental constraints, and unmet needs within high-stakes surgical settings.

• Translate complex research insights into clear design principles, intuitive interaction models, and robust visual frameworks that define the product experience.

• Design high-clarity, data-dense user interfaces for real-time surgical visualization, including functional and structural brain mapping displays critical for intraoperative decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core request is for a "Senior Product Designer," the detailed responsibilities and experience requirements (3-5 years) suggest a mid-level role with significant ownership, rather than a purely senior individual contributor role traditionally requiring 7+ years. The emphasis on leading end-to-end design and user research points to a strong foundational designer ready to take significant responsibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete design lifecycle for both hardware and software workstreams, from initial discovery and concept development through detailed design, prototyping, and final delivery.

• Conduct in-depth user research with neurosurgeons and clinical teams to thoroughly understand intraoperative workflows, environmental constraints, and identify critical unmet needs.

• Synthesize user research findings into actionable design principles, interaction models, and visual frameworks that will guide the overall product experience.

• Create intuitive, high-clarity interfaces for real-time surgical visualization, encompassing functional and structural brain mapping displays.

• Define and iteratively refine the physical design of hardware components, with careful consideration for ergonomics, sterility requirements, and the unique operating room context.

• Foster close collaboration with the Senior Product Manager, engineering teams (both hardware and software), and external life science partners to ensure design decisions are both technically feasible and clinically meaningful.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive design systems, interactive prototypes, and essential documentation to facilitate rapid iteration and ensure cross-functional alignment.

• Act as a strong advocate for the end-user, specifically the surgeon, in all product and technical discussions, grounding design decisions firmly in research data and clinical evidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes a holistic product design approach, integrating both hardware and software. This is crucial for a medical device role where the physical interface and the digital experience are tightly coupled. The responsibilities highlight the need for a designer who can navigate complex clinical environments and contribute to both physical product development and digital interface design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Industrial Design, Human-Computer Interaction) or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. A strong portfolio can often substitute for formal education.

Experience: 3-5 years of dedicated product design experience, demonstrating a proven track record of successfully launching products.

Required Skills:

• A strong, comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design work, spanning UX, UI, and ideally including hardware or physical product design examples.

• Demonstrated proficiency in conducting and synthesizing user research, particularly within complex professional, technical, or clinical environments.

• Proven experience designing data-dense, real-time interfaces where clarity and speed of comprehension are paramount; experience in medical, scientific, or industrial contexts is a significant advantage.

• Familiarity with the physical and regulatory constraints inherent in designing for clinical or surgical environments.

• High proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or equivalent.

• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively alongside hardware engineers, software developers, regulatory affairs teams, and external partners.

• Ability to articulate and defend design rationale clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with 3D design or industrial design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Rhino, Fusion 360) is a significant bonus.

• Prior experience within the healthcare, medical device, or regulated life sciences industries.

• Understanding of human factors principles in medical device design.

• Experience with agile development methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Skills, Knowledge and Expertise" section is well-defined. The enhancement focuses on clarifying the education expectation and framing the experience level more precisely. The "preferred skills" are extrapolated based on the industry and the nature of the product.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 comprehensive case studies detailing your process from problem identification through to final solution. Highlight your role in user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and any hardware considerations.

• User Research Synthesis: Clearly demonstrate how you translated user research findings into tangible design decisions and product features. Include examples of user personas, journey maps, or key insights derived from research.

• Interaction & UI Design: Present polished examples of user interfaces, focusing on clarity, usability, and effective data visualization, particularly for complex or data-intensive applications.

• Hardware Integration (if applicable): If you have experience with physical product design, illustrate how software interfaces integrate with hardware components, considering ergonomics, manufacturing, and environmental factors.

• Prototyping & Iteration: Include examples of interactive prototypes and explain how they were used for user testing and iterative refinement of the design.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a structured approach to design problem-solving, outlining your methodology for tackling complex challenges.

• Provide evidence of how you have documented design decisions, created design systems, and maintained consistency across product iterations.

• Showcase your ability to collaborate with engineering teams, providing clear specifications and assets for implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a product design role, especially in a regulated industry like medical devices, the portfolio is paramount. This section details what a strong portfolio should contain, focusing on process, research, and tangible outcomes relevant to the role's responsibilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior Product Designer title, 3-5 years of experience, and locations (Santa Clara, CA; New York, NY; Chicago, IL), the estimated salary range in the US for this role is typically between $120,000 and $160,000 annually. Santa Clara and New York may lean towards the higher end of this range due to higher cost of living and market demand for specialized tech talent.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Stock options or equity grants, common in high-growth tech and biotech startups.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and holiday leave.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with potential company match.

• Professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and training.

• Potential for relocation assistance if applicable.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Working Hours: The role is specified as FULL_TIME, which typically implies around 40 hours per week. Given the demanding nature of medical device development and the startup environment, flexibility may be required, but standard business hours are expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges are estimated based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Product Designer with 3-5 years of experience in major US tech hubs. Benefits are extrapolated based on standard offerings for a well-funded startup in the biotech/medtech space. The "working hours" are a standard assumption for full-time roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Biotechnology / Medical Devices / Healthcare Technology, specifically focused on Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI). Precision Neuroscience is at the forefront of developing next-generation BCIs designed to treat neurological conditions and empower individuals with severe paralysis.

Company Size: Precision Neuroscience was founded in 2021 and has raised over $180 million, indicating significant growth and investment. While an exact employee count isn't provided, this funding level suggests a company likely in the stage of rapid scaling, potentially ranging from 50-200 employees, with plans for further expansion. This size offers a dynamic startup environment with the stability of substantial funding.

Founded: Founded in 2021, Precision Neuroscience is a relatively young but rapidly advancing company. Its recent founding means it is likely building its core processes and culture, offering employees the opportunity to shape its future.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within a cross-functional product development structure. The Senior Product Designer will report into a Design Lead or Head of Product/Design.

• Collaboration is key, with close partnerships expected between Design, Product Management, Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Clinical Science, and Regulatory Affairs.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered Design: A strong emphasis on understanding and designing for the end-user (surgeons and patients) is central, driven by user research and clinical validation.

• Agile Development: Likely employs agile or iterative development methodologies to facilitate rapid prototyping and feedback loops, crucial for both hardware and software development in a fast-paced environment.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Design choices will be informed by user research, clinical data, and performance metrics, aligning with the company's values of "sharp minds, open ears" and "building for human impact."

Company Website: https://precision-neuroscience.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is derived from the provided description, highlighting its mission, funding, and founding date. The team structure and methodology are inferred based on typical practices in innovative medical device startups.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level (3-5 years of experience) with significant autonomy and leadership potential within the design function. It offers the opportunity to be a foundational member of the design team, influencing product direction and design standards.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Head of Design, or potentially a Product Lead. They will work closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Engineering (Hardware & Software), and Clinical teams.

Operations Impact: The design of the clinical decision support tool directly impacts the precision and effectiveness of neurosurgical procedures, which in turn affects patient outcomes. This role has a profound impact on the company's mission to heal and empower individuals with neurological conditions. Success in this role contributes directly to the company's ability to achieve its clinical and commercial milestones.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior/Principal Designer role, leading larger design initiatives or mentoring junior designers as the team expands.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in medical device design, BCI interfaces, or user research within complex clinical environments.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Develop a strong understanding of engineering, clinical science, and regulatory affairs, potentially leading to roles in product management or user experience strategy.

• Impactful Product Development: Contribute to the development and launch of groundbreaking medical technology that has a direct positive impact on human lives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section focuses on the career trajectory and impact specifically for a product designer in this context, emphasizing growth within design and related fields within a medical technology company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as on-site, indicating a traditional office or lab environment within one of Precision Neuroscience's designated locations (Santa Clara, Chicago, or New York). This suggests a collaborative, in-person working culture.

Office Location(s):

• Santa Clara, California

• Chicago, Illinois

• New York, New York

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic, fast-paced environment requiring close collaboration with diverse teams (engineers, product managers, clinicians). Office spaces are likely designed to facilitate this, with meeting rooms, shared workspaces, and potentially design studios.

• Access to Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to industry-standard design software (Figma, etc.), prototyping tools, and potentially specialized hardware for testing and development. The company is likely to provide the necessary technological resources to support design work.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with cross-functional teams is essential for aligning on product goals, discussing technical constraints, and iterating on designs. The on-site nature facilitates spontaneous discussions and team cohesion.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time business hours are expected. However, given the nature of medical device development and startup culture, there may be an expectation for flexibility to meet project deadlines or accommodate urgent needs, particularly when working with clinical partners or during critical development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section elaborates on the on-site requirement and infers the nature of the workspace and daily interactions based on the company's industry and stage.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume and portfolio through the company's careers portal.

• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will heavily rely on the quality and relevance of your portfolio. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your process, problem-solving skills, and impact.

• Hiring Manager/Recruiter Screen: A preliminary call to assess fit, experience, and basic qualifications.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or present a detailed case study from your portfolio. This will assess your design thinking, problem-solving approach, and communication skills in a simulated scenario.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with potential cross-functional team members (engineers, product managers) to evaluate collaboration, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Final Round: Interviews with senior leadership, potentially including the Head of Design or CTO, to discuss strategic thinking and alignment with company vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that showcase experience with complex data visualization, real-time interfaces, hardware integration, or medical/scientific applications.

• Showcase Your Process: Clearly articulate your design process, from research to ideation, iteration, and final execution. Explain why you made certain design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the impact of your design solutions on users or business objectives.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly communicates your contributions.

• Video Walkthroughs: Consider including brief video explanations for key projects within your portfolio or be prepared to present them live.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem Space: Research Precision Neuroscience, BCI technology, and the challenges faced by neurosurgeons in operating rooms.

• Focus on User Needs: Frame your solutions around solving specific user problems identified during your research or within the challenge prompt.

• Demonstrate Design Thinking: Show a structured approach to problem-solving, covering user research, ideation, concept development, and detailed design.

• Consider Constraints: Be mindful of technical, clinical, and regulatory constraints that would apply to a medical device.

• Practice Presentation: Be prepared to present your work clearly, concisely, and persuasively, answering questions about your rationale and trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides practical advice tailored to a product design role in a medical technology startup, focusing on portfolio presentation and interview preparation strategies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly preferred), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects for motion).

• User Research: Tools for conducting interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Specialized Tools (Bonus):

• 3D Modeling/CAD: SolidWorks, Rhino, Fusion 360, Blender for hardware design and visualization.

• Motion Design: Principle, After Effects for micro-interactions and animations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This outlines the expected design software and tools, with emphasis on Figma, and includes speculative but relevant tools for hardware design and user research common in this field.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Build for Human Impact: A core value that drives the team to focus on creating solutions that genuinely improve lives, especially for individuals with neurological conditions. Designers will be expected to prioritize user needs and the ultimate impact of their work.

• Do No Harm: Emphasizes the critical importance of safety, integrity, and responsibility in medical device development. Design decisions must uphold the highest standards to ensure patient safety.

• Innovate with Urgency: The fast-paced nature of the field and the high stakes for users necessitate a proactive and urgent approach to innovation. Designers should be comfortable with rapid iteration and pushing boundaries.

• Sharp Minds, Open Ears: Encourages a culture of expertise combined with curiosity, humility, and respect. Designers should be open to feedback, willing to learn from others, and collaborative in their approach.

• Lead the Way: Promotes ownership and initiative. Designers are expected to take responsibility for their work, proactively identify opportunities, and help shape the future direction of the product and the field.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly Cross-Functional: Expect intensive collaboration with engineers (hardware and software), product managers, clinical experts, and potentially external partners.

• Iterative and Feedback-Driven: The culture likely embraces frequent design reviews, user testing, and iterative refinement based on feedback from all stakeholders.

• Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication is crucial, especially in a high-stakes environment where decisions have significant implications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates the company's stated values into actionable cultural expectations for designers, emphasizing the unique blend of innovation, responsibility, and user focus required in the medical device industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for High-Stakes Environments: The operating room presents unique challenges including sterility requirements, time constraints, high-stress situations, and the critical need for clear, unambiguous information display.

• Balancing Hardware and Software Design: Integrating physical product design with sophisticated software interfaces requires a broad skill set and close coordination between disciplines.

• Navigating Regulatory Landscapes: Medical devices are subject to stringent regulations (e.g., FDA). Designers must be aware of and design within these constraints.

• Rapid Iteration in a Startup: The fast-paced startup environment requires adaptability and the ability to iterate quickly on designs while maintaining high quality and rigor.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of neurotechnology, brain-computer interfaces, and clinical neurosurgery workflows.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Development: Work closely with engineers and scientists, fostering a deeper understanding of hardware development, software architecture, and clinical validation processes.

• Influence Product Strategy: As a key designer, have a significant opportunity to shape the product's direction, user experience, and overall strategy.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to a groundbreaking product in a rapidly growing field, potentially leading to industry recognition and career advancement.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced professionals in both design and the medical technology sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges specific to designing medical devices for surgical use and highlights the significant learning and growth potential within such a pioneering company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: "Walk me through a complex product design challenge you've solved. How did you approach user research, ideation, and iteration? What were the key trade-offs you made and why?" (Focus on demonstrating your structured thinking, user empathy, and decision-making process).

• User Research & Synthesis: "Describe a time you uncovered a critical user need through research that significantly altered your design direction. How did you validate this insight?" (Prepare to discuss your research methodologies and how you translate findings into actionable design).

• Data Visualization & Complex Interfaces: "How would you approach designing an interface for displaying real-time, multi-layered brain mapping data to a surgeon under pressure? What are the critical considerations?" (Think about clarity, hierarchy, responsiveness, and error prevention).

• Hardware-Software Integration: "Imagine you need to design a new physical control for our BCI system alongside its digital interface. How would you ensure a cohesive and intuitive user experience across both?" (Be ready to discuss ergonomics, physical interaction, and how the digital and physical elements work together).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Precision Neuroscience and our mission to develop brain-computer interfaces?" (Connect your personal values and career goals to the company's mission).

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and product management teams, especially when there are differing opinions?" (Highlight your communication and negotiation skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Your Strongest Cases: Choose 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and relevance to this role (e.g., complex data, professional users, hardware integration).

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate your methodology, research findings, key decisions, and iterations. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, challenges encountered, and potential alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides specific, actionable advice for preparing for interviews and presenting a portfolio for a Senior Product Designer role in a medical technology company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Carefully fill out the online application form on the Precision Neuroscience careers page, ensuring all sections are completed accurately.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant and impactful design projects. Focus on case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end design process, user research capabilities, experience with complex interfaces, and any relevant hardware design or medical/scientific domain experience. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., via a personal website or a professional portfolio platform).

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience and skills directly relevant to the job description, using keywords from the posting such as "Product Design," "UX," "UI," "User Research," "Hardware Design," "Medical Devices," and specific tools like "Figma." Quantify your achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Be ready to present your portfolio case studies in detail during interviews. Practice explaining your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work clearly and concisely. Anticipate questions about your approach to user research, collaboration, and handling design challenges.

• Research Precision Neuroscience: Thoroughly understand the company's mission, values, product (Layer 7, brain-computer interfaces), and the competitive landscape in neurotechnology. This will enable you to articulate your interest and align your responses with the company's goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding salary, benefits, and specific interview processes, should be verified directly with Precision Neuroscience during the application and interview stages.