Senior Product Designer

QAD, Inc.
Full-timeβ€’pune, India

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: QAD, Inc.

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX)

Date Posted: January 20, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Drive the end-to-end user experience (UX) design for QAD's Suite of ERP solutions, ensuring user-centricity throughout the software development lifecycle.

  • Translate complex customer needs, market insights, and business objectives into intuitive and efficient user interfaces and workflows.

  • Partner with global cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Engineering, to define and execute the UX vision and strategy for enterprise applications.

  • Conduct in-depth user research and usability testing to validate design decisions and refine product experiences based on real-world feedback.

  • Elevate the organization's UX maturity by providing guidance, training, and resources to product teams, fostering a culture of design excellence.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the input title is "Senior Product Designer," the description heavily emphasizes User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design within the context of complex ERP solutions. Therefore, the category is refined to reflect this specialized focus, and the summary highlights the deep involvement in UX strategy and execution typical of a senior-level operations-adjacent design role. The mention of "ERP systems or complex enterprise applications" suggests a need for understanding business processes and user workflows in a B2B context.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • User-Centered Design Strategy: Collaborate with Product Management to develop user personas, storyboards, user journeys, and flowcharts, ensuring a deep understanding of the user perspective at every stage of the SDLC.

  • Interaction and Visual Design: Design and document comprehensive wireframes, prototypes, and final mockups, balancing technical feasibility with creative problem-solving to deliver intuitive and efficient user experiences within enterprise software.

  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner closely with Product Management, Engineering, senior leadership, and other stakeholders to define, articulate, and drive the overall UX vision and strategy for QAD's product suite.

  • Customer Insights and Research: Conduct thorough outside-in research to gain profound insights into real-world customer needs, business goals, and operational challenges, translating these findings into actionable and impactful design solutions.

  • Design Validation and Iteration: Systematically validate and refine designs through design reviews, expert critiques, end-user feedback sessions, and formal usability testing, ensuring designs meet user needs and business objectives.

  • Stakeholder Communication: Effectively present UX insights, design concepts, and final design deliverables to diverse stakeholders across the organization, articulating the value proposition of design decisions.

  • UX Mentorship and Maturity: Provide UX training, guidance, and resources to product teams, acting as a subject matter expert to strengthen the overall UX maturity and skillsets within the organization.

  • Adherence to Standards: Ensure designs align with established UI guidelines, best practices across major platforms, and leverage existing design systems to maintain consistency and efficiency.

  • Technical Collaboration: Work closely with Engineering teams to understand technical constraints, navigate trade-offs, and deliver clear, implementable design specifications that facilitate smooth development.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to detail the end-to-end UX process, from research and strategy to validation and stakeholder communication, reflecting the "Senior" aspect of the role. Emphasis is placed on the complexity of ERP systems and the need for cross-functional collaboration, which are critical in enterprise software design.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

  • 5-7 years of dedicated experience in product design, with a strong preference for experience within ERP systems or other complex enterprise applications.

Required Skills:

  • Expert-Level Interaction Design: Deep understanding and practical application of interaction design principles and the complete UX process.

  • User Research & Usability Testing: Demonstrated ability to plan, conduct, and analyze user research studies and usability testing sessions to inform design decisions.

  • Wireframing & Prototyping: Advanced proficiency in creating wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity clickable prototypes using industry-standard tools.

  • Design Systems: Foundational knowledge of design system architecture and practical experience in creating and utilizing components within existing design systems.

  • Agile Methodologies: Ability to thrive and adapt within agile development environments, responding effectively to evolving product requirements and iterative feedback loops.

  • Verbal, Written, and Presentation Skills: Excellent communication capabilities to articulate design rationale, present findings, and influence stakeholders.

  • Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze user data, business requirements, and technical constraints to develop effective design solutions.

  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design, ensuring high quality, consistency, and aesthetic judgment in all deliverables.

Preferred Skills:

  • Figma Expertise: Strong preference for candidates with advanced experience in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

  • Familiarity with Front-End Technologies: Understanding of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and their implications for UI design and implementation.

  • Cross-Platform UI Guidelines: Strong understanding of UI guidelines and best practices across major platforms (iOS, macOS, Windows, Google, and web).

  • ERP or Complex Enterprise Software Domain Knowledge: Prior experience designing for similar complex business applications is highly advantageous.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The qualifications section is structured to clearly delineate education, experience, required, and preferred skills. Specific tool proficiencies like Figma are highlighted as preferred, aligning with industry trends. The experience requirement is refined to emphasize "enterprise applications" and "ERP systems" to better match the role's context.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • End-to-End UX Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 comprehensive case studies detailing your process from problem definition and user research through ideation, design, and validation for complex software products.

  • Problem-Solving Demonstration: Illustrate how you identified a user pain point or business challenge and the specific design solutions you developed to address it, highlighting your analytical and creative problem-solving abilities.

  • Process Documentation: Clearly document your design process, including user journey maps, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI mockups, demonstrating your ability to articulate design decisions.

  • Impact and Metrics: Where possible, include quantitative or qualitative data demonstrating the impact of your designs on user behavior, efficiency, or business outcomes. This could include usability testing results, A/B test findings, or adoption metrics.

Process Documentation:

  • Workflow Design: Provide examples of user flow diagrams and information architecture that illustrate your ability to structure complex information and guide users through intricate processes.

  • Prototyping & Iteration: Include examples of interactive prototypes that showcase your ability to simulate user interactions and demonstrate the proposed user experience, along with evidence of iterative refinement based on feedback.

  • Research Synthesis: Demonstrate how you synthesize user research findings into actionable design recommendations and how these insights informed your design iterations.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to a design role, focusing on the tangible output expected in a portfolio. It emphasizes the need to showcase the process behind the design, not just the final visuals, which is crucial for a senior role dealing with complex enterprise software. The inclusion of "impact and metrics" is vital for demonstrating value.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).

  • Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.

  • Professional development opportunities, including training, workshops, and conference attendance.

  • Retirement savings plan (e.g., Provident Fund contributions).

  • Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a growing SaaS company.

  • Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time work hours are expected, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, flexibility may be available depending on team needs and project deadlines, with a focus on delivering high-quality work within reasonable timeframes.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: A salary range has been estimated for Pune, India, based on typical compensation for senior design roles in the tech industry. This includes a disclaimer about the estimation methodology. Benefits are outlined with typical offerings for a tech company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Software (SaaS), Manufacturing Technology, Supply Chain Management. QAD's focus on ERP and intelligent platforms positions it within a critical sector of the technology landscape, supporting core business operations for manufacturers.

Company Size: QAD is a well-established global company, suggesting a structured environment with opportunities for impact across a significant user base and product portfolio. This size often means robust processes and a defined career path, while also offering the chance to influence product direction.

Founded: QAD has a long history in ERP solutions, indicating stability and deep domain expertise. This heritage is combined with a forward-looking approach, as evidenced by their integration of SaaS, AI, and the Redzone platform.

Team Structure:

  • The Senior Product Designer will likely be part of a Product Management or Product Development department, working within a dedicated product team for specific ERP modules or features.

  • This designer will report to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Product, and will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, UX Researchers, and potentially other designers.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using user research, analytics, and usability testing to inform design decisions and measure impact.

  • Agile Development: Adherence to agile methodologies, involving iterative design cycles, close collaboration with development teams, and adaptability to changing requirements.

  • User-Centricity: A core principle of prioritizing the end-user's needs and workflows in the design process for complex enterprise solutions.

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

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company context is filled in using the provided description and general knowledge of QAD's market position. The emphasis is on how this context impacts a design professional's role and potential within the organization. The "Methodology" section connects company practices to design operations.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a significant level of autonomy, responsibility, and expertise. It signifies a position where the individual is expected to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and significantly influence product strategy from a user experience perspective. The role requires a deep understanding of complex enterprise systems and the ability to translate business needs into effective user interfaces.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Head of UX/Product, or a Director of Product Management. They will work in close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within specific product teams, acting as the primary UX representative for their assigned areas.

Operations Impact: The designs created by this role directly impact the usability, efficiency, and adoption of QAD's ERP solutions. By improving the user experience, the Senior Product Designer contributes to increased productivity for manufacturing clients, reduced training costs, enhanced data accuracy, and ultimately, greater client satisfaction and retentionβ€”all critical operational outcomes for QAD and its customers.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Lead Design Initiatives: Opportunity to lead the UX vision and execution for major product features or modules, taking ownership from concept to launch.

  • Mentorship and Team Development: Potential to mentor junior designers, contribute to team skill development, and influence the overall design process and standards within QAD.

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in ERP systems, manufacturing workflows, or specific areas of UX research and interaction design.

  • Career Progression: Path towards Lead Product Designer, UX Manager, or other leadership roles within the product organization as the company grows and evolves.

  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper insights into product management, engineering, and the broader manufacturing industry, broadening professional scope.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section focuses on the career trajectory and impact of a "Senior" role, emphasizing leadership, mentorship, and the direct influence on operational efficiency for QAD's clients. It frames the role within the broader context of enterprise software and operational improvement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based in an on-site office environment in Pune, India. The description implies a professional office setting conducive to collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Pune, Maharashtra, India. The specific office address would be provided upon further inquiry or during the interview process. The company has an "Adjunct Office" in Pune, suggesting a dedicated workspace for employees in the region.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Hub: The office is designed to foster collaboration, with spaces for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional discussions essential for the design process.

  • Technology-Enabled: Access to modern design tools, high-performance workstations, and reliable network infrastructure necessary for creating sophisticated digital products.

  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, and fellow designers, facilitating rapid communication and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with standard working hours typically aligning with the 40-hour work week. While the role is on-site, the company likely values output and may offer some flexibility for urgent tasks or project needs, always balancing this with the necessity of in-person collaboration and team synergy.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section contextualizes the "on-site" nature of the role, highlighting how the physical workspace supports the collaborative and technology-intensive demands of a senior product design position within an enterprise software company.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, salary expectations, and cultural fit.

  • Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Design Lead or Product Manager) to delve deeper into your experience, understanding of UX principles, and how you approach complex design challenges. Be prepared to discuss your motivations for applying to QAD.

  • Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through key case studies. This is often followed by a design challenge (e.g., a take-home assignment or an on-the-spot problem-solving exercise) focused on a relevant ERP scenario.

  • Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to assess your collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to work within an agile, cross-functional team.

  • Final Interview: Potentially a conversation with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Storytelling is Key: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the outcomes achieved. Focus on the "why" behind your decisions.

  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI mockups. Ensure they are clearly annotated and easy to understand.

  • Highlight ERP/Enterprise Context: If you have experience with similar complex systems, emphasize how your approach translates to these domains. If not, explain how your transferable skills (e.g., complex problem-solving, user workflow mapping) apply.

  • Demonstrate Collaboration: Mention how you worked with Product Management and Engineering, and how you incorporated their feedback.

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

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Domain: Research QAD's ERP solutions and common challenges in the manufacturing industry. Think about user roles (e.g., factory floor worker, planner, manager) and their typical pain points.

  • Focus on Process: For design challenges, emphasize your structured approach to problem-solving, even if you don't reach a perfect final solution. Show your thinking process.

  • Be Realistic: Acknowledge technical constraints and trade-offs. Demonstrate your ability to balance ideal user experience with practical implementation.

  • Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and any design challenge solutions concisely and clearly.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are specifically tailored for a Senior Product Designer role, emphasizing the need to demonstrate strategic thinking, deep UX process knowledge, and the ability to handle complex enterprise software challenges.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

  • Figma: Highly preferred for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows. Expect to use its advanced features for component libraries and design systems.

  • Axure, Adobe XD, Balsamiq: Proficiency with these or similar tools for wireframing and prototyping is valuable, especially if Figma experience is less extensive.

  • Adobe Illustrator: Useful for creating custom icons, illustrations, or graphic elements.

Prototyping & Simulation:

  • Figma Prototyping: For creating interactive, high-fidelity clickable prototypes.

  • Other Prototyping Tools: Experience with dedicated prototyping tools may be beneficial depending on team workflows.

Research & Collaboration Tools:

  • User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting remote usability testing and gathering user feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze).

  • Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, or Microsoft Teams for communication and workflow management.

Front-End Technologies (Foundational Understanding):

  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript: A solid understanding of how these technologies are used in web development is crucial for collaborating effectively with engineers and understanding design implementation constraints.

Design System Architecture:

  • Foundational knowledge of how design systems are structured, maintained, and scaled to ensure consistency across a complex product suite.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section lists the specific design and collaboration tools mentioned in the requirements, along with common industry tools that a Senior Product Designer would be expected to know. The emphasis on Figma aligns with the job description's preference.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and solving real-world customer problems in manufacturing and supply chains, driving value through user-centered design.

  • Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies and methodologies, such as SaaS and AI, to redefine industry standards and deliver intelligent solutions that help clients operate at "Champion Pace."

  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where cross-functional teams work together seamlessly to achieve common goals, valuing diverse perspectives.

  • Excellence & Quality: A dedication to high standards in product design, development, and user experience, ensuring robust, intuitive, and effective solutions.

  • Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on refining processes, enhancing skills, and seeking opportunities for growth and optimization in both products and personal development.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: The role is inherently collaborative, requiring close working relationships with Product Management, Engineering, and potentially Sales and Support teams to ensure alignment and a holistic product vision.

  • Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue, constructive feedback, and proactive problem-solving across teams.

  • Design Thinking Workshops: Participation in and potentially facilitation of workshops to drive innovation, align on strategy, and co-create solutions.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company values and collaboration style are inferred from QAD's mission statement, industry focus, and the general requirements of a senior product design role in a tech company. The emphasis is on how these values translate into daily work for a designer.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Complexity of ERP Systems: Designing for intricate, multi-faceted ERP solutions requires a deep understanding of business logic, user workflows, and the interconnectedness of various modules.

  • Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Effectively navigating the trade-offs between ideal user experiences and the technical feasibility, development timelines, and existing architecture of enterprise software.

  • Driving UX Maturity: Advocating for and implementing user-centered design best practices within a potentially engineering-centric or process-heavy environment, requiring strong communication and influencing skills.

  • Global User Base: Designing for diverse users with varying technical proficiencies, cultural backgrounds, and operational contexts across a global manufacturing landscape.

  • Staying Ahead of Technology: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in SaaS, AI, and other technologies to ensure QAD's products remain innovative and competitive.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Deep Domain Expertise: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in manufacturing, supply chain, and ERP systems, a highly valuable niche.

  • Advanced UX Techniques: Exposure to complex design challenges that push the boundaries of interaction design, user research, and information architecture.

  • Leadership and Mentorship: Potential to grow into a leadership role, guiding teams and shaping the future of UX at QAD.

  • Industry Conferences & Training: Access to resources for professional development, staying current with UX trends and best practices.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around the specific context of ERP design and enterprise software. Growth opportunities are tied to specialization, leadership, and continuous learning within the UX field and the company's domain.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to design a complex workflow for an enterprise application. What were the key challenges, and how did you approach them?" (Focus on your process, research, and problem-solving.)

  • "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and business objectives in your design process?" (Highlight your ability to negotiate and find optimal solutions.)

  • "How would you approach improving the user experience of a critical ERP module like inventory management or production planning?" (Demonstrate your structured thinking and domain awareness.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What do you know about QAD and our mission in the manufacturing and supply chain space?" (Research QAD's products, values, and recent news.)

  • "How do you contribute to fostering a collaborative team environment?" (Provide examples of your teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, define the "Problem," "Your Role," "Solution," and "Outcome." Use clear headings and concise language.

  • Emphasize Process Over Pixels: While visuals are important, focus on explaining your decision-making process, research insights, and how you iterated on designs.

  • Tailor to the Audience: Be prepared to discuss how your work relates to ERP systems and enterprise software challenges. Highlight transferable skills if direct ERP experience is limited.

  • Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you handled feedback.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This section provides specific, actionable interview preparation advice, including example questions that are highly relevant to a Senior Product Designer role in an enterprise software context, along with guidance on portfolio presentation.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

  • Submit your detailed resume and a compelling portfolio through the application link provided.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies that demonstrate your expertise in end-to-end UX design for complex applications, highlighting your process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Tailor your presentation to showcase relevant ERP or enterprise software experience if available.

  • Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your years of experience, specific design skills, proficiency with key tools (especially Figma), and any experience with ERP systems or complex enterprise applications. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio and prepare thoughtful answers to common UX and behavioral interview questions, focusing on your strategic thinking and collaborative approach. Research QAD's products and company mission.

  • Company Research: Understand QAD's position in the manufacturing and supply chain technology market, their product suite (especially ERP), and their stated values. This will help you align your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have a bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant field and 5-7 years of experience in product design, preferably with ERP systems. Strong skills in interaction design, user research, and proficiency in design tools are essential.