Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Smartcat Location: Portugal - Remote Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: February 19, 2026 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (estimated 5-10 years) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead user-centered design initiatives, translating complex product strategies into intuitive and engaging user experiences for a cutting-edge Agentic AI platform.
• Drive the end-to-end design process, from in-depth user research and validation to the creation of high-fidelity, pixel-perfect interfaces across web and mobile.
• Collaborate strategically with Product Managers and Engineers within empowered product teams, acting as a key partner in problem discovery and solution delivery.
• Champion the development and maintenance of a robust design system and style guide, ensuring platform-wide consistency and a seamless user journey.
• Proactively integrate new technologies, particularly AI, into the design workflow to enhance efficiency, quality, and user understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly Senior, implying a need for demonstrated leadership in design execution and strategic contribution. The mention of "empowered product teams" and "shaping product strategy" suggests a high degree of autonomy and influence. The focus on "Agentic AI" and "hybrid workforces" indicates a need for designers comfortable with innovative technology and complex B2B SaaS platforms.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner deeply with Product Managers and Engineering leads to understand business objectives, identify user pain points, and co-create product roadmaps.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather actionable insights and validate design hypotheses.
• Develop detailed wireframes, user flows, low-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and interactions.
• Design and maintain a scalable design system, including UI components, patterns, and guidelines, to ensure consistency and efficiency across the Smartcat platform.
• Produce high-fidelity, polished visual designs for both web and mobile applications, paying close attention to detail, aesthetics, and user delight.
• Iterate on designs rapidly based on user feedback, data analysis, A/B testing results, and evolving project requirements.
• Explore and implement cutting-edge design tools and methodologies, including AI-powered design assistants, to optimize the design process and outcomes.
• Contribute to the continuous evolution of Smartcat's design practices, fostering a culture of innovation and best-practice sharing within the product organization.
• Present design concepts, research findings, and strategic recommendations clearly and persuasively to cross-functional stakeholders, including executive leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Outcomes" section in the original description directly maps to these core responsibilities, emphasizing a results-oriented approach. The inclusion of "leading user research" and "owning design execution end-to-end" by Day 90 highlights the expectation of immediate impact and ownership.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is often beneficial and implicitly expected for senior roles. Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in Product Design, UX/UI Design, or a closely related field, with a strong emphasis on B2B SaaS products.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in Product Design with a portfolio showcasing industry-leading work and impactful user experiences.
• Expert-level proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design.
• Deep understanding and practical application of User-Centered Design (UCD) principles and methodologies.
• Proven ability to conduct effective User Research and Usability Testing to inform design decisions.
• Experience in creating and maintaining Design Systems and Style Guides for consistency and scalability.
• Strong skills in Wireframing, Prototyping, and creating detailed user flows.
• Excellent Communication and Collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale to technical and non-technical audiences.
• A Data-Driven Mindset, capable of supporting design choices with quantitative metrics and qualitative research findings.
• High Integrity, commitment to Quality, and a Growth-Oriented, Product-Focused Mindset.
• Comfort and adaptability in a Fast-Paced Startup Environment with a strong sense of Ownership.
• Receptiveness to feedback and openness to diverse perspectives.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with UI Animation principles and tools.
• Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and front-end development concepts.
• Experience using AI Tools to accelerate design, prototyping, or research processes.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for experimenting with new tools and technologies, especially AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "What You've Accomplished (Qualifications)" section directly informs these required and preferred skills. The emphasis on Figma and a portfolio is paramount. The "plus" items are crucial differentiators for candidates in this innovative space. Estimating 5-10 years of experience aligns with the "Senior" title and the expectation of leading initiatives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design ownership, from initial concept and research to final polished UI.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, design process, user research insights, design decisions, and measurable outcomes.
• Evidence of creating and utilizing design systems or style guides to ensure consistency and scalability across multiple projects.
• Examples of complex problem-solving, showcasing how user needs were balanced with business objectives and technical constraints.
• Demonstration of rapid iteration based on feedback and data, highlighting adaptability and continuous improvement.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of detailed user research plans and synthesized findings.
• Present wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes used to validate concepts and communicate designs.
• Include examples of design system components and style guide documentation.
• Demonstrate how metrics and user feedback were incorporated into the design iteration process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio that "sets the industry standard" and the emphasis on "user research," "usability tests," and "prototypes" directly translate into these portfolio and process documentation expectations. For a Senior Product Designer, the portfolio must go beyond just aesthetics and demonstrate strategic thinking and measurable impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the "Senior Product Designer" title, the location (Portugal - Remote), and the company's Series C funding status with strong growth, a competitive salary range for this role in Portugal is estimated between €55,000 - €80,000 annually. This range accounts for the senior experience level, the specialized skills required (Figma, AI integration), and the fully remote nature of the position within the European market.

Benefits:

• Fully Remote Work Environment: Flexibility to work from anywhere within Portugal, with potential for global remote work depending on team alignment.
• Competitive Salary: Reflecting senior-level expertise and the high-growth startup environment.
• Health and Wellness Programs: Comprehensive benefits package likely including health insurance, mental health support, and wellness stipends.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, conferences, and access to AI tools for personal and professional growth.
• Stock Options/Equity: Potential for equity participation in a rapidly scaling company.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Standard vacation days, holidays, and potential for sick leave and personal days.
• Global Team Collaboration: Opportunity to work with a diverse, international team across 30+ countries.
• AI Agent Management: Access to and training on managing personal AI Agents to enhance productivity.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (estimated 40 hours per week), with flexibility inherent in a remote, globally distributed team. Core collaboration hours may be established to facilitate team synchronization across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical senior UX/Product Designer roles in Western Europe, adjusted for Portugal's cost of living and the company's stated growth trajectory and funding stage. Benefits are inferred from typical offerings at well-funded tech startups, particularly those emphasizing a global, remote culture and innovation. The mention of "fully remote team" and "AI Native Organization" are key indicators for benefit expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically Agentic AI, Enterprise Software, and AI-powered Content Localization/Management. Company Size: A growing Series C company, likely in the range of 200-500 employees globally, with a significant portion of the team being fully remote. Founded: Smartcat was founded in 2013, indicating a mature startup that has navigated various growth stages and is now in a significant expansion phase.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is part of a larger Product organization, working within "empowered product teams" that include Product Managers and Engineers.
• The reporting structure likely involves a Design Lead or Head of Product/Design, with direct collaboration across functional lines.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, emphasizing close partnerships between Design, Product, and Engineering to drive innovation and execution.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasizing the use of metrics and user research to inform strategy and design choices.
• Agile Development: Likely employing agile methodologies for rapid iteration and continuous delivery of product updates.
• AI Integration: A core philosophy of embedding AI across all aspects of the organization, including product development and internal workflows.
• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and serving user needs through research and iterative design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights "Agentic AI," "hybrid workforces," and a "fully remote team" across 30+ countries. This suggests a culture that values innovation, autonomy, diversity, and high performance in a distributed environment. The "Culture Code" link implies a formal articulation of these values.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a position that requires significant experience, autonomy, and the ability to influence product strategy. It's a crucial individual contributor role with leadership potential within the design function.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will report to a Design Lead or Head of Product/Design. They will work within cross-functional "empowered product teams," collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers.

Operations Impact: The designer's impact is directly tied to shaping the user experience of a platform that is redefining a $100B+ industry. Success means creating intuitive, intelligent, and scalable solutions that drive user adoption, satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue growth for Smartcat's enterprise clients. The role is pivotal in translating complex AI technology into tangible business value for users.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer role, managing a team or a specific product vertical, and mentoring junior designers.
• Strategic Influence: Deepen involvement in product strategy, contributing significantly to the long-term vision and roadmap.
• Specialization: Develop expertise in cutting-edge areas like Agentic AI design, human-AI collaboration interfaces, or complex B2B SaaS UX.
• Innovation Champion: Lead initiatives around new design tools, AI integration in design, and evolving design processes.
• Cross-functional Expertise: Gain deep understanding of product management, engineering processes, and enterprise sales cycles within a high-growth tech company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Why You Should Join Our Team" section strongly emphasizes strategic partnership and driving the future of UX. The "Ramp" timeline (Day 30, 60, 90) outlines a clear path for increasing responsibility and impact, indicative of growth potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote. Smartcat operates as a globally distributed, remote-first organization, with no requirement for physical office attendance for this role. Office Location(s): While the role is remote-in-Portugal, Smartcat has employee hubs or concentrations in locations like Boston, Belgrade, Lisbon, Tbilisi, and Yerevan. This indicates a global presence and a distributed workforce.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative and Autonomous: The environment fosters close collaboration within product teams while granting significant autonomy to individuals to manage their work and time effectively.
• Tech-Forward: Access to cutting-edge design and AI tools is expected, supporting innovation and efficiency.
• Global Interaction: Opportunities to connect and collaborate with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds across numerous countries.
• Focus on Impact: The culture prioritizes delivering high-impact results and contributing to the company's ambitious growth trajectory.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a hallmark of remote-first companies. While core collaboration times will likely be established to ensure team synchronicity, individuals have autonomy in structuring their workday to meet responsibilities and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Fully remote team" and "global team of 200+ people spread across 30+ countries" directly inform the work environment. The emphasis on "AI Native Organization" and "shape how AI transforms the workplace" suggests a forward-thinking, tech-centric remote culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Deep dive into experience, design philosophy, and role expectations with the hiring manager (likely Design Lead or Head of Product).
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Presentation of a pre-prepared portfolio case study, potentially followed by a collaborative design exercise or problem-solving session with team members. This stage assesses design skills, process, and communication.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to work within a team.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., CPO, Head of Engineering) for final alignment on strategy, culture, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that highlight your end-to-end process, strategic thinking, and impact on user experience and business outcomes. Prioritize B2B SaaS or complex platform examples if possible.
• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: problem, your role, process, challenges, solutions, and measurable results. Clearly articulate why you made specific design decisions.
• Highlight Figma Mastery: Be prepared to walk through your Figma files, showcasing your proficiency in creating design systems, complex components, and interactive prototypes.
• Demonstrate User-Centricity: Clearly show how user research informed your designs and how you validated your solutions. Include data points or metrics where available.
• Emphasize AI Integration (if applicable): If you have experience using AI tools in your design process, be ready to discuss how they enhanced your work.
• Articulate Impact: Quantify your contributions wherever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction scores).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with Smartcat's product, the Agentic AI space, and the challenges of multilingual content management.
• Practice Problem-Solving: Be ready to tackle a realistic design problem that requires you to think critically, empathize with users, and propose creative solutions.
• Communicate Your Process: During a design challenge, focus on articulating your thought process as much as the final solution. Explain your assumptions and how you would validate them.
• Time Management: Be mindful of time constraints during any practical exercises.

📝 Enhancement Note: The focus on "empowered product teams," "strategy," and "user research" suggests that the interview will be rigorous and focused on strategic thinking and process, not just UI execution. The emphasis on AI integration also means candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or interest in this area.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all aspects of design, from wireframing and prototyping to high-fidelity UI design and component management. Expert-level proficiency is required.
• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities, potentially supplemented by tools like InVision, Axure, or ProtoPie for more complex interactions.
• User Research Platforms: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Hotjar, or SurveyMonkey for conducting and analyzing user feedback.
• Design System Tools: Figma's component libraries, potentially integrated with tools like Zeroheight or Storybook for documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior and support data-driven design decisions.
• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret data presented in dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Looker) to inform design.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct design tool, understanding how design impacts CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation workflows can be beneficial for B2B SaaS.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a required expert-level skill. The mention of AI tools suggests familiarity with AI-powered design assistants (e.g., Galileo, Uizard, Midjourney for ideation) or general AI platforms that can aid in research synthesis or content generation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & AI-Native: A strong drive to leverage cutting-edge technology, particularly AI, to push boundaries and redefine industries. Expectation to actively use and manage AI agents.
• High Performance & Results-Oriented: A focus on achieving ambitious growth targets (10x, 100M ARR, 1B valuation) and delivering exceptional outcomes.
• User-Centricity: Deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of enterprise clients through thoughtful design and research.
• Global Collaboration & Diversity: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment where team members from various backgrounds can thrive.
• Ownership & Autonomy: Empowering individuals to take responsibility for their work and drive initiatives forward in a fast-paced startup setting.
• Continuous Improvement: Encouraging experimentation with new tools, methods, and workflows to elevate quality and velocity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Seamless integration with Product Management and Engineering is key, operating within "empowered product teams."
• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and transparent communication, especially in a remote setting.
• Feedback Culture: Receptiveness to feedback and a willingness to iterate based on input from peers and stakeholders.
• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly states "Smartcat Culture: Where Diversity Meets High Performance" and emphasizes being an "AI Native Organization." These are core pillars that shape the expected working style and values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Complexity: Translating sophisticated Agentic AI capabilities into intuitive and usable interfaces for enterprise users.
• Scalability of Design: Ensuring the design system and user experience can scale effectively as the platform and user base grow rapidly.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Integrating novel AI features while maintaining ease of use and clear value proposition for customers.
• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and building relationships within a diverse, globally distributed, and remote-first team.
• Pace of Change: Adapting to the rapid evolution of AI technology and the fast-paced startup environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge AI Exposure: Direct involvement in designing products at the forefront of Agentic AI innovation.
• Advanced Design System Development: Opportunity to contribute significantly to a mature and evolving design system.
• Strategic Product Input: Influence product direction and strategy based on user insights and design expertise.
• Professional Skills Enhancement: Access to training, workshops, and conferences focused on design, AI, and product development.
• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by experienced leaders or to mentor junior designers as the team grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are derived from the nature of the product (Agentic AI), the company stage (fast-growing startup), and the work environment (remote, global). Growth opportunities are aligned with senior-level progression and the unique aspects of working with AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you partnered with Product and Engineering to define product strategy. How did your design perspective influence the outcome?" (Focus: Strategic partnership, influence)
• "Walk us through a complex B2B SaaS product you designed. What were the key user challenges, and how did you address them through research and design?" (Focus: Problem-solving, user-centricity, process)
• "How do you approach building or evolving a design system for a rapidly growing product? What are the key considerations for scalability and adoption?" (Focus: System thinking, scalability, collaboration)
• "Describe your experience using AI tools in your design process. How did they impact your workflow or the quality of your output?" (Focus: Innovation, AI adoption, efficiency)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Smartcat's mission and the Agentic AI space?" (Focus: Alignment with company vision)
• "How do you contribute to a positive and productive remote team culture?" (Focus: Remote work, collaboration, cultural fit)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and AI technologies?" (Focus: Continuous learning, curiosity)
• "Describe a situation where you received constructive feedback on your design. How did you respond and incorporate it?" (Focus: Receptiveness to feedback, growth mindset)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of Smartcat and the role, then present your chosen case studies, dedicating 5-7 minutes per case. Conclude with Q&A and a discussion about how your skills align with Smartcat's needs.
• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling narratives. Emphasize the "why" behind your design decisions and the impact of your work.
• Visuals: Ensure your slides are clean, professional, and visually engaging, mirroring your design quality. Highlight key screens, user flows, and research findings.
• Figma Walkthrough: Be prepared to share your screen and navigate a relevant Figma file to demonstrate your proficiency, design system approach, and prototyping skills.
• Metrics & Outcomes: Clearly articulate the results of your work, using data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate value.
• AI Integration Discussion: Be ready to discuss your thoughts on AI in design, even if your direct experience is limited, showcasing your curiosity and forward-thinking approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Questions will likely probe strategic thinking, problem-solving methodologies, collaboration skills in a remote setting, and familiarity with AI concepts, given the company's focus. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring a structured and persuasive delivery.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Smartcat careers portal https://www.smartcat.com/career/?gh_jid=5807267004.
• Curate a compelling portfolio that showcases 2-3 in-depth case studies demonstrating your end-to-end design process, strategic thinking, and measurable impact, with a strong emphasis on Figma proficiency and user-centered methodologies.
• Tailor your resume to highlight experience with B2B SaaS products, AI-related design (if applicable), design systems, user research, and collaboration within cross-functional, remote teams.
• Prepare a concise and engaging presentation of your portfolio, ready to articulate your design rationale, process, and outcomes effectively.
• Research Smartcat's product, mission, and culture thoroughly, paying particular attention to their "AI Native Organization" approach and their impact on the multilingual content industry.

⚠️ 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.