Senior Product Designer
π Job Overview
Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: SpotOn: Product Location: Austin, Texas Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Date Posted: October 20, 2025 Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote possible)
π Role Summary
- Drive product design strategy and execution for a mission-driven technology company serving independent restaurants and small businesses.
- Craft user experiences across web and mobile platforms, focusing on intuitive design, scalability, and user-centered principles.
- Collaborate closely with product management, engineering, and research teams to deliver high-quality, accessible, and impactful design solutions.
- Mentor junior designers, contribute to the evolution of the design system, and advocate for best practices in design and user research.
π Enhancement Note: The raw job description indicates a "Senior Product Designer" role. Based on industry standards and the responsibilities outlined (mentoring, shaping design strategy, handling complex features), this role likely requires 5-10 years of relevant professional experience. The "Remote OK" indicator suggests a hybrid or fully remote work arrangement is permissible, with potential for hybrid work from the Austin office.
π Primary Responsibilities
- Translate product requirements and user needs into thoughtful, efficient, and scalable design solutions, including user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity UI mockups, and interactive prototypes.
- Apply systems thinking to ensure design consistency, maintainability, and scalability across multiple products and features within SpotOnβs ecosystem.
- Leverage user research findings, data analytics, and stakeholder feedback to inform design decisions, validate concepts, and continuously iterate on solutions.
- Proactively identify opportunities for design innovation, anticipate user pain points, and propose scalable solutions that enhance user experience and drive business value.
- Facilitate and lead cross-functional workshops, design critiques, and collaborative sessions to foster alignment, gather feedback, and drive design progress.
- Articulate design rationale clearly and persuasively to stakeholders, demonstrating how design decisions contribute to measurable business outcomes and user satisfaction.
- Provide constructive feedback to peers and junior designers, actively participating in design critiques to elevate the overall quality and craft of the team's output.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of SpotOnβs design system, ensuring its consistent application across all products and features for a cohesive user experience.
- Plan, execute, and synthesize user research initiatives, translating insights into actionable recommendations for product improvement and strategic design direction.
- Mentor and coach junior and mid-level designers, sharing best practices, providing guidance on design challenges, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development.
π Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize a blend of execution, strategic thinking, and leadership. The role requires not just individual contribution but also the ability to influence design direction, mentor others, and ensure consistency through a design system, which is typical for a Senior Product Designer. The focus on "measurable business impact" highlights the need for a data-driven approach to design.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Product Design, UX/UI Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, OR a professional certificate from a reputable design bootcamp/program.
Experience:
- 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of designing and shipping digital products across web and mobile platforms.
- Demonstrated experience working within cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and user researchers, to deliver end-to-end design solutions.
- Experience mentoring junior designers, providing constructive feedback, and contributing to the growth of a design team.
Required Skills:
- Product Design: Comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from discovery and ideation to detailed UI design and iteration.
- UX/UI Design: Expertise in user-centered design principles, interaction design, visual design, and information architecture to create intuitive and engaging experiences.
- Design Systems: Ability to apply and contribute to design systems, ensuring consistency, scalability, and efficiency across multiple products and features.
- Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools to visualize and test design concepts.
- User Research: Skilled in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research (qualitative and quantitative) to inform design decisions and validate solutions.
- Accessibility Compliance: Strong understanding of WCAG AA accessibility standards and best practices to ensure inclusive design solutions.
- Systems Thinking: Ability to approach design challenges holistically, considering the interconnectedness of various product components and user journeys.
- Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design rationale, facilitate workshops, and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Mentoring: Proven ability to mentor junior designers, provide constructive feedback, and elevate team craft.
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with AI-powered tools and automation techniques within the design process.
- Exposure to HTML/CSS for a better understanding of front-end implementation constraints.
- Interest and/or experience in the hospitality industry, restaurant technology (POS systems), or small business services.
- Skills in motion design and illustration to enhance UI aesthetics and user engagement.
- Experience with UX Writing, content strategy, and information architecture.
- Background in service design principles and application.
π Enhancement Note: The requirements clearly emphasize a senior-level candidate with strong foundational design skills, a strategic mindset, and leadership potential. The inclusion of "Systems Thinking," "Accessibility Compliance," and "Mentoring" are key indicators of the seniority and expected impact of this role. The preferred skills offer opportunities for candidates to differentiate themselves, particularly those with industry-specific experience or advanced design capabilities.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Process Documentation: A professional design portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a clear and detailed design process from problem identification to solution delivery. This should include case studies that articulate the problem, your role, the design challenges, your approach, iterations, and the final outcome.
- Design Thinking & Problem Solving: Demonstrate your ability to analyze complex problems, define user needs, and apply design thinking methodologies to arrive at effective and user-centered solutions.
- Aesthetic Excellence: Showcase strong visual design skills, attention to detail, and a keen eye for typography, color, layout, and micro-interactions that contribute to an excellent user interface.
- Systems Thinking & Scalability: Include examples of how you've applied systems thinking to ensure design consistency, scalability, and maintainability across multiple products or features, potentially referencing your work with design systems.
- Impact & Metrics: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your design work. Include metrics, user feedback, or business outcomes that demonstrate the success and value of your contributions.
Process Documentation:
- Workflow Design: Present examples of how you've mapped out user journeys, defined user flows, and designed intuitive workflows to simplify complex tasks for users.
- System Implementation: Detail your experience contributing to or maintaining design systems, including how you ensure consistency and scalability.
- User Research Synthesis: Show how you integrate user research insights into your design process, illustrating how research findings informed design decisions and led to improvements.
π Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It must go beyond showcasing final UI screens to demonstrating the candidate's strategic thinking, problem-solving process, and ability to work within a complex product ecosystem and design system. Emphasis should be placed on how the candidate uses research and data to drive decisions and how their work impacts business goals.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Austin, Texas, with 5-10 years of experience, and considering SpotOn's status as a well-funded tech company, an estimated salary range of $130,000 - $170,000 per year is anticipated. This range is subject to variation based on the candidate's specific experience, skillset, and negotiation.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.
- Retirement Savings: 401k plan with a company match, aiding in long-term financial planning.
- Equity Ownership: Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) offering potential for wealth creation and alignment with company success.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous paid vacation, 10 company holidays, sick time, and volunteer time off to promote well-being and community engagement.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 annually for continued learning and skill enhancement.
- Community & Inclusion: Access to Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to foster a sense of belonging and support diverse backgrounds.
- Connectivity Stipend: Monthly stipend for cell phone and internet expenses, supporting remote or hybrid work arrangements.
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is based in Austin, Texas, the "Remote OK" designation suggests flexibility for hybrid or remote arrangements, allowing for some autonomy in structuring work hours, provided project deadlines and collaboration needs are met.
π Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from reputable compensation platforms for Senior Product Designers in major tech hubs like Austin, TX, factoring in the specified experience level and the company's apparent growth stage. The benefits package is comprehensive, with RSUs and tuition reimbursement being particularly attractive for senior roles.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Technology (Restaurant Tech, SaaS, Small Business Solutions) Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but Greenhouse jobs are typically posted by established companies. "Great Places to Work" and "Best Workplaces" awards suggest a company that values its employees and has a significant number of employees. Founded: The founding date is not provided.
Team Structure:
- The Product Design team likely operates within a broader Product organization, collaborating closely with Product Management, Engineering, and User Research.
- As a Senior Product Designer, you would report to a Design Lead or Head of Design and would be expected to work within an agile development environment.
- Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with designers working hand-in-hand with engineers to implement designs and with product managers to define product strategy and roadmaps.
Methodology:
- User-Centricity: A strong emphasis on understanding and serving the needs of independent restaurant operators and small business owners.
- Data-Informed Design: Leveraging user research and analytics to guide design decisions and measure impact.
- Iterative Development: Employing agile methodologies for rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration.
- Systems Approach: Maintaining consistency and scalability through a robust design system.
- Collaboration & Feedback: Fostering an environment of open communication, design critiques, and cross-functional teamwork.
Company Website: https://www.spoton.com/
π Enhancement Note: SpotOn positions itself as a company that empowers independent businesses with sophisticated technology, backed by strong human support. The "Great Places to Work" accolades suggest a culture that values employee well-being, collaboration, and impact. This is a company that likely encourages a fast-paced, results-oriented, yet supportive environment.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a significant level of expertise, autonomy, and responsibility. Senior designers are expected to lead complex projects, mentor others, and contribute to design strategy. They are key individual contributors who can also influence team direction. Reporting Structure: Typically, a Senior Product Designer would report to a Design Manager, Director of Design, or potentially a Head of Product. They would also work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific product initiatives. Operations Impact: The impact of a Senior Product Designer at SpotOn is substantial. They directly influence the usability, efficiency, and desirability of products used by thousands of real-world, independent business operators. Their work can lead to increased user adoption, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency for clients, and ultimately, revenue growth for SpotOn by making its products more competitive and valuable.
Growth Opportunities:
- Leadership Track: Potential to advance into a Lead Product Designer role, managing a small team, or a Principal Designer role, focusing on complex strategic initiatives and technical design leadership.
- Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as user research, interaction design, accessibility, or within a particular product domain (e.g., POS, payments, analytics).
- Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining deeper understanding of product management, engineering challenges, and business strategy through close collaboration.
- Industry Expertise: Developing deep knowledge of the hospitality and small business technology landscape, becoming a subject matter expert.
- Mentorship Development: Honing leadership and coaching skills through ongoing mentorship of junior designers.
π Enhancement Note: The Senior Product Designer role at SpotOn is positioned as a significant growth opportunity. It offers a clear path for leadership progression and specialization, allowing designers to deepen their craft and expand their influence within a dynamic industry. The emphasis on impact and mentorship signals a role that values both individual contribution and team development.
π Work Environment
Office Type: SpotOn is described as having "Best Workplaces" awards and is located in Austin, Texas. This suggests a modern office environment that likely supports collaboration and employee well-being. The "Remote OK" status indicates a flexible approach to work. Office Location(s): Austin, Texas. Specific office details are not provided but can be assumed to be a professional, potentially collaborative workspace. Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Hub: The Austin office likely serves as a hub for in-person collaboration, team meetings, and design critiques, fostering a strong sense of community.
- Tech-Enabled: Access to the necessary design tools and technology infrastructure to support efficient workflow and seamless collaboration, whether in-office or remote.
- Cross-functional Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other designers, promoting a holistic product development approach.
Work Schedule:
- The standard 40-hour work week provides a baseline, but the "Remote OK" status implies potential flexibility in daily scheduling, allowing designers to manage their time effectively to meet deadlines and balance personal commitments, especially when working remotely.
π Enhancement Note: The work environment at SpotOn appears to balance the benefits of a physical office presence for collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This hybrid approach is common in tech companies and aims to provide employees with the best of both worlds, fostering connection while respecting individual work preferences.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio. Be prepared to articulate your contributions and process clearly.
- Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Design Lead or Director) focusing on your experience, design philosophy, problem-solving approach, and fit with the team.
- Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A key stage where you will present a curated selection of your work, walking through case studies. This may be combined with a take-home design challenge or an in-person/virtual whiteboarding session to assess your design thinking and problem-solving skills under pressure.
- Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Researchers to assess collaboration skills, understanding of technical constraints, and ability to communicate design effectively to different disciplines.
- Final Interview: Potentially a conversation with a senior leader (e.g., VP of Product, Head of Design) to discuss strategic alignment and overall cultural fit.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best represent your senior-level capabilities, focusing on complexity, impact, and your process.
- Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role and contributions, the design process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), key decisions, and the measurable outcomes or learnings.
- Highlight Process, Not Just Pixels: Emphasize your thinking, research methods, problem-solving approach, and how you navigated challenges. Show your work-in-progress and iterations.
- Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data, metrics, or user feedback to demonstrate the success and business value of your design solutions.
- Tailor to SpotOn: If possible, subtly align your portfolio examples with the types of challenges SpotOn addresses (e.g., simplifying complex workflows for small businesses, improving user experience in a service-oriented industry).
Challenge Preparation:
- Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem statement, target users, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.
- Structure Your Approach: Outline your proposed solution logically, starting with user needs and business objectives, then moving to specific design elements and rationale.
- Focus on Process: Demonstrate your design thinking process, even if you can't fully execute a polished design. Explain your decisions and potential trade-offs.
- Accessibility & Systems: Consider how accessibility principles and design system thinking would apply to your solution.
- Presentation: Practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely, being prepared to defend your design choices and incorporate feedback.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior Product Designer is rigorous, emphasizing not only design skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to mentor. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, serving as a deep dive into the candidate's problem-solving methodology and impact.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Design & Prototyping: Figma (mastery expected), FigJam (for collaboration and brainstorming).
- Collaboration Platforms: Slack (for day-to-day communication), Jira (for project tracking and workflow management).
- Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Notion (or similar tools for organizing design documentation, research findings, and team knowledge).
- Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with other prototyping tools may be beneficial.
Analytics & Reporting:
- While not explicitly listed as a designer's tool, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) and dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker) is advantageous for understanding user behavior and data-driven insights.
CRM & Automation:
- Not directly applicable to the core design role, but understanding how CRM systems and automation impact the user experience of internal teams or clients could be beneficial.
π Enhancement Note: The specified tools like Figma, FigJam, Slack, Jira, and Notion are standard in modern product design teams. Mastery of Figma is crucial. Understanding how designers leverage analytics and reporting tools to inform their work is also a valuable asset.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- User-Centricity: Deep empathy for independent restaurant owners and small businesses, prioritizing their needs and success in all design decisions.
- Impact-Driven: A focus on delivering tangible business value and improving the lives of users through thoughtful and effective design.
- Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication, constructive feedback, and a willingness to share work and insights across teams.
- Craftsmanship & Excellence: A commitment to high standards of design quality, detail, and polish in all deliverables.
- Adaptability & Hustle: The ability to move fast, adapt to changing priorities, and tackle challenges with determination, reflecting the company's "heart and hustle" ethos.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Partnership: Designers are integrated into product teams, working closely with PMs and Engineers from concept to launch and beyond.
- Design Critiques: Regular sessions where designers present their work to peers and stakeholders for constructive feedback, fostering continuous improvement.
- Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, research findings, and design patterns to elevate the entire team's capabilities.
- Iterative Feedback Loops: Embracing feedback as an integral part of the design process, leading to more robust and user-validated solutions.
π Enhancement Note: SpotOn's culture, as described, emphasizes a blend of "heart and hustle." This suggests a passionate, dedicated team that is focused on achieving ambitious goals while maintaining a supportive and human-centric approach, especially towards its employees and its target customers.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Balancing Complexity and Simplicity: Designing intuitive solutions for complex business operations within the restaurant and small business sectors.
- Scalability Across Products: Ensuring design consistency and a cohesive user experience across a growing suite of SpotOn products.
- Data Interpretation: Effectively translating user research and product analytics into actionable design improvements.
- Mentoring and Leadership: Effectively guiding and developing junior designers while managing individual design responsibilities.
- Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to rapid iteration cycles and evolving business priorities common in a high-growth tech company.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like interaction design, advanced prototyping, or accessibility.
- Industry Knowledge: Gaining deep insights into the challenges and opportunities within the restaurant and hospitality technology space.
- Leadership Development: Cultivating mentorship and team leadership skills through formal and informal guidance.
- Design System Evolution: Contributing to the strategic direction and expansion of SpotOn's design system.
- Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Understanding product management, engineering, and business strategy through direct collaboration.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a growing tech company, particularly one focused on a specific industry. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing leadership, expanding expertise, and increasing strategic influence.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "Describe a complex product challenge you tackled. What was your process, what were the key design decisions, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving methodology, user-centricity, and ability to articulate impact.)
- "How do you approach designing for scalability and consistency across multiple products within a larger ecosystem? How have you utilized or contributed to design systems?" (Highlight your systems thinking and experience with design systems.)
- "Walk me through a time you had to influence stakeholders or cross-functional teams with your design recommendations. What was your strategy and what was the result?" (Demonstrate your communication, persuasion, and collaboration skills.)
- "How do you integrate user research and data into your design process? Can you provide an example of how insights changed your design direction?" (Showcase your data-driven approach and research synthesis skills.)
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What interests you about SpotOn and our mission to support independent restaurants?" (Research SpotOn's mission, values, and recent achievements. Connect it to your own values or career goals.)
- "How have you mentored junior designers in the past? What is your philosophy on design mentorship?" (Prepare specific examples of how you've helped others grow their skills.)
- "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you ensure effective communication and alignment with product and engineering teams?" (Align your answer with SpotOn's emphasis on cross-functional collaboration.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Selective Storytelling: Choose 3-4 projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, problem-solving skills, and impact.
- Emphasize Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), key decisions, and the final outcome/impact. Use visuals to illustrate your journey.
- Quantify Results: Whenever possible, present metrics, user feedback, or business outcomes that demonstrate the success of your design work.
- Address Constraints: Discuss any technical, business, or timeline constraints you faced and how you navigated them.
- Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design choices, your rationale, and alternative approaches you considered.
π Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing senior-level strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to demonstrate this, so practicing the narrative and anticipating questions is crucial.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:
- Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
- Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your strongest design case studies that best highlight your senior-level experience, problem-solving process, systems thinking, and impact. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, your process, key decisions, and outcomes.
- Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to emphasize experience and skills relevant to product design, UX/UI, design systems, user research, collaboration, and mentoring. Use keywords from the job description.
- Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely and engagingly, focusing on your design process and the value you deliver. Be ready to articulate your rationale and answer in-depth questions.
- Research SpotOn: Understand SpotOn's mission, products, target audience, and company culture. Be prepared to discuss why you are a good fit and how your skills align with their goals.
β οΈ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with SpotOn's hiring team before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have relevant education or training in product design and a professional portfolio showcasing their design process. Mastery of design tools and principles, along with experience in user research and mentoring, is essential.