Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: Synthesia
Location: Europe (Remote-friendly with office options in London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, or Munich)
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design / UX/UI
Date Posted: 2025-10-27
Experience Level: Senior (5+ years)
Remote Status: Remote OK (Hybrid options available)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the design vision for core video creation capabilities, focusing on core video creation experiences from ideation to launch and beyond.
• Reimagine user experience and workflows for creating high-quality videos with ease, blending interaction design, systems thinking, and AI.
• Define and develop new interaction paradigms for video creation tools, supporting advanced features like dynamic branching and knowledge integration.
• Collaborate extensively with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and fellow Designers to translate complex user needs into intuitive and powerful UX solutions.
• Shape foundational user experience questions related to the blend of scripted video and interactivity, pushing the boundaries of AI-powered content creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer with a strong emphasis on defining new product areas and core functionalities within Synthesia's AI video creation platform. The focus on "core video creation capabilities" and "reimagining the tools and workflows" suggests a significant opportunity for impact and strategic influence on the product's direction and user experience. The mention of "systems thinking" and "defining new interaction paradigms" indicates a need for a designer who can think holistically about complex product ecosystems.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Contribute to the overarching design vision for Synthesia's core video creation experience, guiding the product from initial concept through to a shipped Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and subsequent iterations.
• Partner closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and other Designers to translate intricate user needs and business requirements into intuitive, powerful, and scalable UX solutions for video creation.
• Define and champion new interaction paradigms for video creation tools, including innovative approaches to dynamic branching, seamless knowledge integration, and compelling visual storytelling.
• Extend, refine, or challenge existing design patterns within the editor to effectively support new user flows such as decision trees, sophisticated prompt design, and complex scene logic.
• Address and solve fundamental UX challenges, such as how to effectively blend scripted video content with interactive elements to enhance user engagement and educational outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and hands-on approach to product design. The emphasis on defining "new interaction paradigms" and "foundational UX questions" suggests that this role requires a designer capable of not just executing existing designs but also pioneering new design methodologies and solutions for complex, AI-driven creative tools. The requirement to "extend (or challenge) existing patterns" points towards a need for a designer who can balance innovation with consistency within the established design system.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in design principles, human-computer interaction, or a related field is implied by the experience requirements.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of end-to-end experience in designing complex SaaS tools or intricate web-based products is required.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of experience designing end-to-end user experiences for Software as a Service (SaaS) tools or complex web products.
• A robust portfolio showcasing proven systems thinking, advanced interaction design skills, and a demonstrated ability to bring clarity to ambiguous problem spaces.
• Prior experience designing creation tools or platforms; candidates should be adept at balancing powerful functionality with user-friendliness, making sophisticated tools feel intuitive.
• Strong product intuition and a highly collaborative spirit, comfortable proposing bold ideas and iterating rapidly with Product Managers and Engineers.
• Deep user empathy and a commitment to making novel technologies approachable and useful for a diverse user base.
• A pronounced bias toward action, with a proven track record of moving fast, testing ideas quickly, and shipping iteratively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing interfaces for AI/LLM-powered applications or conversational UI.
• A keen interest in motion design and advanced interactive prototyping techniques.
• Experience in building and maintaining design systems or working with visual branching logic frameworks.
• Exceptional visual design craft and sophisticated storytelling skills through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of strategic thinking (systems thinking, product intuition) and practical execution (end-to-end design, iterative shipping). The "preferred skills" suggest areas where candidates can differentiate themselves, particularly in the rapidly evolving AI and advanced prototyping domains. The explicit mention of "SaaS tools or complex web products" indicates a need for designers familiar with the nuances of enterprise software design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design processes for complex SaaS products or web platforms, detailing problem identification, user research, ideation, prototyping, and final implementation.
• Demonstrate strong systems thinking by illustrating how designs integrate into broader product ecosystems, maintain consistency, and scale effectively.
• Highlight interaction design expertise through detailed case studies of challenging user flows, demonstrating how complex functionalities were made intuitive and user-friendly.
• Present clear examples of how ambiguity in problem spaces was navigated, showing the process of defining requirements, exploring solutions, and arriving at a refined design.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user research and needs analysis, including methods for uncovering user pain points and opportunities within complex creation workflows.
• Illustrate your process for translating user needs and business goals into intuitive and powerful UX solutions, emphasizing iterative design and feedback loops.
• Provide examples of how you have designed for complex creation tools, balancing advanced features with ease of use and accessibility for a wide range of users.
• Showcase your collaboration process with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers, demonstrating how you integrate diverse perspectives to achieve optimal product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are geared towards showcasing a designer's ability to handle complexity, think systemically, and drive significant product initiatives. The emphasis on "systems thinking," "ambiguous problem spaces," and "end-to-end design" indicates that Synthesia is looking for designers who can operate at a strategic level and contribute to the foundational architecture of their product's user experience.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not explicitly stated, for a Senior Product Designer role in Europe with 5+ years of experience, particularly in a high-growth Series D startup like Synthesia, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €80,000 - €120,000 annually, potentially higher depending on specific location, candidate experience, and negotiation. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major European tech hubs and the company's valuation and funding stage.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary & Stock Options: A strong compensation package including salary and equity in a fast-growing Series D startup, reflecting the company's valuation and growth trajectory.
• Remote-Friendly Environment: Flexibility to work remotely across Europe, with the option to utilize well-equipped offices in London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, or Munich for collaborative work or personal preference.
• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave, plus public holidays specific to the employee's country of residence, ensuring a healthy work-life balance.
• Paid Parental Leave: Comprehensive paid parental leave to support new parents.
• Regular Social Events: Opportunities to connect with colleagues through organized social activities, fostering team cohesion and a positive work environment.
• Generous Referral Scheme: Incentives for referring qualified candidates, indicating a culture that values employee contributions to team growth.
• Significant Career Growth: A substantial opportunity for career advancement, given the role's impact on a market-defining product and the company's rapid growth phase.

Working Hours: Based on standard industry practice and the mention of "40" (implied from typical full-time roles), expect a standard full-time work week, likely around 40 hours. The remote-friendly nature may offer some flexibility in scheduling, but core collaboration hours will be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is comprehensive and competitive, reflecting Synthesia's status as a well-funded, high-growth tech company. The emphasis on remote flexibility, coupled with office options, caters to a modern workforce. The inclusion of stock options is a key indicator of the company's intent to align employee success with company growth, especially for senior roles. The "huge opportunity for career growth" is a significant draw for ambitious professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Synthesia operates within the rapidly advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Video Production technology sector, specifically focusing on AI-powered video communication platforms. This places them at the forefront of digital content creation and business communication trends, where video is increasingly dominant.

Company Size: Synthesia is a Series D startup with a valuation of $2.1 billion and over $330 million in funding. While exact employee numbers are not provided, this indicates a company that has scaled significantly beyond its early stages, likely employing several hundred individuals, and is now operating with more established processes and structures while retaining a startup's agility.

Founded: Founded in an AI lab, Synthesia has a strong research and development heritage. The company's rapid growth and recent funding rounds suggest a dynamic, innovation-driven environment focused on pushing the boundaries of AI in video.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely composed of specialized roles (Product Designers, UX Researchers, potentially UI Designers) working in close collaboration. As a Senior Product Designer, you would be expected to contribute to the strategic direction of the team and mentor junior members.
• The role emphasizes close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and Research teams, indicating a cross-functional, agile development environment.
• Reporting lines for Senior Product Designers typically lead to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or Director of Product.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Synthesia's rapid growth and focus on user needs suggest a data-informed approach to product development, utilizing analytics and user feedback to guide design decisions.
• Agile & Iterative Development: The emphasis on moving fast, testing ideas quickly, and shipping iteratively points to an agile methodology, where design and development cycles are short and responsive.
• User-Centric Design: The core value of "Put the Customer First" underscores a commitment to deep user understanding and designing solutions that genuinely address customer needs.

Company Website: https://www.synthesia.io/

📝 Enhancement Note: Synthesia's positioning as a leader in AI video creation, backed by substantial funding and a strong investor base, suggests a high-performance culture. The emphasis on "fast & experimental" and "own it & go direct" values indicates a proactive, results-oriented environment where initiative is rewarded. The company's mission to make video easy for everyone is a strong unifying purpose.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and responsibility. Senior designers are expected to lead design initiatives for significant product areas, mentor other designers, influence product strategy, and possess a deep understanding of complex systems and user needs. They are crucial in translating abstract product vision into tangible, user-friendly experiences.

Reporting Structure: As a Senior Product Designer, you would likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or Director of Product. You will work very closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads for specific product areas or features you are responsible for. The role involves significant cross-functional collaboration, acting as a key design voice within product development teams.

Operations Impact: The impact of this Senior Product Designer role is substantial, as it directly shapes the "core video creation capabilities" of Synthesia's AI platform. This includes redefining how users interact with sophisticated tools to produce high-quality videos, which is central to Synthesia's value proposition. Successful designs will directly influence user adoption, satisfaction, retention, and ultimately, revenue by making video creation more accessible and efficient for businesses.

Growth Opportunities:

• Product Leadership: Opportunity to lead design for new, strategic product areas, potentially growing into a Principal Designer or Design Lead role.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven interfaces, complex creation tools, and interactive video design, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Mentorship & Team Development: Mentor junior designers, contribute to design system evolution, and help shape the design culture and processes at Synthesia.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Gain experience influencing product strategy and roadmap decisions by effectively communicating design rationale and user insights to senior leadership.
• Market Impact: Contribute to a market-defining product in a rapidly growing industry, offering significant professional development and recognition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title is a key indicator that this role is not just about execution but also about strategic contribution and leadership within the design function. The emphasis on shaping "new product areas" and "core capabilities" suggests significant ownership and the potential for substantial career progression within Synthesia, especially given the company's growth trajectory.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Synthesia offers a hybrid work model. Employees can choose to work remotely or from one of their physical offices located in London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, or Munich. This provides flexibility while acknowledging the value of in-person collaboration for certain activities.

Office Location(s):

• London, United Kingdom
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Munich, Germany

These locations are strategically chosen in major European tech hubs, offering accessibility and a vibrant professional ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The offices are likely designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and potentially open-plan spaces that facilitate spontaneous interactions and team discussions.
• Technology & Tools: As a tech company, expect access to modern hardware, reliable internet, and the necessary software and tools to support design work, including high-performance workstations and relevant design/prototyping software.
• Team Interaction: For those opting to work from an office, there will be ample opportunity for direct interaction with design, product, and engineering teams, promoting a strong sense of team cohesion and a culture of shared problem-solving.

Work Schedule: While a standard full-time work week (likely around 40 hours) is expected, the remote-friendly policy suggests a degree of flexibility in daily scheduling. Core collaboration hours will be necessary to ensure effective teamwork with colleagues across different time zones and locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model and strategically located offices indicate a company that values both flexibility and the benefits of in-person collaboration. This setup is designed to attract a diverse talent pool across Europe while maintaining a connected and productive work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, role fit, and interest.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Design Lead or Head of Product Design) focusing on experience, approach to design challenges, and alignment with team needs.
• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, walking through key case studies. This may be accompanied by a design challenge (e.g., a take-home assignment or an in-session problem-solving exercise) to assess practical skills, systems thinking, and problem-solving methodology.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Researchers to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work within a cross-functional team.
• Final Round: Potentially a discussion with senior leadership or a final Q&A session to assess overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and, most importantly, the measurable impact of your work (e.g., user adoption, efficiency gains, task completion rates).
• Showcase Systems Thinking: Highlight projects where you had to consider the broader product ecosystem, design for scalability, or maintain consistency across multiple features or platforms. Use diagrams or flowcharts to illustrate complex systems.
• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: For ambiguous problem spaces, clearly outline your approach to defining the problem, gathering insights, and iterating towards a solution. Show your thought process, not just the final output.
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that involved designing complex creation tools, SaaS products, or involved AI/interactive elements, aligning with Synthesia's core business.
• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to dive deep into your design decisions, justify your choices, and discuss trade-offs made during the design process.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem statement and Synthesia's product.
• Structure Your Approach: For in-session challenges, think aloud. Clearly outline your assumptions, the steps you'll take, and the rationale behind your decisions.
• Focus on Process: Interviewers will be evaluating your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate your thinking, not just the final deliverable.
• Consider AI & Interactivity: Given Synthesia's domain, try to incorporate elements that reflect an understanding of AI-powered tools and interactive design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, focusing on both strategic design thinking and practical execution. A well-curated portfolio that demonstrates the ability to handle complex, AI-driven product design challenges is crucial. The emphasis on "systems thinking" and "ambiguous problem spaces" suggests that candidates should be ready to articulate their thought processes and problem-solving methodologies in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry standards for collaborative design), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, ProtoPie (for advanced interactive prototypes).
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Notion (Synthesia uses Notion publicly, suggesting internal use for documentation and project tracking).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics – for understanding user behavior, feature adoption, and engagement metrics.
• User Feedback Tools: Hotjar, UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey – for gathering qualitative feedback and insights.

CRM & Automation: (Less direct for a Product Designer, but understanding is beneficial)

• While not directly used by designers, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context for how user data is managed and how product features integrate with sales and marketing workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, Figma is the de facto standard for collaborative design in SaaS companies. Expect proficiency in a robust prototyping tool to be essential for demonstrating interaction design. Familiarity with product analytics platforms will be beneficial for understanding user behavior and impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Put the Customer First: A core tenet, emphasizing a deep understanding of user needs and designing solutions that deliver maximum value and usability. This translates to prioritizing user research, feedback, and empathy in all design decisions.
• Own it & Go Direct: Encourages proactivity, accountability, and direct communication. Designers are expected to take ownership of their projects, identify challenges, and propose solutions without needing constant oversight.
• Be Fast & Experimental: Promotes a culture of rapid iteration, hypothesis testing, and learning from both successes and failures. Designers should be comfortable with ambiguity and quick to adapt based on new information or feedback.
• Make the Journey Fun: Fosters a positive, engaging, and supportive work environment. This suggests a culture where collaboration is enjoyable, and team members are encouraged to build strong relationships.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires tight collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers, indicating a highly integrated and communicative approach to product development.
• Open Feedback Loops: The "Be Fast & Experimental" value implies a willingness to give and receive constructive feedback openly and regularly, essential for iterative design processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Synthesia's public Notion page suggests a commitment to transparency and knowledge sharing, likely extending to internal design practices and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Synthesia's values are clearly articulated and strongly support a dynamic, user-focused, and collaborative work environment. For a Senior Product Designer, embodying "Own it & Go Direct" and "Be Fast & Experimental" will be key to success, alongside the fundamental "Put the Customer First" principle.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining Novel Interfaces: Designing intuitive interfaces for cutting-edge AI video creation tools, where user paradigms may not yet be established, presents a significant creative and technical challenge.
• Balancing Power and Simplicity: Creating tools that are both powerful enough for advanced users and simple enough for beginners requires careful consideration of feature discoverability, progressive disclosure, and overall user journey mapping.
• Rapid Iteration in a Fast-Paced Environment: Synthesia's "Be Fast & Experimental" culture means designers must adapt quickly to changing priorities, user feedback, and technological advancements, requiring strong time management and resilience.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent vision and execution across design, product, and engineering teams, especially in a remote or hybrid setting, can be challenging but is crucial for product success.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Emerging Tech: Gain deep expertise in AI-driven product design, user interfaces for generative AI, and the future of video communication technology.
• Advanced Design Systems: Contribute to and evolve sophisticated design systems that support complex product ecosystems and rapid feature development.
• Product Strategy Influence: Develop strategic thinking and leadership skills by actively shaping the product roadmap and design vision for core product areas.
• Industry Exposure: Work with industry-leading investors and partners, and within a rapidly growing market that attracts significant attention.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working at the forefront of AI and product innovation. They offer significant opportunities for growth, particularly for a designer eager to tackle complex problems and shape the future of a rapidly evolving technology.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design an entirely new interaction paradigm for a complex tool. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your systems thinking, user research, and iterative design approach.)
• "How would you approach balancing powerful features with ease of use in a video creation tool for a diverse user base, from beginners to experts?" (Highlight your understanding of progressive disclosure, intuitive UI patterns, and user segmentation.)
• "Synthesia's core value is 'Put the Customer First.' Can you share an example where you used customer insights to significantly change a product direction or design decision?" (Demonstrate your user empathy and data-driven approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Synthesia's mission and its role in the AI video space?" (Research Synthesia's mission, recent news, and the broader AI video market.)
• "How do you embody the value 'Own it & Go Direct' in your design work and team collaborations?" (Prepare examples of taking initiative, driving projects forward, and proactively solving problems.)
• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, experimental environment. How do you manage your workflow and maintain quality?" (Align your answer with Synthesia's "Be Fast & Experimental" value.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your role and the project's goals. For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific contributions, the process (research, ideation, iteration), key design decisions, and the measurable outcomes.
• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes (if applicable), and relevant diagrams (user flows, system architecture) to illustrate your thinking and designs.
• Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives. Explain the 'why' behind your decisions and how they addressed user needs and business objectives.
• Focus on Seniority: Emphasize your strategic contributions, systems thinking, and ability to lead design initiatives. Discuss how you influenced product strategy and collaborated with senior stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of user-centered design for complex tools, and alignment with Synthesia's core values. Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and articulate your design process and decision-making rationale.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Synthesia careers portal via the provided Greenhouse link.
• Craft a compelling resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of experience in SaaS/complex web product design, emphasizing achievements and quantifiable results. Integrate keywords like "Product Design," "UX/UI," "Interaction Design," "Systems Thinking," and "SaaS."
• Prepare your portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating end-to-end design processes, systems thinking, and experience with creation tools or complex web products. Prioritize projects that show your ability to tackle ambiguous problems and drive impact.
• Research Synthesia: Familiarize yourself with Synthesia's product, mission, values, and recent company news. Understand their target audience and the competitive landscape of AI video creation.
• Practice your narrative: Be ready to eloquently articulate your design process, justify your design decisions, and discuss your experiences with collaboration, problem-solving, and user empathy, aligning with Synthesia's values.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Synthesia before making application decisions.