Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Virtual Peaker Location: Louisville, Kentucky (Remote) Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Date Posted: 2025-08-04 Experience Level: 7+ Years Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design process, from conceptualization to final UI, for innovative clean energy solutions.
• Lead user research initiatives and usability testing to deeply understand customer needs and validate design solutions, directly impacting product strategy.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering to translate complex requirements into intuitive and engaging user experiences across web and mobile platforms.
• Develop and maintain a consistent design language and brand identity across all Virtual Peaker products and marketing materials, ensuring a cohesive user journey.
• Utilize a strong command of industry-standard design tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite to produce high-fidelity prototypes and detailed design specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role clearly emphasizes a senior level of responsibility, requiring leadership in design strategy and execution. The focus on clean energy and building the "utility of the future" suggests a mission-driven environment where design directly contributes to solving significant environmental challenges. This implies a need for designers who are not only skilled but also passionate about the company's mission and can translate complex technical concepts into user-friendly interfaces. The company's small, remote-first nature suggests a high degree of autonomy and impact for the individual.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Product Management to identify user needs, rapidly prototype concepts, and iterate on designs based on testing and feedback to deliver optimal solutions.
• Translate user research insights and business requirements into comprehensive UX strategies, information architecture, application flows, and detailed wireframes.
• Conduct and facilitate customer and end-user research, synthesis, and usability testing sessions to validate design concepts and gather actionable feedback.
• Lead the creation of both low-fidelity (sketches, paper prototypes) and high-fidelity visual prototypes to effectively communicate UI solution concepts and interaction models.
• Define, design, and apply core interface and interaction principles, frameworks, and a consistent design language across all product touchpoints.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Brand teams to ensure consistency in iconography, visual design, and overall brand expression across digital products and marketing collateral.
• Facilitate brainstorming sessions and design reviews, leveraging sketching and prototyping skills to generate innovative UI concepts and gather input from cross-functional stakeholders.
• Prepare detailed design specifications and documentation to guide engineering implementation and ensure the fidelity of the final product.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "rapidly build prototypes, test and iterate" highlights a fast-paced, agile design environment. The responsibility to "Facilitate and participate in customer and end-user research/synthesis" and "Lead usability test and validation sessions" indicates a hands-on approach to user-centric design, moving beyond purely conceptual work to active validation. The requirement to "Define, design and apply interface and interaction principles and frameworks" points to a need for strategic thinking in establishing design standards.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Arts, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Media Arts, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in crafting user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designs for web applications, mobile-web, iOS, and Android platforms.
• Proven track record of designing for responsive web applications, ensuring seamless experiences across various devices and screen sizes.
• Demonstrated experience in past user experience and visual design work for both desktop and touch interface devices.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in Figma for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.
• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator) for asset creation and visual design.
• Experience with collaboration and ideation tools such as Miro.
• Strong ability to communicate design concepts effectively through sketching, wireframing, and paper prototyping.
• Skill in creating detailed information architecture, application flows, and wireframes.
• Experience in conducting and facilitating usability testing and user research.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills for working with product management, engineering, and marketing teams.
• Understanding of branding principles and ability to maintain design consistency.

Preferred Skills:

• A demonstrated interest, experience, and passion for clean energy, renewable energy technologies, smart home technologies, and smart grid systems.
• Experience with advanced prototyping tools beyond Figma.
• Familiarity with front-end development concepts to better inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "7+ years work experience" for "crafting user interface design in web, mobile-web, iOS and Android apps" clearly defines this as a senior-level role. The requirement for fluency in specific tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Miro is critical and should be a primary focus for applicants. The "Nice to Have" section about clean energy passion is a significant differentiator for this specific company and role, indicating a desire for cultural and mission alignment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end product design processes for complex digital products.
• Highlight projects that involved user research, persona development, journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design.
• Include examples of how you translated user insights and business goals into impactful design solutions.
• Demonstrate proficiency in problem-solving and iterative design, showing your process for refining designs based on feedback and testing.
• Feature projects that required designing for responsive web applications and potentially mobile interfaces.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the design process followed for each featured project, detailing user research methodologies, ideation techniques, and validation strategies.
• Showcase the creation of information architecture, user flows, and wireframes as key deliverables.
• Provide evidence of rapid prototyping skills (e.g., paper prototypes, interactive digital prototypes) used for concept validation.
• Illustrate how you collaborated with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering) throughout the design lifecycle.
• Include examples of how design decisions were informed by data, user feedback, and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of the role and the emphasis on collaboration and iteration, the portfolio should not just be a collection of final designs but a clear narrative of the design process. Applicants need to demonstrate how they approach problems, conduct research, iterate, and collaborate to arrive at effective solutions, particularly in a fast-paced environment. Highlighting experience with Figma and rapid prototyping will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in remote US roles with 7+ years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated between $120,000 - $160,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Equity/Stock Options: Opportunity to own a piece of the company's growth.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
• Retirement Savings: Generous 401k plan with potential company match.
• Remote Work Support: Remote-work stipend to enhance home office setup.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous vacation time, sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for growth within a mission-driven startup.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, likely around 40 hours, with flexibility expected due to the remote nature and collaborative team environment. The company culture encourages proactive engagement and contribution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Since no specific salary was provided, an estimated range has been generated based on standard compensation for a Senior Product Designer role in the US with the specified experience level and the remote work arrangement. The benefits listed are directly from the job description, highlighting the comprehensive package offered by Virtual Peaker.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Clean Energy Technology / Software as a Service (SaaS) Company Size: Small (Likely <50 employees, given "small remote-first team" description) Founded: Virtual Peaker was founded with a mission to support renewable energy integration into the grid.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely small and integrated within product development teams.
• The Senior Product Designer will report to a Head of Product or CTO, working closely with Product Managers and Engineers.
• Cross-functional collaboration is central, with designers working directly with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Leadership.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on user research, usability testing, and data analysis to inform design decisions and product strategy.
• Agile Development: Iterative design and development cycles, requiring rapid prototyping and continuous feedback loops.
• Mission-Oriented: A strong focus on the company's mission to solve the climate crisis and build the utility of the future, influencing all aspects of work.

Company Website: [virtual-peaker.com] (Inferred from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company is described as a "small remote-first team tackling huge problems." This suggests a startup environment with a strong emphasis on mission, impact, and individual contribution. The culture likely values proactivity, ownership, and a willingness to take on significant responsibility. The focus on solving the climate crisis implies a passionate and purpose-driven workforce.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a senior leader within the Product or Technology department (e.g., Head of Product, CTO). They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering leads. Operations Impact: This role has a significant opportunity to shape the user experience of Virtual Peaker's products, directly influencing customer adoption, satisfaction, and the company's ability to achieve its mission of advancing clean energy solutions. The design output will be critical for user engagement and the overall success of the platform.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Head of Design role as the company scales.
• Domain Expertise: Deepen expertise in the clean energy sector, becoming a valuable asset in a rapidly growing industry.
• Strategic Influence: Contribute to product strategy and roadmap decisions, leveraging design insights to guide business direction.
• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to mentor junior designers (if hired) and expand skills in areas like design systems, accessibility, and advanced prototyping.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a "Senior" role in a "small" team, the individual will have substantial influence and visibility. Growth opportunities are likely tied to the company's expansion, offering paths into leadership or specialized expertise within a critical industry. The emphasis on "taking responsibility for changing the outcome of human civilization" suggests that impact and contribution are highly valued and rewarded.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote Office Location(s): While the job posting mentions "Louisville, Kentucky (Remote)", the "Full remote position" implies that employees can work from anywhere within the US.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: The environment is entirely virtual, relying heavily on digital collaboration tools for communication and teamwork.
• Technology Enabled: Access to and proficiency with a suite of digital design and communication tools are essential for productivity.
• Team Interaction: Expect frequent virtual meetings, stand-ups, and collaborative working sessions via video conferencing and shared digital workspaces.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is typical, but the remote-first nature may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling. However, active participation in team meetings and project collaboration across different time zones (if applicable) will be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "full remote position, with remote-work stipend" confirms the nature of the workplace. This setup requires strong self-discipline, effective asynchronous communication skills, and comfort with a fully digital collaboration environment. The mention of a remote-work stipend indicates support for creating a productive home office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a brief call with HR or a hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Expect a session where you present your portfolio, discussing your process, key projects, and design philosophy. Be prepared to articulate your contributions and the impact of your work.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: A practical exercise to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design approach, and ability to translate requirements into solutions. This might involve a take-home assignment or a live design session.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Management, Engineering, and potentially other stakeholders to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.
• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your case studies as narratives, clearly outlining the problem, your process, your role, the challenges, the solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Process Focus: Emphasize your design methodology, research techniques, and iterative process. Show how you arrived at the final design, not just what the final design looks like.
• Tool Proficiency: Clearly demonstrate your skills with Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Miro within your project examples.
• Impact & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased user satisfaction).
• Tailoring: If possible, tailor a portion of your presentation to Virtual Peaker's mission and potential user needs in the clean energy space.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Mission: Research Virtual Peaker's business model, target audience, and mission in the clean energy sector.
• Practice Problem-Solving: Be ready to tackle design challenges related to energy management, grid balancing, or similar concepts. Think about user needs in these contexts.
• Communication: Prepare to clearly articulate your thought process, design choices, and trade-offs during the challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "small remote-first team tackling huge problems" implies that interviews will likely assess not only design skills but also adaptability, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they can operate effectively with a high degree of autonomy and contribute significantly to the company's mission.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a key requirement.
• Adobe Creative Suite: (Photoshop, Illustrator) for graphic design, asset creation, and visual polish.
• Miro: For collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, user journey mapping, and ideation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) and the ability to interpret user data to inform design decisions would be highly beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Product Designer role, but an understanding of how design impacts CRM and sales processes could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Miro makes these tools a critical focus for any applicant. Understanding how these tools integrate into a product development workflow is key. While not listed, an awareness of product analytics tools would enhance an applicant's profile for a data-informed design role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A core value is likely centered around solving the climate crisis and advancing renewable energy.
• Innovation & Agility: As a startup, expect a culture that embraces new ideas, rapid iteration, and adaptability.
• Collaboration & Ownership: Team members are expected to work together effectively and take ownership of their contributions.
• Impact & Responsibility: A strong emphasis on individual contribution and taking responsibility for significant outcomes.
• User-Centricity: Designing with the end-user's needs and experience at the forefront.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work seamlessly with Product Managers and Engineers, participating in feature ideation and definition.
• Open Communication: Expect regular feedback loops, design reviews, and discussions across teams.
• Remote Collaboration Tools: Heavy reliance on digital platforms for communication, project management, and design collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated mission to "support our mission of building the utility of the future" and "solve the climate crisis" is central to its culture. Candidates should resonate with this purpose. The description of "everyone, from the interns on up, are critically important to our mission" highlights a culture of valuing every team member's contribution and fostering a sense of shared purpose and responsibility.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Startup Environment: Adapting to the fast-paced, often ambiguous nature of a startup, where priorities can shift quickly.
• Mission Alignment: Translating complex clean energy concepts and grid technology into intuitive user experiences for diverse user groups.
• Remote Team Dynamics: Maintaining strong connections and effective collaboration within a fully distributed team.
• Scalability: Designing systems and interfaces that can scale efficiently as the company grows and its offerings expand.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge in the rapidly evolving clean energy and smart grid technology sectors.
• Product Ownership: Taking significant ownership of product design initiatives and influencing product strategy.
• Leadership Potential: Opportunity to grow into a leadership role within the design function as the company scales.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Broad exposure to product management, engineering, marketing, and business strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of designing for the clean energy sector is unique, requiring designers to understand technical concepts related to energy grids, renewables, and potentially IoT devices. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a chance to shape a product from its early stages in a high-impact industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to design a complex user flow for a technical product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and Figma/prototyping skills).
• "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints in your design process?" (Assess strategic thinking and collaboration).
• "Describe your experience with user research and usability testing. How do you incorporate findings into your designs?" (Evaluate user-centric approach).
• "How would you approach designing a feature for our platform related to grid energy balancing or renewable energy integration?" (Test domain understanding and creative problem-solving).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Virtual Peaker's mission to support the clean energy transition?" (Gauge passion and alignment).
• "How do you typically collaborate with product managers and engineers in a remote setting?" (Assess remote collaboration skills).
• "Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders to adopt your design recommendations." (Evaluate communication and persuasion skills).
• "What are your expectations for team culture and communication in a small, remote-first startup?" (Understand cultural fit).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Present your case studies as compelling stories. Start with the problem and context, detail your process and contributions, and conclude with the impact and learnings.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your presentation slides are clean, visually appealing, and showcase your designs effectively. Use high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes where possible.
• Tool Demonstration: Be ready to briefly showcase your workflow in Figma or other relevant tools if asked.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.
• Conciseness: Stick to the most relevant aspects of each project to respect time constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the company's mission and the "small team" aspect, interviewers will likely probe for passion for clean energy, strong self-management skills, and the ability to contribute significantly from day one. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their value proposition clearly and demonstrate how their skills align with the company's ambitious goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided BambooHR link: https://virtualpeaker.bamboohr.com/careers/52
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your 7+ years of product design experience, specific achievements in UI/UX for web and mobile, and proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Miro. Integrate keywords like "user research," "prototyping," "responsive design," and "collaboration."
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 strong case studies that showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Ensure clear articulation of your role, process, and outcomes, with a strong emphasis on Figma and iterative design.
• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, process clarity, and demonstrating your ability to translate complex ideas into user-friendly designs. Be ready to discuss your passion for clean energy and how you contribute to a remote team.
• Research Virtual Peaker: Understand the company's mission, the clean energy sector, and their target audience. This will help you tailor your application and prepare for interview questions about your interest and fit.

⚠️ 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.