Senior Product Designer, Core Platform

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer, Core Platform

Company: Cresta

Location: Berlin, Germany (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Platform Engineering

Date Posted: April 1, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop horizontal frameworks and shared capabilities for Cresta's core platform, impacting multiple product lines such as AI Agent, Agentic Assist, QM/Coaching, and Insights.

• Focus on creating scalable, self-servable, and customizable platform components that can be reused across products and by both internal teams and external customers/partners, rather than building point solutions.

• Collaborate closely with Platform Product Management and technical leads to define and execute the platform's strategic roadmap, ensuring cross-functional alignment and adoption.

• Champion design craft and quality, elevating the team's standards for user experience and visual design across all platform-level initiatives, including frontend frameworks, internationalization, and accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is distinctly focused on platform-level design, requiring a strategic, systems-oriented approach to building reusable components and frameworks. The emphasis is on enabling other product teams and customers, rather than designing end-user features directly. This requires a strong understanding of technical constraints, scalability, and the ability to influence across multiple teams.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and architect scalable, self-serve, and customizable platform frameworks and shared capabilities that support multiple Cresta products.

• Develop comprehensive design solutions for cross-cutting concerns such as internationalization, roles and permissions (IAM), organizational and user management, and accessibility (WCAG).

• Map and visualize data, permission, and service flows across the platform to create clear mental models for users and developers.

• Partner with Platform Product Managers and technical leads to influence the platform's strategic direction and roadmap.

• Leverage AI-native tools (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor) for rapid prototyping and concept development, translating these into robust, enterprise-ready design solutions.

• Advocate for and maintain a high bar for design quality and craft across the platform team, fostering a shared understanding of excellence.

• Drive alignment and secure buy-in from various internal squads and stakeholders, ensuring smooth adoption of platform components.

• Exercise strong judgment to balance perfection with delivery, understanding when to iterate and when to ship impactful solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate at a strategic, systems level. The emphasis on "vibe code/vibe design" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design tooling and a willingness to experiment with AI-assisted design workflows. Driving adoption and cross-squad alignment are critical for success in a platform-focused role, indicating the need for strong influencing and communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in product design, with a significant focus on designing large-scale B2B/enterprise platforms, data-rich experiences, or developer/operations tools.

• Demonstrated experience in systems thinking and designing end-to-end flows rather than isolated screens.

Required Skills:

• Systems Thinking: Ability to conceptualize and design complex, interconnected systems and reusable components.

• Interaction Design: Expertise in crafting intuitive and efficient user flows and interfaces.

• Prototyping: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes to test and communicate design concepts.

• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sense and ability to create polished, high-quality visual interfaces.

• User Research: Ability to conduct and synthesize user research to inform design decisions.

• Technical Fluency: Understanding of technical constraints and capabilities, enabling effective collaboration with engineering teams.

• AI-Native Working Style: Comfort and proficiency using AI-assisted design tools (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor) for faster prototyping and exploration.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for core platform functionalities such as IAM, internationalization, or data management.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and designing inclusive experiences.

• Experience with Design Systems and component libraries.

• Understanding of frontend development principles.

• Experience in the AI or Contact Center technology space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an "AI-native working style" is a significant differentiator, indicating Cresta's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge AI tools in their design process. This suggests candidates should not only showcase traditional design skills but also demonstrate adaptability and eagerness to integrate new technologies into their workflow. The emphasis on "systems thinking" and "end-to-end flows" is paramount for a platform designer.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Systems-Oriented Case Studies: Showcase projects that demonstrate your ability to design complex systems, reusable frameworks, and end-to-end flows, rather than isolated UI screens.

• Problem-Solving Efficacy: Highlight instances where you applied elegant and simple design solutions to intricate platform-level challenges.

• Technical Fluency Integration: Provide examples of how your designs considered technical constraints, scalability, and integration points within an enterprise context.

• User & Developer Centricity: Demonstrate designs that cater to both business users and developers, showcasing self-servability and customizability.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Present case studies that detail your process for understanding complex workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and designing optimized platform solutions.

• User Journey Mapping: Include examples of how you mapped user journeys (both business and developer) across platform services to inform your design strategy.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Document your approach to collaborating with Product Management and Engineering on platform strategy, feature definition, and execution.

• AI Tool Integration: If possible, showcase how you utilized AI tools in your design process to accelerate prototyping, ideation, or problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily weighted towards demonstrating systems thinking and the ability to design for a platform context. Candidates must illustrate their capability to think beyond individual features and consider the broader architecture, reusability, and scalability of their designs. The inclusion of AI tool usage in the portfolio is a specific expectation for this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Paid Parental Leave: Comprehensive support for new parents.

• Monthly Health & Wellness Allowance: Funds to support personal well-being.

• Work From Home Office Stipend: Assistance for setting up an effective remote workspace.

• Lunch Reimbursement: For employees working in the office.

• Generous PTO: 28 days of paid time off in Germany, in addition to public holidays.

• Equity: Stock options in a high-growth AI company.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position. Standard working hours in Germany are typically 40 hours per week. Cresta offers a hybrid work model, allowing for flexibility in scheduling and balancing in-office and remote workdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical senior-level product design roles in Berlin, Germany, considering the company's industry (AI/SaaS) and stage (startup/growth). The benefits package is typical for tech companies, with specific mention of an allowance for health/wellness and home office setup, reflecting a modern approach to employee support. The PTO is explicitly stated for Germany.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), SaaS, Contact Center Technology. Cresta operates at the intersection of AI and customer service, aiming to revolutionize how businesses interact with their customers through intelligent automation and insights.

Company Size: Cresta is a growing tech company, likely in the startup to scale-up phase, indicated by its mission and leadership team background. This suggests an environment with rapid pace, innovation, and opportunities for impact.

Founded: Cresta was founded by experienced individuals from prestigious AI and tech backgrounds (Stanford AI lab, Google Contact Center AI). This heritage implies a strong technical foundation and a focus on cutting-edge AI research and development.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "Platform" team, suggesting a dedicated group focused on foundational technologies and shared services that underpin Cresta's various product offerings.

• This role will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design, collaborating closely with Platform Product Managers and Platform Tech Leads.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Cresta's mission to "unlock the true potential of the contact center" implies a strong emphasis on data analysis to derive insights and drive product strategy.

• AI-First Approach: The company's roots in AI research and its leadership's expertise suggest an AI-first mindset, integrated into product development and operational processes.

• Agile Development: As a tech company, it's highly probable that Cresta employs agile methodologies for product development, emphasizing iterative design, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback.

Company Website: https://www.cresta.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: Cresta's background, particularly its association with Sebastian Thrun and leadership from Google's AI division, signals a company deeply invested in advanced AI research and practical application. The "Platform" designation for this role is key, indicating a focus on foundational, reusable components critical for scaling the company's offerings.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior Product Designer," indicating a mid-to-senior level position requiring significant experience and the ability to operate with autonomy. It demands strategic thinking, systems-level design, and the capacity to influence product direction beyond individual feature ownership.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report into a Design leadership role (e.g., Head of Design, Design Manager) within the Product organization. They will work in close partnership with Platform Product Managers and Engineering Tech Leads, forming a core platform development triad.

Operations Impact: The core platform is foundational to all of Cresta's products. By designing robust, scalable, and reusable frameworks (e.g., for IAM, internationalization, data management), this role directly impacts the efficiency, consistency, and speed-to-market for all new features and products. It enables other teams to build faster and more reliably, ultimately driving revenue and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in platform design, AI-native tooling, and complex enterprise systems, becoming a go-to expert in these areas.

• Leadership Potential: Transition into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role, mentoring junior designers and shaping the design strategy for the broader platform or product suite.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Expand influence across different product squads and potentially into strategic partnerships, driving platform adoption and innovation.

• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in AI-driven contact center solutions and platform design through contributions to high-impact projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and "Core Platform" focus imply significant responsibility and the potential for substantial career growth. This isn't just about executing designs; it's about shaping the foundational architecture of Cresta's technology, offering a unique opportunity for impact and advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Cresta offers a hybrid work model, suggesting a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The Berlin office likely serves as a hub for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and fostering company culture.

Office Location(s): The primary location mentioned is Berlin, Germany. This implies a physical workspace is available and expected for hybrid employees, facilitating in-person collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Design: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-squad alignment suggest a collaborative environment where designers, PMs, and engineers work closely together, both in person and virtually.

• Tooling & Technology: Employees are expected to be proficient with modern design tools (Figma) and encouraged to leverage AI-native tools (Cursor, Claude Code) for enhanced productivity. The company likely provides necessary software and hardware.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with product teams, engineering, and potentially leadership to discuss platform strategy and design challenges.

Work Schedule: As a full-time role with a hybrid arrangement, there will be flexibility in structuring the work week. While 40 hours is standard, the hybrid model allows for balancing personal needs with professional commitments, provided core collaboration hours and project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role in Berlin indicates a company that balances the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility desired by many tech professionals. This setup is conducive to a dynamic work environment where strategic discussions can occur both formally and informally.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely review your application and portfolio to assess initial fit and experience.

• Hiring Manager / Design Lead Interview: A discussion focused on your background, systems thinking approach, experience with platforms, and AI tool usage. This may include portfolio walkthrough.

• Design Challenge / Portfolio Deep Dive: A practical exercise or in-depth review of your portfolio, focusing on a specific platform design problem or a complex case study demonstration. Expect questions on your process, decision-making, and ability to articulate technical and user considerations.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Platform PMs and Tech Leads to assess collaboration style, technical fluency, and strategic alignment.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss cultural fit and overall vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Emphasize Systems Thinking: Clearly articulate how you approached designing for a platform, focusing on reusability, scalability, and impact across multiple products.

• Showcase End-to-End Flows: Prioritize case studies that demonstrate your ability to design comprehensive user journeys and system interactions, not just isolated screens.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased adoption, reduced development time, improved user satisfaction).

• Highlight AI Tool Usage: Be ready to discuss how you leveraged AI-native tools like Claude Code or Cursor in your process, explaining the benefits and outcomes.

• Technical Articulation: Prepare to discuss technical considerations, integrations, and how you collaborated with engineers to bring complex platform designs to life.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with common platform design challenges (e.g., designing an authentication system, a notification framework, or a data management interface).

• Practice articulating your design process clearly and concisely, focusing on problem definition, ideation, iteration, and final solution.

• Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and justify your design decisions, considering business goals, technical feasibility, and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the specific nature of a "Platform Product Designer" role and the emphasis on AI tools, candidates should prepare to discuss systems design methodologies and demonstrate practical experience with AI-assisted workflows. The interview process will likely probe deeply into strategic thinking and the ability to influence across teams.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected as the primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• AI-Native Design Tools: Proficiency or strong willingness to learn and use tools like Claude Code, Cursor, or similar AI-assisted design and coding environments for rapid prototyping and concept development.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, potentially tools like InVision, Framer, or custom prototyping solutions for complex interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) to understand user behavior within platform components.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how platform components integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and other enterprise software is beneficial.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Tools like Jira, Confluence, Slack, and Notion are likely used for project tracking, documentation, and team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI-native working style" and specific tools like Claude Code and Cursor is a critical differentiator for this role. Candidates should highlight their experience or enthusiasm for leveraging AI in the design process, beyond traditional design software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & AI Leadership: A commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI in the contact center space, fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous learning.

• Systems Thinking & Scalability: Prioritizing robust, scalable, and reusable solutions that form the foundation for future growth and product development.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A dedication to high standards in design, user experience, and technical implementation, ensuring elegant and effective solutions.

• Collaboration & Alignment: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the ability to drive consensus and adoption across diverse internal teams.

• Pragmatism: A focus on delivering value efficiently, understanding the balance between perfection and practical implementation ("perfect is the enemy of good").

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Synergy: Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers, product managers, and engineers work in tight-knit teams to achieve platform goals.

• Process-Oriented: A culture that values clear processes, documentation, and feedback loops to ensure consistency and efficiency in platform development.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, learnings, and insights across teams to foster collective growth and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Cresta's culture appears to be a blend of cutting-edge AI innovation, rigorous engineering principles, and a pragmatic approach to product development. The emphasis on platform design suggests a team that values long-term thinking and foundational excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Reusability: The primary challenge is designing versatile, scalable, and customizable frameworks that effectively serve diverse product needs without becoming overly generic or restrictive.

• Cross-Squad Alignment & Adoption: Ensuring that platform components meet the varied requirements of different product squads and driving widespread adoption requires strong influencing and communication skills.

• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Integrating new AI capabilities and design paradigms while maintaining platform stability and enterprise-grade reliability.

• Technical Complexity: Navigating the technical intricacies of enterprise platforms, including data management, permissions, and integrations, requires continuous learning and close engineering partnership.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI: Gain unparalleled experience in applying AI technologies to core product platforms and user experiences.

• Platform Architecture Expertise: Develop a deep understanding of enterprise software architecture, scalability, and the principles of designing effective platform components.

• Leadership in Design: Opportunities to mentor other designers, lead design initiatives within the platform team, and influence product strategy at a higher level.

• Industry Exposure: Engage with the fast-paced AI and contact center technology sectors, staying ahead of trends in user experience and platform design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity to tackle complex, foundational design challenges. Success will require not only design acumen but also strategic thinking, strong interpersonal skills, and a proactive approach to continuous learning in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a reusable component or framework. What were the key considerations, and how did you ensure its adoption?" (Focus on systems thinking, scalability, and influencing adoption.)

• "How would you approach designing a robust Roles and Permissions system for a multi-tenant SaaS platform like Cresta?" (Prepare to discuss user roles, granular permissions, and implementation considerations.)

• "Discuss your experience using AI tools in your design process. How do they enhance your workflow, and what are their limitations?" (Be ready to share specific examples with Cursor, Claude Code, or similar.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Cresta's mission and its position in the AI/Contact Center market?" (Research Cresta's product and market.)

• "How would you contribute to Cresta's culture of innovation and craftsmanship?" (Align your values with Cresta's, emphasizing AI and quality.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed (including AI tool usage), the solutions you designed, and the outcomes/impact.

• Architectural Diagrams: Use diagrams to illustrate complex systems, data flows, and how your platform components integrate.

• Demonstrate Systems Thinking: Explicitly call out how your design decisions addressed scalability, reusability, and cross-product consistency.

• Articulate Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss design decisions and the trade-offs you made, justifying your choices based on user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.

• AI Tool Demonstration (if applicable): If you have examples of AI-assisted prototypes or workflows, be ready to walk through them and explain the value.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the "platform" aspect of the role and the "AI-native working style." Candidates need to demonstrate strategic thinking, strong systems design capabilities, and practical experience with modern, AI-enhanced design workflows.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer, Core Platform position:

• Submit your application through the Cresta careers portal via the provided Greenhouse link.

• Curate Your Digital Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio prominently features 2-3 detailed case studies showcasing your systems thinking, platform design experience, and end-to-end flow design. Tailor your presentation to highlight how you've designed for reusability, scalability, and cross-product impact.

• Highlight AI Tool Proficiency: In your resume and cover letter (if applicable), specifically mention your experience or eagerness to utilize AI-native design tools like Claude Code or Cursor, and elaborate on this during the interview process.

• Prepare for Systems-Level Discussions: Anticipate interview questions that probe your understanding of enterprise platforms, technical constraints, and how to design for complex user and developer needs. Practice articulating your design process for platform-level challenges.

• Research Cresta's Vision: Understand Cresta's mission in transforming the contact center with AI and how the core platform enables this vision. Be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their goals.

⚠️ 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.

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