Senior Product Designer - Core Products

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Core Products

Company: FranConnect, LLC

Location: Herndon, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: February 21, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design user experiences for complex, data-rich B2B Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products, focusing on core functionalities and operational efficiency.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to translate intricate business requirements into intuitive and effective user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) solutions.

• Contribute to the strategic development and enhancement of a shared design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across the product suite.

• Leverage product analytics and direct customer feedback to inform design decisions and drive continuous product improvement cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Senior Product Designer focused on B2B SaaS, emphasizing complex workflows and data-rich applications. The emphasis on "Core Products" suggests a focus on foundational features that drive the core value proposition of FranConnect's franchise and multi-unit management software. Experience with offshore engineering teams is noted as a significant plus, indicating a need for strong communication and collaboration skills in a distributed environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and prototype user interfaces and interaction flows for new features and enhancements within FranConnect's core B2B SaaS platform.

• Partner effectively with Product Managers to deeply understand user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints, translating these into actionable UX/UI designs.

• Champion and apply established design patterns and standards to ensure a cohesive and consistent user experience across all FranConnect products, contributing to the evolution of the design system.

• Conduct user research, analyze product usage data (e.g., via Pendo), and gather customer feedback to identify pain points and opportunities for design improvement.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams, including those located offshore in India, to ensure accurate implementation of designs and maintain high standards of product quality.

• Articulate design rationale and present design solutions effectively to internal stakeholders, including product leadership, and potentially to external customers.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the design process and methodology within the product team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "complex, data-rich B2B SaaS products" and "complex workflows or operations-focused software" indicates a need for designers who can handle intricate information architecture and multi-step user journeys. Collaboration with offshore teams suggests a need for clear documentation and communication protocols.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is typically expected for a senior-level design role.

Experience: 5-8 years of professional product design experience, with a mandatory focus on B2B Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience designing complex workflows and operations-focused B2B SaaS applications.

• A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design process, including UX research, wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI design.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive and user-centered design solutions.

• Proficiency in core design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision) for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Solid understanding of UX principles, interaction design, and visual design best practices.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly.

• Experience working collaboratively with Product Managers and Engineering teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to or evolving a design system.

• Familiarity with product analytics tools such as Pendo.

• Experience working with distributed or offshore engineering teams, particularly in India.

• Knowledge of the franchise or multi-unit business management industry.

• Experience conducting user research and synthesizing findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for "B2B SaaS experience" and "complex workflows or operations-focused software" is critical. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to design for sophisticated business processes rather than consumer-facing applications. The portfolio is paramount for showcasing this specific expertise.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong grasp of UX fundamentals, problem-solving skills, and successful application in B2B SaaS environments.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the design process, from problem definition and user research through to final design solutions and outcomes.

• Examples of designing complex workflows, data-rich interfaces, and operational software.

• Visuals and explanations of user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase experience in documenting design processes, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, and design iteration cycles.

• Evidence of contributing to or utilizing design systems, including pattern libraries and style guides.

• Examples of how design decisions were informed by data (product analytics, user feedback) and how outcomes were measured.

• Demonstrate clear communication and collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer, the portfolio is the primary evaluation tool. It needs to explicitly highlight experience with B2B SaaS, complex workflows, and data-driven design. Emphasis should be placed on showcasing the process behind the design, not just the final visuals. Including examples of how designs were tested and iterated upon based on user feedback or analytics would be highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer with 5-8 years of experience in the Herndon, VA area, the estimated salary range is typically between $110,000 and $150,000 annually. This can vary based on specific skills, the depth of B2B SaaS experience, and the candidate's negotiation abilities.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or equity, depending on company policy.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are typically 40 hours per week, reflecting a full-time commitment. While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team and manager approval, to accommodate operational needs and individual preferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, considering the specified experience level (5-8 years) and the B2B SaaS industry. Benefits are typical for a full-time role at a company of FranConnect's profile, which is backed by private equity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: FranConnect operates in the Franchise and Multi-Unit Management Software industry, a specialized segment of B2B SaaS. They are a market leader, providing a critical backbone for businesses in franchising and multi-location operations.

Company Size: FranConnect is a growing company, indicated by its global offices and backing from private equity firm Serent Capital. While the exact current employee count isn't provided, a company of this nature typically falls into the mid-size to large enterprise category (e.g., 200-1000+ employees), offering a dynamic environment with established processes and opportunities for impact.

Founded: FranConnect was founded 20 years ago, suggesting a mature company with a stable product foundation, yet still exhibiting innovation and growth, especially with private equity backing. This history implies a blend of established best practices and a forward-looking approach.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within the Product department, working closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams.

• The reporting structure for a Senior Product Designer typically involves reporting to a Design Lead, Director of Product, or VP of Product/Design.

Methodology:

• FranConnect emphasizes a data-driven approach, utilizing product analytics (like Pendo) and customer feedback to inform product development and design decisions.

• The company values a collaborative and transparent environment, encouraging continuous learning and innovation.

• Agile or hybrid agile methodologies are likely employed for product development, requiring designers to work iteratively and adapt to changing requirements.

Company Website: www.franconnect.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding FranConnect's position as a leader in franchise management software is key. This implies a need for designers who can grasp complex business processes and cater to sophisticated B2B users. The private equity backing suggests a focus on growth, efficiency, and delivering measurable ROI, which should be reflected in design work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating an individual contributor position with significant responsibility. It requires a high degree of autonomy, expertise in B2B SaaS design, and the ability to mentor or guide junior designers. The role is critical in shaping the user experience of FranConnect's core products.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director of Product/Design. They will work in close partnership with Product Managers for specific product areas and collaborate extensively with Engineering teams.

Operations Impact: The designs created by this role directly impact the usability, efficiency, and adoption of FranConnect's core software. Positive design outcomes can lead to increased customer satisfaction, reduced support costs, faster user onboarding, and ultimately, contribute to increased customer retention and faster growth for FranConnect's clients, aligning with the company's mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Path: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing a team and setting design strategy.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of B2B SaaS design, franchise technology, or complex workflow optimization.

• Mentorship: Chance to mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design practice within the company.

• Strategic Influence: Greater involvement in product strategy discussions and contributing to the long-term vision of FranConnect's product suite.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a "Senior" role, candidates are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of driving design initiatives. The growth opportunities point towards a career path that allows for both