Senior Product Designer (Design Systems)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer (Design Systems)

Company: GSSTech Group (Client: Emirates NBD)

Location: Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Design Systems

Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Product Designer role focuses on leading the design and evolution of enterprise-level Design Systems, ensuring scalability, reusability, and consistency across a wide range of digital products.

• The position requires a strong background in UX/UI design, with a proven ability to craft intuitive, user-centric experiences across both mobile (iOS & Android) and web/desktop platforms.

• Key responsibilities include owning the entire design lifecycle, from initial research and ideation through to wireframing, prototyping, and final UI delivery, with a keen eye on design standards and accessibility.

• The role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and cross-functional squads within Agile/Scrum environments, particularly within the banking and fintech domains, with exposure to SME banking products.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior Product Designer (Design Systems)", the core responsibilities strongly emphasize the leadership and strategic development of Design Systems at an enterprise scale within a large financial institution (Emirates NBD). This suggests the role requires not just design execution but also a strategic vision for how design systems impact product development and user experience across a complex organization. The preference for candidates with experience in Banking/BFSI/Fintech and SME banking products highlights a specific domain expertise requirement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic design, development, and ongoing evolution of enterprise-level Design Systems, ensuring robust scalability, comprehensive reusability, and unwavering consistency across all digital product touchpoints.

• Drive the end-to-end user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design process, encompassing user research, concept ideation, detailed wireframing, interactive prototyping, and meticulous UI delivery for diverse platforms.

• Collaborate closely and effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, UX researchers, and various cross-functional squads to conceptualize, design, and implement high-quality, user-centric digital experiences.

• Ensure strict adherence to established design standards, accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG), and usability best practices to create inclusive and effective user interfaces.

• Contribute significantly to design governance frameworks, providing guidance on design system adoption and maintenance, and mentor junior designers to foster skill development and team growth.

• Actively participate and contribute within Agile/Scrum development environments, engaging in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives to ensure design integration and alignment.

• Align design strategies and system components with overarching business objectives, with a particular focus on enhancing digital products within the SME banking sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership (leading design systems, contributing to governance) and hands-on execution (end-to-end UX/UI process, prototyping). The emphasis on "enterprise-level" and "at scale" for Design Systems indicates a need for experience in managing complex design ecosystems, not just creating individual components. The mention of "SME banking products" adds a specific domain context that candidates should be prepared to address.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in Product Design, with a significant portion focused on Senior Product Designer responsibilities and Design Systems.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in building, scaling, and managing comprehensive Design Systems within large organizations or enterprise environments.

• Proven track record of designing and delivering exceptional UX/UI across both mobile (iOS/Android) and web/desktop platforms.

• Deep understanding and practical application of the entire design lifecycle, from discovery and strategy to detailed execution and iteration.

Required Skills:

• Design Systems: Expertise in creating, maintaining, and scaling enterprise-level Design Systems, including component libraries, style guides, and best practices.

• UX/UI Design: Strong proficiency in user-centered design principles, information architecture, interaction design, and visual design for digital products.

• Mobile & Web Design: Proven ability to design intuitive and effective user experiences across iOS, Android, and web/desktop platforms.

• Design Tools: Mastery of industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD.

• Agile Methodologies: Practical experience working within Agile/Scrum frameworks, including sprint cycles, user stories, and cross-functional team collaboration.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Skilled in creating low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively present design concepts and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

• Accessibility Standards: Solid understanding and application of accessibility best practices (e.g., WCAG compliance) in design.

Preferred Skills:

• Banking/Fintech Domain: Prior experience working within the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), or Fintech industries.

• SME Banking Products: Familiarity with the specific user needs and product requirements for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) banking solutions.

• Large Enterprise Environments: Experience navigating and contributing effectively within complex, large-scale corporate structures.

• Design Governance: Understanding of design systems governance models, contribution workflows, and best practices for maintaining system integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 Years" experience range derived from AI suggests a need for a senior-level individual capable of strategic leadership. The explicit mention of "enterprise-level Design Systems at scale" indicates that candidates who have managed or significantly contributed to the growth of a Design System in a large organization will be highly favored over those with experience only in smaller-scale systems. The emphasis on Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD points to the need for proficiency in at least one, if not multiple, of these tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Case Study: A dedicated section showcasing your experience in building, scaling, or managing a Design System. This should detail the problem, your approach, the components created, the impact on consistency and efficiency, and how you handled governance.

• End-to-End Product Design: Examples of complete product design projects from discovery through to launch, demonstrating your UX/UI process, problem-solving skills, and user-centric approach.

• Mobile & Web Design Examples: Specific projects that highlight your proficiency in designing for both mobile (iOS/Android) and web/desktop platforms, showcasing adaptability to different screen sizes and interaction paradigms.

• Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD Proficiency: Visual evidence within your portfolio that clearly demonstrates your skill and mastery of your primary design tools, including complex component creation, prototyping, and collaboration features.

• Impact & Metrics: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your design work with relevant metrics, such as improvements in user satisfaction, task completion rates, efficiency gains, or reduction in design/development debt facilitated by the Design System.

Process Documentation:

• Design System Development Workflow: Documented processes for how you approach the creation of new components, design principles, and guidelines within a Design System.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Frameworks: Examples of how you've worked with engineering and product management to integrate design system components into development workflows and ensure smooth implementation.

• Design Governance Models: Description of how you've established or contributed to design governance, including processes for proposing changes, reviewing contributions, and maintaining consistency.

• User Research & Testing Integration: Evidence of how user research and usability testing were integrated into the design process, particularly in validating design system components and overall user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role with a Design Systems focus, the portfolio is paramount. Candidates must be prepared to articulate not just the aesthetic output, but the strategic thinking, process, and measurable impact behind their Design System work. This includes demonstrating how they've driven consistency, efficiency, and scalability across multiple products and teams.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave, public holidays, and sick leave policies.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, conferences, and access to learning resources to enhance skills in Design Systems, UX/UI, and emerging technologies.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to a pension or provident fund, common in the UAE.

• Potential for Performance Bonuses: Discretionary bonuses tied to individual and company performance.

• Work-Life Balance Support: Policies and an environment that promotes a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week, usually spread over 5 days (e.g., Sunday to Thursday or Monday to Friday), common in the UAE. Flexibility may be offered depending on team needs and project deadlines, especially within Agile environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary figures are estimates based on market data for similar roles in Dubai, UAE, considering the experience level and specialized skill set. Benefits are typical for senior-level positions in large organizations in the region. The specific details of the compensation and benefits package should be confirmed directly with GSSTech Group.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Staffing & Recruitment) / Financial Services (Client: Emirates NBD)

• GSSTech Group operates within the technology staffing and recruitment sector, providing talent solutions to various industries. Their client, Emirates NBD, is a leading banking group in the Middle East, operating within the highly regulated and dynamic financial services industry. This dual context means the culture will likely blend the fast-paced, results-oriented nature of a recruitment firm with the stability, rigor, and customer-centricity expected of a major financial institution.

Company Size: GSSTech Group is likely a medium to large-sized staffing firm, while Emirates NBD is a very large enterprise, employing thousands of individuals globally.

• Working with Emirates NBD implies integration into a large, structured corporate environment with established processes, a focus on compliance, and a significant user base.

Founded: Emirates NBD was formed in 2007 through the merger of Emirates Bank International and National Bank of Dubai, making it a well-established entity with a long history in the region. GSSTech Group's founding date is not specified but operates as a modern staffing solutions provider.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will be part of a product squad or team within Emirates NBD, likely reporting to a Head of Product Design, UX Lead, or Design Systems Lead.

• This role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers (Frontend/Backend), UX Researchers, QA Testers, and potentially Business Analysts or domain experts.

Methodology:

• Agile/Scrum: The team operates within Agile methodologies, utilizing sprints for iterative development and delivery. This requires adaptability, continuous feedback, and close team collaboration.

• Design Thinking: User-centricity is paramount, employing design thinking principles for problem-solving, ideation, and user validation.

• Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and performance metrics to ensure products meet user needs and business objectives.

• Design System Governance: Established processes for maintaining and evolving the design system, ensuring quality, consistency, and collaboration.

Company Website:

• GSSTech Group: https://gsstechgroup.com/ (Note: This is an inferred URL based on domain_derived, actual URL may vary)

• Emirates NBD: https://www.emiratesnbd.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is for a client of GSSTech Group, meaning the day-to-day work environment and culture will be that of Emirates NBD. Understanding Emirates NBD's position as a leading financial institution in the region is crucial for context, especially regarding the emphasis on security, compliance, and large-scale user experience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role sits at a senior level within the design discipline, focusing on specialized expertise in Design Systems. It involves leadership in strategy and execution for a critical organizational asset (the Design System) but does not necessarily involve direct people management unless specified.

Reporting Structure:

• Likely reports to a Design Lead, Head of UX/Product Design, or potentially a Product Director within Emirates NBD.

Operations Impact:

• The impact of this role is significant and far-reaching. A well-managed and robust Design System directly influences:
  • Product Consistency: Ensures a unified brand experience across all digital touchpoints.
  • Development Efficiency: Reduces redundant design and coding efforts, speeding up time-to-market.
  • Scalability: Enables faster creation and iteration of new features and products.
  • User Experience Quality: Drives higher usability, accessibility, and overall user satisfaction.
  • Brand Perception: Reinforces brand identity and trust, particularly critical in the banking sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design System Leadership: Progression to a Design Systems Lead or Manager role, with increased responsibility for strategy, team management, and cross-organizational adoption.

• Product Design Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific product areas within banking/fintech, potentially leading design for a major product line.

• UX Strategy: Moving into a broader UX Strategy role, focusing on user research, journey mapping, and overall digital experience transformation.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management or related strategic roles, leveraging a deep understanding of design and user needs.

• Mentorship & Training: Formalizing mentorship roles and contributing to the development of design talent within Emirates NBD.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis emphasizes that this role is a critical step in a design career, particularly for those focused on the strategic underpinnings of product development. The impact is not just on individual products but on the entire organization's ability to deliver digital experiences efficiently and consistently.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate Office Environment within Emirates NBD.

• Expect a professional, structured, and well-equipped office setting typical of a major financial institution in Dubai. This environment often emphasizes collaboration, security, and adherence to corporate standards.

Office Location(s): Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and informal spaces designed for team collaboration and client interactions.

• Technology & Tools: Provision of high-performance workstations, access to necessary software licenses (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, etc.), and reliable network infrastructure.

• Operations Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for direct interaction with product squads, engineering teams, and design leadership, fostering a connected and integrated work experience.

• Professional Atmosphere: A generally formal yet productive atmosphere conducive to focused work and strategic thinking, balanced with team-building activities.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily on-site in Dubai, with standard working hours (typically 40 hours/week, 5 days/week). While the role operates within an Agile framework, the "On-site" designation implies a strong expectation of physical presence in the office for collaboration, team meetings, and strategic alignment. Some flexibility might be available, but the core expectation is office-based work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" work arrangement is a key factor. Candidates should be prepared for a traditional office environment within a large corporate setting, which often comes with established protocols and a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration, especially for roles involving design governance and cross-team alignment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter from GSSTech Group or Emirates NBD will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A core part of the process will involve presenting your portfolio, focusing on Design System expertise. You'll be expected to walk through specific case studies, explaining your strategic approach, design decisions, and the impact of your work.

• Technical/Design Interview: Expect in-depth discussions with design leadership and senior designers from Emirates NBD. This may include scenario-based questions, problem-solving exercises, and deep dives into your design process and Design System philosophy.

• Cross-Functional Interview: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineering Leads to assess your collaboration skills, understanding of development constraints, and ability to work effectively within Agile squads.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a Director or Head of the relevant department to discuss overall fit, strategic alignment, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your Design System expertise and end-to-end product design capabilities. Prioritize projects with clear problem statements, detailed process explanations, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role & Process -> Solutions (Design System Components, UI/UX Designs) -> Results & Learnings. Clearly articulate your contributions, especially regarding the Design System's impact on efficiency, consistency, and scalability.

• Highlight Design System Leadership: Emphasize your experience in building, scaling, and governing Design Systems. Detail how you’ve managed component libraries, documentation, and adoption across teams.

• Quantify Achievements: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the success of your designs and Design System initiatives. Mention improvements in development speed, reduction in UI inconsistencies, or enhanced user satisfaction.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your chosen tools (Figma, Sketch), design system best practices, accessibility standards, and how you handle version control and updates within a Design System.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You might be given a take-home design challenge or an in-interview exercise. This could involve extending an existing design system, designing a new component, or solving a specific UX problem within the banking domain. Focus on demonstrating your process, rationale, and adherence to established principles.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach common design challenges, such as managing conflicting stakeholder feedback, integrating new technologies, or improving user adoption of digital banking features.

• Design System Governance: Prepare to discuss how you would establish or improve design system governance within a large enterprise, including communication strategies, contribution workflows, and quality assurance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, given the senior nature of the role and the client's industry. A strong portfolio presentation that clearly articulates the strategic value and practical application of Design Systems is critical. Candidates should be ready to defend their design decisions and demonstrate a deep understanding of enterprise-level design challenges.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely to be the primary tool), Sketch, Adobe XD. Proficiency in at least one, ideally Figma, is essential.

• Collaboration & Communication: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence for team communication, project tracking, and documentation.

• Version Control (for Design Systems): Familiarity with concepts similar to Git for managing design system versions and contributions, though specific tools might vary.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/Mobile Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for understanding user behavior and product performance.

• User Feedback Tools: Platforms for collecting user feedback, such as UserTesting.com, Hotjar, or in-app feedback mechanisms.

• Dashboarding Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or internal dashboards for visualizing design system adoption and product performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design systems integrate with front-end development frameworks and potentially customer-facing platforms is important. Familiarity with how design decisions impact the customer journey through various touchpoints is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern Design Systems roles. The emphasis will be on how these tools are used to build, maintain, and scale a Design System, and how the designer leverages data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of end-users, particularly in the context of banking and financial services where trust and ease of use are paramount.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively within cross-functional teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues to achieve common goals.

• Excellence & Quality: A drive for high-quality design output, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to best practices in UX/UI and Design Systems.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for enhancing user experiences, improving design processes, and evolving the Design System.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding ethical standards, taking ownership of responsibilities, and delivering on commitments, especially critical within the financial sector.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Design systems are a bridge between design and development. Expect a highly collaborative style where designers work hand-in-hand with engineers and product managers to ensure seamless implementation and adoption.

• Open Communication & Feedback: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and iterative design processes. Regular design critiques and reviews are likely standard.

• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in sharing best practices, design patterns, and learnings related to the Design System and product design through documentation, workshops, or internal presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values reflect a blend of typical tech/design industry standards (user-centricity, innovation) with the specific requirements of a large financial institution (integrity, accountability, quality). Candidates should demonstrate how they embody these values in their daily work and interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design Systems: Ensuring a Design System remains robust, manageable, and relevant as the product portfolio and organization grow. This involves effective governance and contribution models.

• Driving Adoption: Encouraging and supporting various product teams to adopt and consistently use the Design System, overcoming resistance to change or perceived limitations.

• Balancing Standardization with Flexibility: Creating a system that provides consistency while allowing for necessary product-specific customization and innovation without compromising integrity.

• Cross-Team Alignment: Maintaining alignment on design principles, components, and updates across numerous product squads and stakeholders with potentially diverse priorities.

• Evolving Technologies: Keeping the Design System up-to-date with emerging design trends, front-end technologies, and accessibility standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Strategy: Opportunities to delve deeper into advanced topics like design token management, accessibility testing automation, and performance optimization of Design Systems.

• Fintech/Banking Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the financial services industry, user needs, and regulatory landscape.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading initiatives within the design team.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Access to attend leading design and technology conferences or pursue relevant certifications to stay abreast of industry best practices.

• Exposure to Enterprise-Scale Projects: Gaining invaluable experience working on complex, large-scale digital transformation initiatives within a leading financial institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the strategic and influential nature of the role. Successfully navigating these challenges offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development, particularly in the specialized field of Design Systems within a major enterprise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building or scaling a Design System for a large enterprise like Emirates NBD, considering its diverse product lines and existing technical debt?"

  • Preparation: Focus on a phased approach, emphasizing research, stakeholder buy-in, establishing governance, prioritizing foundational components, and a strategy for adoption and iteration.

• "Describe a time you had to convince a team or stakeholder to adopt your Design System or a specific design pattern. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?"

  • Preparation: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Highlight your communication, persuasion, and data-driven approach. Emphasize the benefits you articulated (efficiency, consistency).

• "How do you ensure accessibility and inclusivity are core to your Design System and product designs?"

  • Preparation: Discuss specific standards (WCAG levels), testing methods, component design considerations, and how you educate others on accessibility.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Emirates NBD and the banking industry in the UAE? How do you see design playing a role in their digital strategy?"

  • Preparation: Research Emirates NBD's recent digital initiatives, their market position, and common trends in digital banking (e.g., mobile-first, personalization, security).

• "How do you prefer to collaborate with engineering and product management teams, especially within an Agile framework?"

  • Preparation: Emphasize proactive communication, understanding of development cycles, and a partnership approach. Mention specific Agile ceremonies and how design integrates.

• "What are your thoughts on Design System governance? How would you implement or improve it in a large organization?"

  • Preparation: Discuss models like centralized, federated, or decentralized. Outline processes for contribution, review, documentation, and communication.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Frame each case study as a narrative of problem-solving and impact. Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Focus on Design Systems: Dedicate significant time to showcasing your Design System work. Explain the architecture, component library, usage guidelines, and the tangible benefits it brought.

• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your UX/UI process from research to final UI, highlighting key artifacts (wireframes, prototypes, user flows) and your decision-making rationale.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders. Show examples of design handoff and how you ensured implementation fidelity.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to fit within the allotted time. Use visuals effectively and be prepared to answer detailed questions about any aspect of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples related to banking/fintech and enterprise-scale design systems will be highly advantageous. Candidates should be ready to discuss both strategic vision and tactical execution, demonstrating leadership potential and a deep understanding of the design lifecycle within a complex organizational context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with Design Systems, enterprise-scale projects, UX/UI across mobile and web, and specific tools like Figma. Quantify achievements related to efficiency, consistency, and user satisfaction.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest Design System case studies. Clearly articulate your process, contributions, and measurable impact. Make sure it's easily navigable and visually appealing.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on your Design System expertise and end-to-end product design process. Be ready to discuss your rationale and answer in-depth questions.

• Research the Companies: Familiarize yourself with both GSSTech Group's services and, more importantly, Emirates NBD's digital products, mission, and recent developments in the fintech space. Understand their user base and market context.

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