Senior Product Designer - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Speechify Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: November 04, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end design process, from ideation and prototyping to development and iteration of consumer-facing products.
• Drive innovation in UX/UI patterns and user flows across Speechify's mobile (iOS, Android) and web applications, directly impacting millions of users.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Executive leadership to define and execute product strategy, influencing the overall product roadmap.
• Contribute to the growth and refinement of the design organization by shaping processes and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided job description is for a "Senior Product Designer," this enhancement assumes a strong alignment with Revenue Operations, Sales Operations, and Go-To-Market (GTM) functions due to Speechify's focus on user acquisition, retention, and product-led growth strategies. The emphasis on customer-centricity, product roadmapping, and feature iteration directly impacts user engagement and, by extension, revenue generation. This role requires a designer who can translate user needs into scalable product solutions that drive adoption and customer lifetime value, a critical aspect of GTM operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, prototype, test, and ship new features, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience across all platforms (iOS, Android, Web, Chrome Extension).
• Lead the refinement of existing UX/UI patterns and design systems to enhance consistency and usability across the Speechify product suite.
• Re-architect and optimize onboarding flows and core user journeys to improve user adoption, engagement, and retention rates.
• Actively contribute to product strategy discussions, translating user research and analytics insights into actionable design recommendations that influence the product roadmap.
• Champion customer-centric design principles, conducting user research and incorporating customer feedback to drive product improvements and innovation.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing, to ensure successful product launches and ongoing optimization.
• Develop and maintain high-quality design documentation, including user flows, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are framed to highlight the direct impact on user acquisition and retention, which are key GTM operational metrics. The focus on "shipping features," "optimizing user journeys," and "influencing the product roadmap" underscores the strategic importance of this design role within a growth-oriented company like Speechify.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience is paramount. A background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related field is advantageous.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of delivering successful consumer-facing products across multiple platforms. Experience within high-growth startup environments is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Product Design Expertise: Demonstrated ability to manage the full product design lifecycle, including research, discovery, prototyping, and delivery.
• UX/UI Design Mastery: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, and visual design across mobile (iOS/Android) and web platforms.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency with industry-standard tools for creating high-fidelity prototypes and detailed wireframes.
• User Research & Customer Centricity: Experience conducting user interviews, usability testing, and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative feedback to inform design decisions.
• Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional ability to articulate design rationale, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (PMs, Engineers, Executives), and present ideas clearly.
• Product Thinking & Strategy: Ability to understand business objectives, translate them into design solutions, and contribute to product strategy and roadmap development.
• Design Craftsmanship: Strong skills in typography, information architecture, layout, and micro-interactions, with an appreciation for the nuances of audio-based products.
• Platform Familiarity: Understanding of technical constraints and possibilities within iOS, Android, and web browser environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for users with learning differences.
• Familiarity with audio technology and text-to-speech (TTS) applications.
• Experience working in agile development environments.
• Knowledge of data analytics tools and their application in design decision-making.
• Experience shaping and contributing to design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from "Senior Product Designer" and typical industry standards. The emphasis on "consumer-facing products across multiple platforms" and "high-growth startup environments" directly aligns with Speechify's operational context and the need for scalable, user-centric design solutions that drive adoption and engagement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A robust portfolio showcasing 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your end-to-end product design process, from problem definition to shipped solution.
• Problem-Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed, your approach to discovery and research, and the rationale behind your design decisions.
• Process Documentation: Highlight your methodology for user research, ideation, prototyping, usability testing, and iteration.
• Cross-Platform Experience: Showcase examples of designing for diverse platforms, including mobile (iOS/Android) and web applications.
• Impact & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your designs where possible, referencing user engagement, conversion rates, or other relevant metrics.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a structured approach to understanding user needs and business objectives.
• Illustrate your methods for translating research insights into actionable design solutions and user flows.
• Showcase your ability to iterate on designs based on feedback, analytics, and usability testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are tailored to emphasize the practical application of design skills in a product-driven environment. For a role impacting GTM, the ability to demonstrate impact through metrics and a clear problem-solution framework is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior Product Designer title, 5-10 years of experience, and location in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, a competitive salary range is estimated to be £60,000 - £90,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major UK tech hubs, considering the company's growth stage and the highly sought-after nature of product design talent in the consumer tech sector.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Includes salary and potential equity or performance-based bonuses.
• Flexible Asynchronous Work Culture: Embrace a remote-first environment that prioritizes focus, creativity, and autonomy.
• Impactful Product: Work on a product with a significant social mission, improving accessibility and learning for millions globally.
• Innovative Industry: Be at the forefront of AI and audio technology, a rapidly evolving and exciting domain.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, skill enhancement, and career growth within a fast-paced startup.
• Health & Wellness: Access to comprehensive health benefits and support programs.

Working Hours: Speechify operates with a flexible, asynchronous work model. While the role is full-time, likely requiring approximately 40 hours per week, the emphasis is on output and results rather than rigid schedules, accommodating different time zones and working preferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range estimated based on UK market data for Senior Product Designers, factoring in experience level and location. The unique benefits highlight Speechify's remote-first, asynchronous culture and its mission-driven approach, which are key selling points for attracting talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focusing on AI-powered Text-to-Speech (TTS) and reading accessibility solutions. Speechify operates within the EdTech and Productivity software sectors, leveraging AI to enhance learning and information consumption.

Company Size: Speechify is a rapidly growing startup, currently employing around 200 people globally. This size indicates a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individual contributions have a significant impact.

Founded: Speechify was founded with a mission to remove reading as a barrier to learning. Its rapid growth and recognition (e.g., Chrome Extension of the Year, Apple Design Award) highlight its innovative approach and market traction.

Team Structure:

• The design team is integrated within a 100% distributed setting, fostering a collaborative and autonomous work environment.
• Designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, forming cross-functional pods focused on specific product areas or features.
• Reporting lines are likely to a Head of Design or Product Lead, with direct collaboration across all levels of the organization.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasis on using analytics and user feedback to guide product development and design iterations.
• Agile Development: Likely employs agile or similar iterative development methodologies, requiring designers to be adaptable and responsive.
• Customer-Centricity: A core tenet, with continuous engagement with users to understand their needs and pain points.

Company Website: [Speechify Website URL - typically speechify.com]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is derived from the provided description, emphasizing Speechify's mission, growth stage, and distributed nature. This information is crucial for candidates to understand the operational environment and cultural fit.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level, indicating a significant degree of autonomy, ownership, and influence. A Senior Product Designer is expected to lead complex projects, mentor junior designers, and significantly impact product strategy and execution. This level bridges individual contribution with potential leadership responsibilities within the design function.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report into a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a senior Product Manager. They will work closely with engineering and product teams, forming the core of cross-functional product development pods.

Operations Impact: The design of Speechify's products directly influences user acquisition, engagement, retention, and conversion rates. By creating intuitive and accessible user experiences, this role plays a pivotal part in the company's GTM strategy, driving user adoption and ultimately contributing to revenue growth. The focus on inclusivity also broadens the total addressable market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Track: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer role, managing a team of designers and setting design direction.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven product design, accessibility, or mobile UX.
• Strategic Influence: Increased involvement in product strategy, roadmap planning, and contributing to the overall vision of Speechify.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on the career trajectory and operational impact of a Senior Product Designer within a growth-stage tech company, linking design outcomes to business objectives and GTM success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Speechify operates as a 100% distributed company, meaning there is no central office. This fosters a remote-first and asynchronous work culture.

Office Location(s): While the role is based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, the company has no physical office locations. Team members are located globally.

Workspace Context:

• Remote & Asynchronous: Designed for individuals who thrive in independent work environments, requiring strong self-discipline and communication skills.
• Collaborative Tools: Reliance on digital collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Notion, Figma, Zoom) to maintain team cohesion and facilitate real-time and asynchronous communication.
• Focus on Output: The environment prioritizes delivering high-quality work and achieving results, rather than adhering to traditional office hours or in-person meetings.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, requiring dedication typically equivalent to 40 hours per week. However, the asynchronous nature allows for flexibility in when work is completed, provided deadlines are met and collaboration is maintained. This requires excellent time management and proactive communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes Speechify's unique distributed and asynchronous work model, which is a critical aspect of its operational environment and sets expectations for candidates.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume and a link to your portfolio.
• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will involve a thorough review of your portfolio to assess design quality, process, and impact.
• Initial Interview: A conversation with a hiring manager or design lead to discuss your experience, product thinking, and cultural fit.
• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be asked to complete a take-home design exercise or participate in a live design thinking session to evaluate your problem-solving skills and design approach.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Discussions with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration skills and understanding of technical feasibility.
• Final Interview: A meeting with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best represent your skills in consumer-facing product design, particularly for mobile and web.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, your design rationale, and the final outcome (ideally with metrics).
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and clear visuals to demonstrate your design solutions.
• Highlight Process: Explain your research methods, user testing approaches, and how you incorporated feedback into your iterations.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include data points or testimonials that demonstrate the success and impact of your designs.
• Tailor to Speechify: Consider how your work aligns with Speechify's mission, product, and user base (e.g., accessibility, learning, audio).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Mission: Familiarize yourself with Speechify's product, mission, and target audience.
• Focus on User Needs: Be prepared to articulate how you would approach understanding user problems and translating them into elegant, effective design solutions.
• Demonstrate Process: For any hypothetical challenge, clearly outline your step-by-step design process, from initial research to final concept.
• Consider Constraints: Be mindful of technical feasibility and business objectives when proposing solutions.
• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your thought process and design decisions concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides a structured overview of a typical senior-level design interview process and offers actionable advice focused on portfolio presentation and challenge preparation, tailored to Speechify's context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard for collaborative design), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, ProtoPie (for advanced interactions).
• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Dovetail (for research synthesis).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Google Analytics (for understanding user behavior and feature adoption).
• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (potentially used by PMs or analysts, but designers should understand how to interpret data visualizations).

CRM & Automation: While not directly used by designers for daily work, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation tools influence user journeys and product adoption is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are industry-standard for Senior Product Designers, with a strong emphasis on collaborative design platforms like Figma, which are critical in a remote, distributed environment. Understanding analytics tools is also essential for data-informed design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible, fostering a sense of purpose in daily work.
• Customer-Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and serving user needs, especially those with learning differences.
• Innovation & Iteration: Encouragement of creative problem-solving, rapid prototyping, and continuous improvement.
• Autonomy & Ownership: Empowering individuals to take initiative and drive their work forward with minimal oversight.
• Asynchronous Collaboration: Valuing clear, concise communication and effective collaboration across different time zones.
• Data-Informed: Using data and analytics to validate hypotheses and measure the impact of design decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Pods: Designers work closely within small, agile teams comprising PMs, engineers, and other specialists.
• Remote & Asynchronous Focus: Communication is primarily text-based (Slack, Notion), with scheduled video calls for key discussions and alignment.
• Open Feedback Culture: Encourages constructive feedback on designs and processes to foster continuous improvement.
• Proactive Communication: Team members are expected to be proactive in sharing updates, seeking clarification, and providing input.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from Speechify's description of a distributed, mission-driven, and fast-paced startup environment, emphasizing how these cultural elements impact the day-to-day operational experience for designers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design Systems: Ensuring design consistency and scalability across a rapidly growing product suite and user base.
• Balancing Innovation with Usability: Introducing new features and technologies (like AI) while maintaining an intuitive and accessible user experience.
• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and maintaining alignment within a fully distributed and asynchronous team.
• Data Interpretation: Translating complex user data and analytics into actionable design insights.
• Impact Measurement: Clearly demonstrating the ROI and impact of design initiatives to stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Audio Tech: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge fields at the intersection of AI, audio, and accessibility.
• Product Strategy: Gain exposure to high-level product roadmap planning and strategic decision-making.
• Design Leadership: Develop leadership skills through mentorship, project ownership, and potential team management.
• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhance understanding of engineering, product management, and business operations through close collaboration.
• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to resources for continuous professional development in design and technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around common issues in fast-growing tech companies with distributed teams and innovative product lines. Growth opportunities are linked to career progression and skill development within Speechify's specific operational and technological context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a user's needs with business objectives. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses product thinking and GTM alignment).
• "How would you approach redesigning the onboarding flow for Speechify to increase user activation rates by 15%?" (Tests problem-solving, user flow optimization, and data-driven strategy).
• "Imagine we're introducing a new AI-powered summarization feature. How would you incorporate this into the existing user experience, and what research would you conduct first?" (Evaluates approach to new technology integration and user research methodology).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Speechify's mission, and how does it align with your personal values or career aspirations?" (Assesses cultural fit and mission alignment).
• "How do you approach collaboration in a remote and asynchronous environment? Can you give an example of a successful remote collaboration?" (Probes adaptability to Speechify's work model).
• "How do you measure the success of your designs? What metrics do you typically track, and why?" (Focuses on impact measurement and data-driven design).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Begin each case study by clearly stating the problem and the user/business need.
• Walk Through Your Process: Detail your research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing phases. Use visuals to illustrate key steps.
• Explain Design Decisions: Justify your choices, linking them back to user insights or business goals.
• Showcase Iterations: Demonstrate how you refined your designs based on feedback or data.
• Highlight Impact: Conclude with the results – user feedback, metrics, or key learnings – and what you would do next.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design choices, challenges, and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions and preparation tips are designed to align with a senior product design role focused on user acquisition, engagement, and product-led growth, emphasizing strategic thinking, problem-solving, and cultural fit within Speechify's operational framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating your experience with consumer-facing products, mobile (iOS/Android) and web design, and a strong understanding of user-centric design principles. Emphasize case studies that show your ability to translate user needs into impactful product features.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience level (5-10 years) and highlights achievements relevant to product design, UX/UI, prototyping, user research, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, product thinking, and how you contribute to business objectives, especially concerning user acquisition and engagement. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and situational interview questions.
• Research Speechify: Deeply understand Speechify's mission, product, target audience, and recent achievements. Consider how your design philosophy aligns with their values and their focus on accessibility and AI.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding compensation and specific interview stages, should be verified directly with Speechify during the application and interview process.

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