Senior Product Designer - Gothenburg, Sweden

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Speechify

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-02-08

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from ideation and research to prototyping, delivery, and iterative refinement of consumer-facing features across multiple platforms.

• Shape and enhance user experience and user interface (UX/UI) patterns for Speechify's rapidly growing iOS and Android applications, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user journey.

• Contribute significantly to the product roadmap by providing data-driven insights and user-centric design solutions that align with business objectives and user needs.

• Play a key role in refining design processes and contributing to the growth and evolution of the design organization within a 100% distributed, high-growth startup environment.

• Leverage a deep understanding of audio technology and its application in user interfaces to create innovative and impactful design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within a high-growth, 100% distributed startup environment, emphasizing asynchronous communication and independent work. The candidate will be expected to influence product strategy and contribute to the design team's operational framework, indicating a significant level of autonomy and impact.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and iterate on new product features, ensuring alignment with user needs and business goals.

• Define and refine UX/UI patterns and design systems across Speechify's iOS and Android mobile applications to ensure consistency and a superior user experience.

• Rethink and optimize core user flows, including onboarding sequences, to improve user engagement, retention, and overall product adoption.

• Actively influence the product roadmap by collaborating with Product Managers, providing user research insights, and translating strategic objectives into actionable design solutions.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of design team processes, best practices, and the overall structure of the design organization.

• Conduct user research, gather customer feedback, and analyze product analytics to identify key opportunities for design innovation and improvement.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure the feasibility and high-quality implementation of design solutions across web, iOS, and Android platforms.

• Champion a customer-centric approach, advocating for user needs throughout the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of tactical execution (pitching, prototyping, shipping) and strategic influence (roadmap input, shaping design org). This suggests a senior role where the individual is expected to not only design but also contribute to the operational and strategic direction of the design function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Product Designer role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in product design, with a proven track record of delivering successful consumer-facing products across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web).

Required Skills:

• Product Design Lifecycle: Demonstrated experience in research, discovery, prototyping, user testing, and delivery of consumer-facing products.

• UX/UI Proficiency: Expertise in designing intuitive user interfaces and seamless user experiences for mobile (iOS, Android) and web applications.

• Prototyping Tools: Fluency in industry-standard prototyping and design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• User Research & Analytics: Ability to conduct user research, gather customer feedback, and interpret product analytics to inform design decisions.

• Product Thinking: Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to understand business objectives and translate them into user-centric design solutions.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, including engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and present ideas clearly to diverse audiences.

• Customer-Centricity: A deep understanding of user needs and the ability to incorporate customer feedback effectively into the design process.

• Platform Understanding: Knowledge of design constraints and possibilities within iOS, Android, and browser environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Typography & Information Design: Strong aesthetic sense and skills in typography, layout, and information hierarchy.

• Micro-interactions: Experience designing engaging and subtle micro-interactions that enhance user experience.

• Audio Design: Curiosity and understanding of audio interfaces and the unique considerations for audio-based products.

• Working with AI: Familiarity with designing for AI-powered features or products.

• High-Growth Startup Experience: Previous experience in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from the "Senior" title and the breadth of responsibilities, aligning with 5-10 years of dedicated product design experience. The focus on "consumer-facing products across multiple platforms" and "audio" suggests a need for a designer comfortable with scaling products and exploring innovative interaction models.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating the full product design process, from initial problem definition and user research to iterative prototyping, user testing, and final delivery.

• Cross-Platform Examples: Include examples of work on iOS, Android, and potentially web applications, highlighting how design solutions were adapted for different contexts and user needs.

• User-Centricity Focus: Clearly articulate the user problems addressed, the research methodologies employed, and how user feedback influenced design decisions in each case study.

• Metrics & Impact: Where possible, demonstrate the impact of design solutions with relevant metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, user satisfaction scores) to showcase ROI.

• Prototyping & Iteration: Provide interactive prototypes or detailed walkthroughs showcasing the evolution of a design through iterative improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Research & Discovery: Documentation of user research findings, personas, journey maps, and competitive analysis.

• Design & Prototyping: Examples of wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes illustrating design concepts and user flows.

• Testing & Validation: Evidence of user testing methodologies, feedback synthesis, and design iterations based on testing outcomes.

• Delivery & Handoff: Examples of design specifications, style guides, and collaboration with engineering for seamless implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on "pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and refine," the portfolio must clearly showcase a candidate's ability to execute across the entire design lifecycle, not just conceptualization. Demonstrating impact through metrics and user feedback is crucial for a senior role in a data-informed company.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Gothenburg, Sweden, the estimated annual salary range would typically be between SEK 550,000 and SEK 800,000 (approximately USD 52,000 - USD 76,000). This range accounts for the cost of living in Gothenburg, the experience level, and the demand for specialized design skills in the tech industry.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Including salary, potential stock options, or performance-based bonuses.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance, potentially including dental and vision coverage.

• Professional Development: Budget for conferences, training, online courses, and other learning opportunities to enhance design skills and stay current with industry trends.

• Flexible Work Environment: A 100% remote setup offering significant autonomy and work-life balance, with asynchronous work culture support.

• Impactful Product: The opportunity to work on a product with a significant social mission, helping millions of people improve their reading and learning capabilities.

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Exposure to AI and audio technology in a rapidly evolving tech domain.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Standard vacation days, public holidays, and potential for additional paid leave.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically requiring around 40 hours per week. However, Speechify emphasizes an asynchronous work culture, allowing for flexibility in daily scheduling as long as work is completed efficiently and collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Sweden, specifically Gothenburg, considering the company's likely compensation strategy for a fully distributed, high-growth tech company. Benefits are inferred from standard offerings in the tech sector and the company's stated values.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Speechify operates within the Software, Technology, and Education sectors, with a strong focus on AI and Audio technology. They are revolutionizing how people consume information by transforming reading into an audio experience.

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

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly provided, Speechify has achieved significant milestones, including being named Chrome Extension of the Year by Google and winning an Apple Design Award for Inclusivity in 2025, suggesting a relatively recent but impactful growth trajectory. Speechify has no physical offices, operating as a 100% distributed company.

Team Structure:

• Design Organization: The design team is part of a larger, globally distributed workforce. It likely collaborates closely with Product Management, Engineering, and AI Research teams.

• Reporting Structure: A Senior Product Designer would likely report to a Head of Design or Design Lead, within a flatter organizational structure typical of startups.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong emphasis on collaborative work with Product Managers and Engineers to ensure product vision, feasibility, and execution.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The company embraces analytics to pinpoint key opportunities and inform design decisions.

• User-Centric Approach: A strong focus on customer feedback and understanding user needs is central to their design process.

• Agile Development: Likely employs agile methodologies, allowing for rapid iteration and adaptation based on research and feedback.

• Asynchronous Communication: As a fully distributed company, asynchronous communication is a core methodology, requiring clear documentation and efficient communication tools.

Company Website: Speechify.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's 100% distributed nature and focus on asynchronous work are critical cultural elements. This implies a need for exceptional self-management, communication, and documentation skills from all team members, especially in design roles that require close collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires a strong foundation in design principles, extensive practical experience, and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy. The role demands not just execution but also strategic input and mentorship potential.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Design. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, forming a core product development team. The distributed nature means reporting lines may be less hierarchical and more focused on project-based collaboration.

Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work will directly impact user acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall product success. By improving the UX/UI and introducing innovative features, they contribute directly to Speechify's mission and revenue growth. Their influence on the product roadmap means they can shape the future direction of the company's offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role, mentoring junior designers and leading design initiatives.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, audio UX, or accessibility, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Product Strategy: Increased involvement in product strategy, contributing to long-term vision and market positioning.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Potential to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within the company, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product development.

• Industry Influence: Contributing to the evolving field of audio and AI-powered user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a trajectory beyond individual contribution, with potential for leadership or strategic influence. The company's rapid growth and focus on innovation offer ample opportunities for career advancement and skill development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Speechify operates as a 100% distributed company, meaning there is no central office. Employees work remotely from their chosen locations.

Office Location(s): While the job is posted for Gothenburg, Sweden, the company has employees globally. The "remote solely" designation means candidates can work from anywhere, but the specific location might influence time zone coordination. For this posting, the focus is on candidates within or willing to work from the Gothenburg time zone (CET).

Workspace Context:

• Asynchronous Collaboration: The primary mode of interaction will be asynchronous, relying on tools like Slack, email, project management software, and documentation platforms.

• High-Tech Environment: Employees are expected to have reliable internet access and a suitable home office setup to effectively work with design tools, video conferencing, and other essential technologies.

• Global Team Interaction: Opportunities to collaborate with a diverse, international team, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time role, but the company champions an asynchronous work culture. This allows for flexibility in daily scheduling, enabling employees to structure their workdays in a way that maximizes productivity and personal well-being, while still meeting collaborative needs and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote Solely" aspect is crucial. Candidates must be comfortable with and thrive in an asynchronous, distributed work environment. This requires strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and excellent organizational skills.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and portfolio to assess qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A dedicated session with a hiring manager or senior designer to walk through selected case studies, discussing design decisions, process, and impact.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a design exercise or a take-home challenge to evaluate practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to a given design problem.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate design into the development process.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion focused on values, work style, and how the candidate aligns with Speechify's mission and distributed work culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the outcomes.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your design process and final solutions.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how you would measure success.

• Focus on Seniority: Demonstrate strategic thinking, product sense, and an ability to influence beyond just visual design. Show how you've tackled complex problems.

• Tailor to Speechify: If possible, subtly tailor your portfolio to showcase relevant experience in consumer apps, audio, or accessibility, if applicable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand the design challenge provided, identifying key objectives and constraints.

• Outline Your Approach: Before diving into design, outline your process: what research will you do (or simulate), what assumptions will you make, what key user flows will you focus on?

• Prioritize and Scope: Recognize that you may not have time to solve everything. Focus on the most critical aspects and clearly define the scope of your solution.

• Communicate Your Rationale: Be prepared to articulate your design decisions clearly, explaining the "why" behind your choices, especially during a presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a 100% distributed model suggests that communication and the ability to articulate design decisions clearly (both written and verbal) will be heavily scrutinized. The portfolio is paramount for demonstrating practical skills and a robust design process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable, industry standard for collaborative design), Sketch, Adobe XD.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack (essential for distributed teams), Zoom or Google Meet for video calls.

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for task tracking and workflow management.

• Documentation: Confluence, Notion, or Google Workspace for maintaining design specifications, research findings, and team knowledge.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar tools for tracking user behavior and feature adoption.

• A/B Testing Tools: Optimizely, VWO, or in-house solutions for testing design variations.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, understanding how design impacts CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot) can be beneficial for understanding the broader user journey.

• Design Systems: Experience with or ability to build and maintain a scalable design system is highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is almost a given for modern product design roles, especially in a collaborative, distributed environment. Familiarity with analytics tools is crucial given the role's emphasis on data-driven decision-making.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible for everyone, especially individuals with learning differences.

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies (AI, audio) and push the boundaries of what's possible in reading and learning.

• Customer-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design and product decisions, actively seeking and incorporating feedback.

• Autonomy & Focus: Valuing the ability of individuals to manage their work effectively, maintain focus, and deliver high-quality results independently.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where ideas are shared openly, feedback is constructive, and team members work together despite physical distance.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design execution, attention to detail, and continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous First: Communication and collaboration are primarily managed through digital channels, with clear documentation and thoughtful asynchronous interactions.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers as integral members of product teams, fostering a shared sense of ownership.

• Feedback-Oriented: An environment where constructive feedback is encouraged to drive continuous improvement in both product and processes.

• Remote-First Mindset: Embracing the unique challenges and opportunities of a distributed team, promoting inclusivity and effective communication across time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are strongly tied to its mission and its operational model (distributed, asynchronous). Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they embody these values in their work and interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Fast-Paced Startup: Adapting to rapid changes, evolving priorities, and the demands of a high-growth environment.

• Designing for a Distributed Team: Mastering asynchronous communication and collaboration to ensure seamless teamwork and project execution across different time zones.

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Developing cutting-edge features while ensuring they are robust, scalable, and maintainable for a growing user base.

• Impact Measurement: Effectively quantifying the impact of design decisions in a complex product ecosystem and communicating this value to stakeholders.

• Staying Ahead of Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to advancements in AI, audio technology, and design tools.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in complex UX challenges, advanced prototyping, and potentially design systems.

• AI & Audio Specialization: Deepening expertise in designing for emerging technologies, becoming a thought leader in these domains.

• Product Strategy Influence: Gaining experience in shaping product roadmaps and contributing to business strategy discussions.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers or be mentored by senior leaders within the design or product teams.

• Industry Exposure: Access to conferences, webinars, and online courses relevant to product design, AI, and audio technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a fast-paced, remote-first startup focused on cutting-edge technology. The growth opportunities are significant for individuals looking to expand their strategic influence and technical expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced a product roadmap. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic thinking, data usage, and collaboration.)

• "How do you approach designing for accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for users with learning differences?" (Relates directly to Speechify's mission and Apple Design Award.)

• "Walk us through a complex UX challenge you faced and how you iterated your way to a solution. What metrics did you use to validate your success?" (Demonstrates problem-solving, iteration, and data-driven validation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Speechify's mission and our product?" (Shows genuine interest and alignment with company values.)

• "How do you approach working in a 100% distributed and asynchronous environment? What strategies do you use to stay connected and productive?" (Tests understanding and readiness for the work model.)

• "Describe your experience working with AI or audio-focused products." (Assesses relevant technical curiosity and experience.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, use a clear structure: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals (mockups, user flows, prototypes) to guide the interviewer through your thought process.

• Narrate Your Decisions: Explain the "why" behind your design choices. What user needs were you addressing? What data informed your decisions?

• Highlight Collaboration: If applicable, mention how you collaborated with engineers, PMs, or other stakeholders.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your process, toughest challenges, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the company's mission, its distributed work model, and the specific technologies (AI, audio). Candidates should be ready to demonstrate not just design skills but also strategic thinking and strong communication abilities suitable for a remote environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Speechify careers portal (linked via Greenhouse).

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases 3-5 in-depth case studies that highlight your end-to-end product design process, user research, prototyping, and demonstrable impact, with a preference for consumer-facing apps and cross-platform experience.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize relevant experience in UX/UI design, product strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and familiarity with tools like Figma. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design rationale, preparing to walk through your portfolio case studies, and researching Speechify's mission, product, and distributed work culture. Be ready to discuss how you'd approach design challenges in an asynchronous environment.

• Company Research: Understand Speechify's mission to make reading a barrier-free experience, their target audience (including those with learning differences), and their technological focus (AI, audio).

⚠️ 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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