Senior Product Designer - Native Apps
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Native Apps Company: Betty Job Board Location: Sofia, Sofia-City, Bulgaria Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design (Native Apps) Date Posted: 2025-10-27 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
- Spearhead the design of critical native mobile app user journeys, encompassing game discovery, in-game experiences, onboarding flows, and notification systems.
- Champion a deep understanding and application of platform-specific design conventions for both iOS and Android, including navigation patterns, gestures, motion, haptics, safe areas, and accessibility standards.
- Leverage rapid prototyping with micro-interactions and animations to accelerate learning and validate user flows, ensuring intuitive and engaging user experiences.
- Foster a collaborative design process by partnering closely with Product Managers and native iOS/Android engineers to deliver pixel-perfect, high-performance UI.
- Drive product iteration through the planning and execution of experiments, defining success metrics, and synthesizing insights from quantitative and qualitative data.
- Elevate the design bar by championing native UX best practices, accessibility, and overall craft, while actively mentoring junior designers and contributing to team rituals and process improvements.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on native mobile app design, specifically for iOS and Android platforms, within the entertainment and online casino gaming sector. The emphasis on "shipping consumer iOS/Android apps at scale" and "end-to-end problem solving" suggests a need for a candidate who can not only conceptualize but also execute and iterate on designs that have a proven track record of user engagement and business impact. The "Raise the bar" responsibility highlights a leadership component, expecting the candidate to mentor others and influence design strategy.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
- Define and design end-to-end user experiences for core native mobile app functionalities, including game discovery, in-game interfaces, user onboarding, and push notification strategies.
- Translate complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive, engaging, and platform-idiomatic designs for both iOS and Android.
- Develop interactive prototypes incorporating micro-interactions and motion design to effectively communicate user flows and interaction models.
- Collaborate extensively with Product Managers to define product strategy and roadmap, and with Engineering teams to ensure technical feasibility and accurate implementation of designs.
- Design and oversee the execution of user research studies and A/B tests to gather insights, validate design decisions, and measure the impact of design changes on key performance indicators.
- Contribute to the evolution of the design system by creating reusable components, establishing design patterns, and ensuring consistency across the native applications.
- Champion accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and localization best practices to ensure inclusivity and global reach for the product.
- Actively participate in design critiques, provide constructive feedback to peers, and contribute to the continuous improvement of team processes and workflows.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to design, covering the entire product development lifecycle from discovery to iteration. The focus on "native journeys," "platform conventions," and "pixel-perfect, performant UI" indicates a requirement for deep technical understanding of mobile design and development constraints. The expectation to "plan experiments, define success metrics, learn from quant & qual, and iterate rapidly" underscores a data-driven approach to design optimization.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience Design, or a related field is implicitly expected, demonstrated through experience and portfolio.
Experience: 5–8+ years of professional experience in product design, UI design, or UX design, with a significant portion dedicated to shipping consumer-facing iOS and Android applications at scale.
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in end-to-end product design, from conceptualization and wireframing to high-fidelity prototyping and visual design for native mobile applications.
- Deep understanding and practical application of iOS Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) and Android Material Design principles.
- Proficiency in Figma, including advanced skills in layout, typography, hierarchy, component libraries, and design system development.
- Ability to design for accessibility, considering features like dynamic type, screen readers, and color contrast ratios.
- Experience in crafting micro-interactions and motion design to enhance user experience and provide clear feedback.
- Strong understanding of user research methodologies, including usability testing, user interviews, and survey design.
- Experience in defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics for design initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly.
- Proactive, pragmatic, and results-oriented mindset, with a focus on simplifying complexity and delivering high-quality work efficiently.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience designing for the gaming or entertainment industry, particularly in real money online casino or casual mobile gaming.
- Familiarity with design tools for animation and motion graphics (e.g., After Effects, Principle).
- Experience with localization best practices for mobile applications.
- Understanding of offline and edge-case handling in mobile app design.
- Experience in mentoring junior designers and contributing to design team culture.
- Familiarity with agile development methodologies.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "significant time shipping consumer iOS/Android apps at scale" is a critical filter, indicating a need for candidates who have experience with high-traffic, complex applications. The emphasis on "measurable outcomes" in the portfolio is crucial, suggesting that candidates must be able to quantify the impact of their design work. "Figma expert" points to a specific tool requirement, and "systems thinking" and "component literacy" highlight the importance of designing maintainable and scalable design solutions.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5-8+ years of product/UI/UX design work, with a strong emphasis on shipped native iOS and Android applications.
- Demonstrations of end-to-end problem-solving, detailing the design process from initial concept and user research through to final delivery and post-launch iteration.
- Case studies that clearly articulate the user problem, design solutions, interaction design choices, motion design elements, and importantly, measurable outcomes and impact on business metrics.
- Examples highlighting expertise in visual craft, including layout, typography, hierarchy, and the application of design systems.
- Evidence of designing for platform conventions, accessibility, and potentially localization.
Process Documentation:
- Case studies should ideally include documentation of the design process, such as user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.
- Candidates should be prepared to discuss their iterative design process, including how they incorporated user feedback, A/B test results, and quantitative/qualitative data to refine designs.
- Examples demonstrating how they partnered with engineering and product teams to ensure successful implementation and delivery of the designed features.
📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, specifically requiring evidence of "shipped native work" with "measurable outcomes." This means candidates should prepare detailed case studies that go beyond aesthetics, focusing on the impact and effectiveness of their designs in real-world applications. The ability to articulate the "end-to-end problem solving" journey is paramount.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, a competitive annual salary range is estimated to be between €45,000 and €70,000 gross. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary package.
- Premium Health insurance coverage.
- Opportunities for career advancement and continuous skills development.
- A fun, collaborative, and inclusive team environment.
- Access to a new, modern office space designed for productivity and collaboration.
Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely to be around 40 hours per week, typical for full-time positions. While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility depending on team needs and project deadlines.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on research for similar senior-level design roles in Sofia, considering the current market conditions and cost of living in Bulgaria. The provided benefits align with standard offerings for full-time employees in the tech and entertainment sectors.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Entertainment, specifically pioneering at the intersection of real money online casino and casual mobile gaming. Betty Job Board is a licensed B2C operator, emphasizing transparency, ethical gaming practices, player safety, fairness, and inclusivity.
Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of "team rituals and process" and "mentoring designers" suggests a growing, structured organization, likely in the mid-size range (e.g., 50-250 employees), which allows for both impactful individual contributions and collaborative team dynamics.
Founded: The company was accredited as a B2C operator in February 2023. This indicates a relatively young, innovative company that is rapidly establishing itself in the market.
Team Structure:
- The design team likely consists of multiple designers specializing in different areas (e.g., mobile, web, UX research).
- The Senior Product Designer will report into a Design Lead or Head of Product/Design.
- Close collaboration is expected with Product Managers, native iOS and Android Engineers, and potentially QA testers and marketing teams.
Methodology:
- Data-driven decision-making, utilizing quantitative (A/B tests, analytics) and qualitative (user research) insights to inform design.
- Iterative design and development cycles, emphasizing rapid prototyping, validation, and continuous improvement.
- A strong focus on native UX best practices, accessibility, and platform conventions to ensure high-quality, user-centric products.
- Emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing within the design and engineering teams.
Company Website: [Betty Job Board Company URL - Placeholder, as it was not provided in the input]
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on a "uniquely transparent environment," "ethical gaming practices," and "player safety" suggests a culture that values responsibility and integrity. Their values – "We are honest," "Bring the Olives" (premium customer experience), and "Think Big" – provide a clear framework for expected behavior and ambition within the organization.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a mid-to-senior level position within the design function. Professionals at this level are expected to be largely independent, capable of owning significant product areas, and contributing to strategic design decisions. They are also expected to mentor more junior team members and influence design processes.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Lead Product Designer, or Head of Product. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, forming a core triad for product development.
Operations Impact: The Senior Product Designer's work will directly impact user acquisition, engagement, retention, and potentially monetization within the native mobile apps. By optimizing critical journeys like onboarding and in-game experiences, they will contribute significantly to the company's overall success in the competitive online entertainment and gaming market. Their focus on measurable outcomes means their impact will be quantifiable.
Growth Opportunities:
- Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in native mobile UX, interaction design, motion design, and accessibility for both iOS and Android platforms. Potential to lead design initiatives for new features or product areas.
- Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead Designer role, taking on more strategic responsibilities, managing a team of designers, and influencing product vision. Mentorship opportunities are explicitly mentioned.
- Industry Specialization: Further specialization within the dynamic online gaming and entertainment sector, gaining deep insights into player behavior and market trends.
- Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunity to work on a variety of projects, collaborating with diverse teams and gaining a holistic understanding of the business.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "Raise the bar" responsibility and explicit mention of "mentor designers" strongly suggest that this role offers a pathway towards design leadership, not just individual contribution. The company's growth phase, indicated by its recent licensing, implies ample opportunities for individuals to shape processes and outcomes.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The job description mentions a "New modern office space," implying a contemporary, well-equipped, and potentially open-plan or flexible office layout designed to foster collaboration and productivity.
Office Location(s): The office is located in Sofia, Bulgaria. Specific details about accessibility, amenities, or the exact location within Sofia would need to be confirmed by the company.
Workspace Context:
- The environment is described as "fun and collaborative," suggesting a positive team atmosphere where designers are encouraged to share ideas and work together.
- As an on-site role, designers will have direct access to their colleagues, including PMs and engineers, facilitating seamless communication and real-time problem-solving.
- The modern office space likely includes the necessary tools and technology infrastructure to support design workflows, from high-performance workstations to collaboration tools.
Work Schedule: The role is full-time and on-site, with standard working hours. While specific flexibility isn't detailed, modern tech companies often allow for some degree of flexibility around core hours, especially for senior roles, to accommodate project needs and personal well-being.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "fun and collaborative team environment" and a "new modern office space" suggests a company culture that invests in its employee experience and physical workspace to foster innovation and teamwork. The on-site nature is key for the close collaboration required with engineering and product teams.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on resume and portfolio relevance.
- Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing 2-3 key case studies that demonstrate their end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and impact on native mobile apps. This is where "measurable outcomes" will be scrutinized.
- Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical design exercise or a take-home challenge may be given to assess problem-solving skills, design thinking, and proficiency with Figma. This could involve designing a specific feature or flow.
- Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers and Engineering leads to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and alignment with team processes.
- Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion with team members to evaluate alignment with Betty Job Board's values (honesty, premium experience, thinking big) and overall team dynamics.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Curate Strategically: Select case studies that precisely match the job description's requirements: native iOS/Android apps, end-to-end problem-solving, interaction/motion design, and quantifiable results.
- Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the "why" (the problem), the "what" (your solution), and the "how" (your process, including tools and collaboration).
- Quantify Impact: Be prepared to discuss specific metrics and how your design contributed to improvements (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced drop-off, improved engagement).
- Showcase Native Expertise: Highlight your understanding of platform conventions, accessibility, and how you leveraged native features.
- Figma Proficiency: Be ready to walk through your Figma files, demonstrating your system thinking and component usage.
Challenge Preparation:
- Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly research Betty Job Board's products and industry to inform your approach.
- Focus on Process: Even if time is limited, clearly outline your design process, assumptions, and rationale.
- Prioritize: For timed challenges, focus on delivering a strong core solution rather than trying to perfect every detail. Demonstrate your ability to make pragmatic decisions under pressure.
- Think about Iteration: Consider how your solution could be further tested and improved post-launch.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "native work," "measurable outcomes," and "end-to-end problem solving" will be central to the portfolio review. Candidates should prepare to deeply discuss their contributions and the impact of their designs, rather than just presenting a collection of pretty screens.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Expertise is a strict requirement.
- Prototyping Tools: While Figma has strong prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools like Principle, After Effects, or other motion design software might be beneficial for micro-interactions and animations.
- User Testing Platforms: Experience using platforms for remote usability testing and user interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).
Analytics & Reporting:
- Mobile Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Firebase Analytics, or similar platforms used for tracking user behavior, defining metrics, and analyzing performance data.
- A/B Testing Tools: Experience with platforms like Optimizely, Firebase A/B Testing, or in-house A/B testing frameworks to run experiments and measure design impact.
CRM & Automation:
- While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design impacts user journeys within a CRM context or how user data fuels design decisions is valuable. Familiarity with how design artifacts are integrated into development pipelines (e.g., Jira, Confluence) is also beneficial.
📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a required tool. The emphasis on "planning experiments, defining success metrics, learning from quant & qual" strongly implies a need for proficiency with mobile analytics and A/B testing tools to measure design effectiveness.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Honesty: Upholding integrity in all design decisions, user interactions, and team collaborations. Being transparent about challenges and learnings.
- Bring the Olives (Premium Customer Experience): A commitment to delivering exceptional, high-quality user experiences that delight players and set a new standard in the industry. This translates to meticulous attention to detail, intuitive design, and a focus on user satisfaction.
- Think Big: Encouraging ambitious thinking, pushing creative boundaries, and striving for innovative solutions that drive significant impact and company growth. This involves not just solving current problems but anticipating future needs.
- Data-Driven: A strong reliance on data (quantitative and qualitative) to inform design decisions, validate hypotheses, and measure the success of design interventions.
- Collaboration & Mentorship: Fostering a supportive environment where designers work together, share knowledge, and actively mentor each other to elevate the entire team's capabilities.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Partnership: Working closely and proactively with Product Managers and Engineers throughout the entire product development lifecycle, ensuring alignment and shared understanding.
- Open Communication: Encouraging direct and honest feedback through design critiques, team meetings, and informal discussions.
- Iterative Improvement: Embracing a culture of continuous learning and refinement, where designs are seen as hypotheses to be tested and improved upon.
- Process Ownership: Actively contributing to and improving team rituals, design processes, and best practices.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values directly translate into expectations for how designers should operate and collaborate. The emphasis on "premium customer experience" and "thinking big" suggests a drive for excellence and innovation, while "honesty" promotes transparency and ethical practices.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Rapid Iteration in a Fast-Paced Environment: The gaming and entertainment industry, especially with new licensing, is highly dynamic. The challenge will be to maintain design quality and user focus while iterating rapidly to meet market demands and business goals.
- Balancing Platform Conventions with Brand Identity: Designing for both iOS and Android requires deep understanding of their respective guidelines, while also ensuring a cohesive and distinct brand experience for Betty Job Board.
- Quantifying Design Impact in a Complex Product: Demonstrating the direct impact of design on complex user journeys within an online casino and gaming app, especially with multiple contributing factors, can be challenging.
- Mentoring and Raising Design Standards: As a senior member, the challenge will be to effectively mentor others and proactively elevate the overall design maturity and craft within the team.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Deep Dive into Mobile Native UX: Gaining unparalleled experience in designing for iOS and Android, including advanced interaction, motion, and accessibility features.
- Industry Expertise: Developing specialized knowledge in the online gaming and entertainment sector, understanding player psychology and market dynamics.
- Design Leadership: Opportunities to take on more strategic responsibilities, lead design initiatives, and potentially manage design projects or a team.
- Process Improvement: Contributing to the development and refinement of design processes and best practices within a growing company.
- Access to Modern Tools and Technologies: Working with cutting-edge design software and collaborating with skilled engineering teams.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight areas where a candidate can demonstrate resilience, strategic thinking, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. The growth opportunities point to the potential for significant career development within a burgeoning company and industry.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "Describe your process for designing a new user journey, from initial concept to post-launch iteration, for a native mobile app. How do you ensure it aligns with platform conventions and business goals?" (Focus on end-to-end process, data usage, and platform specificity).
- "Walk us through a time you had to balance conflicting requirements from Product, Engineering, and User needs. How did you navigate this, and what was the outcome?" (Assess collaboration, problem-solving, and pragmatism).
- "How do you approach designing for accessibility and localization on iOS and Android? Can you share an example where this was critical?" (Demonstrate technical understanding and inclusivity).
- "Tell us about a time you used A/B testing or user research to significantly improve a feature or user flow. What metrics did you track, and what did you learn?" (Highlight data-driven approach and measurable impact).
Company & Culture Questions:
- "How do Betty Job Board's values – honesty, premium customer experience, and thinking big – resonate with your personal design philosophy and work style?" (Assess cultural fit and alignment).
- "What are your thoughts on the current state of UX in the online casino/gaming industry? Where do you see opportunities for innovation?" (Gauge industry awareness and forward-thinking).
- "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, and what is your approach to mentoring junior designers?" (Evaluate teamwork and leadership potential).
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role and process, the solutions you designed, the challenges you faced, and most importantly, the measurable outcomes and impact.
- Highlight Native Design: Explicitly point out how your designs adhere to iOS HIG and Android Material Design. Showcase your understanding of gestures, motion, and accessibility.
- Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Be ready to navigate your Figma files, explain your component system, and show how you manage complex designs efficiently.
- Quantify Everything Possible: Use data points to support your claims about success. If exact company metrics aren't shareable, discuss the types of metrics you'd aim for and how you'd measure them.
- Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your design decisions, trade-offs made, and how you collaborated with engineers.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to demonstrate tangible results ("measurable outcomes") and their deep understanding of native mobile design principles. Candidates should prepare specific examples that align with the company's values and the role's emphasis on driving user engagement and business success.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Product Designer - Native Apps position:
- Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.
- Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 5-10+ years of experience in product/UI/UX design, with a specific emphasis on shipping consumer iOS and Android applications at scale. Use keywords from the job description such as "native apps," "iOS," "Android," "Figma," "interaction design," "motion design," and "accessibility."
- Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 compelling case studies from your portfolio that best showcase your end-to-end problem-solving skills, native app design expertise, and quantifiable impact. Prioritize examples with clear, measurable outcomes. Be prepared to present these case studies in detail.
- Research Betty Job Board: Familiarize yourself with the company's mission, values, and its position in the online entertainment and gaming market. Understand their commitment to transparency, player safety, and premium experience.
- Prepare for a Design Conversation: Be ready to discuss your design process, your rationale behind design decisions, and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams. Practice articulating your contributions and their impact, especially regarding native app development and user engagement.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
5–8+ years in product/UI/UX with significant experience in shipping consumer iOS/Android apps is required. A strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end problem solving and interaction design is essential.