Senior Product Designer - Nuremberg, Germany

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Speechify Location: Nuremberg, Germany Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / GTM Operations Date Posted: January 19, 2026 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from initial concept and research to prototyping, testing, delivery, and iterative refinement of consumer-facing features.
• Shape the user experience and interface (UX/UI) across Speechify's mobile applications (iOS and Android), focusing on intuitive design and seamless user journeys.
• Contribute significantly to the product roadmap, translating user needs and business objectives into innovative design solutions that enhance user engagement and retention.
• Optimize core user flows and onboarding experiences to improve user acquisition, activation, and overall product adoption within a high-growth startup environment.
• Foster a culture of design excellence and continuous improvement, helping to shape the design organization's processes and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as "Senior Product Designer" but the responsibilities and required experience align with a strategic GTM (Go-To-Market) Operations focus, particularly in user acquisition and retention through product design. The emphasis on influencing the product roadmap, optimizing core user flows, and embracing analytics alongside Product Managers indicates a blend of design and GTM strategy. The "Remote Solely" status for a role based in Nuremberg, Germany, suggests a fully distributed team model, common in modern tech companies, which necessitates strong asynchronous communication and collaboration skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, pitching, and prototyping of new product features, leveraging user research and data analytics to inform design decisions.
• Execute high-fidelity UI designs, interactive prototypes, and detailed specifications for implementation by engineering teams across iOS, Android, and web platforms.
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and A/B testing to validate design hypotheses and identify opportunities for UX/UI pattern refinement.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure design solutions are technically feasible, strategically aligned, and meet user needs.
• Articulate design rationale and present findings effectively to cross-functional teams and leadership, influencing product strategy and prioritization.
• Champion user-centric design principles, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility are core considerations in all product development efforts.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of design systems, style guides, and best practices to ensure consistency and efficiency across the product suite.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a hands-on design role with significant strategic input. The inclusion of "pitch, prototype, test, build, ship, and refine" highlights a full-cycle product development involvement. The emphasis on "influencing the product roadmap" and "working side-by-side with PMs to pinpoint key opportunities" strongly suggests a need for a designer who understands business objectives and can translate them into impactful product features, a key aspect of GTM strategy execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience: Demonstrated experience (5-10 years) in product design, with a proven track record of delivering consumer-facing products across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web).

Required Skills:

• Product Thinking: Ability to understand product strategy, articulate design rationale (what and why), and leverage analytics to identify opportunities.
• UX/UI Design: Expertise in designing intuitive and engaging user interfaces and experiences across mobile and web platforms.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency with industry-standard tools for creating interactive prototypes and wireframes (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).
• User Research & Testing: Experience conducting various forms of user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather actionable insights.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Engineers, and other designers.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Customer-Centricity: A deep understanding of user needs and the ability to translate customer feedback into design improvements.
• Craftsmanship: Strong skills in typography, information design, and micro-interactions, with an understanding of technical constraints for iOS, Android, and browser environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with audio-focused products or technologies.
• Familiarity with AI-driven product features and their design implications.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles (experience with dyslexia or ADD user needs is a plus).
• Experience working in a high-growth, distributed startup environment.
• Familiarity with design systems and their implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI experience level: 5-10" is interpreted as 5-10 years of relevant professional experience. The requirement for "consumer-facing products across multiple platforms" and "product thinking" alongside "working side-by-side with PMs" indicates a need for a designer who can operate strategically and contribute to GTM goals like user acquisition and engagement. The mention of "audio" and "AI" points to specific domain knowledge that would be advantageous.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Comprehensive case studies showcasing the entire design process, from problem definition and user research to ideation, prototyping, user testing, and final delivery.
• Platform Diversity: Examples demonstrating experience designing for multiple platforms, specifically iOS, Android, and web/browser extensions.
• Problem-Solving & Impact: Clear articulation of the problems addressed, the design solutions implemented, and the measurable impact (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction, feature adoption).
• User-Centricity & Research: Evidence of user research methodologies employed and how customer feedback directly influenced design decisions.
• Collaboration & Iteration: Documentation of the collaborative process with PMs and engineers, and examples of iterative design improvements based on feedback and data.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Showcase how you approach designing and optimizing complex user flows, such as onboarding, feature discovery, or core task completion.
• Prototyping & Testing: Detail your process for creating functional prototypes and conducting various forms of user testing to validate designs.
• Data Integration: Illustrate how you integrate quantitative data (analytics) and qualitative feedback into your design process to drive informed decisions.
• Design System Contribution: Examples of contributions to or utilization of design systems to ensure consistency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, a portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on showcasing the process and impact, not just the final visuals. Demonstrating how the candidate translates business needs (GTM objectives) into user-centric design solutions, supported by data and research, will be critical. The "AI experience level: 5-10" strongly suggests that candidates should present complex, multi-platform projects that reflect this level of seniority.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €65,000 - €90,000 annually (Estimate based on Senior Product Designer roles in Nuremberg, Germany, with 5-10 years of experience in the tech industry. This range accounts for the cost of living in Nuremberg and the competitive landscape for skilled designers in Germany.) Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Offering a salary commensurate with experience and market rates.
• Stock Options: Potential for equity in a high-growth startup.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including conferences, workshops, and access to learning resources.
• Asynchronous Work Culture: A commitment to an exceptional asynchronous work environment, promoting flexibility and autonomy.
• Impactful Product: The privilege of working on a product that significantly impacts users, particularly those with learning differences.
• Dynamic Environment: A fast-paced and innovative setting where contributions directly shape the company and its products.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. Speechify emphasizes an asynchronous work culture, allowing for flexibility in how and when work is accomplished, provided objectives are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates for Nuremberg, Germany, were researched using industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 5-10 years of experience in the tech sector. The provided range is an approximation and actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, performance, and specific company compensation structures. The "AI working hours: 40" is a standard full-time indicator, but the "asynchronous work culture" note is crucial for candidate expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (specifically Text-to-Speech, AI, Accessibility, Education Technology). Speechify operates at the intersection of AI, audio technology, and educational tools, aiming to remove reading barriers for millions worldwide. Company Size: Approximately 200 employees. This indicates a mid-sized, growing startup environment where individual contributions have a significant impact. Founded: Speechify was founded with a mission to make reading accessible to everyone. The company has grown rapidly, attracting top talent and achieving significant user adoption.

Team Structure:

• Speechify operates as a 100% distributed company with no physical offices.
• The team comprises engineers, AI research scientists, designers, and other professionals from diverse backgrounds, including former employees of major tech companies (Amazon, Microsoft, Google) and successful startup founders.
• The design organization is likely lean and agile, fostering close collaboration between designers, product managers, and engineers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasis on analytics to pinpoint key opportunities and measure the impact of design and product changes.
• Agile Development: Iterative approach to product development, with continuous pitching, prototyping, testing, shipping, and refining of features.
• Asynchronous Collaboration: Tools and processes designed for effective communication and collaboration across different time zones and work schedules.
• Customer-Centricity: Strong focus on understanding and incorporating user feedback into the design and product development process.

Company Website: https://speechify.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is defined by its distributed nature, mission-driven approach, and focus on innovation at the intersection of AI and audio. For a Senior Product Designer, this means thriving in an autonomous, asynchronous environment, collaborating digitally, and contributing to a product with a profound social impact. The company size suggests opportunities for broad influence but also requires proactive engagement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and ownership over significant product areas. It implies leadership potential within the design function. Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Manager, or potentially a Product Lead, depending on the specific organizational structure. They will work closely with Product Managers and engineering teams. Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on Speechify's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by enhancing user acquisition, activation, retention, and overall user experience. Effective UX/UI design is critical for driving engagement, converting users, and differentiating the product in a competitive market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Potential to grow into a lead design role, mentoring junior designers, and shaping the design team's strategy and processes.
• Product Strategy: Deeper involvement in product strategy, roadmapping, and business goal definition, leveraging design expertise to drive business outcomes.
• Specialization: Opportunity to become an expert in specific areas like AI-driven product design, audio UX, or accessibility design within the company.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Development of strong skills in product management collaboration, user research, and data analysis, broadening career pathways.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and the responsibilities outlined suggest a role with significant growth potential beyond individual contribution, including leadership and strategic influence. The impact on GTM is primarily through improving the product experience to drive user acquisition and retention.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: 100% Distributed (Remote Solely). Speechify operates without physical offices, meaning all work is conducted remotely from individual home offices. Office Location(s): While the role is based in Nuremberg, Germany, the company operates globally with a distributed team. This implies a need for robust remote work infrastructure and practices.

Workspace Context:

• Asynchronous Collaboration: The primary mode of interaction will be asynchronous, requiring strong written communication skills and proficiency with collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Notion, Loom).
• Autonomy & Focus: The environment is designed to foster autonomy and deep work, with expectations for individuals to manage their time effectively and deliver results.
• Technology Stack: Access to modern design and collaboration tools necessary for remote work and product development.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, the asynchronous culture allows for flexibility. This means designers can often structure their workdays to suit personal productivity peaks, as long as they are available for scheduled meetings and responsive to urgent communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote Solely" and "Nuremberg, Germany" location needs careful interpretation. It signifies that while the role is advertised in Germany and likely adheres to German labor laws and tax requirements, the work itself is fully remote, and the candidate is expected to work from their home in or near Nuremberg. The emphasis on asynchronous work is key for setting expectations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Screening of resumes and portfolios for relevant experience, skills, and alignment with Speechify's mission.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where the candidate presents 2-3 key case studies from their portfolio, detailing their design process, problem-solving approach, and impact. This is a crucial stage for assessing product thinking and communication skills.
• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical exercise or take-home challenge designed to evaluate the candidate's skills in problem-solving, UX/UI design, and conceptual thinking related to Speechify's product.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other stakeholders to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: A discussion with leadership to evaluate overall fit, strategic alignment, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies to clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcomes. Quantify impact wherever possible.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Include visuals, wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and research artifacts.
• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with PMs, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Focus on Process: Explain why you made certain design decisions, not just what you designed.
• Tailor to Speechify: Emphasize projects that showcase experience with mobile (iOS/Android), consumer products, and ideally, audio or accessibility-related challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Thoroughly research Speechify, its mission, target audience, and existing products.
• Think Strategically: Consider how design can support business objectives like user acquisition, engagement, and retention.
• Be User-Centric: Ground your solutions in user needs and research.
• Communicate Clearly: Be prepared to articulate your thought process and design rationale effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical component for this role. Candidates should be prepared to deep-dive into their work, demonstrating not just design execution but strategic thinking and a robust understanding of the product development lifecycle. The emphasis on "consumer-facing products" and "multiple platforms" in the requirements means portfolios should reflect this breadth.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends and collaborative nature), Sketch, Adobe XD.
• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or internal tools for conducting remote research and usability tests.
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Notion, Loom for asynchronous communication and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or similar tools to understand user behavior and feature adoption.
• Data Visualization: Tools that integrate with analytics platforms to present data insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, familiarity with how CRM and marketing automation platforms impact user journeys and data collection may be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, industry standards for senior product designers in tech companies, especially in a distributed environment, heavily favor Figma. Familiarity with user research and analytics tools is also crucial for demonstrating product thinking and data-informed design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A deep commitment to Speechify's mission of making reading accessible and empowering users, especially those with learning differences.
• Customer-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all design and product decisions, actively seeking and incorporating user feedback.
• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, technologies (like AI and audio), and design approaches to solve complex problems.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication, active listening, and a willingness to share ideas and feedback constructively within a distributed team.
• Autonomy & Ownership: Trusting individuals to manage their work, take initiative, and own the outcomes of their contributions.
• Efficiency & Focus: A high-performance culture that values deep work and effective time management in an asynchronous setting.

Collaboration Style:

• Asynchronous First: Prioritizing clear written communication, documentation, and asynchronous tools to facilitate collaboration across time zones.
• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Working closely and iteratively with Product Managers, Engineers, AI researchers, and other designers to co-create solutions.
• Feedback Culture: Encouraging open and constructive feedback to continuously improve designs and processes.
• Data-Informed Discussions: Using data and user insights as a basis for design discussions and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: Speechify's values are heavily influenced by its mission and its distributed operational model. Candidates should emphasize their ability to thrive in an autonomous, asynchronous environment and their passion for the company's mission, particularly its impact on accessibility.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Design in a Distributed Environment: Maintaining design consistency, quality, and team cohesion while working entirely remotely.
• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively translating Speechify's ambitious GTM and business objectives into user-centric designs that drive engagement and conversion.
• Rapid Iteration & Feature Velocity: Keeping pace with a high-growth startup's demand for rapid feature development and iteration without compromising design quality.
• Designing for Diverse User Needs: Catering to a broad user base, including individuals with specific learning differences, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in all designs.
• Navigating AI Integration: Designing intuitive and effective user experiences for AI-powered features, which are rapidly evolving.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Gaining hands-on experience with AI and audio technologies at the forefront of the tech industry.
• Product Strategy Influence: Developing a deeper understanding of product strategy and GTM operations through close collaboration with PMs and leadership.
• Design System Leadership: Contributing to or leading the evolution of a design system for a rapidly growing product suite.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn from world-class engineers and AI researchers, broadening technical and strategic understanding.
• Remote Work Best Practices: Honing skills in asynchronous communication, self-management, and remote collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic nature of a high-growth, remote-first startup. The growth opportunities are significant for a senior designer looking to expand their strategic influence and technical domain expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you influenced a product roadmap based on user research or data analysis. How did you present your findings and gain buy-in?" (Focus on demonstrating product thinking, GTM alignment, and communication skills.)
• "How would you approach redesigning the onboarding flow for Speechify's mobile app to improve user activation rates? Walk us through your process." (Assess your approach to core user flows, data integration, and GTM impact.)
• "Imagine we're launching a new AI-powered feature. What are the key design considerations for building trust and ensuring a seamless user experience?" (Tests your understanding of AI design and user-centricity.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you drawn to Speechify's mission? How does it resonate with your personal values or career aspirations?" (Prepare to articulate your connection to the mission and its impact.)
• "How do you approach collaboration in a fully remote, asynchronous environment? What strategies do you use to stay connected and effective?" (Showcase your understanding of distributed team dynamics.)
• "Describe a situation where you had to balance conflicting feedback from stakeholders (e.g., PM vs. Engineering vs. User). How did you navigate it?" (Evaluate your negotiation and problem-solving skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Dedicate ample time to presenting 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant case studies. Clearly outline the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, iteration), the solution, and quantifiable results.
• Demonstrate Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business impact or user improvement achieved. Use metrics where possible (e.g., conversion lift, engagement increase, task completion time reduction).
• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to explain the rationale behind your design decisions and how they addressed the identified problems or business objectives.
• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight how you worked with cross-functional teams.
• Interactive Elements: If possible, use tools like Loom to create short video walkthroughs of interactive prototypes to showcase your design execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on assessing strategic thinking, GTM awareness through design, and the ability to thrive in Speechify's unique remote-first culture. Candidates should be ready to connect their design work directly to business outcomes and user impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 case studies that best demonstrate your experience with consumer-facing mobile (iOS/Android) and web products, end-to-end design processes, and measurable impact. Tailor your presentation to highlight how your design thinking aligns with Speechify's mission and GTM goals.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your years of experience (5-10), specific skills in UX/UI design, prototyping, user research, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords like "consumer products," "mobile design," "product strategy," and "user acquisition/retention."
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with data-driven design and working collaboratively in a remote setting.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Speechify's mission, products, target audience, and recent news. Understand their unique position in the market and how your design skills can contribute to their continued growth and success.

⚠️ 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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