Senior Product Designer - Search

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Search Company: eBay Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / GTM (Go-To-Market) Operations Date Posted: January 29, 2026 Experience Level: 6+ Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in enhancing eBay's core buyer experience by focusing on the Search, Browse, and SEO organization, directly impacting user engagement and conversion rates.
• The Senior Product Designer will be instrumental in crafting human-centered and "magical" shopping experiences, leveraging advanced design tools and methodologies.
• This position requires a blend of creative excellence, critical thinking, and strong cross-functional collaboration to drive product innovation from concept to execution.
• The role emphasizes a deep understanding of user needs, technical feasibility, and business priorities to deliver impactful design solutions within a high-performing, collaborative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior Product Designer - Search," the emphasis on improving the "end-to-end search journey," "driving business impact," and collaborating with "product, engineering, research, and content peers" positions this role closely aligned with Go-To-Market (GTM) operations. The success of search directly influences customer acquisition, conversion, and overall revenue, making this a critical function within the broader GTM strategy. The operations aspect lies in optimizing the user acquisition and conversion funnel through superior product design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design and execution of product experiences for eBay's Search, Browse, and SEO functions, from initial concept to polished UI.
• Apply advanced Figma and prototyping skills to create detailed interaction flows, component-level systems, and high-fidelity designs that elevate the standard of quality and consistency across the platform.
• Drive product discovery and design thinking to tackle complex challenges, ensuring solutions are intuitive, user-centric, and aligned with business objectives.
• Foster strong partnerships with product managers, engineers, researchers, and content strategists to explore opportunities, refine hypotheses, and deliver integrated design solutions.
• Articulate design rationale through compelling storytelling, clearly connecting design decisions to measurable outcomes, user needs, and the overarching product vision.
• Maintain well-documented and organized design systems and assets to facilitate cross-team alignment, ensure consistency, and enable efficient handoffs between design and development.
• Proactively identify and integrate evolving design patterns, technology trends, and user behaviors to bring fresh ideas that push design craft and inspire the broader team.
• Conduct user-centered research and testing to inform design iterations, ensuring a deep understanding of customer needs and pain points within the search and browsing experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on process ownership ("Lead the design and execution"), system thinking ("component-level systems," "design systems"), and outcome-driven work ("measurable outcomes," "business impact"). This aligns with operational excellence, where consistent, scalable, and impactful processes are key.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is often preferred for senior roles in product design. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• 6+ years of professional product design experience, with a strong preference for candidates with backgrounds in e-commerce and/or search-related product development.
• Proven track record of leading design initiatives and delivering impactful user experiences across native mobile and web platforms.

Required Skills:

• Advanced mastery of Figma for creating detailed wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Proficiency in advanced prototyping tools to demonstrate complex user flows and interactions.
• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, capable of articulating design thinking, rationale, and user journeys to diverse audiences, including senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners, including Product Management, Engineering, User Research, and Content Strategy.
• Experience in applying user-centered research and testing methodologies to inform and iterate on design solutions.
• A strong understanding of design systems, component libraries, and their application in maintaining consistency and scalability.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address complex design challenges within a fast-paced environment.
• User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design expertise, with a keen eye for visual design principles and interaction design.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the e-commerce industry, understanding its unique user behaviors and business drivers.
• Deep understanding of search algorithms, information architecture, and their impact on user experience.
• Familiarity with A/B testing and conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles as they relate to design decisions.
• Experience contributing to or managing design systems.
• Ability to translate complex technical constraints into elegant design solutions.
• Knowledge of inclusive design principles and accessibility standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "6+ years" signifies a senior-level role, requiring not just execution but also leadership in design strategy and mentorship. The specific mention of Figma and prototyping tools, along with design systems, points to the need for operational efficiency in the design process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design projects, demonstrating your ability to translate complex problems into elegant and user-centered solutions.
• Include case studies that highlight your strategic thinking, design process, and the measurable impact of your work on user experience and business objectives.
• Projects should ideally demonstrate experience with e-commerce, search functionalities, or large-scale platforms.
• Showcase your proficiency with Figma and other relevant design and prototyping tools.
• Examples of contributions to or creation of design systems and component libraries are highly valued.

Process Documentation:

• Your portfolio should illustrate your approach to design process, including:
  • User research methodologies and how insights were integrated into design decisions.
  • Design thinking frameworks and problem-solving approaches.
  • Collaboration processes with cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Research).
  • Iterative design cycles, including user testing and feedback incorporation.
  • Handoff processes to engineering, ensuring clarity and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role, especially in a large organization like eBay, the portfolio is not just a showcase of execution but a testament to the candidate's ability to manage complex design processes, collaborate effectively, and deliver measurable results. This is a key operational deliverable for the candidate.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with 6+ years of experience, the estimated salary range is CAD $100,000 - $150,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the final scope of responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans.
• Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., RRSP matching or similar).
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) or stock options.
• Professional Development opportunities, including training, conferences, and workshops.
• Employee Discounts on eBay purchases.
• Parental Leave policies.
• Life and Disability Insurance.
• Opportunities for flexible work arrangements where applicable.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, eBay often promotes a culture of work-life balance, allowing for flexibility in daily scheduling, provided core business hours and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on the role's seniority, location (Toronto, a major tech hub), and industry standards for Senior Product Designers. Benefits are standard for large tech companies and are presented with operations professionals in mind, highlighting aspects like professional development and work-life balance support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Technology, Online Marketplace Company Size: eBay is a large, publicly traded company with tens of thousands of employees globally. This scale means established processes, robust infrastructure, and significant opportunities for impact across a vast user base. Founded: eBay was founded in 1995, bringing decades of experience and innovation in the online marketplace space. This history suggests a culture that values resilience, adaptation, and continuous improvement.

Team Structure:

• The Search, Browse, and SEO organization is a core business unit within eBay, likely comprising multiple product teams.
• The Senior Product Designer will be part of a dedicated design function within this organization, working closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and content strategists.
• Reporting is expected to be to a Design Lead or Director within the Search domain, with strong cross-functional collaboration across product and engineering.

Methodology:

• eBay likely employs agile development methodologies, emphasizing iterative design, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.
• A strong focus on data-driven decision-making, leveraging analytics and user research to inform product strategy and design choices.
• Emphasis on design systems and component-based architecture to ensure consistency and efficiency across a complex platform.
• A culture that encourages innovation, experimentation, and a user-centric approach to product development.

Company Website: https://www.ebayinc.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding eBay's scale, history, and industry context is crucial for a Senior Product Designer. The emphasis on "core to eBay's business" and "heart of the buyer experience" highlights the strategic importance of this role, which translates to significant operational influence on user acquisition and conversion.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This role signifies a significant level of expertise and autonomy. It involves not only individual contribution but also leadership in design strategy, mentorship of junior designers, and influencing product direction. The focus on "Search" indicates specialization within a critical domain.

Reporting Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director within the Search, Browse, and SEO organization.
• Close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and User Researchers will be a daily aspect of the role.

Operations Impact:

• The Search function is a primary driver of customer acquisition and conversion on eBay. A Senior Product Designer in this area has a direct and substantial impact on business metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, average order value, and overall revenue.
• By improving the efficiency and effectiveness of search, the designer contributes to a seamless buyer journey, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty, which are critical operational outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Potential to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and eventually move into a Design Lead or Managerial role.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in e-commerce search, AI-driven search experiences, or other specialized areas within product design.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within eBay, leveraging design thinking and user advocacy skills.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning in advanced design tools, emerging technologies (like AI in search), and user research methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section frames the role within a career path, highlighting how a Senior Product Designer contributes to operational goals and offers avenues for professional development and advancement within a large tech organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role in a modern, collaborative office environment. eBay offices are typically designed to foster teamwork, innovation, and employee well-being. Office Location(s): The role is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This location offers access to a vibrant tech ecosystem and a diverse talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with open-plan areas, meeting rooms equipped with technology for presentations and remote collaboration, and dedicated quiet zones for focused work.
• Access to the latest design software, hardware, and internal tools will be provided to support efficient workflow.
• Regular team meetings, design critiques, and cross-functional brainstorming sessions will be integral to the daily work.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week. While on-site, eBay emphasizes work-life balance, encouraging employees to manage their schedules effectively to meet project deadlines while maintaining personal well-being. This might include some flexibility in start/end times, subject to team needs and manager approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major city like Toronto suggests a dynamic work environment focused on collaboration and access to resources, which are key operational considerations for a designer.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and resume, assessing for core qualifications and experience.
• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where a hiring manager or senior designer will evaluate your portfolio. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your skills and impact, especially those related to search, e-commerce, or complex problem-solving.
• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a take-home design exercise or participate in a live design critique/problem-solving session. This assesses your design thinking, process, and ability to articulate rationale under pressure.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and Researchers to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate diverse perspectives.
• Behavioral and Cultural Fit Interviews: Discussions with team members and leadership to gauge your fit with eBay's values, your approach to teamwork, and your career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and most importantly, the measurable outcomes (e.g., increased conversion, improved user satisfaction, reduced errors). Use data where possible.
• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies with a clear narrative arc: problem, exploration, solution, and results. Explain why you made certain design decisions.
• Showcase Process: Demonstrate your thinking process beyond just the final UI. Include wireframes, user flows, research insights, and iteration examples.
• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects most relevant to search, e-commerce, or complex user journeys. Emphasize your Figma and prototyping skills.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, how you collaborated, and how you measure success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research eBay's current search experience, its competitors, and common challenges in e-commerce search.
• Practice Design Thinking: Be ready to break down a problem, brainstorm solutions, and justify your approach.
• Time Management: If given a take-home challenge, plan your time carefully to deliver a polished, well-reasoned response.
• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your work concisely and clearly, anticipating potential questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice on navigating the interview process, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and preparation for design challenges, which are critical operational components for a designer's application.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Advanced proficiency is a must.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma's built-in capabilities, familiarity with tools like Protopie, InVision, or similar for advanced animation and interaction design.
• Design Systems Tools: Experience with tools for managing and contributing to design systems (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook integration).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, internal eBay tools) to understand user behavior and measure design impact.
• Ability to interpret data dashboards and reports to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data and customer journeys are managed is beneficial. Familiarity with how design impacts CRM-related metrics (e.g., customer retention, repeat purchases) is a plus.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Jira/Confluence: For tracking design tasks, user stories, and documentation within an agile development workflow.
• Slack/Microsoft Teams: For day-to-day team communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Highlighting specific tools like Figma and mentioning analytics platforms and collaboration tools provides essential operational context for candidates regarding the technology stack they will engage with.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of eBay buyers and sellers, ensuring their experience is seamless and rewarding.
• Innovation & Boldness: Encouraging the pursuit of new ideas and challenging the status quo to drive continuous improvement in the platform and user experience.
• Collaboration & Inclusion: Fostering a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and teams work together effectively to achieve common goals.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data and insights to inform strategy, measure impact, and guide design and product development efforts.
• Craftsmanship & Quality: A dedication to producing high-quality, well-executed designs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working in close partnership with Product Management, Engineering, Research, and Content.
• Emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of product outcomes.
• Cross-functional teams likely operate in agile sprints, requiring frequent check-ins and joint problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aligning personal values with company values is crucial for long-term success and operational synergy. This section helps candidates understand the cultural expectations within eBay's design and product teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively integrating the needs of millions of diverse buyers and sellers with eBay's commercial objectives and technical constraints.
• Scale and Complexity: Designing for a global platform with a vast inventory and complex user journeys requires robust, scalable solutions.
• Evolving E-commerce Landscape: Staying ahead of trends in e-commerce, search technology (including AI), and competitor innovation.
• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent vision and execution across multiple product teams and departments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge design methodologies and tools.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Participation in events focused on e-commerce, UX design, and product innovation.
• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior designers and leaders for guidance and career development.
• Exposure to AI/ML in Search: Working with teams developing AI-powered search experiences, offering a unique learning opportunity.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding potential challenges and available growth opportunities helps candidates assess the role's suitability for their career aspirations and preparedness for the demands of a senior position.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to designing for large-scale e-commerce platforms. How do you balance user needs with business objectives in a competitive market?
• How do you prioritize features and design decisions when faced with competing demands from different stakeholders (e.g., product, engineering, marketing)?
• Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt your design vision. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?
• How do you approach problem-solving for complex user journeys, such as those found in e-commerce search and discovery?

Company & Culture Questions:

• Why are you interested in eBay and specifically the Search domain? What excites you about our platform?
• How do you contribute to a collaborative and inclusive team environment? Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams.
• How do you stay updated on design trends and emerging technologies, particularly in e-commerce and search?
• How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Use a clear narrative for each project: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data (e.g., percentage increase in conversion, reduction in bounce rate, user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the success of your designs.
• Showcase Figma Mastery: Highlight specific Figma features or techniques you used effectively, especially for prototyping and design system components.
• Explain Trade-offs: Be ready to discuss design decisions, including why certain options were chosen over others and any trade-offs made (e.g., balancing feature richness with usability).
• Focus on Relevance: Emphasize projects that align with eBay's search experience, e-commerce context, or complex user flows.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted advice for preparing for interviews, focusing on the types of questions likely to be asked and how to best present one's qualifications and portfolio in the context of a Senior Product Designer role at eBay.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer - Search position:

• Submit your application through the eBay Careers portal via the provided link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your experience in e-commerce, search, complex user journeys, and your mastery of Figma. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and measurable outcomes.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and responsibilities from your past roles that directly align with the job description, particularly "Product Design," "Search," "E-commerce," "Figma," "Prototyping," and "Cross-functional Collaboration." Quantify your achievements wherever possible.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to user-centered design, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Research eBay: Familiarize yourself with eBay's platform, its current search experience, its competitors, and its company values to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during interviews.

⚠️ 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.