Senior Product Designer (Stockholm)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer Company: Polar Location: Stockholm, Sweden Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Design / Engineering Date Posted: 2025-09-05 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design of Polar's platform, from onboarding and checkout to customer portals and developer-facing surfaces, with a focus on making complex billing effortless.
• Own and evolve Polar's design system, ensuring consistency, speed, and a high standard of craft across all product touchpoints.
• Collaborate intensely with engineering and product teams to translate user needs and feedback into elegant, world-class features and user experiences.
• Champion design excellence in typography, animations, micro-interactions, and developer ergonomics to enhance the overall user experience.
• Contribute to the company's open-source initiatives, particularly where design and developer experience intersect.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is deeply embedded within an engineering-led team, requiring a product designer who is comfortable with technical collaboration and can contribute to code-based prototypes, suggesting a hybrid "design-to-code" capability rather than a purely static design handoff. The emphasis on "developer ergonomics" and "developer-facing surfaces" indicates a need for understanding and designing for a technical audience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and iterate on comprehensive product flows, user interfaces, and interactive prototypes for Polar's dashboard, SDKs, and developer portals.
• Develop and maintain a robust design system that supports rapid iteration, ensures brand consistency, and scales with product growth.
• Actively participate in product strategy discussions, providing design perspectives to shape the future direction of the platform.
• Partner closely with engineers to understand technical constraints and opportunities, ensuring designs are feasible and optimized for implementation.
• Prototype and test new concepts using modern tools, including AI-assisted tools like Cursor/Claude Code, to validate user experiences before full development.
• Advocate for and implement high-fidelity design craft, including nuanced animations and micro-interactions, to elevate the product's polish and usability.
• Engage with the developer community, gathering feedback on design solutions and contributing to open-source projects that enhance the developer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "prototype and test concepts quickly — from Figma mocks to prototypes made in Cursor / Claude Code" signifies a hands-on approach to design, extending beyond traditional UI/UX tools into areas that bridge design and development. This implies a need for a designer who is not only skilled in design but also has a foundational understanding of front-end development or is eager to learn and apply it.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and digital product development is expected. Experience: 7+ years of experience designing digital products end-to-end, with a proven track record of shipping successful user experiences.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in user experience (UX) design, user interface (UI) design, and interaction design.
• Strong portfolio showcasing thoughtful UX, clean UI, and polished interactions across various digital products.
• Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma, and familiarity with AI-powered design tools like Cursor or Claude Code.
• Experience designing complex, data-rich, or developer-facing products.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a history of working effectively with engineers and product managers.
• Ability to set design direction, balance future vision with current execution, and iterate based on feedback.
• Willingness and ability to build initial prototypes using technologies like React, Next.js, and Tailwind CSS, leveraging AI tools when necessary.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for developer tools, SDKs, or APIs.
• Contributions to open-source design systems or component libraries.
• Deep understanding of developer ergonomics and best practices for developer-facing interfaces.
• Experience with animation and micro-interaction design to enhance user engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for building prototypes using React/Next.js/Tailwind and AI tools suggests that candidates with a blend of strong design skills and some front-end development aptitude or willingness to learn will be highly valued. This is a key differentiator for this role within an engineering-led environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design case studies that highlight problem definition, user research, ideation, prototyping, and final UI implementation.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of user-centered design principles and how they were applied to solve specific user problems.
• Include examples of complex data visualization or developer-focused interfaces if applicable, showcasing an ability to design for technical audiences.
• Present a strong command of visual design principles, including typography, color theory, layout, and brand consistency.
• Detail the process of creating and maintaining a design system, including component libraries and style guides.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the design process followed for each case study, emphasizing collaboration with cross-functional teams (engineering, product).
• Illustrate how feedback from stakeholders, users, and developers was incorporated into design iterations.
• Provide insights into rapid prototyping and user testing methodologies employed.
• Explain the rationale behind design decisions, focusing on how they address business goals and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should not only display finished work but also the thought process behind it, especially the collaborative aspects and the ability to iterate based on technical and user feedback. Given the mention of "open source PRs" and "prototypes made in Cursor / Claude Code," a portfolio that includes contributions to open-source projects or links to interactive prototypes built with code would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior title and 7+ years of experience requirement, and considering Stockholm as the location, a competitive salary range is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for senior product designers in tech hubs in Sweden, this could typically fall between SEK 600,000 - 900,000 per year, with potential variations based on specific experience and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential equity options.
• Opportunity to shape the future of a rapidly growing, engineering-led company.
• Collaborative and innovative work environment with a focus on high-velocity shipping.
• Direct impact on product direction and strategy.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and AI tools in the design process.
• Potential for contributions to open-source projects.
• Support for professional development and learning.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, the "high velocity" and "engineering-led" nature of the team suggests a dynamic work environment. Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are typical, with flexibility often provided.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for Senior Product Designers in Stockholm, Sweden. Specific compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, skills, and negotiation. The benefits are inferred from the company's description and the typical offerings in European tech startups.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software, Financial Technology (FinTech) / Developer Tools, specifically focusing on billing and monetization solutions for software businesses. Company Size: Polar is described as a "small, talented and engineering-led team." This suggests a startup environment, likely with fewer than 50 employees, allowing for significant individual impact and direct access to leadership. Founded: Polar was founded with the mission to simplify software monetization, indicating a focus on innovation and solving critical business challenges for developers.

Team Structure:

• The team is engineering-led, meaning technical expertise and the engineering perspective heavily influence product development and company direction.
• The Senior Product Designer will work closely with founders, design engineers, and the broader engineering team.
• Collaboration is expected to be direct and hands-on, with a flat hierarchy where ideas can be shared and implemented quickly.

Methodology:

• High-velocity shipping is a core principle, emphasizing rapid iteration and deployment of features.
• A strong focus on developer experience and community engagement is evident, with contributions to open source and direct interaction with developers.
• Data-driven decision-making and user feedback are integral to the design and development process.
• Embracing new technologies, including AI, to enhance productivity and innovation.

Company Website: https://polar.sh

📝 Enhancement Note: The "engineering-led" culture implies that technical acumen and a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset are highly valued. Designers are expected to be comfortable with technical discussions and potentially contribute to the technical aspect of prototyping.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level indicates a significant degree of autonomy, influence, and responsibility for key product areas. The role requires not just execution but also strategic input and leadership in design. Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Head of Product, a CTO, or directly to the Founder (Birk), given the small team size and engineering-led structure. Close collaboration with engineers is a given. Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on Polar's core offering – the user experience of its billing platform. By making complex billing effortless, the designer directly contributes to customer acquisition, retention, and overall product success, which translates to revenue growth and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for developer tools, financial products, or complex SaaS platforms.
• Leadership: Grow into a Design Lead or Head of Design role as the company scales, mentoring junior designers and defining the design vision.
• Technical Skill Development: Enhance skills in front-end development (React, Next.js, Tailwind) and AI-assisted design tools through hands-on project work.
• Product Strategy: Contribute more significantly to product strategy and roadmap planning, leveraging design insights.
• Open Source Contribution: Become a recognized contributor in relevant open-source design or developer tool communities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path is likely tied to the company's scaling, offering opportunities to take on more responsibility and leadership as Polar expands. The emphasis on hands-on technical contribution also presents a unique growth avenue for designers looking to broaden their skill set.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates with a fully remote hiring process, suggesting a distributed team structure. While the job title mentions "Stockholm," the remote nature implies that the designer may not need to be physically present in a specific office daily, but rather part of a geographically dispersed team. Office Location(s): The job posting specifies Stockholm, Sweden, as the location, but the hiring process is remote. This could mean the role is designated for someone based in or willing to relocate to Stockholm, or that the company has a presence there and is open to remote candidates within certain time zones.

Workspace Context:

• A remote-first or hybrid work environment, prioritizing flexibility and efficient communication via digital channels.
• Tools like GitHub issues/PRs and video calls are central to day-to-day collaboration.
• An engineering-centric environment where design and development work in tandem.
• A culture that values autonomy, initiative, and direct problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, implying a standard work week. The emphasis on "high velocity" suggests a driven team, but the remote nature often comes with flexibility in how working hours are structured, provided deliverables are met and collaboration is maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Stockholm" location combined with "fully remote" hiring process suggests the company is either based in Stockholm and open to remote employees, or is targeting talent in that region for a remote role. Candidates should clarify the expectations regarding location and any potential need for occasional in-person collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Initial screening of applications and portfolios.
• Intro Call: A short introductory video call with Birk (Founder) to assess initial fit and discuss the role.
• Assignment: A practical assignment, likely an open-source contribution (GitHub PR) or a case study, to evaluate design skills and technical aptitude.
• Review & Interviews: 2-3 video calls to meet the team, discuss the assignment and feedback, delve into technical questions, and have a final discussion with the Founder.
• Reference Calls: Standard reference checks.
• Offer: Extension of a job offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Clearly articulate your process, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Use visuals effectively.
• Highlight Collaboration: Provide examples of how you've worked with engineers and product managers, showcasing your ability to integrate feedback and technical constraints.
• Demonstrate Technical Aptitude: If possible, include examples of interactive prototypes or contributions to code repositories that showcase your comfort with the technical aspects of design.
• Focus on User & Business Impact: Explain how your designs solved user problems and contributed to business goals (e.g., improved conversion, reduced friction).
• Address Developer Experience: If you have experience designing for developers, highlight this specifically. Showcase your understanding of developer ergonomics and needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Polar's Mission: Research Polar's product, target audience (developers), and value proposition.
• Prepare for Technical Discussion: Be ready to discuss design decisions in the context of front-end development, your experience with prototyping tools, and your willingness to engage with code.
• Showcase Design System Thinking: Be prepared to discuss your approach to building and maintaining design systems.
• Practice Articulating Impact: Develop concise ways to describe the impact of your past design work, using metrics where possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The assignment phase is crucial. Candidates should prepare a high-quality, relevant piece of work that demonstrates their skills in context, particularly their ability to work with modern tools and collaborate effectively with engineers. The emphasis on "open source PR" suggests a real-world, collaborative task.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, and prototyping.
• Cursor / Claude Code: AI-powered coding editors, indicating an interest in integrating AI into the design and prototyping workflow, potentially for faster iteration and creating interactive prototypes.
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in various prototyping tools beyond Figma (e.g., Framer, ProtoPie) may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, a Senior Product Designer would typically use analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and measure the impact of design changes.
• Dashboarding tools might be used to visualize key product metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design role, but understanding how billing and customer management systems work would be an advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Cursor / Claude Code" alongside Figma signals a forward-thinking approach to design tooling, suggesting Polar values designers who are comfortable experimenting with and leveraging AI and code in their workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Engineering-led: Technical excellence, pragmatic problem-solving, and a deep understanding of software development are paramount.
• High Velocity: A culture of rapid iteration, shipping quickly, and adapting swiftly to feedback and market changes.
• Developer Focus: A strong commitment to understanding and serving the needs of developers, creating exceptional developer experiences.
• Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality design, attention to detail, and polished user interfaces and interactions.
• Openness & Collaboration: A transparent work environment that encourages open communication, knowledge sharing, and teamwork, including contributions to open source.

Collaboration Style:

• Close, hands-on collaboration between design, engineering, and product.
• Iterative design process involving frequent feedback loops.
• Direct communication channels, likely via Slack, GitHub, and video calls.
• A culture that values direct contribution and proactive problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "engineering-led" and "high velocity" suggests a fast-paced, results-oriented culture where designers are expected to be proactive, adaptable, and deeply integrated with the engineering team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Design and Code: Effectively translating complex design concepts into functional prototypes using tools like Cursor/Claude Code and potentially React/Next.js.
• Designing for Developers: Understanding the specific needs, workflows, and expectations of a technical audience.
• Balancing Vision and Execution: Setting a future design direction while still delivering polished, high-quality work for current features.
• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication and collaborative bonds in a fully remote, highly cross-functional team.
• Rapid Iteration: Adapting to a fast-paced environment that prioritizes quick shipping and continuous improvement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen knowledge in front-end development frameworks and AI tools.
• Domain Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of billing systems, FinTech, and developer tools markets.
• Product Strategy Involvement: Contributing directly to the product roadmap and strategic decisions.
• Open Source Community Engagement: Building a reputation and network within the open-source design and developer communities.
• Leadership Growth: Potential to grow into leadership roles within the design function as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and growth opportunity lie in the intersection of design and development, requiring a designer willing to learn and apply technical skills in their daily workflow.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Collaboration: "Describe a complex product you designed end-to-end. How did you collaborate with engineers and product managers throughout the process? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on demonstrating process, collaboration, and problem-solving.)
• Design System Philosophy: "What are your principles for building and maintaining a scalable design system? How do you balance consistency with flexibility and speed?" (Highlight your approach to design systems and their governance.)
• Developer Tooling Experience: "Tell me about your experience designing for developer-facing products or APIs. What are the key considerations for this audience?" (Showcase understanding of developer ergonomics and needs.)
• AI in Design: "How do you see AI tools like Cursor or Claude Code impacting the design workflow? Can you share any experience you have using them or similar technologies?" (Be prepared to discuss your perspective and any practical experience.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Polar's mission and our focus on empowering developers?" (Demonstrate genuine interest and alignment with the company's vision.)
• "How do you thrive in an engineering-led, high-velocity environment?" (Showcase adaptability, proactivity, and a results-oriented mindset.)
• "What are your thoughts on contributing to open-source projects as part of your role?" (Express enthusiasm for community engagement and shared development.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: Frame your case studies as compelling stories with a clear beginning (problem), middle (solution/process), and end (impact).
• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals, mockups, and interactive elements to showcase your designs.
• Process Transparency: Clearly explain your thought process, user research, iterations, and the rationale behind your design decisions.
• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you collaborated with engineers and other stakeholders.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. For this role, focus on how your designs made billing "effortless" or improved developer experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulating not just the "what" but the "why" and "how." Demonstrating comfort with technical aspects and a collaborative spirit will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate end-to-end design for complex digital products, ideally with a focus on developer experience or data-rich interfaces. Showcase your process, collaboration, and any relevant technical contributions.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 7+ years of experience, key skills in UX/UI, Figma proficiency, and any experience with developer tools, AI in design, or open-source contributions. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, collaboration methods, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to design systems and your experience with AI/code-based prototyping tools.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Polar, its mission, target audience, and engineering-led culture to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment during your 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.